By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Retro Classic
Triumph Bonneville T120 (MY2025) vs Bonneville T100 (DB01A)
Triumph Bonneville T120 vs Bonneville T100: buy with your heart, but read this first.
You'll feel the Triumph Bonneville T120 build in one unbroken surge as you roll the throttle open, its exhaust growling the whole way. The Triumph Bonneville T100 doesn't wait for the revs: its pull lands low, right as the grip turns. It punches early, then settles into a relaxed lope.
So which one do you buy?
The Bonneville T120 has the edge if…
Character, looks and sound
By a nose: Bonneville T120
The Bonneville T120 has a bit more presence and character. This one still comes down to taste.
What makes each one tick
Bonneville T120
The Bonneville T120's liquid-cooled twin shoves hard from low down, its pipes thumping out an offbeat bark. At corner entry the bike carves into a backroad bend on that smooth drive, and the upright bar doesn't fold you over the tank. There's no fuss in town. Its deep paint gleams at every gas stop.
Bonneville T100
A charismatic throb comes off the Bonneville T100's twin as it hauls hard out of slow corners. It doesn't take much push at the bar, and with its weight carried low the bike drops into a winding back road without a wrestle. Bumps don't throw it wide.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Bonneville T120 makes more peak power: 79 hp (59 kW) vs 54 hp (40 kW).
- The Bonneville T120 makes more peak torque: 77 lb-ft (105 Nm) vs 59 lb-ft (80 Nm).
- The Bonneville T120 has the larger engine: 1200 cc vs 900 cc.
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Neither is a natural fit
Neither one is built for long-haul comfort. For big miles, look at a proper tourer or sport tourer.
On commuting, twisty roads, and running costs, these two are a wash. That's where your budget and your inseam get the final say.
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 T100
What owners say
Strengths
- Classic British roadster styling
- Torquey and charismatic parallel-twin engine
Known problems to check before you buy
Bonneville T120
- Recall 19V133000: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING Recall 19V133000 Triumph Motorcycles America, LTD (Triumph) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Bonneville T120 and Bonneville T120 Black, 2017-2019 Bonneville T100 and T100 Black, 2017-2018 Street Cup and Street Scrambler, and 2016-2018 Street Twin motorcycles. The clutch cable may contact the main harness cover and cause damage to wiring within the main harness. This may lead to a loss of electrical power to various electrical circuits.
Bonneville T100
- Recall 19V133000: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING Recall 19V133000 Triumph Motorcycles America, LTD (Triumph) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Bonneville T120 and Bonneville T120 Black, 2017-2019 Bonneville T100 and T100 Black, 2017-2018 Street Cup and Street Scrambler, and 2016-2018 Street Twin motorcycles. The clutch cable may contact the main harness cover and cause damage to wiring within the main harness. This may lead to a loss of electrical power to various electrical circuits.
What they share
- Seat height
- 31.1 in (790 mm)
- Engine
- Parallel twin
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Fuel capacity
- 3.8 US gal (14.5 L)
- Final drive
- Chain
- Fork
- Telescopic
- Front brake
- 310 mm
- Front tire
- 100/90-18
- Rear tire
- 150/70-17
- Wheelbase
- 57.1 in (1450 mm)
Where the spec sheets split
| Bonneville T120 | Bonneville T100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 1200 cc | 900 cc |
| Power | 79 hp (59 kW) | 54 hp (40 kW) |
| Torque | 77 lb-ft (105 Nm) | 59 lb-ft (80 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 3,500 rpm | 3,230 rpm |
| Bonneville T120 | Bonneville T100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Gearbox | 6-speed | 5-speed |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| Bonneville T120 | Bonneville T100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Ride Modes | Standard | Not offered |
| Cruise Control | Standard | Option |
| Slipper Clutch | Standard | Not offered |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
