By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Retro Classic vs Cruiser
Triumph Bonneville T120 (MY2025) vs Bonneville Speedmaster (MY2025)
Parked at the curb, the Triumph Bonneville T120 wears its sixties roadster lines in deep paint and careful detail that many rivals don't match. Beside it, the Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster's chrome pipes and wire-spoke wheels say it's a custom. In a bend, it tracks steady until clearance runs out.
So which one do you buy?
The Bonneville T120 has the edge if…
Daily commuting & city riding
Inches ahead: Bonneville T120
Through rush hour, the Bonneville T120 is a little easier to live with. The difference is easier everyday riding and easier maneuvering in tight spots.
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Small edge: Bonneville T120
Through a string of corners, the Bonneville T120 feels a little more eager. What tips it: a sportier chassis and lighter steering. The gap is small, so ride both.
What makes each one tick
Bonneville T120
The Bonneville T120's twin pulls cleanly from the bottom of the tach, and there's always shove waiting. It doesn't need to be revved. Behind the lever, a 310 mm front brake hauls 520 lb (236 kg) of bike down to a stop. Its exhaust answers each gear with a warm bark.
Bonneville Speedmaster
With your feet out on forward pegs, the Speedmaster seats you just 27.8 in (705 mm) off the ground. Its twin thumps out heavy pull from barely above idle. There's no need to rev it. Over sharp bumps on rough pavement, the rear shock's firm and doesn't soak much up. The Showa fork keeps the front end honest.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Bonneville Speedmaster has the lower seat: 27.8 in (705 mm) vs 31.1 in (790 mm).
- The Bonneville T120 has the lower wet weight: 520 lb (236 kg) vs 580 lb (263 kg).
- The Bonneville T120 has the larger fuel tank: 3.8 US gal (14.5 L) vs 3.2 US gal (12.1 L).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Both miss here
Long-haul comfort is a weak spot for both. If you tour, shop with that in mind.
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Neither one fits
Neither of these is a sensible first motorcycle. Learn on something smaller and lighter, then come back.
They come out level on running costs. The better-kept used example is the smarter money.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
Bonneville T120
What owners say
Strengths
- Smooth and torquey parallel twin
- Classic British styling with modern touches
- High-quality fit and finish
Bonneville Speedmaster
What owners say
Strengths
- Soulful torque-rich parallel twin
- Surprisingly agile handling for a cruiser
Trade-offs
- Firm rear suspension on rough surfaces
- Minimal pillion accommodation
What they cost used
These prices compare a 1-year-old Bonneville T120 with a 1-year-old Bonneville Speedmaster.
- Bonneville T120
- $12,300
- Bonneville Speedmaster
- $12,000
At one year old, the Triumph Bonneville T120 sits around $12,300 while the Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster lands near $12,000. That's a $300 gap. They're recorded from the used market, not live listings.
What they share
- Displacement
- 1200 cc
- Engine
- Parallel twin
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Fork
- Telescopic
- Front brake
- 310 mm
Where the spec sheets split
| Bonneville T120 | Bonneville Speedmaster | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 31.1 in (790 mm) | 27.8 in (705 mm) |
| Wet weight | 520 lb (236 kg) | 580 lb (263 kg) |
| Bonneville T120 | Bonneville Speedmaster | |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 79 hp (59 kW) | 76 hp (57 kW) |
| Torque | 77 lb-ft (105 Nm) | 78 lb-ft (106 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 3,500 rpm | 4,000 rpm |
| Bonneville T120 | Bonneville Speedmaster | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 3.8 US gal (14.5 L) | 3.2 US gal (12.1 L) |
| Bonneville T120 | Bonneville Speedmaster | |
|---|---|---|
| Front tire | 100/90-18 | MT90-16 |
| Rear tire | 150/70-17 | 150/80-16 |
| Wheelbase | 57.1 in (1450 mm) | 59.1 in (1500 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| Bonneville T120 | Bonneville Speedmaster | |
|---|---|---|
| USB Charging Port | Standard | Not offered |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
