2023 Triumph Bonneville T120 | Honest First Ride Impressions

[@LaminarSound]

I test rode a 2023 T120 this past weekend and LOVED it. Despite being nearly 40lbs heavier than my Street Twin, it felt MORE planted and stable. No problem leaning it over and zipping around. Maybe it doesnt fling quite as easily as the Street Twin, but it felt just awesome. Trading in the Street Twin this week for it. Cant wait.

[@MotorcycleDemoRiders]

Congrats on your next bike purchase. Not a single thing wrong with the T120 it just wasn't for me. I actually felt more connected with the speed twin 1200. It's very similar, just a bit more power. That's the beauty of motorcycles to me. It's such an individual and personal thing. One of the reasons I want to experience every bike I can and also spend way more money than I should honestly. 8 bikes and counting for me right now, and I'm sure I will add more. My retirement will just be riding non-stop. Stay safe and enjoy your new ride!

[@LaminarSound]

Love it! Agree 100%. I actually think I prefer the Speed Twin 1200 as well. Thats such a sexy bike and the power is what Im after. If I werent married with a wife who wanted to ride with me all the time thats the bike I would get. T120 is good enough on power and has the comfort for 2-up longer rides. So hey, theres something for everyone!! Great videos mate!@@MotorcycleDemoRiders

[@tedsalmon2533]

I've got a 2020 t120 which was the last year heated grips and a center stand were standard. I love this bike. I alternate between the t120 and my Tiger 850 sport and still I've got nearly 10,000 miles on it. Can't be beat!

[@MotorcycleDemoRiders]

That is a good selection in bikes. Plus having different styles of bikes is a plus for me! Being fortunate enough to choose which bike I want to ride on a different day is a blessing. Didn't get that until I got older, but all my kids are grown now so I get to have some toys of my own now. Stay safe and thanks for sharing!

[@tedsalmon2533]

Actually I'm nearly 72 now and I'd buy a third bike if I truly believed I'd have the time to ride it!@@MotorcycleDemoRiders

[@hodakaharold]

I am 67 years old and just bought a 2023 T120 Red/Silver. My go to bike for touring is my 2016 Tiger 800 XRT. I thought I was the only one with such tastes to alternate.

[@kennethjabasa6101]

got my t120 black 2023 ride for 5 hour need to change the stock seat , very good for all around ride

[@MotorcycleDemoRiders]

5 hours in the saddle is a really good day riding! Im jealous right now. I haven't had a long ride like that since last year when I did an 8 hour trip, but that was on my Indian Challenger. The t120 is a good bike, no question. Even as comfortable as the stock seat was after 5 hours in any seat, I'm getting a little sore and ready for a break. Appreciate you for taking the time to share your experience with the bike. Stay safe and please let us know what seat you get and how it works for you in the future.

[@jeansealy3324]

Did u change the seat yet

[@xsiteeu]

Your short review from my point of view was completely objective. You have sensibly commented on all the features of the motorcylce, and I feel you spoke your opinion thrutfully. I don't see a problem, just keep up the quality videos.

[@MotorcycleDemoRiders]

Thank you for taking the time to share your kind words. I appreciate it very much and I absolutely will. Stay safe always and Enjoy!

[@rayspasov1398]

I have 22 Honda rebel 1100 dct ,$9,998,just picked up 22 Harley street Bob 114',for 11,500 great deal 😁

[@MotorcycleDemoRiders]

Nice bikes! I really want to try the Rebel 1100. Seems like it would be a really fun bike to ride! Great price for a 22 Harley also. Really good deal!

[@johnbentall5105]

I am irrationally suspicious about cruisers and about their suspension travel on the rear in particular. I can see that the Street Bob rear shock has 43mm stroke (according to H-D specs) whereas the T120 has 120mm of travel. Surely the Triumph is going to be a lot more comfortable over poor surfaces - or I have I completely misunderstood matters? I suppose I need to try, say, a Rebel 1100 for myself.

[@joshuabermingham1795]

just got my first bike the 2024 Kawasaki eliminator! you should give it a try :)

[@MotorcycleDemoRiders]

Congrats and welcome to 2-wheels. Oh it's on my list of bikes I am looking forward to trying out! Light weight, low seat height and providing a decent power and torque. I am happy its a mid foot position versus forwards. I hope you enjoy it and have many years of riding fun in your future! Stay safe

[@joshuabermingham1795]

Thank you! Looking forward to many years of ridding. Enjoying every second on the bike even riding in the cold weather, its got some beans to it! Cant wait to watch you ride one! @@MotorcycleDemoRiders

[@MotorcycleDemoRiders]

@joshuabermingham1795 excitement always trumps the cold weather. The day i get to ride one, it will get released right away. Stay safe and keep us informed on how the bike holds up over time. Likes and dislikes as it helps others make their decisions. For me riders stick together no matter what you ride.

[@BlackdogADV]

Does heated grips and cruise control come standard now?

[@MotorcycleDemoRiders]

Cruise control yes but not heated grips. Sadly that would be $300 extra.

[@robertparisi8016]

I have a 2023 model, it cost me $500 for factory heated grips, 2 settings, cruise is OK but it just locks the throttle, there is no increase or decrease adjustability, it just locks the speed u set it at. Of coarse brake or clutch automatically shuts it off. Ecu is satisfactory, added luggage, triumph comfort seat, madstat detachable windshield, triumph bar risers, it's a ok bike, nice and light, still like a heavy cruiser once in a while, 1 bike just doesn't cut it

[@nickaxe771]

I have the 900cc version the T100....I was happy to pay the premium price as its a Premium Machine. Had mine from new 2020.....looks just as a bike should look in my opinion....goes great....way fast enough for me a 70 year old. Made a few mods....nothing drastic....I painted out the switch gear with semi gloss black....looks to modern other wise.....I fitted a nice Lucam amp meter to the head lamp bowl....love its retro look. Took off the std peashooter exhaust's....which are great I may add....but I wanted some British Toga reto silencers....1960 style....Wont part with the peashooters. Fitted a DIY front fender extender....lowered the rear fender slightly....looked a bit to high to me. Oh and polished off the brushed finish on the engine covers. Love it to bits. Thanks for the vid. Nick in the UK.

