By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Retro Classic vs Scrambler
Triumph Bonneville T120 (MY2016) vs Ducati Scrambler 1100 (MY2018-Pro)
Roll on the Triumph Bonneville T120's throttle near idle and it's already pulling, with no need to wind it up. On the Ducati Scrambler 1100's throttle, the air-cooled L-twin's shoving hard from low revs. It'll bark at every snap of the wrist.
So which one do you buy?
The Scrambler 1100 has the edge if…
Keeping running costs low
Nose ahead: Scrambler 1100
Over a year of riding, the Scrambler 1100 noses ahead on running costs. A neglected example would wipe that out.
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Narrow edge: Scrambler 1100
On a winding road, the Scrambler 1100 comes out a touch ahead. Put it down to a sportier chassis and better suspension. You wouldn't bet much on a gap like that.
What makes each one tick
Bonneville T120
The Bonneville steers into a corner with no fuss at the bar, and its low center of gravity hides the bulk once it's moving. At 520 lb (236 kg), it's still a lump to push across a parking lot. At a quick pace on broken pavement, the soft fork and twin shocks run short of damping. In town, the KYB fork keeps the ride plush.
Scrambler 1100
The Scrambler flicks from one city corner to the next off its wide handlebar, and its trellis frame keeps the line precise. There's a friendly spread of power from the two-valve engine on twisty back roads. At highway speed, there's little to break the blast.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Bonneville T120 has the lower seat: 31.1 in (790 mm) vs 31.9 in (810 mm).
- The Scrambler 1100 has the lower wet weight: 454 lb (206 kg) vs 520 lb (236 kg).
- The Scrambler 1100 makes more peak power: 86 hp (63 kW) vs 78 hp (58 kW).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Both fall short
For all-day comfort, both fall short. Keep the rides short and you'll get on fine with either.
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Look elsewhere
For a brand-new rider, both are the wrong place to start. Learn the basics on a smaller bike first.
Don't look for a gap on commuting: there isn't one. Go by how each one fits you.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
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
Scrambler 1100
What owners say
Strengths
- Intuitive, nimble handling
- Charismatic, torque-rich V-twin
- Distinctive, premium styling
Trade-offs
- Limited wind protection
- No TFT display
Known problems to check before you buy
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.
Scrambler 1100
- Exhaust valve cable may contact battery wiring Recall 20V781000 The cable that controls the exhaust flapper valve can potentially contact the battery’s main positive wire, causing a short circuit and, in extreme cases, a fire. This affects all models produced from March 2018 to October 2020. Ducati issued a recall (SRV-RCL-20-003 / NHTSA 20V-781) to install a cable guide and self-locking cable tie.
What they share
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
Where the spec sheets split
| Bonneville T120 | Scrambler 1100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 31.1 in (790 mm) | 31.9 in (810 mm) |
| Wet weight | 520 lb (236 kg) | 454 lb (206 kg) |
| Bonneville T120 | Scrambler 1100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 1200 cc | 1079 cc |
| Engine | Parallel twin | L-twin |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled | Air/oil-cooled |
| Power | 78 hp (58 kW) | 86 hp (63 kW) |
| Peak power at | 6,550 rpm | 7,500 rpm |
| Torque | 77 lb-ft (105 Nm) | 65 lb-ft (88 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 3,100 rpm | 4,750 rpm |
| Bonneville T120 | Scrambler 1100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 3.8 US gal (14.5 L) | 4.0 US gal (15 L) |
| Bonneville T120 | Scrambler 1100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake | 310 mm | 320 mm |
| Front tire | 100/90-18 | 120/70-18 |
| Rear tire | 150/70-17 | 180/55-17 |
| Wheelbase | 57.1 in (1450 mm) | 59.6 in (1514 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| Bonneville T120 | Scrambler 1100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Cornering ABS | Not offered | Standard |
| Manually Adjustable Front Suspension | Not offered | Standard |
| Cruise Control | Option | Not offered |
| Smartphone Connectivity | Not offered | Option |
| USB Charging Port | Standard | Not offered |
| Heated Grips | Standard | Option |
| LED Headlight | Not offered | Standard |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
