Triumph T120 Bonneville custom, Long term review, one year of ownership!

Just thought it was time to publish a review update of what it is like to live with the Bonneville after a year of ownership.
Patreon. / stuartfillingham

[@davidgallop654]

Hi Stuart, my 2016 T120 has the noisy front brake, when it was serviced my dealer reworked the pads to no effect ! I reported back to them and replacement front wheel is on order to fit my bike, with the mod rubber rings fitted as new bikes have, hope this will sort out the noise. Happy New Year to all T120 riders !

[@stuartfillingham]

Ah another example of the way Triumph work David is was supposedly put on a list of customers almost a year ago that were supposed to be contacted as soon as a solution to the problem was found! Guess what? i haven't heard a thing from them! your the second person to mention this fix. i think i will leave it for a while to see if they get in touch! Happy new year to you sir!

[@paulschroeder1078]

Another excellent video. Thank you Stuart for the honesty and thoroughness in your reviews. Happy New Year!

[@stuartfillingham]

Thank you Paul Happy new year!

[@WayneWoodruff]

My T120 is my first Triumph after 30+ years of BMW ownership. When people ask me the difference, I comment that BMW has better suspension and brakes. I'd rather be spending my money on personalization upgrades. Thanks for your video's, I'm looking forward to more in the new year.

[@stuartfillingham]

You forgot to mention that BMW customer service is second to none Wayne! Triumph could learn a lot from them!

[@paulrice1301]

Great video as always, all the best Stuart and Happy New Year.

[@stuartfillingham]

Thank you Paul and the same to you matey!

[@themassofmen]

Very eloquent narration Stuart. You succinctly summed up what motorcycling is to most of us and have been insightfully honest with the bike's shortcomings. I have the nitros now and the tec springs and will be fitting both soon and hoping for better. I hope Triumph watch and LISTEN to your review.

[@stuartfillingham]

I doubt they will sir unless its in preparation for a gagging order LOL! keep at it you will have your perfect Bonnie in the end!

[@rvsam4u]

Awesome review Stuart! Thank you

[@VVoltz]

Happy new year Stuart. More and safer rides for 2018, keep bringing more great content and objective opinions! Thanks!

[@stuartfillingham]

your very welcome sir, thank you for watching!

[@Blawp2008]

Thank you for your videos i got my T120 in June and done 3000 since. I have found your advice very helpful and knowledgeable. You have cost me money with some of your excellent recommendations but probably saved me more overall. I haven't heard that squeal i am pleased to say. Again thanks for your efforts

[@stuartfillingham]

Sorry about that Brian! lol. Thanks for watching mate!

[@kerrylloyd98]

Hi Stuart, great video. I got my T120 about the same time you did and I've had all the same issues you're having except the fogging gauges. Only made a few changes, mirrors, break and clutch levers but I will be upgrading the suspension before spring. I put 17000 km on this summer and I loved every second. One of the best things about the bike is peoples reaction to it. I rarely go anywhere without someone telling me about the Bonneville that they or someone close to them had. I've really enjoyed your videos and I can't wait to see what changes you're going to make next year. Keep up the great work and have a happy new year.

[@stuartfillingham]

Happy New year sir! Yes the T120 certainly is a head turner! thanks for your comment and for watching!

[@richardcollins586]

Happy New Year Stuart, looking forward to more great videos in 2018! Love the countryside at the 12sec mark 😊

[@stuartfillingham]

Thanks Richard, did you mean the 12min mark? thats the road leading out of the Buttertubs pass in North Yorkshire! happy new year!

[@pepitovfr]

Another highly insightful video, thanks Stuart.

[@stuartfillingham]

Thank you sir! happy new year!

[@TheDervMan]

Hi Stuart, thanks for all the funny, informative and fascinating videos during 2017. I thoroughly enjoy your channel. 👍🏻🏍

[@stuartfillingham]

Thanks Dervman and thanks very much for sticking around! Happy New Year Matey!

[@AmenMoto]

Happy New Year, Stuart!

[@stuartfillingham]

same to you sir!

[@markhorton7013]

Love your honesty and attention to detail Stuart.... I do hope it's not too late before someone influential enough at Triumph Customer Relations discovers channels like yours and other people that 'Tell it like it is'. Years ago Triumph did an 'Ostrich' impersonation and look where it got them while their Japanese counterparts flourished and went from strength to strength. Triumph are lucky they have a very good re-invigorated 'Brand' and modern day marketing appeal etc... however, let your customers down repeatedly and they will talk and share information. Watchout in the long run Triumph, you're not infallible.... Customer service is absolute key to survival - not sales charts that will fall over time as a result of customer neglect.

[@stuartfillingham]

Your so right Mark it does astound me that they do have a very similar attitude to Edward Turners Triumph and i have to say their customer service is a joke, one customer care operative! they take your name and number at the reception desk and he rings you back a day or two later, Astonishing, i thought i bought a £10000 motorcycle not a toaster!

