In many ways, the Triumph Bonneville has been the archetype of a standard motorcycle for a very long time. Certain elements may have changed; things like, say, bringing in fuel injection or improving the brakes. But overall, Triumph's engineers and designers have gone to great lengths to ensure a stylistic, reliable throughline on the Bonneville lineup, and it isn't only because of the brand's heritage and story.
It's also because, in stressful times, something most motorcyclists throughout space and time have appreciated is the simple, reliable fact that if we need to get away from whatever's troubling us at any given moment, all we need to do is throw a leg over, switch that ignition on, twist the throttle, and go. Where you go doesn't matter so much as that you go, and go now.
The most crucial element to being able to do exactly that is to have a reliable, dependable, solid motorcycle that you can go on. Not one that's a pain to ride; not one that's fiddly or constantly breaking down, or that requires a complicated startup procedure, or where the controls are in strange and unique places, and you have to put a great deal of thought into whether you did all the things in the correct order. You're not sitting down at the controls for a spaceship you've never been in before; you're mounting up on an essential, elemental thing with a seat, an engine, two wheels, a throttle, and some brakes.
Other things are nice to have, of course; things like the optimized lean-sensitive cornering ABS and traction control that are now standard across the entire 2026 Triumph Bonneville lineup; not to mention a handy USB-C socket located up by the dash so you can keep your phone or other device charged as you ride.
The T120 gets standard cruise control, while it's available as an option for the T100. Heated grips aren't standard on either, but are available accessories for both; if you do choose to have them installed, it's a simple button to go between low, high, and off, so minimal faffing is necessary to ensure your hands are nice and toasty.
Keep It Simple, Keep It Standard
That's the thing about old friends; you want to see them every once in a while and know they're doing well. But at the same time, if they were already good when you first met, you probably don't want to see them do a complete 180. Why would they (and why would you), if they were already solid to begin with?
Change, when it's needed, and when it indicates true evolution, can be good. But changing just for the sake of it usually doesn't bode well for either things, or people. It tends to indicate a lack of confidence and understanding of what people want or expect from you, rather than the kind of constancy that breeds a certain level of reassurance.
There's a reason why a lot of both new and returning riders have gravitated toward Triumph Bonnevilles over the years. I know I thought about a Bonnie back when I first started riding, and though that wasn't ultimately the way I ended up going, it was definitely a strong contender. If I hadn't needed substantial stuff-carrying ability, I might well have gone for it, as it fit the bill in many other ways.
But back in the mid-2000s, when I started riding, the Bonneville line wasn't where it is now. So if you're in the position where you're thinking about either the T100 or the T120 in 2026, you're in for an even better standard package.
Similarities and Differences
As has been the case for some time, the 2026 Triumph Bonneville T100 gets the 900cc engine, while the T120 gets the 1200cc engine. The T120 is also about US $2,500 more expensive than the T100 (US $13,995 vs US $11,495; the T120 Black also starts at $13,995 as well).
Claimed horsepower on the T100 is 64.1 at 7,000 rpm, alongside 80 newton-meters (about 59 lb-ft) of torque at 3,750 rpm. Hop on the T120, and the figures move up to a claimed 78.9 hp at 6,550 rpm and 105 Nm (about 77.44 lb-ft) of torque at 3,500 rpm. So, more power, accessible lower down in the rev range.
Numbers on paper don't tell you how that difference feels, though; that's either for me to tell you about, since I've ridden them both, or for you to experience for yourself. Preferably both, since you're here!
I rode the 2026 Triumph Bonneville T100 before I rode the T120, and I'm kind of glad that I did, in a way. Because the T100 is exactly what your mental pictures of a Triumph Bonneville probably are, as well as what they feel like. When you step to this bike, it's precisely what you're expecting to throw a leg over, from the moment you first sit on that saddle to the first time you switch it on and pull away onto the road.
That's not a bad thing in any way; it's just, as I said, constant and reassuring. But the T120, thanks to that 1200cc engine, somehow feels like more. That little bit of extra power and torque just feels so nice out on the road, whether you're just having a nice jaunt through the twisties or you're lane splitting or filtering through traffic.
The T100 is Bonneville, through and through, but the T120 is Bonneville Plus. The seat height is the same, and sitting on the two is super easy even for a shorter rider like myself (5'3" with a 27-inch inseam). Comparative curb weight between the two only varies by a handful of pounds, and fuel capacity is 3.8 gallons all around.
Now, Triumph does mention a difference in fuel consumption (claimed 60.8 mpg with the T100 vs. 51 with the T120), so if you're very concerned about that figure, then that may, of course, influence your decision on which Bonnie is your Bonnie. That's hardly news, though; more power and performance typically has a negative effect on fuel economy, and it's up to you what's most important to your needs and preferences, and life.
Both bikes get a two-year warranty from Triumph, with unlimited mileage included. Recommended service interval for both is 12 months or 10,000 miles; whichever comes first.
Do you have any questions about the 2026 T100 or T120 Bonneville? Let me know in the comments!
