Triumph · 2026
Bonneville T120
The definitive modern classic, and the finish quality proves it.
Jun's rating
out of ten
In one line
The most finished motorcycle in the classic segment. You pay for the details, and you can see every one of them.
What is new for 2026
The 2026 refresh adds a six-axis IMU for cornering ABS and lean-sensitive traction control, cruise control as standard, lighter aluminium rims, a USB-C port, and new colours.
- Engine
- Liquid-cooled 1200cc parallel twin, SOHC, 8 valves, 270-degree crank
- Displacement
- 1200 cc
- Power
- 79 hp
- Torque
- 105 Nm
- Wet weight
- 236 kg
- Seat height
- 790 mm
- Fuel
- 14.5 L
- Base MSRP
- $13,995
33.5 hp per 100 kg
US, subject to change
The review
Five parts, no spec-sheet copying.
“You can feel where the money went. On a classic, that is the whole point.
Mechanical Breakdown
The 1200cc High Torque twin uses a 270-degree crank and makes 105 Nm at just 3,500 rpm. Liquid cooling is hidden behind cylinder fins, the throttle bodies are disguised as carburettors, and the radiator is tucked between the downtubes. The 2021 update shed 7 kg and added Brembo front calipers; the 2026 refresh brought a six-axis IMU for cornering ABS and lean-sensitive traction control, cruise control as standard, and lighter aluminium rims.
The twin-shock rear and 41 mm KYB fork are period-correct and adequately damped.
Ride Character
The T120 is about torque and ease. It pulls from idle in any gear, cruises at 120 km/h without effort, and the 790 mm seat and wide bars make it one of the most comfortable bikes here. It does not handle like a modern naked, and the twin shocks let you know on rough roads, but it is never unsettled.
The sound with the stock pipes is muted; most owners fix that quickly.
Maintenance Outlook
Valve checks are at 16,000 km on an eight-valve head with excellent access, and the engine has been reliable since launch. Triumph's finish means it cleans up well and wears slowly. The twin shocks are easy to swap and the chain is a standard 525.
The only common complaint is the fuel tank capacity, which is a design choice, not a fault.
Who It's For
The rider who wants a classic with modern reliability and does not mind paying for the best finish in the class. Also the best two-up classic here.
Jun's Verdict
The T120 is the modern classic by which the others are measured. The Kawasaki Z900RS is faster and the Enfield 650 is far cheaper, but neither has this level of finish, this much torque at 3,000 rpm, or this many decades of Bonneville behind it.
Watch a review
Bike World. An outside opinion, chosen because they ride the bike properly.
Gallery
Photography from Unsplash contributors. Some frames show a close relative of this exact model.
Cross-shop
If you are looking at the Bonneville T120, look at these
Royal Enfield · 2026
Continental GT 650
Honest, unhurried, and far happier on a back road than a spec sheet.
Kawasaki · 2026
Z900RS
The Z1 reborn with a modern four. The best-riding classic on sale.
BMW · 2026
R 12 nineT
The boxer roadster, simplified and made lighter for its second decade.
Prices are US base MSRP at time of writing ($13,995 for this bike) and change without notice. Specs are manufacturer claims unless stated.