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T120 Specs

76K views 542 replies 95 participants last post by  DriftlessRider 
#1 ·
Does anyone know when the specs will be out for the T120? If they are out and I missed them, sorry...just let me know where I can find them. Am about to give up on a Triumph and by a BMW because am sick of the drama around the launch and giving out all the info.
 
#4 · (Edited)
In this thread: http://www.triumphrat.net/twins-talk/651801-street-twin-specs-are-out.html the T120 specs were occasionally touched on...but they are not out yet and no one seems to know when they will be revealed...just later. So, if you can't wait and you buy bikes on their specs and are so hot to drop some cash on a bike, don't wait, go buy whatever you want. For me it's winter, so I can wait...although today it is 64f and is decent enough for riding, but here I am writing a note to you in Arkansas...
 
#7 ·
the old-school purpose of a teaser campaign was to build interest. The new-school purpose of a teaser campaign appears to be to buy time while you try to get your act together. I believe the 1200 stats have not been released because they are still tinkering with things. In that they reportedly had a team of 50 working on this for up to 4 years that's rather surprising, I guess they spent a little too much time on the customization bits. Odd really, Indian seems to have gone from a standing stop to the new Chief in about 2 years and it's a very well thought out bike. 'Sometimes when you over think things....
 
#8 ·
I've lost interest and will just move onto another brand of motorcycle for my next purchase.


I'm not happy with the price increases and the marketing game with the specs. The specs as it were look very dismal on the 900 and don't expect anything better with the 1200.


This information holding game is the straw that broke the camels back for me.


I'll go check out the BMW's, Ducati, Moto Guzzi. At least those guys don't play these childish games. At least they don't mark bikes up 25 percent or more. The whole thing just flat out stinks all the way around.


Greed and stupidity don't sit well with me.
 
#10 ·
I'm far more interested in how these t120s feel when riding (as opposed to "feel when groping"). Since recently putting Togas and a Burton seat on my '12 t100 it seems even more "spec defying" than before as its specs are fairly unremarkable, except for the fact that it rides just exactly right for me. I assume the coming weeks will have riding tests everywhere in the bike mags, and many will compare these things to BWMs and Ducatis of course, and this will suck the unsuspecting and fragile public into the Triumph marketing scheme to yank large piles of coin out of their frayed pockets and send them out on the roads as broke, confused, water cooled victims of Triumph's dastardly scheme…and I bet most of those hapless and stunned poor naive lost souls will be having a lot of fun. Water cooled fun, but fun nonetheless. I just hope they make a Toga for the new stuff.
 
#14 · (Edited)
No sour grapes here . . .

It's all about setting expectations. I think we already know enough, so either wait your turn to buy one or keep looking for something else.

In the final analysis, I don't think the final "specs" really will make a difference one way or another, IF you are already interested in what you SEE. Based on what I've SEEN in the media, the newly redesigned Bonnie T120 is an absolutely beautiful machine worthy of being my next ride based on its looks alone.

It's plain to see that Triumph has did a brilliant job of what I'll call "Retro Engineering". To wit, this new bike looks both old and new at the same time.

It has just the right amount of modern technology, which is more about rider safety and clean air than anything else. The new features far exceed those available on any Bonnie that came before. All toll, there are probably a 100+ different areas of significant improvement over the outgoing models. BRAVO!!!

Is it really worth paying thousands more and/or waiting till next Spring (or later) to own one? Frankly, each of us will have to make that decision for ourselves. As for me, I was going to buy one, but then decided to buy a leftover 2015 T100 instead. I am more than satisfied, and like I said, it is all about setting expectations. In my case, the outgoing model is still plenty good enough for me, but in a PERFECT world, where man can never have enough toys, I'd have both!
 
#22 · (Edited)
It's plain to see that Triumph has did a brilliant job of what I'll call "Retro Engineering". To wit, this new bike looks both old and new at the same time.

It has just the right amount of modern technology, which is more about rider safety and clean air than anything else. The new features far exceed those available on any Bonnie that came before. All toll, there are probably a 100+ different areas of significant improvement over the outgoing models. BRAVO!!!

