By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Retro Classic
Triumph Bonneville T120 (MY2025) vs Yamaha XSR900 (RN43)
Triumph Bonneville T120 vs Yamaha XSR900: which one to buy once you're past the looks.
You'll feel it at the throttle first: the Triumph Bonneville T120 pulls with an easy shove from low revs and a warm exhaust note behind it. On the Yamaha XSR900, the same twist wakes a triple that's pulling hard down low and howling through its intake. Then it begs to be wound out.
So which one do you buy?
The Bonneville T120 has the edge if…
Keeping running costs low
Slight edge: Bonneville T120
Over a year of riding, the Bonneville T120 noses ahead on running costs. A neglected example would wipe that out.
Character, looks and sound
A touch ahead: Bonneville T120
On style, the Bonneville T120 makes a slightly stronger case. Thank more retro style and a purer look for that. Go see both in person.
The XSR900 has the edge if…
Sporty riding on twisty roads
By a nose: XSR900
In the twisties, the XSR900 asks a bit less of you to go quickly. The reason: lighter steering and a sportier chassis. Call it a modest edge.
What makes each one tick
Bonneville T120
The Bonneville T120's 270-degree twin hits its torque peak at just 3,500 rpm, and there's no need to chase the tach in town. The upright riding position doesn't fold you over the tank. On corner entry, the bike rolls into a backroad bend without any fuss. Then the twin's torque hauls it out.
XSR900
The XSR900 flicks from bend to bend off its wide bar, yet it doesn't wander once the speed climbs. Rough pavement turns the ride jarring. Wherever the throttle sits, there's torque on tap from the crossplane engine.
Nils rode the XSR900 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 32.7 in (830 mm).
- The XSR900 has the lower wet weight: 430 lb (195 kg) vs 520 lb (236 kg).
- The XSR900 makes more peak power: 115 hp (85 kW) vs 79 hp (59 kW).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Both fall short
For all-day comfort, both fall short. Keep the rides short and you'll get on fine with either.
Count commuting 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
- Smooth and torquey parallel twin
- Classic British styling with modern touches
- High-quality fit and finish
XSR900
What owners say
Strengths
- Addictive CP3 engine character
- Neo-retro styling with premium materials
- Excellent value for money
Trade-offs
- Suspension is budget-oriented and can be harsh
- Indicator switch placement is awkward
- Mirrors offer poor rearward visibility
Known problems to check before you buy
Bonneville T120
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
XSR900
- Handlebar holder bolt recall Recall 17V221000 On 2016-2017 models, the lower handlebar holders may not have had sufficient thread-locking agent due to improper painting, allowing bolts to loosen and potentially cause loss of control.
- Cam chain tensioner rattle on cold start The automatic cam chain tensioner on the CP3 triple uses a spring and ratchet plunger with no oil-pressure actuation. Its ratchet can fail to hold the plunger in position and back off. The cam chain then runs slack and slaps its guides, which shows up as a ticking or rattling noise from the cam chain area that is loudest on cold starts. At first it may die down once the engine warms up, but it can get worse until it is constant. If ignored, the slack chain speeds up wear on the chain guides and sliders.
What they share
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
Where the spec sheets split
| Bonneville T120 | XSR900 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 31.1 in (790 mm) | 32.7 in (830 mm) |
| Wet weight | 520 lb (236 kg) | 430 lb (195 kg) |
| Bonneville T120 | XSR900 | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 1200 cc | 847 cc |
| Engine | Parallel twin | Inline-three |
| Power | 79 hp (59 kW) | 115 hp (85 kW) |
| Torque | 77 lb-ft (105 Nm) | 65 lb-ft (88 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 3,500 rpm | 8,500 rpm |
| Bonneville T120 | XSR900 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 3.8 US gal (14.5 L) | 3.7 US gal (14 L) |
| Bonneville T120 | XSR900 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fork | Telescopic | Upside-down (USD) |
| Front brake | 310 mm | 298 mm |
| Front tire | 100/90-18 | 120/70-17 |
| Rear tire | 150/70-17 | 180/55-17 |
| Wheelbase | 57.1 in (1450 mm) | 56.7 in (1440 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| Bonneville T120 | XSR900 | |
|---|---|---|
| Manually Adjustable Front Suspension | Not offered | Standard |
| Cruise Control | Standard | Not offered |
| LED Headlight | Standard | Not offered |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