[@stevemarkarian5553]

Well said! Happy New Year!

[@stuartfillingham]

Thanks Steve and same to you mate.

[@chrisheggie952]

Thanks as always Stuart, well done and happy New Year! I love my '96 T'Bird now that I've done the suspension and brake mods the previous owner didn't think necessary... I don't know how he lived with it's woeful performance that long but I'm happy as a pig in mud now. Mind you my '02 TDM900 Yamaha never needed anything done to it out of the box and will always be the better bike of the two, but doesn't make me feel quite so special when I take it out. And I know I'm shallow but I do enjoy the nods, thumbs up and admiring glances from a wide spectrum of society when I'm out and about on it.

[@stuartfillingham]

other people admiring your bike is half the charm of this sort of bike Chris and theres nothing wrong with enjoying that feeling. yeah it does seem to be mainly a Triumph thing having to replace basic stuff like to suspension to make it all work properly. It seems silly that we all just accept it! thanks for watching and Happy new year!

[@gwynnromano5881]

I own a 2010 Triumph Thunderbird that I purchased used from a friend. Due to age and wear and tear, my knees would no longer tolerate all day rides on my Yamaha sport bike, so I sold it and bought the T-Bird. I had previously done a road test of the HD 103 Road King and I was thoroughly unimpressed. I likened it to driving a tractor. So when I rode the T-bird for a weekend I was amazed that a cruiser could ride, handle and top as well as it did. Before long I realized that Triumph had cut a few corners when engineering the bike. The rear shocks are woeful, they had no rebound damping when they left the factory and haven't improved with age. I've put thousands of miles on the bike and enjoyed it but in the back of my mind the thought has always been, "Why didn't Triumph produce a better suspension?" The basic engineering is very good but as you said, they've cut corners where they shouldn't have. Obviously I never had to deal with any warranty issues since I bought the bike used but if Triumph really wants to be a major player in the market, they need to step up their game. Getting accolades and atta boys from the press is one thing but selling bikes and retaining customers is another. The marketplace is too tight, too cutthroat to be trying to get by on the skimp. As we say here in America, if you want to run with the big dogs, you have to get off the porch.

[@stuartfillingham]

I fully agree with you Gwynn. they design great bikes but they are let down by penny pinching!

[@Gaius0]

Good to hear your thoughts after living with your bonnie T120 for a year. I got mine recently, even though I knew I would keep it garaged for most of the winter. So I've taken it out a few times, and the rest of the time has been spent figuring out how to properly care for it now that I have it from new, to make sure I get off on the right foot so to speak. This is where your videos have given me a great head start so they are much appreciated. Just an idea, but I think it would be great if you made a video at some point of where you are finding issues with the electrical wiring, so that less experienced owners such as myself know where to expect problems and can keep an eye out for them. Happy New Year!

[@stuartfillingham]

Hi Jorge no electrical problems as such its just very poor harness construction! just inspect the loom where it is visible from time to time, and you will see where the sticky tape is starting to unravel, of course they may have sorted this on later models. but i personally have never seen such shoddy wiring on a new bike. thanks for watching and for your kind comment sir!

[@coleythailand999]

Happy new year from Thailand! Great video as usual. I agree with many points that you make and have had my clocks mist once and after light braking for a period of time I get the occasional squeal but it goes away after a few sharp pulls of the lever. I remember you talking about the clutch lever and I was getting a bit of pain down my left arm and changed the levers for some six way adjustable ones and a set of genuine Triumph barrel grips and the problem has become almost non existent. Being a bit of a lightweight I only noticed the bad handling this week on a tour of some of the best biking roads in the world, fully loaded with my wife on the back. I will look into the front and rear end suspension over the coming months. Like you, I love this bike and the endless possibilities of customization. I am however trying to keep the basic appearance of the bike the same as I just love most of the way it is. Keep up the great work Stuart! I have had a few problems with my bike and Triumph in Thailand have been fantastic with me. Maybe the UK side of the company should take a leaf out of Triumph Thailand's book.....Have a great year!

[@stuartfillingham]

Hi Colin thanks for your comment. Maybe indeed! to be fair i have had comments that would suggest that some UK dealerships do go above and beyond to help their customers, i just havent managed to find one of them yet! Happy new year!

[@bonnytrippler2966]

Thank you Stuart. A very well thought-out and balanced review. I do hope somebody from Triumph Motorcycles has seen this. Happy New Year from Mr Trippler.

[@stuartfillingham]

I'm Sure they will sir! but will it influence the way they do business? Thanks for watching and a happy new year to you too!

[@stephencarrahar286]

Excellent longterm review. Just shows how having a bike for extended period shows up the good and bad points that are missed on a brief test ride. I find these types of reviews of more value when thinking of purchasing a bike.

[@stuartfillingham]

Thanks stephen! happ new year!

