By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Retro Classic
Triumph Bonneville T120 (MY2016) vs Thruxton 1200R (DE01)
Triumph Bonneville T120 vs Thruxton 1200R: style matters. So does everything underneath.
Late into a tight downhill bend, the Triumph Bonneville T120's front brake doesn't bite until you squeeze the lever firmly. The Triumph Thruxton 1200R grabs at first touch and stops.
So which one do you buy?
The Thruxton 1200R has the edge if…
Sporty riding on twisty roads
By a nose: Thruxton 1200R
Back-road fun leans slightly toward the Thruxton 1200R. Credit a sportier chassis and better suspension. It's a narrow call, so trust your test ride.
Character, looks and sound
Nose ahead: Thruxton 1200R
On style, the Thruxton 1200R makes a slightly stronger case. The difference is a better engine note and more distinctive styling. Go see both in person.
Which one's the smarter buy
Money won't decide it
Neither is the clear better buy for the money. Your choice depends on what you want it for.
What makes each one tick
Bonneville T120
Most of the Bonneville T120's pull arrives early, with torque peaking at 3,100 rpm and the crank's uneven firing sending a V-twin pulse through the frame. Around town, a pothole sinks into the soft KYB fork and twin shocks without a jolt. At speed or on rough roads, it's underdamped. Its heft melts once it's rolling.
Thruxton 1200R
From low revs to a top-end rush, the Thruxton 1200R's twin keeps piling on torque. Whatever gear it's in, a roll of the throttle brings a hard shove. On a twisty road it's quick to steer, and the Showa fork and Öhlins shocks stay plush without wallowing as the pace climbs. Its upswept pipes bark offbeat.
Nils rode the Thruxton 1200R in Styria in 2018 (NastyNils Testride).
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 Thruxton 1200R has the lower wet weight: 448 lb (203 kg) vs 520 lb (236 kg).
- The Thruxton 1200R makes more peak power: 96 hp (71 kW) vs 78 hp (58 kW).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Both miss here
Neither one is built for long-haul comfort. For big miles, look at a proper tourer or sport tourer.
Count commuting and running costs as a draw. The deal on the table and the condition of the bike matter more here.
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
Thruxton 1200R
What owners say
Strengths
- Beautiful retro styling with modern performance
- Exceptional handling and braking
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.
Thruxton 1200R
- Side stand spring fracture (recall 20V015000) Recall 20V015000 The side stand spring may fracture while riding, allowing the stand to deploy and potentially stall the engine without warning. A recall was issued to replace the spring free of charge.
- Oil leak from alternator wire / rectifier area A leak where the alternator wire connects to the rectifier, often noticed near the rear wheel, has been reported by some owners.
- Cold start difficulty (two-press method) Some owners report that the engine will crank but not fire on the first attempt when cold. A quick second press of the starter usually resolves it. This may be due to fueling or electrical priming and is not necessarily a defect, but is a known characteristic.
What they cost used
These prices compare an 8-year-old Bonneville T120 with an 8-year-old Thruxton 1200R.
- Bonneville T120
- about $6,300
- Thruxton 1200R
- about $9,100
At eight years old, the Triumph Bonneville T120 sits around $6,300 while the Triumph Thruxton 1200R runs about $9,100. That's a $2,800 gap in the US market. These are estimates, not live listings.
What they share
- Displacement
- 1200 cc
- Engine
- Parallel twin
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Fuel capacity
- 3.8 US gal (14.5 L)
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Front brake
- 310 mm
Where the spec sheets split
| Bonneville T120 | Thruxton 1200R | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 31.1 in (790 mm) | 31.9 in (810 mm) |
| Wet weight | 520 lb (236 kg) | 448 lb (203 kg) |
| Bonneville T120 | Thruxton 1200R | |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 78 hp (58 kW) | 96 hp (71 kW) |
| Peak power at | 6,550 rpm | 6,750 rpm |
| Torque | 77 lb-ft (105 Nm) | 83 lb-ft (112 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 3,100 rpm | 4,950 rpm |
| Bonneville T120 | Thruxton 1200R | |
|---|---|---|
| Front tire | 100/90-18 | 120/70-17 |
| Rear tire | 150/70-17 | 160/60-17 |
| Wheelbase | 57.1 in (1450 mm) | 55.7 in (1415 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| Bonneville T120 | Thruxton 1200R | |
|---|---|---|
| Manually Adjustable Front Suspension | Not offered | Standard |
| Cruise Control | Option | 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.
