By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Retro Classic
Triumph Bonneville T120 (MY2016) vs Honda CB 1100 (CB1100 SC65)
Triumph Bonneville T120 vs Honda CB 1100: which one to buy once you're past the looks.
Tip into a fast bend, and the Triumph Bonneville T120 turns in on a neutral line, its weight carried low. The Honda CB 1100's four doesn't buzz the grips.
So which one do you buy?
The Bonneville T120 has the edge if…
Character, looks and sound
Nose ahead: Bonneville T120
On character, the Bonneville T120 edges it. Thank a better engine note and more distinctive styling for that. Your eyes get the final say.
Keeping running costs low
Inches ahead: Bonneville T120
On upkeep, the Bonneville T120 asks a bit less of your wallet. The difference won't change your life.
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Narrow edge: Bonneville T120
Back-road fun leans slightly toward the Bonneville T120. It's a narrow call, so trust your test ride.
Which one's the smarter buy
Value's a wash
At these used prices, neither bike comes out ahead on value. The Bonneville T120 and CB 1100 sit too close in cost for one to be the clear better buy.
What makes each one tick
Bonneville T120
The Bonneville thumps out an off-beat pulse down low, closer in feel to a V-twin than to the old British parallel layout. There's usable shove at the throttle from just above idle, and it tapers off once the revs climb high. The soft KYB fork soaks up town streets and runs short of damping at speed. Low revs are this twin's home.
CB 1100
From low revs, the CB 1100's air- and oil-cooled engine pulls on a flat torque curve, and there's no surge to chase. The wide chrome bar sweeps back toward a padded seat that's set for an upright stance. Its heft vanishes once it's moving.
Nils rode the CB 1100 in 2013 (NastyNils Testride).
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Bonneville T120 has the lower wet weight: 520 lb (236 kg) vs 545 lb (247 kg).
- The CB 1100 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 miss here
For all-day comfort, both fall short. Keep the rides short and you'll get on fine with either.
These two run dead level on commuting. Sit on both in the showroom and trust what your body says.
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
CB 1100
What owners say
Strengths
- Exceptionally smooth, torque-rich engine
- Bulletproof reliability and low maintenance
- Superb build quality and attention to detail
- Comfortable, natural ergonomics
Trade-offs
- Minimal wind protection
- Modest top-end performance for its displacement
- Significant weight for a naked middleweight
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.
CB 1100
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
What they cost used
These prices compare a 10-year-old Bonneville T120 with a 10-year-old CB 1100.
- Bonneville T120
- about $6,400
- CB 1100
- about $6,600
What they share
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
Where the spec sheets split
| Bonneville T120 | CB 1100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 31.1 in (790 mm) | 31.3 in (795 mm) |
| Wet weight | 520 lb (236 kg) | 545 lb (247 kg) |
| Bonneville T120 | CB 1100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 1200 cc | 1140 cc |
| Engine | Parallel twin | Inline-four |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled | Air/oil-cooled |
| Power | 78 hp (58 kW) | 90 hp (66 kW) |
| Peak power at | 6,550 rpm | 7,500 rpm |
| Torque | 77 lb-ft (105 Nm) | 67 lb-ft (91 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 3,100 rpm | 5,000 rpm |
| Top speed | 130 mph (209 km/h) | 124 mph (200 km/h) |
| Bonneville T120 | CB 1100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 3.8 US gal (14.5 L) | 3.9 US gal (14.6 L) |
| Bonneville T120 | CB 1100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake | 310 mm | 296 mm |
| Front tire | 100/90-18 | 110/80-18 |
| Rear tire | 150/70-17 | 140/70-18 |
| Wheelbase | 57.1 in (1450 mm) | 58.7 in (1490 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| Bonneville T120 | CB 1100 | |
|---|---|---|
| ABS | Standard | Option |
| Traction Control | Standard | Not offered |
| Ride Modes | Standard | Not offered |
| Manually Adjustable Front Suspension | Not offered | Standard |
| Cruise Control | Option | Not offered |
| Slipper Clutch | Standard | Not offered |
| USB Charging Port | Standard | Not offered |
| Heated Grips | Standard | Option |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
