Bonneville T120 Still King Of The Modern Retro? 8 month Owners Review

Join me on a ride through the Wyre Forest where I review my ownership and say why I think the Bonneville is still the King of Modern Retro bikes.

[@mikoajlatocha265]

Completely agree - I have my T120 for a year now. Using it as all rounder and it's great in every single thing. It does not to be the best in all categories, but overall it's awesome and gives me much more enjoy then I expected.

[@Grumpy-Goblin]

Thanks for your coment I genuinely think it is hard to think of a better all round motorcycle that has this level of quality. I think mine will be with me for a long time to come.

[@johnterry804]

@@Grumpy-GoblinI had a 2019 t120 it always ran hot the fan constantly coming on even on very cold days? Does yours??

[@Grumpy-Goblin]

@@johnterry804 Hi John, yes they do tend to run hot. It isn't really surprising when you think what a small radiator they have and I'm guessing that is why they still have proper fins on the engine rather than just decorative ones. I've never found it to be too much of an issue except in traffic it can be annoying.

[@johnterry804]

@@Grumpy-Goblinwell I agree with you? Just found your channel and subscribed! Also my t120 was in white and blue! After selling it I had 5 different bikes since then! Just sold my bike and pick up my new t120 on 8 March funny same colour as yours 😂 I like your little screen! Have you a link to where I can get one? Or is it a Triumph! Which are expensive!!

[@Grumpy-Goblin]

@@johnterry804 thanks for the sub, I can understand why you are getting another there is something special about them. The screen on mine is a Dart screen sorry I don't have a link as it came on the bike but just Google dart screens.

[@toni4729]

Loved the ride through England for the first time in a long time.

[@chriskendall6089]

Agree with your review , I have recently purchased a new T120 and first ever Triumph having spent the last 13 years riding a BMW . Would I go back no chance, love the look the sound and the riding position. The only downside side is when ever I park up I need to allow extra time for people to tell me that “ they had one “ or how fantastic the bike looks . Is it worth the premium price, as I wish to hold on to this one for many years Yes Yes Yes 👍

[@Grumpy-Goblin]

Glad you're enjoying your bike. Mine still feels special every time I ride it I think it will be with me for a long time to come. You are right it is not a bike for people who don't want to talk to people. I've even had a little old lady stop her car and wind the window down to tell me her Brother had one. 👍

[@bankruptpensioner]

The T120 is a wonderful bike and meets virtually every riders need. I rented one from I rented one for a few days from Tenerife on Triumph. It was a great holiday. In fact, it was such a great time, I am going back to rent out the T120 again at Tenerife. If you are looking for an all rounder, the T120 should be at the top of anyones list 👍

[@Grumpy-Goblin]

I can't disagree with that. I have yet to find anything the T120 can't do well with the exception of proper off-roading but I think a few mods and it would even give that a go. I've not been to Tenerife but from the vids I've seen the Bonneville would be a great sight seeing bike on those roads.

[@bankruptpensioner]

@@Grumpy-Goblin Go look at my channel. There are vids from Tenerife on the T120. This April, I am going back and will be taking the T120 and Bobber for a spin for 4 days 👍

[@conrad152]

Excellent video, interesting comments about T120, the countryside was beautiful.

[@Grumpy-Goblin]

Thank you, I am very fortunate to live in a beautiful part of the world and I think motorcycles help you to appreciate it even more.

[@victorway5503]

Just came across this video Mike and it's obvious just how much you love this bike, as if I didn't know already! Quite agree with you that it's all about personal opinion and feeling for a certain bike, I've definitely got exactly that feeling for my Z900RS, after a long search 🙈. It's a good job we all have different likes and wants or we'd all be riding round the same which would be boring! Great owners review, I enjoyed listening to your thoughts 👍

[@Grumpy-Goblin]

Cheers Victo I do love it. I've yet to see your new beast I'll have to pop round. 👍

[@victorway5503]

@@Grumpy-Goblin yes of course you're welcome anytime 👍

[@lauriebloggs8391]

I don't see mine as a retro bike, but a very competent package. Never thought I'd say that of a chain drive naked bike, lol!!

