Monday 4th April
2016 Triumph Bonneville T120 Black: PH2
Back in black, a new Bonnie for the modern retro world
While some riders have fallen head over heels in love with the new Triumph Thruxton tested on PH2 recently, for others the race-inspired look and sporty riding position is a bit extreme.
Looks will be a key selling point for this Bonnie
A new take on an old themeThe T120 uses exactly the same basic platform as the Thruxton, but subtle changes give it a totally different attitude. The parallel twin engine has a heavier crank and altered tune to make it less sporty and gutsier in the mid-range, with a taller final drive as well. While the chassis is the same, the T120 gets a steel swing-arm and the same conventional forks, sliding caliper brakes and twin dampers as the base Thruxton. On the electronics side ride by wire, ABS, traction control and variable fuel modes come as standard, but the T120 also adds heated grips to the party. To give it a cool 1959 Bonnie look, the T120 has twin peashooter pipes, a bench seat, tall bars and an 18-inch front wheel with retro looking Pirelli Phantom tyres. Like the Thruxton, if you are into modern retros the T120 is absolutely on the money as far as style is concerned. But will the ride be reminiscent of the 1960s or the 21st century?
Easy does it
Triumph was very keen for us to ride the T120 before the Thruxton, and with good reason. The T120 is a very different prospect to the Thruxton and, if you were to ride the peppy Thruxton first, you may hop on the T120 and feel a little disappointed. This is a bike aimed at a very different rider to the Thruxton and needs to be treated as such. Where the Thruxton's short gearing and lightened crank give it an instant burst of acceleration, the Bonnie is far more muted in its power delivery with the retuned engine giving a super smooth and refined ride with virtually no vibrations. Where a certain section of riders might call it a little dull, others will relish this relaxed nature and the sheer effortlessness of riding it. The Bonnie isn't a bike to rush around on like the Thruxton, it is a machine designed for relaxed cruising with a pillion and it does this job brilliantly. There is no fuss and no aggression; it's all wonderfully refined and delivers a thoroughly enjoyable experience. The improved low end drive means you seldom need to shift gear and the riding position is perfectly set for cruising.
Handling is fine; look elsewhere for thrills though
It's a similar story with the chassis. Should you up the pace the T120's fairly limited ground clearance soon starts to become an issue, but it seems unlikely many riders will choose to push it that hard; therefore this slight annoyance is easy to overlook. The 18-inch front wheel also gives the T120 a slightly ponderous rate of turn but, again, outright agility shouldn't be a concern for the prospective Bonnie owner. As you would expect on a relaxed bike such as this, the suspension is set quite softly. However, Triumph has worked hard on the damping rates and while it is soft, it never feels squishy like the old air-cooled Bonnies, which is impressive. It's not sporty like the Thruxton, but it is a lovely bike to ride for the sheer enjoyment of two wheels.An appealing prospect
The best way to describe the new T120 Bonneville is as a grown up version of the old air-cooled Bonnie. Where that bike was limited in its use due to its poor suspension and smaller capacity engine, the new T120 offers riders far more potential. This is a bike that can be used on a sunny Sunday, taken touring with or without a pillion and will happily shrug off a commute. It's a genuine do-it-all retro that looks absolutely fantastic and appears to have a very high level of build quality. While it's fair to say it's not the most thrilling of bikes to ride, it's not meant to be a machine to get your adrenalin rushing - that's the job of the Thruxton. If the look of the new Bonnie appeals and you want a chilled out retro with all the modern technology we now expect, you will absolutely love the new T120 models. But which to go for? The stylish Black model with its matt paint or the classically beautiful two-tone T120? Tough choice.
TRIUMPH BONNEVILLE T120 BLACK
Engine: 1,200cc parallel twin, water-cooled, 8v
Power (hp): 80@6,550rpm
Torque (lb ft): 77@3,100rpm
Top speed: 120mph (est.)
Weight: 224kg (dry)
MPG: 63 (claimed)
Price: £9,600