[@musingswithmgl]

Got mine in July of 2016 so had it about as long as you have. I have the same thoughts about it. Triumph is awful but the bike is fantastic. Customized the way I want and a joy to ride. Look forward to your videos in the new year. Happy new year!!! And ride safe.

[@stuartfillingham]

Thank you for watching sir, and i couldnt agree with you more! Happy new year!

[@daveknaus8649]

Great video! I've enjoyed your very candid and detailed reviews of the T-120. My dealer said a fix has been identified for the front brake issue. I haven't had it done yet, and will likely wait until it's time to get new tires later in the year. The squeal is annoying, but I can predict when it's going to happen and therefore avoid it. I bought the bike one year old and would have perhaps been dismayed by the issue on a brand new bike. Nevertheless, I do enjoy the bike and am taking it on a long tour next month.

[@stuartfillingham]

Thank you sir, just try a hard braking regime for a hundred miles or so, and see if that sorts the problem.

[@TriumphRascal]

Brilliant video and a subject that is worthy of debate. I have enjoyed my Triumph America since I bought it new in 2012, but I. Was disappointed with the quality of the wheels and after trying to deal with the warranties dept, wrote to John Bloor (John Bloor Homes) himself. No luck there...they told me to rub them down with wet and dry and use Solvol Autosol...they are only interested in selling you a new bike. My local dealers (Ongar Motorcycles, near Braintree) are the worse dealership I have ever had the displeasure of dealing with. Time to by a Harley...Happy New Year and keep up the good work Stuart.

[@stuartfillingham]

happy new year to you too sir!

[@twinphill900]

Good video mate, I lost my monster (14 year ownership) due to a dog and irresponsible owner. Broken collarbone bone and ribs. So when your videos come up I enjoy them so much. That is how I get my bike fix. I want to say thanks and hope you have a great new year ahead 👍

[@stuartfillingham]

Thanks Phil, thanks for watching any happy new year!

[@IzzysLambo]

Hi Stuart , love the videos. Just thought I would share my experience on the brake squeal , I too have that issue but after talking to Triumph at the bike show they told me there was a fix. It means a whole new wheel and brake assembly at the front and mine is booked in at the dealers in the new year to have the new front end fitted under warranty. I can only speak from personal experience but both the dealer and Triumph have been great about it all.

[@stuartfillingham]

Thats interesting ive been on the list for over a year to be informed as soon as a fix is available and i have not heard a thing! The fix you describe sounds like the one they brought out last February that didn't work and they cancelled! if you have a good dealership, hang on to them they are a rare animal!

[@daveyoude2828]

Another great vid.... after much thought I just bought a Street Twin for the same reason as you..... to customise over a few years..... I still have my TRX for touring but was bitten by the bug of a modern classic for the summer.... I m looking forward to more of the same from you... thx for sharing your experiences...🏍

[@stuartfillingham]

Thanks Dave muchmore to come! happy new year sir!

[@paulongley2033]

Hi Stuart Just love your vids on the Triumph and you are right about the Bonneville's , I had a street triple and loved it .But my t100 is just me , I know I will have to do a lot of upgrades . But this will make the bike mine .happy new year and please keep this up in 2018 Regards Paul

[@stuartfillingham]

Hi Paul, Thank you very much sir yes they are eminently customisable and i really don't know where it is all going to end! Happy New Year and thanks for watching!

[@alexanderatkinson2900]

Hi Stuart! I am a relatively new T120 owner and of course have the squeaky brakes problem too and I'm commuting with it in town traffic so of course I'm doing start/stops ALL the time. It does seem a bit random though, some days I don't get any noise out of them at all. However I'm slowly perfecting use of the rear break the last couple of feet :p Anyway in total i freaking LOVE this bike. I'm slowly adding various bits and bobs to it like mirrors, screen and pegs. Next thing on my list is a tail tidy, possibly including removal of grab bars and that. After that when it's time for new tires I'm putting knobbly tracker ones on, really looking forward to that one! Nice channel, keep 'em coming and happy new year!

[@stuartfillingham]

Thank you sir glad to hear the foibles of the T120 hasn't put you off and your still enjoying her. The R&G tail tidy is in my opinion the best all round tail tidy i have seen so far though i am looking at some bobbed fenders for the new year. happy new year sir!

[@hopgood007]

Hey Stuart, wow - nearly at the end of 2017 and it only seems like yesterday when I watched your first T120 video! Mine will be a year old in March and I couldn't agree more with everything you've said. Yes there are lots of negatives with the bike BUT, it is a bike you just grow to love. I had a heated discussion with a Street Triple owning friend the other week about why I wouldn't change my T120 after a year. I still get a thrill when I open the shed door and it's a bike that will grow with me as make my personal changes to it over the coming years. For me, there's nothing out there that gives me that - even with the bad points. Looking forward to 2018 with you Stuart and the videos to come. A very Happy New Year sir and stay safe!

[@stuartfillingham]

Thanks Paul, and a happy new year to you sir! have you done anything with your front suspension Yet?