Is it really worth paying thousands more and/or waiting till next Spring (or later) to own one? Frankly, each of us will have to make that decision for ourselves. As for me, I was going to buy one, but then decided to buy a leftover 2015 T100 instead. I am more than satisfied, and like I said, it is all about setting expectations. In my case, the outgoing model is still plenty good enough for me, but in a PERFECT world, where man can never have enough toys, I'd have both!
I was able to get out for a short while on my '08 T100, what a bike, I was transported by everything it could do. My ride was only on some lowly back roads, nothing aggressive, but what pleasure. I got home to find my good friend Bob waiting to shoot the breeze about bikes, politics and life in general. What a great Sunday afternoon - and those MF'ing Browns beat the 49'ers, a blooming miracle - they finally met a team worse than them.

It IS hard to imagine that a T120 would be THAT much better than the T100 I already have, so my deposit on one may be refunded to me in a few months. However, I don't buy bikes on their specs, I carefully read the test reports and comparisons, (not press intro ride arounds) - and take them with a grain of salt and get a test ride if at all possible - and I expect to do all of that before really deciding if a T120 will be allowed into my garage. So more to come. That Triumph is dribbling data out, I could care less, I'm enjoying finding all of the dribs and drabs of info and reading the blarney posted on forums like this one, concluding that many riders are just plain nutz and think they really do know it all, so have at, I am enjoying the snark. I've finally concluded that I really know so little at my age compared to some posters that I just take it all in, filter it all out and move along, but always looking forward to my next ride. But I don't ride specs, I ride my bikes as best I can given my skills and infirmities. There are always some riders much more competent than I and she might be on some tiddler scooter that can out ride me, meh, as I said before, I could care less. I guess age has taught me something...looking forward to my next ride!
 
#15 ·
Sonicboom and AArider and the rest really dont matter - Triumph could not care if you get hacked off at their marketing strategy as you are not the target market. Painful to hear, but it is a younger crowd comfortable with slow release of information and a long courtship that they seek IMHO. Most of us older guys just want instant gratification.
 
#16 ·
while I do feel a bit of impatience I would not buy one right away cause my T100 has plenty of life left in her but The T120 is looking like a top contender . I want to wait until there is a good after market for accessories from the usual suspects and more info on the forum from owners . So it doesn't bother me that much about the specs being released and I fail to see why some people are getting in such a huff . Maybe its because I'm about to turn 60 and have learned a little patience .
 
#17 ·
Yup, BMW and Ducati barely mark up their bikes. Can't figure out how the average price of both is nearing $18K. I guess the bikes cost $16K to produce. Interesting how I didn't hear one gripe about the new Triumphs at the NYC show this past weekend. I guess they haven't been enlightened by joining a forum.
 
#18 ·
I still get a kick out of people comparing them to BMW's, Especially the NineT. They are such different bikes. Different riding, different price, way different center of gravity, different power curve, different ergos. Some keep comparing the NineT to the Thruxton R. WAY different ergos. Thruxton R is gonna have what, a 31-32 inch seat height? NineT is maybe 29-30 inches, and you don't lean nearly as far forward. Fact is, I think the V7 is probably a better comparison to the Street Twin, and a Norton is more of a comparison to the Thruxton R, price be damned. If you are gonna make a buying decision between the Triumphs and BMW's, know you can get a NineT now. Doesn't really matter if you choose the Triumph now, you can't get one till riding season anyway. Remember, your deposit is refundable. If you can't afford to be out the time value of $500 for 3-4 months, maybe you can't afford either one.
 
#19 ·
I still get a kick out of people comparing them to BMW's, Especially the NineT. They are such different bikes. Different riding, different price, way different center of gravity, different power curve, different ergos. Some keep comparing the NineT to the Thruxton R. WAY different ergos. Thruxton R is gonna have what, a 31-32 inch seat height? NineT is maybe 29-30 inches, and you don't lean nearly as far forward. Fact is, I think the V7 is probably a better comparison to the Street Twin, and a Norton is more of a comparison to the Thruxton R, price be damned.

Seat height on the R9T is 31 inches...so not that low.

Curious: How are you comparing power curves on the 2 bikes? This thread is about how the 1200 bonnie/thruxton specs have yet to be released, yet you seem to know enough information about the new triumphs - either specs or personal riding of these machines - that you can state in a very matter of fact manner that they build power in very different ways, how the ergos compare, etc. Please enlighten us on how you know all this?
 
