NGC. Just thinking....Triumph T120

[SmithSwede]

I personally can't get past the radiators on these things.  To my mind, these are supposed to be light, air-cooled bikes, so the radiator just bugs me.  Seems "wrong" somehow.

[Vagrant]

I decided to change the coolant on theV7 today. 4 whiskey drinks in and I can't find the drain plug! 

[kirkemon]

I personally can't get past the radiators on these things.  To my mind, these are supposed to be light, air-cooled bikes, so the radiator just bugs me.  Seems "wrong" somehow.

I went that dilemma also. The T120 has the smallest radiator I've seen. I also went from an air cooled Porsche to a water cooled one.
Do you know why so many manufactures are going to liquid cooled?
No I don't like the looks, but the T120 hides it pretty well.
Jay doesn't buy many new motorcycles, but he really liked this:

 

[bobrebos]

Another happy T120 owner here!





A new 2018 leftover for a little more than a used one:

https://www.nationalpowersports.net/itemdetails.cshtml?itemid=48608

Thanks....More expensive (2020) but I like the blue for some reason but black with brown seat is nice too.

https://www.nationalpowersports.net/itemdetails.cshtml?itemid=48212

And I gotta include this possibility;

https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=KMvjingx&id=EC9B39797C5CC3734006445A8A4B9FBBD729CA65&thid=OIP.KMvjingxsFYphTa37UH0EwHaEq&mediaurl=http%3a%2f%2fgearopen.com%2fwp-content%2fuploads%2f2019%2f03%2f2020-moto-guzzi-v7-iii-racer-limited-edition-1.jpg&exph=1080&expw=1714&q=2020+moto+guzzi+v7+racer+pictures&simid=608042290617582824&selectedIndex=0&ajaxhist=0

[Daleroso]

Bought an '18 T120 in '18 fm the worst dealer in my 56 years riding (in Reno.) bUT the bike has been wonderful to ride since coming off 700-900 lb bikes. At 10K (I have another ride an '03 Cali III w/ Friendship sidecar. Good for Fl roads also) now after riding Canada fm Manitoba west to the Pacific, down the PCH, thru Death Valley & many of the  desolate western roads. Lived on the Lonliest Hwy in the desert.
The easiest bike to ride since my K75's. Wish it didn't have a chain but it's a small price to pay for such an easy, powerful (enough) bike to ride. I live in Silver Spr, Fl now so it'll be back to the coast roads & the incredible Appalachians that I rode for 40 yrs. The T120 will feel great.

[ohiorider]

Not a new T120, but a 2004 Triumph America 790 I bought 8 years ago with 30K miles on it for $3K.  Had ridden dirt bikes but not ridden on the road for 30 years and just had the bug to do it again.  A good solo bike and quite comfortable with a Corbin seat and backrest.  Still carburettered in 04 and a little cold natured, but a smooth ride and images in the mirrors are rock steady  -  unlike my 96 Cali. I bought the Cali half a year ago and the two have very different personalities and each is usually the only one in a sea of HDs wherever I ride around here.  I agree that the new T120s are truer to the style of the old Bonnies, but I've grown to like the feel of riding IN the cruiser style America (once my feet learned where to find the pegs) and I feel a little like a jockey perched ON the Cali.






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Nice America!

I really enjoyed my 2003 T100 Centennial Edition.  When you mentioned 'cold natured' that seemed to be a common issue with the carbureted bikes.  I rejetted mine shortly after purchase, and got rid of a flat spot that was really annoying while accelerating.  No issues starting down to, say, 45-50F, but when I needed to start it when in the low thirties, hitting both carbs and intake runners for several seconds with a hair dryer saved a lot of wear and tear on the starter motor.

[twowheeladdict]

I'd rather buy a Royal Enfield 650 INT for about 1/2 the cost...

 

[bodine99]

I personally can't get past the radiators on these things.  To my mind, these are supposed to be light, air-cooled bikes, so the radiator just bugs me.  Seems "wrong" somehow.