[@hopgood007]

Hey Stuart, Just waiting for spring time. A good friend wants to do the fitting with me so over a weekend we're going to do the exhaust tips, the tail-tidy, the front springs and brake/clutch levers. That gives me a chance to save up and buy the parts together and get them shipped over. It will also make a nice dramatic change over the course of a weekend. I don't have a garage so it will be all outside work - hence waiting for spring time.

[@stuartfillingham]

take a look at your messenger!

[@daveharriman2756]

Hi Stuart, I got mine at the same time as you, I had the brake squeal, and like you couldn't be arsed to wait for Triumph to come up with a solution. I sorted mine by following other peoples advice, and installed the floating T100 (from 2017) brakes, had to order two, as as you know the T100 is one sided only, it now not only doesn't squeal, but is lighter and looks much better. (I think we had our bikes from the same dealership, and I asked for, and got, a good discount from salesman P ) after all, I also bought the Thruxton R in March that year) I didn't like the Pirelli's, and fitted a pair of Bridgestone BT 45's, it now drops into bends nice, and handles great with no 'white lining'. I agree, I do need to upgrade the suspension, and will go with the two way damping in the forks that you used on one of your vids. Other than that, (no condensation in the clocks) I think it's the best bike I've ever owned, and I've rode a lot of makes since '68. ( I use mine for Summer long haul touring) anyways, happy new year mate! cheers, Dave ps I was told that my Thruxton R was built here in the UK, as it was one of the first, but now built in Thailand. though. I had a 2013 T100 that was built in Thailand, and the build quality , I have to say, was faultless..... sorry about the rambling!

[@stuartfillingham]

thanks for the ramble Dave, glad you got your brakes sorted mine are fine now, happy new year to you too sir!

[@gimlet61cotswoldlad38]

Stuart, Recently found your vids, had same brake issue in the past and changing the pads always cleared the ssue, Citroen and BMW did the same and as you said you knew the fix but continued to battle triumph. Earlier triumphs also had condensation in the clocks but easiest solution being, small hole drilled into bottom of the housings allows enough air to circulate, problem disappears. I understand where your coming from but can't understand why when solutions are there, you don't just fix and then enjoy the ride, life's to short!.

[@stuartfillingham]

I see your point, just the principle of the thing really. too many people don't know their rights and give up too easily. Companies like Triumph feed on that! thats why the 2015 consumer right act was invoked! But again people are not aware of their rights! so they don't push it.

[@twolaneblacktop8034]

It's a shame Triumph still deals with customers in this manner I would have hoped that this new generation of ownership would see the value in customer satisfaction. I have always been a fan of the Triumph brand having owned 4 of them in my nearly 50 years of riding but it's this and other areas(which we have discussed) of the bike that I felt came up short and sent me and my money in a different direction. I loved the ride and performance of the T120 and the Bobber when I test rode them but for me they still have a ways to go overall to reach that next level. One thing is for sure , this new generation of Triumph is definitely leaps and bounds ahead of any previous offerings and owners should be proud of this product.

[@stuartfillingham]

You have hit the nail on the head there sir, happy new year!

[@alanbstard4]

well well, that is interesting. Good that you received info from many others too

[@stuartfillingham]

You wouldn't believe how many emails i get a week Mr B'Stard! its nice though!

[@clanmac66]

Valid points, considering the bike is made in Thailand to keep production costs down and yet my UK made Tiger Sport offers much better value for money and only slightly more expensive. My choice of either the T120 Black or Tiger Sport was made with the head and not the heart and that's where the Triumph dealers have you and they know it!

[@williamedwards4672]

Like what you've done with your Bonny , my last one was a 69 t-120 , great times !

[@gnarlybadger690]

Wow that was a bite out of the reality apple Stuart, one of the most honest reviews I've watched. Just wondering if through your videos that Triumph have tried to make contact with you as this seems a great platform for them to try to correct some of the issues owners have especially in these times of social media

[@stuartfillingham]

Thanks Peter glad you liked it! No Triumph haven't made any contact, They already have their cronies on here that plug triumphs bikes from a script. I think they are the kind of company that is far too busy counting their money to worry about customer satisfaction! sad but true!

[@iivaridark6850]

Thanks for the straightforwardness! Respects, because many reviewers just tell the best and leave out the annoying things... Now, at least Triumph has the opportunity to better themselves, because I think you are on the point. It is a really nice bike! All bikes seem to have some glitches and Triumph seems to not be the worst (that's not an excuse for Triumph not do anything).

[@stuartfillingham]

Thank you very much Mr Dark! yes i don't see the point in hiding the bad stuff! I paid for the privilege of ownership therefore i have the right to mention the bad stuff! thank you for watching!

