By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Retro Classic
Triumph Bonneville T120 (MY2016) vs Bonneville Newchurch (MY2015)
Triumph Bonneville T120 vs Bonneville Newchurch: buy with your heart, but read this first.
Off a stoplight, the Triumph Bonneville T120's already hauling from idle. The Triumph Bonneville Newchurch rolls on with a lazy thump.
So which one do you buy?
The Bonneville T120 has the edge if…
Character, looks and sound
Nose ahead: Bonneville T120
The Bonneville T120 nudges ahead on character. Thank a better engine note and more engine character for that. It's a small gap in a category ruled by taste.
Which one's the smarter buy
No clear advantage
The Bonneville Newchurch costs less, but that gap doesn't make it the clear better buy. Neither bike wins on value alone.
What makes each one tick
Bonneville T120
There's real shove in the Bonneville T120's twin from the bottom of the tach, and torque peaks at 3,100 rpm, right in the band that traffic and back roads use. On the Blue Ridge Parkway, the low center of gravity hides the bulk once it's moving and the bars steer neutrally. The brake lever doesn't bite at first touch and wants a firm squeeze before the front calipers grab. Around town, the fork rides plush.
Bonneville Newchurch
Wide bars and a balanced chassis swing the Bonneville Newchurch through slow U-turns, and its seat's just 29.1 in (740 mm) off the ground. The air-cooled twin answers a light throttle with steady pull from low revs. It doesn't ask for high revs. The engine starts on the button, ride after ride.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Bonneville Newchurch has the lower seat: 29.1 in (740 mm) vs 31.1 in (790 mm).
- The Bonneville Newchurch has the lower wet weight: 496 lb (225 kg) vs 520 lb (236 kg).
- The Bonneville T120 makes more peak power: 78 hp (58 kW) vs 67 hp (50 kW).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Wrong job for both
For all-day comfort, both fall short. Keep the rides short and you'll get on fine with either.
Call it even on commuting, twisty roads, and running costs. 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
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
Bonneville Newchurch
What owners say
Strengths
- Authentic classic styling
- Modern reliability with minimal maintenance
- Robust, easy-going engine character
- Excellent low-speed handling and confidence
- Strong residual value in the used market
Trade-offs
- Underpowered single front brake
- Basic suspension lacks refinement
- Brightwork and paint require diligent care
- No ABS or modern rider aids
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.
Bonneville Newchurch
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 Bonneville Newchurch.
- Bonneville T120
- about $6,400
- Bonneville Newchurch
- about $5,200
At ten years old, the Triumph Bonneville T120 runs about $6,400 while the Triumph Bonneville Newchurch sits near $5,200. That's a $1,200 gap in the Newchurch's favor. These are US market estimates, not live listings.
What they share
- Engine
- Parallel twin
- Final drive
- Chain
- Front brake
- 310 mm
Where the spec sheets split
| Bonneville T120 | Bonneville Newchurch | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 31.1 in (790 mm) | 29.1 in (740 mm) |
| Wet weight | 520 lb (236 kg) | 496 lb (225 kg) |
| Bonneville T120 | Bonneville Newchurch | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 1200 cc | 865 cc |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled | Air-cooled |
| Power | 78 hp (58 kW) | 67 hp (50 kW) |
| Peak power at | 6,550 rpm | 7,500 rpm |
| Torque | 77 lb-ft (105 Nm) | 50 lb-ft (68 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 3,100 rpm | 5,800 rpm |
| Top speed | 130 mph (209 km/h) | 112 mph (180 km/h) |
| Bonneville T120 | Bonneville Newchurch | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 3.8 US gal (14.5 L) | 4.2 US gal (16 L) |
| Bonneville T120 | Bonneville Newchurch | |
|---|---|---|
| Gearbox | 6-speed | 5-speed |
| Front tire | 100/90-18 | 110/70-17 |
| Rear tire | 150/70-17 | 130/80-17 |
| Wheelbase | 57.1 in (1450 mm) | 58.7 in (1490 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| Bonneville T120 | Bonneville Newchurch | |
|---|---|---|
| ABS | Standard | Not offered |
| Traction Control | Standard | Not offered |
| Ride Modes | Standard | Not offered |
| Cruise Control | Option | Not offered |
| Slipper Clutch | Standard | Not offered |
| USB Charging Port | Standard | Not offered |
| Heated Grips | Standard | Not offered |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