Me too!! Until I pass I will not part with my 03 Bonny bought new.

[bobrebos]

Bought an '18 T120 in '18 fm the worst dealer in my 56 years riding (in Reno.) bUT the bike has been wonderful to ride since coming off 700-900 lb bikes. At 10K (I have another ride an '03 Cali III w/ Friendship sidecar. Good for Fl roads also) now after riding Canada fm Manitoba west to the Pacific, down the PCH, thru Death Valley & many of the  desolate western roads. Lived on the Lonliest Hwy in the desert.
The easiest bike to ride since my K75's. Wish it didn't have a chain but it's a small price to pay for such an easy, powerful (enough) bike to ride. I live in Silver Spr, Fl now so it'll be back to the coast roads & the incredible Appalachians that I rode for 40 yrs. The T120 will feel great.

 

[bobrebos]

This Royal Enfield, Classic 500 Chrome or the int650 in glitter and dust; one of them might be my next bike....

https://www.royalenfield.com/us/en/motorcycles/classic-models/classic-chrome/

https://www.americasmotorsportsnashville.com/inventory/v1/Current/Royal-Enfield/2020-Int650/Glitter-and-Dust--Nashville-Tennessee---13840161

[ohiorider]

Bobrebos,

Based on these two bikes being close in price to each other, I think I know which way I'd go.  However, a lot of that would depend on where you like to ride.

Bob

[bobrebos]

Bobrebos,

Based on these two bikes being close in price to each other, I think I know which way I'd go.  However, a lot of that would depend on where you like to ride.

Bob

Im leaning toward the 650....

[Aldo]

Im leaning toward the 650....

You'll love it. I have about 3k miles on my Interceptor and has been absolutely flawless thus far:

[ohiorider]

Im leaning toward the 650....

We'd both be leaning in the same direction.  Ride reports have been very positive. I've always thought a new Bullet 500 would be fun if I lived next door to something like the Blue Ridge Pkwy ...... 400+ miles of twisty 45mph road.  Or if I confined myself to our Cuyahoga National Park.  However, as a lightweight all rounder with, what ? 45hp, I'd be more inclined to go with the twin.  They are making a hard push for the US market.  There's two multi-brand dealers (BMW/Enfield, and Triumph/Enfield) one 15 minutes away, the other 35-40 minutes.  Not sure if RE dealers offer demo rides.

[joe-dean]

great bike purchased new 2016 when they came out.

my only complaint you have to take off the left muffler to slide the rear axle out to remove the rear wheel.

also hard to adjust chain as the adjustment nut is tough to get at,  I modified some cheap wrenches to fit

[ohiorider]

I need to order a Service Manual for the T120.  I don't think Triumph offers one, but I recall that Haynes has written one.  Thanks for advising about the muffler removal and possible need for some modified wrenches for the chain adjustment.

Bob

[bodine99]

great bike purchased new 2016 when they came out.

my only complaint you have to take off the left muffler to slide the rear axle out to remove the rear wheel.

also hard to adjust chain as the adjustment nut is tough to get at,  I modified some cheap wrenches to fit

Not easier to drop the rear fork/undo the shocks to get the axle & wheel out???

[BRG-BIRD]

I think you would really enjoy the 650

[ohiorider]

I think you would really enjoy the 650

She's a beauty!  "Suddenly it's 1960!"  Going back in time.  But with 2020 technology. 

I remember as a kid seeing the Chrysler Corp. commercials for their late 1950s cars being touted as 'suddenly its 1960.'  Back then, it was a jump to the future.

Found it!  With Google, all things are possible:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hadDgi9Ysno

[bobrebos]

I think you would really enjoy the 650

That's a nice bike!   

[keener]

I think you would enjoy the T120 more     Think power, quality , and proven reliability ....oh and the Speed Twin is a lovely bike albeit more expensive.





https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/ride-review/triumph-speed-twin/

[geoff in almonte]

I bought a 2020 T120 Diamond last July.  Absolutely love the bike.  Over 6000km so far and no issues. 

