Triumph Bonneville T100 v T120 - Which is Best ?

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The 2022 line up of the Triumph Bonneville T100 and T120 had a series of updates in 2021. How different are both bikes in 2022 and which one is best for you ?

[@informedcarpet]

2022 T120 any day. Just picked mine up recently. A beautiful bike to ride to work everyday and longer rides through the hills on the weekend.

[@asacarrick1385]

And now the good news: I've done 106,000 Km on my 2017 T100. It is an absolute joy. I had a short test drive on T120 and it feels weightier but I think you would get used to that in no time. Deciding factor for me would be if I was going to be doing a lot of two up riding.

[@cwheremonster8870]

I rented a T100 for a week (2022). I can’t believe how much I loved that ride. I was prepared to be underwhelmed. The gears felt Wider/taller running around the city and country back roads when I compared it to the T120. I could be wrong.. maybe it was all in my head (?). I just wished it had cruise control. I just sold my 800 plus pound 131 ci Roadglide. The Bonne was just so much more fun to throw around. Can’t believe I’m saying this , but it looks like I’m buying the T-100. I just need to take the T-120 out for one more test ride. Damn, never thought a simple motor bike purchase was going to be this difficult a decision.

[@JackBonhamMotorcycles]

Thank you for watching the channel. Yes the T100 v T120 is tough choice. If you don’t need the 6th gear and chrome etc and ride in the city and byroads then the T100 is a great choice. Yes you will know when you’ve ridden the two 👍

[@masterchief586]

I sold both of my Harley's, I want a Bonneville, love the sound and lighter weight . Just have to decide which model. T120 sounds like my next bike. Thanks for the video.

[@JackBonhamMotorcycles]

Hi Joe. Yes from a Harley yes the T120 is a good move. You will also notice more power because of the weight difference 👍

[@christianmouraux7269]

Thank you for this very clear comparaison. Very much appreciated! 👍

[@darrenhill4022]

Thanks for your concise informative comparison

[@JackBonhamMotorcycles]

Thank you Darren 👍

[@stimsonromano2258]

Awesome review and thanks for sharing big love from Australia 😊😊😊

[@Fernando90054]

Thanks for the comparison video. I never have ridden the T100. When the opportunity comes along I definitely will try it. The thing about the weight is not an issue for me, as I feel that the bike does everything so easily that I never thought about how much it weighs. I had other bikes in the past, all heavier and without the technology of the present days, it was a pleasure to ride those machines. At the moment every bike feel light to me. Assist slipper clutches, riding modes TC , ABS, are becoming standard features nowadays…So, what’s difficult in terms of get going on a bike ? The only thing we got to realize is that it still is a vehicle with two wheels and that we are out there exposed to the elements (which is a good thing), and also exposed to the awareness of other users of the road that only see their bellybuttons and they are growing In numbers (which is not so good). The bikes? The bikes never were so friendly as Today, and the Bonneville’s are top of the cream in a lot of senses, Beauty, sensation of power (torque, grunt, engines with an addicting sound, built strength and quality, rational consumption of gas, highly engineered, Classic personality- you’ll never out of fashion with a classic styled bike-, robustness and tolerance of dimensions in traffic environment, proper for light off road trails- gravel trails, on country and back roads everywhere, they are truly queens…SUV’s of two wheels 😂). So, what is there, to be desired beyond all that? A very few things, for a very few people. Like racetrack capabilities or professional off road trails. All the other things connected to that way of living, like adrenaline rushes, defying the laws of physics, living on the edge, getting close to the limits, machines for the rebels without a cause? Yes. All that too. That’s why there are so many choices we can make. And I believe that we can have it all, since we acknowledge, that there is only one life to live ( that we are certain of) and that’s the most precious thing we’ve got. ✌️✌️

[@JackBonhamMotorcycles]

Thank you for your well thought comments 👍

[@Fernando90054]

@@JackBonhamMotorcycles It’s my privilege to comment on the Channel. Congratulations. Nice content, dear friend 👌

[@williamjones6478]

Morning Jack. Another big difference between the two models is the T120 has a six speed box as opposed to a five on the T100 which makes it more comfortable at motorway speeds plus that extra power can make overtakes that bit more zippier especially if your two up with luggage yes they are both great bikes and I run a T120 diamond and I am very pleased with it.

[@Accurize2]

T100 has longer gearing so it's not as noticeable as one would tend think.