[@oldhotshoe]

Very informative and well done and this American loves your accent. As an old "out to pasture" also ran, pro flat tracker I've rediscovered 2 wheel travel. Sold my '79 Bonnie for a Suzuki Vstrom and sold the Vstrom four months ago for my 2017 Triumph Street Twin. With 4,900 miles on the clock in 4 months I'm still in the honey moon period and not sure it will end. My gripes are few. I miss a tach and an ambient thermometer. I have a problem with the Pirelli tires that no one else seems to have....In California lane splitting is legal and I do it a lot. Unfortunately many of our freeways have a seam between the lanes in the direction of travel and I ride on that seam regularly. On a multi lane freeway the rear Pirelli can't seem to make up it's mind what side of the groove it wants to occupy. It wiggles back and forth. Not a big problem but when you're squeezing between two cars it's distracting....Sometimes on a two lane when riding over a single groove, in the direction of travel, round a corner, the rear tire behaves badly. It seems to jump (step) over the groove in a way that feels like the beginning of a slide. It requires a little too much effort to counter steer while holding steady through a corner. I've dropped my forks 8mm and it seems better. No leaks in my gages. .... Looks a lot like my '79, feels like my '79 but at the same time, very modern. I love this bike, but like you, not impressed with Triumph service. I had to return to the dealor after the first service because they forgot? to do some of the work required.

[@stuartfillingham]

Hey John, Your not out to pasture if your still riding sir! sounds like you have had some very similar experiences of Triumph service as me! i used to wonder why the forums suggested that you do all your own maintenance on your Triumph but i do believe its the only way to make sure its done properly! keep riding! ride safe! and a happy new year sir!

[@stewartmaxwell550]

Happy new year Stuart and thanks for another interesting and informative video. Must say I agree with everything you say about the ethos of the bonnie....but I find myself leaning more and more acutely toward the R9t...especially as Motone are working on a host of custom parts for it!

[@stuartfillingham]

I did have a look at the R9T when considering the Bonnie and for me it just lacked a little something! probably a dam site better quality though! yeah i think it will be a while before Motone have any parts, they have only just started development, but it will be interesting to see what they come up with!

[@stewartmaxwell550]

Yeah it's a real dilemma! Also love the new cb1100rs but very heavy! I just think the quality on both these bikes embarrasses the bonnie in the final analysis.

[@LoneAmigo17]

Very eye opening on triumph has a company, even though I love the bike , keep up with your honesty in your videos 👍

[@stuartfillingham]

Thank you Paul, i always try to say it how it is without being too negative. happy new year!

[@ostekuste3646]

Thanks Stuart for your honest reviews. Unfortunately the experiences you have had with Triumph the company seem to be getting to be the norm with most customer service these days. That being said, I will take my lumps and enjoy my Triumph for what it is, not what it isn’t. I never leave anything alone anyway! I really only expect warranty support on the big things like an engine or transmission failure. I honestly am ocd enough if anything else needs doing I’d rather turn the wrenches myself. That’s one of the reasons I got a Bonnie based bike (Street Cup). I use your reviews to further my plans for my bike, thank you so much again and I look forward to more gear madness from you!

[@stuartfillingham]

Thats the spirit and very much my philosophy too except in regard to the warranty. this is the first bike ive had in many years where ive been happy to get stuck in to the maintenance side. thank you for watching and a happy new year Chad!

[@mrrose6289]

I concur Mr. Fillingham, it's a definitive Love/Dislike relationship with the '16 T120 & Triumph of America lol! 👍 Stay safe and rubber side down Moto Brother.

[@stuartfillingham]

Thank you Mr Rose, happy new year!

[@BoatingBiker]

Hi Stuart, I like your very well thought out report on the T120. I have a 2017 on deposit with a Bristol, no names etc, I was going to finalize the deal today but now im having a think about it. My last Bonnie was a 1978 american spec T140. I owned it in 1980 for six months. It looked fantastic but was without doubt the most unreliable bike i had ever owned I went Japanese and never looked back. Like you, I just love the Triumph name and i love the Bonnie marque. Ill probably still buy the bike, a 2017 model, but Im having massive deja Vu!! Thanks for the heads up!

[@Drewww71]

Excellent video Stuart, perhaps time to dump triumph and pick up a Kawasaki Z900RS. A Safe and Happy New Year to you and the family.

[@stuartfillingham]

Thank you sir! and the same to you, have just had a look at the Z900rs, very tasty!

[@michelgenest9929]

Hello Stuart, great video, now I understand why I never had any noise issue with my front break. I have always been a late breaking rider to the point that my front tire now needs replacing after only 13000 KM. I love the bike and would not think of changing it but I agree that suspension could be much better. What is your aftermarket recommandation? Thanks again for the great video and happy new year! Be safe.

[@stuartfillingham]

Hi Michael take a look at my videos featuring the Hagon Nitro shocks and the tec bike springs! they are what i fitted and they are great!

