First look review: 2016 Triumph Bonneville T120 and T120 Black

The Triumph T120 and its cosmetic cousin, the T120 Black boast a lower state of the tune for the new 1200cc parallel twin. Making 105Nm at 3,100rpm, that's fully 54 per cent more torque than the current T100. Like the Street Twin, the T120 also has ride-by-wire, ABS and Rain and Road modes for traction control. In rain mode, the ECU opens the throttle butterflies more progressively to give a more controlled feel without restricting flat-out power.

Triumph T120

Triumph Black

The black peashooter exhaust and the all-black livery do look very fetching. Triumph will also make a very handsome matte grey T120 Black. Note the small grabrail. The T120 is designed to be practical, even two-up

The T120's retro charms begin with its 18-inch front wheel. Triumph have been careful to stick as close as possible to the insipiration - the 1958 Bonneville - while ensuring that the bike is as modern as it can be. The T120 has ABS, traction control as well as two riding modes

The new headlight looks fantastic. Triumph bring in the clear lens with a Triumph shield covering the head of the bulb and a set of LEDs creating a cool daytime running lamp

Visually, the Triumph T120 is distinguished by a smart new headlight that uses a clear front glass (well, polycarbonate) and an LED daytime running light. Triumph says the heated grips are now standard. Twin clocks show analog speed and tacho readouts with twin LCD screens showing the ride modes, clock, two trips, gear position and more. Cruise control is optional.

The 2016 Triumph Bonneville T120 in its twin colour schemes inspired by the 1958 Bonnie looks like a modern classic. Chrome engine cases, mirrors et al add to the old-world charm

New twin-pod meters nearly hide the most convenient of upgrades on the 2015 Triumph Bonneville range - the ignition key slot is now where it always should have been. The left pod looks busy but has kmph and mph speedo, warning lights including traction control. Right meter is a tachometre. Twin LCD panels bring a range of digital information including gear position and traction control mode (Rain or Road on the T120). The 2016 Triumph Thruxton shares the meters but the styling is slightly different

The ribbed seat is a period detail and it makes the 2016 Bonnevilles, this is the 2016 T120 Black, look special

The 2016 Triumph gets an all-black engine treatment and the finish levels really are excellent. Note the fake-carb throttle body and the blacked-out exhaust header

Like the engine, the Triumph T120 also uses a slightly different chassis setup. Wood explained that the base chassis is the same but small changes to offset, tyres and their profiles etc can make big differences in how the bikes feel to the riders. The T120 is set up for an upright, relaxed riding position while the Street Twin is slightly more canted forward and sporty.

The all-new liquid-cooled, fuel-injected 1200cc parallel twin makes more torque, naturally, than the old 865cc unit. Unlike the 900 with its single throttle body, the 1200 uses one throttle body per cylinder. As usual, Triumph have shaped the outside cases to look like an old carburettor, a whimsical touch. A lot of attention has been paid to the finning and the finishing of the cases and it makes the Bonneville look that much more upmarket. See the brushed finish? That's from the Thruxton. The T120 gets polished chrome cases

The 2016 Triumph Bonneville T120 is the full retro mood in the range. It gets these lovely stock peashooter-style exhausts. They're twin-skinned to prevent blueing. Pre-load adjustable twin rear shocks and the spoked wheels complete the retro-image

Triumph Bonneville T120 with the Prestige Inspiration Kit

The Triumph T120 also has a centre stand, twin-skinned exhausts shaped into peashooter-style end cans (twin skins prevent heat from blueing the exhaust's chrome). While the T120 comes in a selection of single and twin-tone colours, the Black comes in black and a nice matte grey colour.

More on the 2016 Triumph Bonneville motorcycles:

Triumph unveils all-new 2016 Bonneville range

The Triumph Bonneville Street Twin

New Triumph Bonneville Thruxton And Thruxton R

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