Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/665065
TRIUMPH BONNEVILLE T120 FIRST RIDE P100 quite capable of doing their job, with progressive power and good modulation via the adjustable lever. The new Bonneville T120 isn't a retro-styled bike given a dose of modern performance, like its Thruxton R sister. Instead, it's a modern recreation of a famous classic motorcycle, employing current technology in pursuit of today's performance and durabil- ity, coupled with the allure of yes- teryear. It's got a centerstand as standard, service intervals have bossed handlebar clamp, and the numerous other detail design cues from all the company's yesterdays that Triumph's stylists must have had a great time researching. Listen to the engine note issuing from those double-skinned peashooter silencers that's loud enough to convince you it's coming from an air-cooled motor, and don't then try to tell me this new "big" Bonneville isn't history once more. With prices starting in the UK from the equiva- lent of $13,500, the Bonneville T120 is quite a bit less expensive than the best-selling $16,700 BMW R nineT, 2 0 1 6 T R I U M P H T 1 2 0 B O N N E V I L L E ENGINE: ...................... Liquid-cooled, 8-valve, SOHC, 270° crank angle, parallel twin DISPLACEMENT: ....................1200cc BORE X STROKE: ........ 97.6 x 80mm COMPRESSION RATIO: .............10.0:1 MAX POWER: .......... 79 Bhp (59 kW) @ 6500 rpm MAX TORQUE: .. 77 lb-ft @ 3100 rpm FUEL SYSTEM: Multipoint sequential electronic fuel injection EXHAUST: . 2 into 2 exhaust system EMISSIONS: ............................ Euro 4 FUEL CONSUMPTION: ...........63 mpg FINAL DRIVE: ................. X ring chain CLUTCH: .......Wet, multi-plate assist clutch TRANSMISSION: ...................6-speed FRAME: ............. Tubular steel cradle SWINGARM: Twin-sided, tubular steel FRONT WHEEL: ................. 32-spoke, 18 x 2.75 in. REAR WHEEL: .................... 32-spoke, 17 x 4.25 in. FRONT TIRE: ............... 100/90-18 in. REAR TIRE: .................150/70-R17 in. FRONT SUSPENSION: Kayaba 41mm cartridge fork REAR SUSPENSION: .....Kayaba twin shocks with adj. preload FRONT WHEEL TRAVEL: ........... 4.7 in. REAR WHEEL TRAVEL: ............. 4.7 in. FRONT BRAKE: ............. Twin 310mm discs, Nissin 2-piston floating calipers, ABS REAR BRAKE: .. Single 255mm disc, Nissin 2-piston floating caliper, ABS SEAT HEIGHT: ....................... 30.9 in. WHEELBASE: ......................... 56.9 in. RAKE/TRAIL: ................. 25.5°/4.1 in. DRY WEIGHT:......................493.1 lbs. FUEL CAPACITY: ................... 3.3 gal. S P E C I F I C A T I O N S The modern EFI system is disguised as old- school carbs. and is essentially the bike that Ducati should have produced by now as the 1200cc variant of their Scrambler family—the two-thirds as big 800cc variant of the Scrambler priced from $11,200 upwards has minimal performance pretensions. Mind you, customers for any retro-styled Triumph Bonneville—es- pecially one as faithfully concocted as the T120, and with its meaty maxi-sized motor—will be seeking a bike with the sporting allure and performance heritage it brings with it, rather than being inspired to catch the wind and buy a Scrambler as an entry ticket to the flower pow- er Land of Joy. Triumph vs. Ducati, Bonneville vs. Scrambler—it's Mods and Rockers all over again, but in a 21st century context! CN now been increased to 10,000- mile (from 6000 miles), it has an overdrive sixth gear which I never really used during our morning's ride which kept us away from dual highways, the ignition lock has been moved to the correct place between the handlebar and clocks, and it's got LED lights, a gear indicator, and even a USB charging socket. Yet the T120 also has a genuine period feel via the trademark Bonneville styl- ing, all the shiny covers, the fact the radiator is completely hidden away, and those rubber tank grips on the sides of the tank. Check out the retro-style clocks, the 32-spoke wire wheels and their chrome rims, the "Triumph" em-