[@stevieclee3309]

Great video Jack!….goy my T100 MOTed at B Smiths today……so good to go ✌️

[@JackBonhamMotorcycles]

Hi Steve. 👍 All ready for the season 👍

[@rramirrezz]

last year i had a t120 (black, model 2021) about 2 weeks for testdrive. i absolutely fell in love with that bike. its so comfortable and the power delivery of the engine is so sovereign. i drove it daily in my hometown vienna and after work the way back home was getting longer and longer every day. :D :D :D it was so much fun. if i would buy one, the t120 would be my favourite, because i also would take her for journeys with my wife through austrian an italian alps - so two-disc-brakes and the higher torque would bring more comfort. by the way - my wife also fell in love with the bonnie. the only thing i had to manage, if i would buy one, is to get paniers which fits the bonnie and also offer good water resistance with capacity for two weeks. thats not so easy. thank you for your atmospheric videos - subscription done - greetings from vienna!

[@JackBonhamMotorcycles]

Thank you Onkel for watching the video and subscribing. Yes the t120 is a great bike and is well suited for longer journeys and touring. Hope you get one soon 👍

[@theendofmytether]

For me the deciding factor was the double brakes on the T120. When I want to stop, I want to know I'm going to stop, especially as they are heavy bikes. Once I bought it, the "rain" option and sixth gear on motorways also are useful, when needed.

[@stevec6427]

I bought a T100 as my first bike after a 20 break. I always intended to keep it a year then upgrade to a T120. I'm not sure whether I will upgrade now, I just like the T100 so much I don't feel the need to upgrade to the bigger bike. I might just treat myself to some noisy pipes and better suspension instead

[@JackBonhamMotorcycles]

Hi Martin. Yes agree it’s a fantastic bike. Unless you are motorway touring etc or want the extra chrome 🤔then to be honest it’s not really worth upgrading. Thank you for watching the video 👍

[@asacarrick1440]

I'm the same. Not so keen on the noisy pipes idea...and why, the bike sounds great as it is

[@ianharvey8025]

I ride an old Hinckley t100 it's really weird because it's cooled by the air and has two really odd things on it called carburettors. I'm in love

[@JackBonhamMotorcycles]

Ahhh yes. That brings back memories 👍🙂

[@PhilipBallGarry]

😆 Yes my T100 is apparently water cooled - but at times you wonder if the radiator is for show. I tried the Speed Twin recently too (my T100 was in for service) and the heat coming from it was just like sitting astride two small suns. That said the fuelling from the single throttle body on the T100 really smooth and is the most carb-like of any modern bike I've had.

[@rayseaman6204]

6 forward gears ? No contest, the T120 is the bike I'd choose.

[@Trevor_Austin]

Neither is best. What really matters is the enjoyment and smiles that your bike gives you. Both are very similar so why two sizes? Each has a slightly different specification and a price to match. One important difference will be A2 license compliance. Only the T100 has this possibility. As both are very similar to ride I’ll suggest that unless A2 compliance is a necessary your choice of which one might well come down to colour and availability. Neither will be the wrong decision and both have a huge grin factor.

[@PhilipBallGarry]

Here here!

[@jamesharris9163]

Prefer the chrome wheels centre stand and heated grips on pre 2021 T120

[@tnetroP]

I think Triump removed the heated grips and centre stand on more recent T120's. But they added cruise control.

[@darrengudgeon9730]

Morning Jack. As you know I’m an Enfield fan but i do like the look of the triumph. Never risen one but hopefully i will one day. Darren.

[@JackBonhamMotorcycles]

Hi Darren. That new T100 is a great bike if you don’t won’t the chrome . It’s also much cheaper new, but still 2k more expensive than a Interceptor👍

[@PhilipBallGarry]

Thanks for this! I tried both before settling on the T100. The T120 is better in every way of course (more oomph, 6th gear, twin front disc set-up) But I chose the T100 because it's "enough". Though I ride with pillion 90% of the time we're not big people and the T100 is perfect. If I'm honest, the fuelling is smoother on the T100 - probably thanks to it's single throttle body and the slightly more nimble handling is probably due to it having less gyroscopic effect with the single front disc. As Jack here says though - it depends on what you want and what you need. I'd encourage you to try both. Most Triumph dealers have demonstrators available - try and get a couple of hours on both. Struck for cash? Don't dismiss the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650. Fit and finish aren't quite up to the Truimph's but are not that far off and you pay a considerable premium for the Triumph.