[@Jedz123]

Stuart I watched your videos before pulling the trigger. Ultimately Scotty at Amen Moto let me ride his 2016 T120 and I was sold... So I'll be coming up to my first year next month and I'm pushing 25K miles. The brakes on my 2018 have a rubber pad on the rotors and it's been fine. I have blown the radiator and transmission on my bike and I have to say I was VERY IMPRESSED with Triumph's warranty and concern AND them keeping me apart of the conversation. I know I raised allot of brows when the Transmission blew just after 5 months of ownership/20K miles. I have to say the same about the wiring issues! I found my harness wiring fraying when I was under the tank this spring when I installed my front end stabilizer. The suspension is horrible stock and Upgrading all components made the bike a great sport tourer. I have to say I ride allot (30K miles a year in only 8 months, winter...). It is customized to my liking and riding style. I have ridden lots of bikes and have to say this bike is one of the best bikes I have ever owned. I would say the best but the reliability factor sets it back... I'll keep watching my friend! I'd recommend you do the same as I push the miles far this year! I am interested to see if I can get it to 100k miles in the next few years. Best -Jedz

[@bullthrush]

It's certainly a nice looking bike, with your mods even more so.

[@stuartfillingham]

Thank you sir!

[@levesquedave5675]

Merci beaucoup pour vos vidéos très instructif ! Je m'aprète a acheter une t120 black de 2016 avec 11 000 km au conpteur !

[@hermitmonk52]

Spot on as usual Stuart and so very well put. I've been very disappointed with the quality of some of the components on my Street Twin and before that my Street Triple both of which needed warranty work, usually (not always) carried out! Triumph also make it as difficult as possible to carry out maintenance on what should be a really easy to work on naked, which, lets face it, is not a scintillating ride. I am thinking next year will see an end to my 15 year run with Triumph. Happy New Year and many thanks for all your efforts and insights.

[@stuartfillingham]

yes the chain maintenance issue is a ridiculous situation that springs to mind! thanks for watching sir and happy new year!

[@chrisbolton2500]

Tank badge magic. Harley Davidson have been getting away with it for years! 'They all do that' or, 'It's part of the charecter' phrases that are trotted out ad nauseum to cover, sometimes, dangerous inadequacy in performance. Now, cards on the table, I love my old Shovel Head Tour Glide. I bought her in 1982, and I've still got her. During that time I've visited every country in Europe, including on one infamous occasion, Russia. But the wotk I did on her over the years, just to make her stop and corner properly would fill a Littlewoods catalogue. And 'charecter' don't cut it when it's your hard earned you're parting with. To hear Triumph coming out wit this 'they all do that mate' codswallop reminds me of the 70's. (How did the 70's go for you Triumph?) And to advocate late and harsh braking as a solution to a problem is sheer madness.......! I have the Thruxton R as my weapon of choice. (Old but still still stupid!) So many of the problems you mention are dealt with. It just saddens me to hear Triumph as a company seem to have learned nothing. Rant over. As ever, nice video.

[@stuartfillingham]

well i think thats what happens when a property developer becomes a motorcycle manufacturer! he hasn't quite got the hang of the concept of customer loyalty and how it works yet!

[@andyturner9836]

Stuart you hit the nail on the head for me regarding these bikes being overpriced. As you say, some of the components used really leave a lot to be desired, especially the fork internals..... They really are a cheap pile of crap. I won,t mention poor finish on engine cases ect. It is a shame, as I test rode the Street Scrambler earlier in the year and enjoyed the experience. Sadly when you take a good close look at some of the components used I feel they have been built down to a price. As you say they are an excellent base for customising but personally feel Joe Public is being severely ripped off being charged over 10 grand for what is a fairly basic machine. Compared to my Tiger 800 which cost less than the list price of the T120 even when specced up with the extras I required I think the Bonnies is at the very least 3 grand overpriced as is...... Still yer pays your money and takes your choice I guess.

[@stuartfillingham]

You could well be right Andy i was being a little conservative, but there are definitely far superior bikes out there for a lot less money, they just lack the Bonnies presence! thanks for watching.

[@13thearl]

Interesting comments - I have a Tiger Sport and have found my dealer based servicing to be dire and expensive and there was no interest in the flaking paint behind the exhaust headers. I have now taken it to an independent who discovered that the rear suspension linkages had never been touched and need replacing (this after a £700, 12,000 mile service at the Triumph dealer). BUT the bike is a brilliant machine to ride and I love it to bits. Overall the quality is high and there is nothing on the market that comes near it in terms of overall riding satisfaction. So, like you, I love the bike but not the maker.

[@notokband]

Hey Stuart, once again great review!!! What battery tender do you use?

[@stuartfillingham]

Thank you Kurt! I use the optimate 4 on the T120 and an optimate 3 on the T100. Thanks for watching!

[@chadmock5883]

My 16 Harley Ultra rear brake squealed miserably. I was advised by the HD dealer to ride the brake hard while throttling up to get rid of it. Worked for about 100 miles. My 17 triumph t120 squeals intermittently usually during light braking. I’m not going to ride the front brake for sure. Mostly a light braking low speed annoyance for me. I would like to see if different pads would help this.

