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The Triumph Bonneville T120 is one of the most iconic British bikes ever, and one of the coolest retro-styled motorcycles currently available.
Triumph is the closest thing to a British version of America's Harley as far as icons go. They produce motorcycles that symbolize adventure and a superior lifestyle of comfort and elegance. How elegant, you ask? During the Queen's Jubilee celebrations, the immaculate custom Triumph Scrambler previously featured in the 007 No Time To Die movie joined the Platinum Jubilee Pageant, rolling down the streets of London to celebrate the longest standing British monarch.
But the subject of this article is a more prominent Triumph icon than Bond's favorite Scrambler. The Bonneville has been around for over six decades, making it one of the motorcycle nameplates with the longest production runs. The Bonneville T120 first hit the scene in 1959 and, by the mid-60s, was one of the fastest bikes on the road before fast Japanese motorcycles crowded the market. The original T120 derived its name from Triumph's successful Bonneville Salt Flats world speed record run, and it remains one of the best motorcycles ever made by the British Marquee. Triumph brought back the iconic motorcycle in 2016, and here's why we'd love to throw a leg over the Triumph Bonneville T120.
The new Bonneville T120 doesn't pride the traditional Bonneville Pace. It is powered by a 1200cc, liquid-cooled, SOHC parallel twin as opposed to the air-cooled DOHC unit in the original bike. While the 60s bike was a hot sport model, the modern iteration is a high-torque, softly tuned motor with a sharp response.
The engine makes up for the power deficit with refinement, excellent build quality, top-notch detailing, and produces a smooth sweet rumble. The machine is low-stressed and has proven solid and dependable.
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The Bonneville T120 has a claimed horsepower of 78hp, peaking at 6,550rpm, which is pretty much on the redline, beyond which electronics will cut it off. The money is on the low-end torque, with all 77lb-ft available by the 3500rpm mark. This happens so fast and is enough to hurl you forwards.
It might look like a relic and weigh as much as an elephant, but it is pretty quick, packing speed with urgency as it surges without lag. Maximum fun is achieved at low rates and thanks to piles of low-end torque, but you can also blast between corners and complete overtake maneuvers without downshifting.
The new T120 design drew inspiration from the 1959 Bonneville, and it is an authentic retro with classic cues on the tank, lights, and clocks. The Silhouette of the T120 is now arguably classier than the original bike, thanks to the modern premium finish. Its attractive period detailing comes with clean and fuss-free lines, making for a good-looking machine. Where it lacks raw top-end power, it compensates with style.
Triumph has been more tenacious with preserving the retro idea with the 1200cc Bonneville T120 compared to Ducati with its Sport Classic bikes and Kawasaki with the W800 and W650.
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At 520 pounds, the Bonneville T120 is bulky, although it isn't the heaviest motorcycle on the market. Still, it requires capable brakes to slow down, and the new Brembo brakes get the job done immaculately. Dual 310mm discs twin-piston floating calipers are on the front, with a capable Nissin rear caliper at the rear. ABS comes standard, and the brakes are span adjustable, easy to use, and feel superb.
The bike's aluminum wheels are clad in bespoke Pirelli Phantom Sportscomp tires, which feature a classic tread design and modern performance, resulting in a confident all-weather grip.
The T120 is the bigger sibling in the Bonneville lineup, and it has seen significant improvement in the newer model years, which have made it more agile than ever. Triumph engineers claim it is the best-handling Bonnie ever. Perhaps they have a point because it features Triumph's legendary neutral, easy-handling and engaging riding experience comes. The 2021 model features significant overall weight savings from the revised engine and the lighter wheels.
Lower inertia from the classic 32-spoke aluminum wheels makes the new Bonneville gets nimbler than the older models when changing directions fast. The impeccably balanced suspension both front and rear add to the bike's agile and stable ride dynamics.
Under the beautiful classic guise, the Triumph Bonneville packs plenty of higher specification technology. Cruise control comes with a convenient single-button operation. There are two rider modes, Road and Rain, which adjust engine mapping and traction control to provide the ideal throttle response for the specific riding conditions. Also, ABS comes standard alongside switchable traction control.
Triumph offers a rich catalog of 116 Genuine Accessories plus 50 style enhancing parts to customize the T120 to your taste. You can opt to make the bike more comfortable and versatile for longer rides, more secure to leave it packed on the streets, or more practical for the daily commute.
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While a true modern classic, the Bonneville T120 is far from an oldie underneath, featuring a balanced blend of the classical charm with modernity. It subtly hides more modern, advanced features than you will find on many naked bikes. From ride-by-wire to standard ABS, riding modes, switchable traction control, heated grips, and a slip assist clutch.
Triumph could have gone with a fully digital display, but they went with an analog twin-clock dash housing two displays that provide all the information you might need, including riding mode, gear, and range.
The long list of standard features, optional accessories, and premium specifications turns the Bonneville T120 into a practical, real-world tool. It is surprisingly comfortable and economical. While not a traditional touring bike, you can easily ride it for hours on the highway thanks to the cruise control, the comfortable upright ergonomics, and a responsive engine.
The fuel economy is impressive, with a quoted mileage of 60.1mpg. The 3.8-gallon tank will give you about 130 miles before the fuel light shows up, providing an extra 40 miles, give or take, in reserve. You can easily clock two hours of highway riding before you start worrying about locating the next gas station.
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Starting at $12,395 before options, the T120 is easily not the cheapest retro motorcycles money can buy. Rivals like the Kawasaki W800 and the Moto Guzzi V7 are significantly more affordable, not to mention the Royal Enfield Interceptor going for half the price. But with the Bonnie, you get a more premium machine. It is worlds apart from the Interceptor in terms of quality, and it packs higher-spec tech and luxury compared to the Moto Guzzi.
Also, the bike holds more resale value than the rivals mentioned above. But the motorcycle comes short in terms of modern performance compared to powerful retro bikes like the BMW R nine T or the MT09 derived Yamaha XSR900, both of which pack contemporary motorcycle competence with period appearances.
Bryan is a content marketer who works as a staff writer for HotCars.com where he covers a variety of topics, from the first Motorwagen to the latest Electric vehicles. A writer by day and a programmer by night. When he is not writing about cars, catch him tinkering with his old motorcycle.