[@JackBonhamMotorcycles]

A great choice. I am having similar thoughts re my T120 🤔 don’t really need the extra power 👍

[@PhilipBallGarry]

@@JackBonhamMotorcycles Jack, the T120 is a fantastic bike. I wouldn't downgrade if I were you. The weight difference is marginal and you'll lose quite a bit of money 😔

[@ericleger8158]

When comparing two things, the question would be... which one is BETTER !

[@tlong9812]

Just put a deposit on t100 2022. Test rode her. Plenty of power for me. First bike. Will be adding the heated grips and center stand. If the t120 had kept those would have been worth price difference.

[@JackBonhamMotorcycles]

Congratulations 👍 a great choice 👍

[@tlong9812]

@@JackBonhamMotorcycles thank you.

[@PhilipBallGarry]

They pandered to the North American market a bit didn't they? Heated grips vs Cruise control. Oh well, at least they're an easy fit (either) but a bit salty in cost.

[@marcverdi665]

Great review! Thanks for sharing so much detail about the differences (gearboxes, power, finishes, ride modes, brakes, prices, etc.) as well as for what purposes each bike is well-suited. If budget isn’t a consideration, I’d say T120 - or T120 Black, if you want less chrome - all day. I personally am going Speedmaster first, but the T120 may be in my distant future.

[@JackBonhamMotorcycles]

Marc. Great choice 👍 the Speedmaster is excellent. I will be reviewing it soon . thank you for watching the video 👍

[@asacarrick1385]

T120 Black...or Pink or Green... It;s pathetick the way people talk about a colour choice as if it were a different model.

[@rustybuckets07]

@@asacarrick1385 Yeah, how dare people have a preference and care what their bike looks like.There should only be one colour ,one spec and no accessories.

[@michaelrheiner2415]

Bought the T120 because the whole notion of wasting money (taxes) buying a “starter” bike and then upgrading a year later makes no sense. Additionally, it sounded better, has lots of power for the city traffic and highway speeds of my middle America location, and is more flexible for whatever I may decide in the future to do. I don’t waste money buying and changing my mind. I buy the most flexible vehicle for anything I may want to do. And now, for the cost of two tanks of diesel, I’ve outfitted my T120 with 2 saddlebags, a tail bag, a tank bag, and a Top Box. This allows me to use my bike for more everyday work and life activities and I can park my (paid for) full sized truck, and only use it when necessary. Ultimately, I could do all that with a T100….but there is a refined, mature, fun factor that I just preferred with the 120. And it’s a bike that never needs replacing. I may add a Goldwing for the long distance American road-trips, but I’m not replacing the T120. I married that bike.

[@JackBonhamMotorcycles]

Thank you Michael . Agree 👍it depends on what you use the bike for ie city or motorway and also if you want the extra chrome and finish of the T120. 👍

[@PhilipBallGarry]

Good for you! You obviously made the right choice for yourself. But I wouldn't trash either bike. I bought the T100 because it's enough and perfect for my use. I have no intention of "upgrading" and don't feel I've wasted my money. What's that, Speedmaster?... where's my credit card?

[@michaelrheiner2415]

@@PhilipBallGarry I definitely don’t trash any Triumph motorcycles. I am all about their line up. Every bike company offers something to the consumer, and as is normal, since they all build decent bikes, it’s just down to what the consumer “bonds” with.

[@PhilipBallGarry]

@@michaelrheiner2415 fair point, well made 👍

[@RichardsModellingAdventures]

No centre stand because as usual, Triumph want to sell you one.

[@Richard-pe4cx]

try and find a low milage pre 2021 T120 with heated grips and center stand i did

[@ReturnOfWilderness]

and miss out on all the new euro 5 improvements with handling etc? nah, watch any review they say the drive is better on the 2021+

[@larrynorsworthy8582]

Heated grips? Take the bus! 😆

[@JackBonhamMotorcycles]

Ha ha . Correct 👍

[@janeg4706]

Unfortunately, they both have tubed tyres, so that's me out of the game. If Triumph fitted spoked wheels running tubeless tyres on the Bonnies, I'd probably have the T100.

[@alandmorley]

I feel sorry for the new T100 because Triumph have made it look boring and sad. I have the old (2017) water cooled t100 and its bright, vibrant and shiny. So I won't be buying a new one, I think Triumph have missed a trick by making the new T100 look dull and less eye catching, but what do I know about marketing!!!