[@superdeifi]

Hello. Great vid. Exactly what i feel after driving my t120 black 2017 4000miles now..i miss the sound of my t100..the suspension of the t120 is better then t100 but nood good enough..they should sell the bonnie with black öhlins like the thruxton. In my mind.a t120 should be decat. Changed to öhlins..tyre change to conti road attack ..

[@stuartfillingham]

a few people have suggested that EBC pads solve the problem, i suppose i should look in to it!

[@stuartfillingham]

ive swapped the shocks for Hagon Nitros and put the tec upgrades in the front end, everything is as it should be now!

[@chadmock5883]

Robert Voigt you can install aftermarket shocks similar to thruxton. They do have a decat option(aftermarket). And tire options are out there. I’m going to be looking at Avon tires when the Pereli tires are finished.

[@saddle8bag]

People expect all the high performance parts and them ride them like they're Faberge Eggs. I'm on my second set of front brake pads on my Thruxton. The latest set are EBC HH. I've used them on a lot of bikes I've owned. Both the original and the EBC pads both squealed for the first hundred miles or so. After they break in, I rarely hear a squeak. Every now and again after they dry from a rainy ride they talk a little. I wear a helmet and ear plugs and frankly, even the initial noise was never a big deal anyway. I once noticed some condensation on the inside of the glass on the gauges after a wash on a hot day. It baked off pretty quick and never returned. I'd hate to have to deal with the public. When my bike was new, it had some residue that baked on the pipe. I couldn't scrub it off. I took it by the dealer and he immediately ordered me new pipes. In the meantime, the pipes had taken several heat cycles and the crap came right off with a little chrome polish. I told the dealer not to worry about it, I wouldn't need them. If they've given you 4 sets of gauges over a little condensation, I'd say they're acting pretty "prestigiously." New brakes squeal of lots of new bikes. If they used the crappy materials of yesteryear, they probably wouldn't.

[@stuartfillingham]

you obviously haven't read up on the problems mentioned here sir. The brake squeal is so loud that people in the street exhibit signs of alarm and the whole bike vibrates. the steaming up of the clocks renders the instrument unreadable for long periods of time which is a construction and use offence! and wearing brake pads out quickly would only impress a 10 year old I'm afraid, its nothing to be proud of and shows a distinct lack of road craft.

[@saddle8bag]

I wasn't trying to impress you. I was pointing out that EBC sintered pads made the same noise the stock pads made as they broke in. And if that little squeal made someone pee their pants, I'd hate to see their reaction to a school bus squealing up to pick up the children. I ride the bike in all kinds of conditions and my gauges fogged once. And the only reason I likely noticed that was because I was starting it in the driveway after a bath. Once on the road I never gave it a second thought. I get it, some people are picky. But to imply Triumph has lousy customer service after they've replaced your parts 3 times is a little disingenuous. I suppose they could hermetically seal them, then you'd complain about the cost to replace them if they ever needed to be fixed. And they'd probably warp in hot weather. Using your brakes ain't gonna kill you. To the contrary, you should be doing it with regularity so that they don't come as a surprise when you need them. Of course, Triumph provided a nice ABS unit to save those too timid to apply their brakes hard unless they're about ready to hit something. In any event, you now know how to break in brakes. Thanks for passing it on. It's not something for which Triumph needs to find a solution.

[@adamraison]

Great video I for one Agee triumph are getting overpriced, I had a launch tiger explorer and had 2 years of problems and felt like giving it away(more less did in the end) still have a triumph thunderbird . Now have a Honda cb500x great value bike and the most used. But like you say you are buying the brand, thanks for all the work you must put in making these videos.

[@stuartfillingham]

Your very welcome Adam, thank you for watching, happy new year!

[@TheDervMan]

That’s quite a jump from the big explorer to the CBX500. You happy with the performance of the Honda? I ask as I’ve been toying with doing a similar thing......

[@adamraison]

DervMan from my experience have had bikes for 40 + years you can have just as much fun on a smaller bike, the cb500x is cheap to buy and run. But I also have triumph thunderbird 1700 and scrambler when I need more power.

[@donniep75]

Mr. Fillingham, Your videos are excellent! In my opinion, the T120 is probably the best looking bike ever designed. I have one question perhaps you could help (and I absolutely hate to beat a dead horse). I was told the 2018 T120 has installed some sort of spacer in the front brake pad that eliminates the brake squeal. Are you aware of this and has it eliminated this problem? I would like to buy this bike, but the squeal would be too much for me. Thank you, and again - love the videos!

[@stuartfillingham]

Hi Don have heard of a fix but Triumph never got back to me when I enquired. I believe all new bikes have now got the problem sorted!

[@donniep75]

Thank you for the quick reply!

[@panrides9885]

Not a good review of our own British motorcycle, if they dont give the after sales they will never compete against all the imports, and im sure all brit bikers would love to see Triumph be more prevalent. Good and honest review Stuart.