[@Grumpy-Goblin]

I think that is part of its great success tbh it is modern enough to be competent at pretty much anything in the modern world but looks amazing while doing it.

[@lauriebloggs8391]

@@Grumpy-Goblin spot on

[@Grumpysprout]

Just purchased a T120 Gold line 22 plate maiden trip tomorrow 😊

[@Grumpy-Goblin]

Congratulations enjoy your maiden trip. Hopefully it will change your life for the better. The Goldline is lovely.

[@Grumpysprout]

@@Grumpy-Goblin will let you know 👍

[@Grumpy-Goblin]

@@Grumpysprout please do and if you have any questions just give me a shout. 👍

[@guitarcleveland]

I bought a T120 new in 2020 and absolutely loved it. However, after a year and a half, it had a problem where it would lose all its power even when you had the accelerator pulled back. It was under warranty, but the dealer kept saying there was nothing wrong with the motorcycle and would not fix it It, as if I took it back there for no reason. I sold the bike right back to them because I refused to pay to fix something that they should fix under warranty. I miss that bike all the time, but no more Triumphs for me after that one.

[@Grumpy-Goblin]

That's such a shame because a bad dealer can sour a relationship with a brand. I only have experience of dealers here in the UK and my interactions have always been good so it is a pity that your experience spoiled the brand for you.

[@guitarcleveland]

@Grumpy-Goblin Yeah, they're all smiles when they sell you the bike, and as soon as something's wrong with it they do everything they can not to help you. Oh, well.

[@nicholasjarrold8649]

I totally agree I think all the triumphs are nice one of my favourite I had a 23 plate speedmaster and regretted selling it I’ve had all sorts of bikes but I really love triumphs I ride a 2023 rocket gt at the moment but thinking of buying like you’ve got I think it’s really cool looking bike take care ride safe mate 👍👋

[@nicholasjarrold8649]

But still keep the rocket

[@Grumpy-Goblin]

Cheers Nicholas, I really do think they have something special. My Son's Partner has a Speedmaster and I do like it but sadly the cruiser style doesn't suit my back. My wife loves the Rocket but she has to make do with my GS lol. Take care and thanks for commenting.

[@togglehead9738]

You can activate the cruise control yourself using tuneecu software, just need to load the CC map to the bike. Don't even really need the expensive switch block, its just a simple normally open button you can buy and install in your existing switchgear, probably cost £5, plus the cost of tuneecu and Bluetooth adaptor, but these can be used for servicing and faultfinding. Nice to see somebody else put some miles on their modern classic but have to disagree, king of the modern classics is obviously the Thruxton R which I'm privileged to own😀

[@Grumpy-Goblin]

Thanks for the comment, that is interesting information I might have to look into that. The Thruxton is beautiful and if I were twenty years younger and not broken I would probably say the same but the T120 suits my old man's back lol

[@MARKINAU8]

I was juggling between Bonneville and Guzzi V7, I pulled the trigger on the latter

[@Grumpy-Goblin]

I should have mentioned the V7 it is a fantastic bike especially the special. For me it would be my second choice to the Bonneville but I can understand why some people could go the Guzzi route. Thanks for your comment.

[@MARKINAU8]

Shaft drive and 21 litre tank are no brainer

[@frankmlchaelglasscock6539]

A fantastic review and I agree with you 👌💯👍

[@Grumpy-Goblin]

Thank you so much I appreciate it. 👍

[@asacarrick1440]

Tip: Riding T120 in traffic switch to Rain mode...its fine

[@Grumpy-Goblin]

It is a good tip but you soon get used to riding it in traffic without using rain mode.

[@lauriebloggs8391]

Very true 🙂

[@thomasbuckley34]

Very helpful video, than you. Can you tell me how effective that screen is on your bike.

[@Grumpy-Goblin]

Hi there, thanks for your comment. It is tricky to say how effective the screen is as it was on when I got the bike but it does seem to take pressure off your chest. I did 1500 miles in a week on the bike including a big motorway stint at high speed and I didn't feel strained by the wind at any point.