[@JackBonhamMotorcycles]

Alan thank you for watching the video and your comments 👍

[@asacarrick1440]

You are spot on. They've dulled it down the the misery of the Street Twin which they now call 900 Speed Twin...Stupid marketing

[@markkulyas2418]

Unfortunately they're trying to appeal to a certain audience, the ones that wants a completely blacked out bike, like there isn't enough of those already. The point of making a retro bike is so it has the look of the bikes from the 60s. Unfortunately I will never buy a Bonneville until they get rid of that ugly cheap-looking pinched seemed fuel tank.

[@johnstewart4270]

Hi Jack doesn’t the speedmaster come into the equation?? By the way looks like your in tattenhall ( I’m in christleton Chester ) is the village Indian still going 😋

[@JackBonhamMotorcycles]

Hi John, yes it does. 👍 I have a review planned for the Speedmaster and the Speed twin is coming soon. Re the Indian yes it is .👍😀

[@SavioureG]

T100 for me. a) The 5 gears are very well spread out they are almost as good as the 6 gears. b) smaller engine meaning more fuel efficiency, which in my opinion is a far more relevant factor than performance when it comes to a bike that is designed for cruising. c) Difference in power isn't that great, we are talking approx 14 HP difference, the T100 is still a pretty quick bike, it just doesn't have the top speed of the T120, which to me is kind of irrelevant because in what place do you see yourself going 200+ Km/h? the race track? well then would you honestly take a T120 to a race track? come on.. d) looks better, I just think the 900cc engine looks nicer than the 1200cc engine, I don't like chrome. e) the T100 doesn't have heated grip as standard, you can get heated grips for it through Triumph's catalouge (or better yet you can get an after market one that is cheaper), the T100 just doesn't get the different drive modes, which personally is not something I need on a bike. f) Bike is significantly cheaper with very little cut back.

[@JackBonhamMotorcycles]

Hi. Some great comments. Thank you for watching. 👍

[@jimsaddler942]

I can't think of 3 better reasons to pick the T100 over the 120

[@SavioureG]

@@jimsaddler942 1) cheaper (with not to much of a power gap ergo better bang for your money) 2) more fuel efficient due to smaller engine. 3) lighter and more nimble making it easier to handle.

[@STIjojoSTI]

@@JackBonhamMotorcycles for me T120 if you got the money to buy. 1) Better looking engine, chrome brushed amluminum look really good. 2) Torquey engine, 3) gator covered forks look alot better. For me the deal breaker was the number 1. If they had it on the T100 its gonna be a tough choice.

[@5150bwagner]

A couple thoughts on your point "E" below. 1) The T120 doesn't come with heated grips anymore, either, so the T100 is more on even ground :) I have never once used the riding modes on my T120, so agreed, not really something that's needed! e) the T100 doesn't have heated grip as standard, you can get heated grips for it through Triumph's catalouge (or better yet you can get an after market one that is cheaper), the T100 just doesn't get the different drive modes, which personally is not something I need on a bike.

[@alexanderirwin7271]

Those dummy carbs on the biggest turn off they really make the bike look tacky

[@asacarrick1385]

T120 Black..Pink...Green... I think it's pathetic the way people talk abo0ut a colour choice as if it were a different model. Not to mention the whole range is now called Bonneville...How can a Scrambler be a bonneville? Remember when Triumph cars called all models " Dolomite" just before they went down the pan. Then triumph remove centre stand and Pillion gripper bar as they announce lighter T120!

[@JackBonhamMotorcycles]

Hi ASA. From what I understand the centre stand and grab rails were removed to save weight on the t120. They even had to lighten the wheels. All so that the bike could meet Euro 5 emission testing. A bit of a nonsense when you can add it back on later, but even that is about to possibly change 🤔

[@thomaselliott573]

You really said not much at all. However, both of these bikes are overweight and over priced. That is why the Royal Enfield left them way behind in sales. These bikes might be slightly superior, but the Enfield is very much better value. The Triumphs have been sold largely on the retro boom.

[@PhilipBallGarry]

You really need to try one first Thomas. Then come back and tell us how you feel then 👍

[@thomaselliott573]

@@PhilipBallGarry I have

[@erwinvandewalle1851]

I owned the Interceptor..very nice bike,pretty smooth engine...I pulled the trigger and bought a 2023 T120....yes,it is twice the price,but this bike is just in another league....