2016
New Triumph Bonneville T120
The
all-new Triumph Bonneville T120 and T120 Black are the two models that will
strike the most authentic chord with Bonneville fans, and are the direct
replacements for the current Bonneville and T100.
Triumph
are pitching the T120 as their latest take on the original Bonneville, also
rekindling the T120 designation first used in 1959, while also making a big
deal of the quality, fit and finish – and the modern performance on offer from
the 1199 cc ‘high-torque’ variant of the all-new water-cooled parallel-twin.
Like
the rest of the Bonneville range, the bike is a completely new design and
there’s not a single part shared with the outgoing model. This is a modern
classic reborn and is aimed at taking on the ever-burgeoning group of rivals in
the class.
Just
like the Thruxton pairing, there are two Bonnevilles in the 2016 range, a
Bonneville T120 and T120 Black, each using the same water-cooled 1199 cc engine,
producing a healthy 77 lb-ft of torque at 3100 rpm – which represents a huge 54%
boost over the outgoing T100’s figures. Compared to the more powerful engine in
the Thruxton, the engine in the T120 has a heavier crank and lower compression
ratio, but the same 270 degree firing order. It also features a pair of
classically-styled peashooter exhausts with the same twin-walled design seen on
the Thruxtons.
Also
evident, in common with the other new models, are ABS as standard, a
ride-by-wire throttle, switchable traction control, adjustable riding modes, a
slip-assist clutch for a much lighter lever action, LED rear light, heated
grips, a USB charging socket and twin clocks with a digital panels.
The
T120 is available in four classically inspired colourschemes: red and silver,
black and white, all black and all red. No prices have yet been announced for
any of the new classic range but MCN expects both T120s to be in the ballpark
of £ 9899.
The
Bonneville T120 Black is essentially the same bike as the new T120 Bonnie, but
aimed at a more urban customer, with its fully blacked-out colourscheme and
dark brown seat. The blackness extends to the wheel rims, grab rail, exhaust
and engine cases to give the bike a much more contemporary look over the very
classic-looking standard T120.