By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Retro Classic
Honda CB1100 EX (Gen2) vs Triumph Bonneville T120 (MY2016)
Honda CB1100 EX vs Triumph Bonneville T120: style matters. So does everything underneath.
Roll on the Honda CB1100 EX's throttle low in the revs and the air-cooled four doesn't hesitate: it gathers speed in one even surge, the exhaust thrumming like Hondas of old. The Triumph Bonneville T120's twin is already shoving from idle.
So which one do you buy?
The Bonneville T120 has the edge if…
Keeping running costs low
Edges it: Bonneville T120
Over a year of riding, the Bonneville T120 noses ahead on running costs. A neglected example would wipe that out.
Character, looks and sound
Slight edge: Bonneville T120
On sound and soul, the Bonneville T120 comes out a touch ahead. The reason: more distinctive styling. Your own eyes and ears outrank this verdict.
Sporty riding on twisty roads
By a nose: Bonneville T120
Through a string of corners, the Bonneville T120 feels a little more eager. The gap is small, so ride both.
Which one's the smarter buy
Depends what you want it for
The price gap doesn't produce a clear winner.
What makes each one tick
CB1100 EX
The CB1100 EX's long wheelbase keeps it steady through a sweeper, and the bars want a deliberate push to change direction. Broken pavement doesn't upset it, because the Showa fork and rear shocks swallow bumps on everything but the worst roads. Its broad seat sits low behind upright bars that don't stretch your reach. Parked, the hot engine keeps pinging.
Nils rode the CB1100 EX in the Spessart in 2017 (NastyNils Testride).
Bonneville T120
A low center of gravity hides the Bonneville T120's heft once it's on the move. Corner entry takes a light nudge on the bars, and the steering doesn't fight you as it tips in. The engine works hardest low down.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Bonneville T120 has the lower wet weight: 520 lb (236 kg) vs 562 lb (255 kg).
- The CB1100 EX makes more peak power: 90 hp (66 kW) vs 78 hp (58 kW).
- The Bonneville T120 makes more peak torque: 77 lb-ft (105 Nm) vs 67 lb-ft (91 Nm).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Both fall short
Neither one is built for long-haul comfort. For big miles, look at a proper tourer or sport tourer.
Call it even on commuting. Choose on fit, price and the one that makes you grin.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
CB1100 EX
What owners say
Strengths
- Exceptional build quality and attention to detail
- Smooth and relaxed ride quality
- Torquey, characterful air-cooled inline-four
- Spot-on fuel injection and easy clutch
Trade-offs
- Significant weight limits nimbleness
- Lack of modern electronic rider aids
- Minimal wind protection at highway speeds
Bonneville T120
What owners say
Strengths
- Strong torque-led 1200 HT engine character
- Easy, accessible handling despite mass
- Authentic retro styling and finish
- Modern essentials present and unobtrusive
Trade-offs
- Front brake lacks initial bite
- Mass for some riders
- Soft, basic suspension
- Pre-LED-era halogen replacement aside, basic headlight beam pattern
- Snatchy / abrupt throttle in Road mode at low rpm
Known problems to check before you buy
CB1100 EX
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
Bonneville T120
- Fuel pump sub-harness moulding defect can allow fuel to seep along wire insulation, risk of electrical short and fire Recall 19V133000 A moulding defect in the fuel pump sub-harness allows fuel to migrate along the wire insulation and reach the main harness connector, where it can cause an electrical short and ignite.
- Clutch cable can chafe through main harness cover and damage internal wiring Recall 19V133000 The clutch cable contacts the main harness cover at the headstock and abrades wires inside, leading to symptoms including loss of headlights, indicators not flashing, or unexpected stall. The fault is the root cause of many community indicator-failure reports.
- Gear-change selector mechanism failure The gear-change selector mechanism can fail through a broken internal return spring or through a bent claw on the detent wheel (often after a left-side drop), causing the bike to lock in a gear or refusing to downshift. Triumph released an updated shifter-mechanism kit (P/N T1191968) in October 2019, retrofittable to the start of production.
- Abrupt throttle response in Road mode at low rpm in 1st and 2nd gear The ride-by-wire ECU map in Road mode is described by owners as having coarse throttle resolution — small wrist inputs produce comparatively large throttle-body movements at low engine speed, resulting in an on/off character in tight low-speed riding. Rain mode smooths the response but reduces overall throttle authority. Common community workarounds: Booster Plug device, ECU re-flash with adjusted throttle map.
- Fuel gauge under- or over-reads; reserve light triggers inconsistently Owners report that the dash fuel gauge does not track tank level accurately and the reserve warning may activate with substantial fuel still in the tank. Triumph has reportedly issued a dealer memo and replaced the fuel-level sender under warranty in confirmed cases.
- Surface corrosion on grab-rail bolts, spoke nipples, brake disc carriers and TPS cover Within months of use, owners commonly report rust forming on exposed steel hardware: grab-rail bolts, spoke nipples, brake-disc carriers, throttle-position-sensor cover. Reported even in non-coastal, non-winter climates. Cosmetic, not structural; progressive if unaddressed.
What they cost used
These prices compare an 8-year-old CB1100 EX with an 8-year-old Bonneville T120.
- CB1100 EX
- about $7,600
- Bonneville T120
- about $6,300
At eight years old, the Honda CB1100 EX sits around $7,600 while the Triumph Bonneville T120 lands near $6,300. That's a $1,300 gap in the T120's favor. These are US market estimates, not live listings.
What they share
- Seat height
- 31.1 in (790 mm)
- Top speed
- 130 mph (209 km/h)
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
Where the spec sheets split
| CB1100 EX | Bonneville T120 | |
|---|---|---|
| Wet weight | 562 lb (255 kg) | 520 lb (236 kg) |
| Dry weight | 511 lb (232 kg) | 494 lb (224 kg) |
| CB1100 EX | Bonneville T120 | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 1140 cc | 1200 cc |
| Engine | Inline-four | Parallel twin |
| Cooling | Air/oil-cooled | Liquid-cooled |
| Power | 90 hp (66 kW) | 78 hp (58 kW) |
| Peak power at | 7,500 rpm | 6,550 rpm |
| Torque | 67 lb-ft (91 Nm) | 77 lb-ft (105 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 5,500 rpm | 3,100 rpm |
| CB1100 EX | Bonneville T120 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 4.4 US gal (16.8 L) | 3.8 US gal (14.5 L) |
| CB1100 EX | Bonneville T120 | |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake | 296 mm | 310 mm |
| Front tire | 110/80-18 | 100/90-18 |
| Rear tire | 140/70-18 | 150/70-17 |
| Wheelbase | 58.7 in (1490 mm) | 57.1 in (1450 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| CB1100 EX | Bonneville T120 | |
|---|---|---|
| Traction Control | Not offered | Standard |
| Ride Modes | Not offered | Standard |
| Manually Adjustable Front Suspension | Standard | Not offered |
| Cruise Control | Not offered | Option |
| Heated Grips | Option | Standard |
| LED Headlight | Standard | Not offered |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