#20 ·
With ''77ftlb of torque at 3100rpm '' combined with the excellent job they did in the looks department .Im thinking it should be a blast to ride on the street and a winner ,if not over priced .
 
#25 ·
Let's see, 247k is about 545# in real money or a bit lighter than my Tenere but not much different than my SE. Now, if they hadn't made all sorts of early noise about them being lighter it wouldn't matter. In that they did if that holds its sort of disappointing. 'Same for the power bit: make noise about a more powerful lump and then release stats with the HP down just doesn't fit. And that, I think, is the problem here, drips and drabs of information both official and "leaked" set up expectations that that are next to impossible to fulfill. I expect they are fine bikes, for as much time and money as Triumph likely poured into them I can't see how they could be anything but. But it's not new buyers that focus on this stuff, it's the faithful. And my guess is that most of us would have appreciated just being treated like adults from the beginning.
 
#27 ·
Making a buying decision based upon specs alone is just forum banter anyhow. These bikes seem to me are popular due to the vintage feel and look. There are much better performing and handling bikes out there but they don't "feel" like a bonneville in my opinion.

The only "upside" that I see to the 1200 on these bikes would be the 6th gear but it will still be a light bike and not really "highway friendly". It just won't be as "buzzy" around 70mph. I find the 865 a pleasure around town and on back roads. BTW - I am 6', 260lbs (dry) so if it can pull my a$$ around it has enough power.:grin2:

If you are buying a bike for the marketing I suggest HD, they have convinced everyone that has the same bike everyone else has that they are "black sheep"...:wink2:
 
#29 ·
There is a logic in having a heavier motorcycle for open road use.
Weight stabilizes a bike on the highway/super slab. The added inertia tends to minimize the effect of cross winds.
This is one reason why heavy Harleys, and cruisers in general are favored by many for use on the open roads.
 
#34 ·
I wouldn't get too worked up about comparing the twins to cruisers. Nada classifies all the twins as cruisers AND they include the Daytona 675/R as well with the cruisers. The Thruxton is in with the sportbikes(S3 and STR) while the Thunderbird and Rocket are considered to be tourers. Insurance companies consider the twins as cruisers as well and even consider the SV650 a cruiser. Only riders and owners know what kind of bike they ride.
 
#35 · (Edited)
SO, per the limited amount of information that's either been officially released or leaked, it looks to me, from a "big picture" perspective, that Triumph have revamped the entire Bonneville range based on these guidelines:


  • EU emissions standards compliance (a "must do")
  • a broader range of choices between models in styling, power, performance etc. (perhaps in response to the fact that the air-cooled lines are only notably differentiated by wheels, handlebars, foot controls, and the pipe and crank on the Scrambler)
  • varying price points (clearer perceived values for customers)
  • a broader range of OEM styling and performance options (FINALLY capitalizing on the aftermarket parts success by others for their former range)

Now, it seems many don't agree where Triumph has landed with any of these points (power & price, namely), and many of us armchair motorcycle designers have a lot of strong opinions of what should or shouldn't be with these current models. I get it. I have my own criticisms as well.

That said, when you look at the ENTIRE range of Triumph motorcycles, I think it's safe to say this new line is well-placed to compliment the other Triumph segments. As much as I personally would love a Thruxton that weighs as little as a Street or Speed Triple and goes just as quick and as nimble, I'd bet that the target audience--the LARGER part of it--for these retro-styled bikes, doesn't put performance over styling and the image the modern classics project.

Yeah. There. I said it. But as a former Street Triple owner, and former owner of Japanese sport bikes, I think I can say with authority that if one is looking for these new modern classics to be the magic intersection of retro/heritage styling, high performance, and value pricing, then you're hunting for a unicorn.

You want speed and the bragging rights of owning British Iron? There's a new Speed Triple coming out next year too. Why develop a Thruxton to compete with that and cannibalize sales? I know, someone will inevitably say,"Hey, it's about CHOICES! Why shouldn't we have the choice of a Speed Triple in Thruxton clothing?". To me, it's a matter of product distinction between the ranges, and Triumph, like other motor sports and automobile companies understand this. It's simple behavioral economics.

Others have brought up the Yamaha Triples, the Moto Guzzi Griso (test rode one--loved it) and former Ducati Sport Classic range as comparable bikes that these new bikes should have "bested" or match.

