Classic Beauty: Testing the 2021 Triumph Bonneville T120

By now, the Modern Classics model ranges are really selling in high numbers, in 2021 every 3rd bike from Triumph (36% of models sold in Austria and Germany) is a Modern Classic. In 2002, when the first "new" Bonneville, back then with a 790cc air-cooled twin-cylinder engine, saw the light of day, such numbers were only a dream. The British attempt to make a comeback in the motorcycle industry with a retro bike was at best ridiculed. Fast forward almost 20 years, the situation is quite different. Almost every manufacturer worth their salt has a model with classic shapes on offer.

The name was no coincidence, as Triumph had earned its stripes on the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah in the 1950s and 1960s. Speed records that still live on in the model designations T100 and T120. The numbers represent the maximum achievable speed of each motorcycle in miles per hour. With the Bonnevilles, Triumph laid the foundation for the trend of retro bikes in the last 10 years.

For 2021, Triumph had to revise the entire Bonneville family and thus also the iconic T120 due to the Euro 5 standard. This update was by no means intended to be a revolution, as with the Modern Classic models it is always about preserving what has proven successful. Consequently, the T120 was carefully updated without losing its characteristic lines and strengths.

Even the most strict traditionalist will forgive the Bonnie for now featuring comfort features such as cruise control (standard) and heated grips (optional). The USB port under the seat doesn't bother either, on the contrary - Zonko was thrilled to be able to charge his beloved e-pipe during a break. The T120 also comes with traction control as standard. But don't worry, you won't necessarily be patronized by it, as it can be turned off.

A classic does not age - it matures. Therefore, the 2021 Bonneville has remained just as beautiful as its predecessor. For the test in and around Vienna, we chose the grey-black matte version of the T120 Black. And indeed, the adaptations compared to the previous model were quickly discovered: newly designed analogue round instruments, slightly changed tank pads, a ribbed seat with an embossed Triumph logo. Add some chrome here and there and the redesigned 3-stripe Heritage emblem on the tank - the "new" T120 is ready.

The Bonneville, as mentioned before, has a sporty heritage. Measuring it against that is not entirely fair - after all, Triumph now has even faster sisters among the Modern Classics with the Speed Twin and the Thruxton RS - but a spirited pace should still be possible. During the 1000PS Gentlemen Rides, Zonko, McGregor, and myself set out to see if this classic beauty lives up to its sporty ancestors in terms of dynamics.

On paper, everything has been done right compared to its predecessor to make the new T120 a more agile motorcycle. The T120 has lost a remarkable 7 kilograms and now weighs 236 kg in road-ready condition. The new aluminum wheels (18'' X 2,75'' front and 17'' X 4,25'' rear) have helped. The new Bonnie handles corners a bit more eagerly than the 2020 model.

Triumph has upgraded the braking system with a higher-quality Brembo dual-disc brake with a 310mm diameter and 2-piston floating calipers, and the ABS has been revised. Unfortunately, in practice, one notices little improvement. The brakes require a significant amount of hand force and still offer only moderate bite. When riding aggressively, one quickly reaches the limits of the brakes.

The powerful 1200cc twin-cylinder engine is beyond doubt with its impressive maximum torque of 105 Nm, which is available at just 3,500 rpm. A true gentleman may not need to engage in a duel at the traffic lights, but if young rascals on either side get cheeky, it's easy for him to put them in their place on the Bonnie.

The revised twin also revs more smoothly and effortlessly at high speeds. This is due to a lighter crankshaft, which significantly reduces the rotating mass of the new T120. This engine is a real gem! It's not really necessary to rev the twin-cylinder, but it sure is fun. The fuel consumption is also pleasantly low, in practice you can get around 5 liters per 100 km (manufacturer's specification 4.7 l/100km), which, combined with the beautiful 14.5 liter tank, allows for a range of around 300 kilometers.

We started off our test ride of the Triumph Naked Bike by cruising through the historic center of Vienna on the Bonnie, taking it back to the "oldschool". The bumpy roads and rough cobblestones presented the T120's suspension with its first challenges. Designed for comfort and paired with the comfortable and elegantly designed seat, the Triumph excelled in this aspect - relaxed cruising is where this classic beauty shines the most. Additionally, its compact dimensions make the Bonneville an ideal choice for navigating through city traffic. And when you find yourself at the front of the traffic light, be prepared to turn heads: "Is that vintage?" "Wow, you've done a beautiful restoration job!" Few pedestrians realize that they are looking at a motorcycle from 2021!

But let's really put it to the test. So let's leave the hectic city traffic behind and head out to the hilly countryside outside Vienna to experience the dynamic qualities of the T120. The suspension of the T120 is not adjustable except for the preload of the rear stereo shocks and can sometimes be pushed to its limits with a faster pace. The mentioned tendency of the shocks to sway prevents a 100% reliable line holding. The rebound damping simply does not work perfectly enough for the super-clean line.

The T120 is a very comfortable motorcycle. Relaxed upright sitting is also easily achievable at 1.87 meters. Compared to its sportier sisters, the T120 fits almost any rider, as the low seat height does not pose insurmountable problems for even smaller riders and the knee angle is not too acute. This is achieved through a relatively low positioning of the footpegs, which in turn restricts lean angle. The Triumph Bonneville T120 is more suited for leisurely rides rather than aggressive riding, but a leisurely ride is hardly as rewarding on any retro motorcycle as it is on the good old, I mean new, Bonnie T120.