[@stuartfillingham]

Thank you very much! and thanks for watching!

[@Herzankerkreuz67]

Hmm.... Makes me appreciate my Honda that I bought four years and 72000 km ago even more. Don't get me wrong Triumph does build beautiful looking bikes but some issues are just unacceptable given today's technology....

[@danieloconnell4225]

Hi Stuart - the T120 is my first parallel twin (have more experience with triples), and I notice (to my new-ish self) pretty strong vibrations at 4000RPM and up - especially when gripping the tank pads with my knees (fuel tank vibration), and somewhat through the handlebars as well. Normal in your experience? I don't beat on my ride, but if I'm taking a few nice back-road corners and keeping the RPMs up (~4000 - ~4500 RPM) , it'd be re-assuring to know this is normal, and not actually a problem. Otherwise, I have to say it rides beautifully so far. Cheers.

[@stuartfillingham]

sounds normal to me , should die down as the engine slackens off.

[@danieloconnell4225]

@@stuartfillingham Cheers for the reply! My last ride (my first ever!) was an older Street Triple - quite a bit different than a 1200 parallel twin lump. Wasn't sure if I was running into a problem - was rather surprised at how much vibration I was getting when gripping the T120's tank pads with my knees at 4000 RPM, and the low-level vibration particularly in the bars. I've only got about 1000 miles on the clock, so it's definitely new still.

[@danieloconnell4225]

@@stuartfillingham Oh, meant to mention, only other issue is the chrome headers - my word, they scratch easily. I clean them exceptionally gently, but they have small 'pin-prick' scratches just from road grit hitting them, it seems. Oddly enough, the paint all over the motorcycle is immaculate, still.. Guess Triumph is less good with the chroming...

[@I_am_Thursday]

I rode the T120, Bobber, Scrambler and Thruxton R back to back and for me the T120 was the best of the bunch and probably the one I'd buy...But, believe it or not, the dealership (Triumph only) claimed that they had not even heard of the clock issues, or the brakes, and even went as far as to say that corrosion issues are purely down to the owners neglect. So I can believe every word you say about their poor customer aftercare and attitude. It's enough to put me off really.

[@stuartfillingham]

Hi Will, yes unbelievable that they are still doing that. It seems to be the general script that triumph dealerships work from, I was told exactly the same when i first reported the problems. That i was the only one who had ever reported it! Its very naïve of them in this day and age to think they can actually get away with that! Though there is an element of truth regarding the engine corrosion problems it can easily be prevented and it would help if they just gave a little advice at the sales point! Happy new year sir!

[@threethrushes]

Some people like riding brands, and others like riding motorbikes.

[@stuartfillingham]

Any bike is a great bike Gerhard and we all love the one we have, the most!

[@jeffreyhurst9552]

The Bonneville is not a perfect bike but to my thinking, if you looked up motorcycle in the dictionary, there would be a picture of one.

[@christiancartmale1150]

Does anybody else find that the low beam on their T120 is WAAAAAAAAY better for night riding than their high beam? My low beam illuminates anything at the bikes level much farther and brighter than the high beam, and it lights up the shoulders and fields to my sides much better. The high beam is literally a high beam, but im not interested in anything coming from treetops, im primarily concerned with deer coming out of left field. Please note however that the low beam is MORE than adequate for lighting the road.

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

The life of me I can't understand why Triumph never went to clean no maintenance belt drive I do not tolerate anything--but belt drive or shaft drive on any of my motorcycles except for my antique brick bike

[@iannightingale3363]

sounds like you’re dealers aren’t on the ball to mate

[@stuartfillingham]

They certainly are not!

[@georgehatcher8867]

Had a similar problem with myTriumph Tiger 1050 sprag clutch/starter motor, failed after 14k miles, cost me £875 to replace Triumph more or less told me to suck it up!

[@stuartfillingham]

Hi George yes that pretty much fits with a lot of other stories ive heard about Triumph and it is quite shameful behaviour. Happy new Year Sir!

[@adrianiles6019]

Yes very interesting it's a shame really the end product looks good, but you are correct it's over priced and not up to Japanese finish quality . But Triumph like burying their head in the sand when it comes to customer complaints it will be there undoing .

[@tonystoops7802]

I put 30 thousand trouble free miles on an 2001 Kawasaki w 650. Just buy that instead.

[@scottygdaman]

seeing things like very poor concern from triumph about leaking gauges squealing brakes one single front Shock dampner how cheap is that I've actually seen someone lose control of their t120 under hard acceleration then hard braking the front end just couldn't handle the stress and folded up under the rider ejecting her and doing a couple flips causing big damage to bike and rider . frankly im waiting for the lawsuits and have decided to not purchase this "premium" pile of bolts which by the way I've heard very seldom are torqued to factory specs . I guess if you don't mind complete neglect from triumph cheap materials odd match levers dangerous suspension behavior and are looking for a premium rebuild buy a triumph. thank you for helping me make up my mind.