Well, the Yamahas seem nice and I hear great things about them, but they're more utilitarian in spirit, and not really "lifestyle" product that has the same brand appeal of the Bonnie range (and has the $$$$$$ that comes along with the t-shirts, belt buckles, baseball caps etc.). The Griso is nice, but has never been a big seller. The Ducatis? Dead as a model range.

Still, I'd bet--seriously--that Triumph sells a ton of these new bikes compared to any of the others mentioned above. It seems there are many here who feel burned, betrayed, or just plain disappointed by this new line of bikes, but hey, as they say,"you can't please everybody".

And frankly, I don't think Triumph needs to please everyone; they just need to make enough existing customers and more importantly, NEW ONES, excited enough to buy any of these new models, and have happy enough an experience owning them.

I may not be one of them, but I'm not so blind as to see that they're more on-track to meet that goal than not.
 
#76 ·
Yeah. There. I said it. But as a former Street Triple owner, and former owner of Japanese sport bikes, I think I can say with authority that if one is looking for these new modern classics to be the magic intersection of retro/heritage styling, high performance, and value pricing, then you're hunting for a unicorn.
...
The Ducatis? Dead as a model range.
Ducati Scrambler?
 
#39 ·
Just bear with me for a moment ... in 1979 I owned a '68 Triumph 650 Trophy although it wasn't ideal for longer road trips due to the HF vibration and the monkey butt syndrome. Loved it in the twisties and winding backroads, not on the freeways.

I then purchased a used 1975 Harley-Davidson FLH1200 with 6" over forks, narrow pullbacks, K&Q seat with tall sissybar that was, to be blunt, a sleazy looking bike. During my first buddy ride with friend on 1970 Triumph 650 Bonneville we decided to go WFO on the freeway. Well, he did a Rollie Free and left me far behind! IOW, the Harley was a much bigger bike better suited to the freeways with gobs of torque and roomier ergos. Performance, it was a total slug and turned into a paint shaker at higher freeway speeds. Nonetheless, I sold my Triumph and converted my FLH into a Low Rider albeit with 6" over WG. Sold it after 2 years.

Used the money to buy a brand new black 1980 Honda CB750F which was turbine smooth, powerful and top heavy. The false neutrals and craptastic handling other than on high speed canyon roads got to me. Getting blown off by a Suzuki GS1100E didn't help, either! It really was a boring motorcycle *unless* I was hauling ass. Sold it within 6 months.

BTW, I did ride my old '68 Triumph about 3 months after getting the Honda. The Triumph felt more like a bicycle than a motorcycle as I had gotten used to the heavier Harley and Honda which were not affected as much by crosswinds and headwinds.

Have since been into motorcycles with comfortable ergos (am same size and weight as Frank Mir) and don't give a flip about peak horsepower at high rpms. A broad powerband, tons of torque along with character w/o being beaten to death and retro styling is what works for me. About 20 years ago Peter Egan wrote about the 885cc Speed Triple as being the bad boy with a cigarette in its mouth on the wrong side of the tracks yet it offered an adrenaline rush at saner speeds. Word.

So, whether one prefers the 2001-2015 air cooled Bonnevilles, the Street Twin, T120, T120 Black, Thruxton or Thruxton R is simply a matter of personal preference. Having so many choices is a win-win for all of us AFAIC.

I do like the black Thruxton 1200 as a modern day Norton 850 Interstate. :)
 
#41 ·
We need to wait till the true specs come out to be sure but 80hp at the crank sounds about right by the torque curve that triumph has been showing. If that is right that will put it about 67 hp at the rear wheel or 17 more hp then the 865 at the rear wheel. So it should be faster then the 865.Has anyone seen what the final drive ratio is? I hope its a lot higher ratio then the 865 bikes because of 2 things limited rpm at least 1000 rpm less then the 865 and with all that low end torque and the 6 speed trans if the ratio isn't a lot higher you better be ready to shift real fast when you go wot through the gears. I am afraid it will jump real hard then die right when it gets feeling good.
It will be better for heavy weight loads. To me that's the only time you need more torque on the low end.
The new traction control should keep it from burning the tire( but then that takes all the fun out of having more torque lol.
 
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