First Ride: Bonneville T120 Black

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Nillus

Member
Hi All,

Firstly, I'm not a motorcycle magazine journalist. Therefore my opinions are drawn from riding experience that is minuscule in comparison to a person that writes reviews for a living.

That said: I love it.

I never thought I would get off the brawling beast that is my (modified) 2011 T'Bird Storm and straight onto a 1200cc Bonnie & be so impressed that I'm considering putting the Storm up for sale.
Sure it does not have the straight-line neck-breaking acceleration of the much larger engine, but if you rap on the throttle at the right RPM, the T120 gets up and goes. A great responsive engine.
Handling is flawless - well you'd expect a Battlestar Galactica rider to say that. It took the turns around town with ease and I have discovered a new confidence in handling twisting roads with a squirt of that power (as described above) as I accelerate out. Sticks like custard to a cashmere sweater.

Instrumentation is excellent and clear. Put just below my helmet field of vision (Arai Vector2 -full face), all it takes is a slight lookdown and all is revealed...a gear selection indicator being something I'm not used to and quite handy. Other stuff is quite normal as you'd expect on any modern bike.

I was a bit dubious about the rear brake on the test ride, but after doing 30km around the streets, I've come around. Judicious use of front & rear brakes in harmony - mostly front gives impressive stopping power.

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All-in-all...I'm in love with this new Bonneville.
Triumph have, in my opinion, made a sure winner.
 
great write-up. I plan on doing an extensive write-up myself once I get my hands on the R. These bikes have been vastly improved. I hope Triumph keeps this momentum going for all future models.
I also have a 14 t-bird but I plan on keeping her. It helps to balance both worlds. The t-bird would obviously be my long distance, touring bike w/wife, and the R to entertain my darker side. no wife allowed! :) Keeps the pics and reviews coming. feel free to blog on your experiences and trips with the new girl. we love those stories.
 

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