My gripes - the OEM Pirellis are garbage - see if you can get the dealer to put some better skins on.  The stock suspension is way too soft - some stiffer fork springs will help (I have a set of Racetech springs in the garage waiting for spring).  I upped the rear preload to one click from the top and that helped, but the front is still too mushy. 

The Bonnie has the 'High Torque' motor (80-ish RWHP) and kinda runs out of nuts early in the RPM band.  But when you check the speedo and see how fast you're going, it doesn't seem to matter anymore.  I drive mine like a 5 speed and have only bumped it into 6th when I am exceeding 140kph (80mph).  If you are buying new - go for the V&H Torpedo replicas without the DB reducers....they have a nice mellow exhaust note that harshens up when working the throttle hard.

Join the Triumph RAT web board and read up.

And by the way, with the purchase of the Triumph my '08 CalVin is up for sale...PM me if anyone is interested.

Cheers!

G 

[JJ]

My Triumph buddy Dwight stopped by yesterday on his 2002 Bonneville America., (800cc). 

He has it set up as a cruiser, and it is a nice bike!   

[twowheeladdict]

My Triumph buddy Dwight stopped by yesterday on his 2002 Bonneville America., (800cc). 

He has it set up as a cruiser, and it is a nice bike!   

I've always liked the looks of that bike.  If it had been shaft or belt drive I might have bought one.  So many cruisers out there with belt or shaft drive to choose from. 

[Dave Swanson]

And idle mind is the devil's playground. 

I have been checking out this T120 Diamond Edition.  I am not a big fan of the extra chrome, but really like the paint.

[keener]

When the T120 first came out I was quite enamored with the them.  I watched a lot of YouTube videos and read most everything I could find.  By all accounts a fine motorcycle.  I love the look of the bike!

The closest I have come to riding the T120 is the Speed Twin.  The ST has the "high power" engine of the Thruxton, and is set up with more sporting wheel size and tires.  It was a very nice bike to ride.  A bike almost anyone would enjoy riding.   

The day I test rode the Speed Twin I had ridden my Griso up and back to the dealer.  My back to back comparo of the Speed Twin to the Griso is hands down I prefer the ---GRISO!!   

 




AND why do you prefer the Griso 1200  I am curious ......

[Dave Swanson]

 
AND why do you prefer the Griso 1200  I am curious ......

There will always be the underlying fact that I just love Moto Guzzis ever since my first ride on a V7 Sport many years ago.

But trying to be rational, I prefer the power delivery and sound of my well sorted Griso over the Speed Twin.   I only had a 25 mile test ride on the Speed Twin, but it seemed a bit boring to me after just getting off of my Griso.  The presence of the Griso from the cockpit is also much more impressive.  The Speed Twin has less of that undefinable aura and character that the Griso has in spades.  Although I was quite impressed with the Speed Twin and would love to own one if I had a much bigger garage,  I wouldn't trade the Griso to get one. 

To me the Speed Twin is more in the same category as the Griso than the T120.  Both are not pretending to be all out sport bikes, but are taking their design limitations to the sporty side as much as possible.   Therefore if I could have only one of the 2 I would pick the Griso every time. 

The the T120 stands apart a  because it isn't trying to be anything other than a very competent retro classic.   I could see myself owning a Griso and a T120 at the same time, but not a Speed Twin and Griso at the same time. 

[keener]

  thank you .... Hard to beat a sorted Griso

[Indypikes]

Congrats....You won't be sorry. Tons of aftermarket support as well.

Here is my 2001 (first year new Hinckley Bonneville).


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[DaSwami]

I personally can't get past the radiators on these things.  To my mind, these are supposed to be light, air-cooled bikes, so the radiator just bugs me.  Seems "wrong" somehow.

I'm with you.  Nobody does a prettier modern retro classic than Triumph and nobody does the water-cooled more tastefully (as opposed to, for example, a Kawasaki Z900RS) than Triumph.  But I still can't go there.  I will be happy with my 2013 Scrambler and my 2016 T100.