[@depthjunkie1]

T120 all the way, not knocking the RE or Goldstar and even the Guzzi (guzzi V7 sits somewhere in between) as they all offer great bikes at their individual price points and displacements. But non compare to a T120, the only similarity they hold to a T120 is the styling era they are created to recreate. It’s like comparing a Bentley to a Ford. Ford make good cars, but they ain’t no Bentley. Or a Rolex to a Seiko, both tell the time but only one is a Rolex. Triumphs are just in a different class. Sorry, but it’s the truth. The others are good bikes, but you can’t compare them, other than like I said for the era’s styling they are made to recreate.

[@Grumpy-Goblin]

Absolutely, I think the Guzzi is a good effort but is not quite there on styling and quality but is probably the closest. Thanks for your comment.

[@asacarrick1440]

Bar end mirrors on this bike look daft and are not as clear nor easy as the classic antennae style fitted as standard. Beyond that I've had 2017 T100 for 139,000Km. Superb bike, just bought T120 3500Km later I can tell you it is a step up. Better power delivery, braking and lights. I love all the tech...that it doesn't have. Good video Thanks

[@logangodofcandy]

I got the 1200xc seems like a better bike than the t120, and a better size for people that are 6 foot or taller. That said, my next bike is prolly gonna be a bobber lol

[@Grumpy-Goblin]

Yeah the scramblers are lovely but too tall for me and I'm not sure how they would be for touring.

[@stanleylawson9015]

What’s cost of ownership as that’s an important factor

[@Grumpy-Goblin]

I've had it a year now and it is now due a service that I'll do myself so probably about £60 or £70 in oil and filters. It flew through it's M.O.T £29 with no advisories and it will need a back tyre soon which will be about £150 so overall not that bad. Not sure what Triumph would charge for a service. Probably £300 or £400 but as the service intervals are 10,000 miles or annually then not too expensive to run.

[@stanleylawson9015]

Thanks as just considering this

[@Grumpy-Goblin]

@@stanleylawson9015 no worries, sorry I can't be more comprehensive but all I can say is that so far reliability has been excellent and costs don't seen bad at all. As far as fuel goes I get high 60's mpg (UK).

[@Wesleycreardon]

But where do I get that backrest?

[@Grumpy-Goblin]

It is a Triumph Accesory so If you are in the UK then you can order it from any Triumph dealership as far as I know.

[@Wesleycreardon]

Not in the UK, but I will look and see what they have to offer us Americans. Haha

[@243jimb]

What year is your T120?

[@Grumpy-Goblin]

It was a 2018

[@243jimb]

I like the colour scheme, do you know what colours they are, that is what Triumph call the red and silver?

[@Grumpy-Goblin]

@@243jimb I don't know what the colour names are but I think this colour scheme ran between 2016 and 2018.

[@nickaxe771]

1st you slag the guy in the slow landrover pulling out....in his defence you were prob blocked from his view.....the badly parked van opposite the junction he was coming out of baulked him. You could have been going slower I presume your familiar with the area so should know its tight with hazards.....you kept up your speed to make a point. It was never dangerous. I agree the Bonnie is the best.

[@Grumpy-Goblin]

I don't think I did "slag" the guy in the Landrover I think that was a bit extreme. Yes I do know the area and yes he could see me before he committed to pull out because I saw him so he could have seen me. No it wasn't ever going to be dangerous as I could have stopped if needed as I was well within the speed limit and. I just thought it was a little discourteous but not a big deal.

[@jimbandit1250sa]

I concur with your findings on the T120 it’s by far the most awesome sounding bike I’ve ever had and a absolute joy to ride it also gets lots of attention when I’m out and about I have the gold line competition green over silver ice, thanks for sharing 👍👌🏍 it would be awesome to to hear the exhaust note next time as it’s mmm

[@Grumpy-Goblin]

@@jimbandit1250sa thanks for your comment, I think I've finally got to grips with the audio setup so hopefully the next Bonneville vid will have that lovely exhaust sound.

[@asacarrick1440]

A 1200 cc as a first bike? Bonkers

[@Grumpy-Goblin]

A first bike maybe bonkers but as a first big bike I don't see why not. The cc has nothing to do with it because you could get a 600cc bike with more power than a 1200cc Bonneville.