[@MotorcycleDemoRiders]

Sounds like you have it setup the way you like it and good to hear you are still riding and loving life! I bet it looks really nice with those exhausts! I just looked and I didn't get to ride the T100 this year. I did ride the 2024 and 2023 Scrambler 900 and the 2023 Speed Twin 900 which has the same engine and I liked it! The retro look and feel are an absolute draw for these and to be honest it is better than the modern retro bikes from the other manufacturers in my opinion. Of course, you are paying a premium and they won't speak to everyone but it's all subjective as every rider has different preferences, but 2-wheels and the wind is heaven for me. Stay safe and I appreciate you taking the time to comment and share!

[@Am0Am0]

What gloves are you wearing sir?

[@MotorcycleDemoRiders]

Those are ILM Goatskin gloves. Pretty comfortable and have lasted nearly 2 years.

[@deb-kenjohnson9497]

Weight is totally subjective. My T120 feels like a toy after 14 years riding a Royal Star Tour Deluxe. I lost 330 lbs and 10" of wheelbase. That makes the T120 feel like a dirt bike in comparison.

[@MotorcycleDemoRiders]

That is true! I have ridden so many bikes above 800lbs that most of these sub 600lbs bikes feel as you said like a toy. I have since fallen in love with the speed twin 1200. What made you go with the bonnie?

[@deb-kenjohnson9497]

@@MotorcycleDemoRiders Age! The big Yamaha started to feel too heavy to manage. The Bonnie was the closest thing to UJM to me. Never would have considered a Triumph in the past but the Japanese manufacturers don't have much that interest me. In the last three weeks I bought a RE Super Meteor for the wife, she sold her Vulcan 900 LT and a new 2023 Chrome Edition T120 for myself. Both bikes have character and lineage we find interesting.

[@adamschannel8685]

A 12 litre tank on this bike is ridiculous

[@jeffgordon5590]

Would like to hear your take on the Kawasaki W 800 THANKYOU.👍

[@MotorcycleDemoRiders]

You know I would too! Lol I've really tried get a ride on one to compare with the speed twin 900. W800 is more expensive and less powerful. They both look good and the W800 most likely has a higher top speed but less low end grunt. I am curious on the comfort side personally. Overall power isn't a primary concern for me its value for money and right now based on specs alone the speed twin 900 wins.

[@jeffgordon5590]

@@MotorcycleDemoRiders I'm at an age where it's not about all the horses or tech. I like the fact the W 800 is a simple air cooled honest mtorcycle. I currently ride a Honda CB 1100ex and love it for its relaxed character. Though it's a bit on the heavy side. Might be time to down size. Looking at the Kawasaki.

[@MotorcycleDemoRiders]

I can appreciate that. One of the first things I said when I took out the speed 900. I'm jealous about the cb1100ex. We didn't get that bike and it looked like a blast to ride. Can't go wrong with the w800 I have no doubt you will enjoy it.

[@WilliamWBG]

Suggestion……wait until after you finish the ride before taking Valium or Xanax. 😂 That was the most useless test ride that I’ve ever seen. No emotion. Nothing. You said the same thing over and over without saying anything. You obviously were not excited about the t120. Couldn’t think of anything positive to say but were too afraid to say how you really felt Likely because you don’t want to risk milking the opportunity to get free test rides from dealerships.

[@KevinOco347]

I found his emotions to be so on point that you picked them out as I did! The bike obviously wasn't exciting and as he said its fine but thats all. I dont need or want someone to manufacture emotions to sell me on something and I appreciate that. Also he has done bikes that he has ripped to hell from the same dealership so

[@MotorcycleDemoRiders]

Lol I am not here to sell you a bike and I got all the information I needed about the bike. So I found it very usefull. I rode it and its a fine bike. I said its comfortable, good looking and has a nice dash layout. No I couldn't find anything wrong with it but no i also couldn't find anything exciting about it either. Not everything is going to resonate with everyone. But I do appreciate your criticism and to your point I just could find much to say on the ride. Perhaps my delivery isn't for you and thats ok but milking dealerships for free test rides? You pay for test rides? I only do my rides with dealerships that pride themselves of letting riders try the bikes to see if they will like it before they buy it. In this case Triumph Waukesha is an amazing dealer that cares about the people that come in the showroom and just loves riders. If a dealership makes you pay for a test ride I want the name and location because they shouldn't be in business.

[@MichelleHarmon-wl2eg]

Its apparently comfortable, has a neutral riding position, its a non adjustable suspension, the retro gauges are nice and he finds it to be a good looking bike and a solid ride. Not sure what you listened to but I got a solid impression that how he felt about it.

[@nickaxe771]

Balls.....it was a great vid....to the point....no glitz.....who wants that.

[@johnmartin7158]

⁠@@MotorcycleDemoRiders. You make some valid points. Nothing bad and nothing great about that bike and yet I own one love it to pieces. Go figure, lol. So I kinda know where you’re coming from. I own the 2022 Triumph T120 Matt Black / Graphite gold line series. My 2nd bike is a 2023 Yamaha XMax scooter. Cheers NZ.