250 Miles with the Triumph Bonneville T120 Ace 

My favourite of all the Triumph Bonneville range is the Speedmaster. Candy for the eye...

Freddie, great video, great presentation of Bonnie T120. This is the best bike ever made in the world. Thank you! By the way, you are a crazy rider. I like your riding style

Another good video. 👍 If the t120 is anything like the street twin the usb is hidden in a rectangular waterproof black housing roughly in the middle under the seat. It blends in easy and is quite hard to find but flip the cap open and your good to go. 👍

That lane splitting was insane. The life of a biker 🤙

Only 250 miles?! I rented a Bonnie t120 in California summer of 2019. I put over 900 miles on her over a three day weekend!! What a great bike. I will own this model sooner or later. Cheers!

Man, remind me to never go on a ride with you. They must be so lenient with lane splitting there. Running between semi's like they're stopped. You are truly trusting. But you are certainly correct about the sheer interest these bikes get. I have a 2005 t100 and I constantly get comments about how classic it is. Thanks for the tour. Ride safe.

I think the jerky throttle response was important to highlight. It’s a key aspect of riding a bike, and an Achilles heel of many modern fuel injected bikes.

My thoughts are, I want one.

Keep up the good videos Freddie

Great vid mate considering buying the T120 Black.

T120 is perhaps The bike for a whole life.

Great vid and riding . I own 2020 t120 black

Good vid again Freddie. Just need a wee badger sock for your microphone, Zoom H6 or similar mate.

Nice filtering 👍

Yes… I hope that Triumph compensates their Asian assembly workers well. I love my modern Bonnie. Great video…

Thoughts on the T120 get the E C U remapped for better smoother throttle control as a lot of riders say on newer bikes ,what ever the make . Or suffer gravel rash on the parts where the sun shines .

1:53 A country of gentlemen

So nostalgic The deal breaker is My little 206Hdi will give me 85mpg I can go for cruise with my wife at 68mph still have my drone laptop and two electric scooters with me

Another great video. I even like some of your music. The song with the female singer before you reached the petrol station was superb. Who are they, please? 5:13 What I rode as a lad. Mine was red. Never broke down in 22,000 miles over two years. I like quirky bikes. Between 1993 and 1996 I had an MZ ETZ301. Check that out. You summarised exactly why I like large capacity bikes - 1200 cc up. Nick J

🤘

I have a number plate available soon T120 TWC u interested?

This channel is such a find. Thank you for putting out quality content.

You deserve much more views and subscribers. I wish your channel the best!

The lane splitting sewuence was awesome. I felt it showed your daily life far more than the country lane English idyll....with your girlfriend in her Fiat. You are right about British dealers. They must have used to operate from quaint left over coach houses from the horse era. They were like that in Wales and Shropshire when I was a kid. All these cars shoehorned into a space little bigger than a parlour with a big plate widow and a leaky Sunbeam on a shelf. Francis Barnett also made cars. A guy had one in Perth Western Australia in the early 1970s.

Great vid. I appreciate you explaining what motorcycle clothing/gear your using. Nothing beats real world experience and reviews.

The traffic bit reminds me of my days weaving through traffic in India on a 150cc honda. Great channel & great videos 👍

Really enjoyed this overview & road test of the T120! With so many people doing bike reviews & only a few doing it well, I think that you've managed to carve out a unique & interesting way of presenting your spin on a given bike. You moved me one step closer to buying a 2022 T120. Would also be fantastic if you could provide links for the helmet and clothing that you so fashionably and functionally highlighted in your vlog. Keep up the good work Freddie - Iooking forward to more!

what are your thoughts on the T120 vs Speed Twin 1200?

Brilliant video. So refreshing to see test rides on real British roads with real traffic and roundabouts and weather and everything. Just about to swap out my T100 for an Indian and now you've reeled me right back into the Triumph Bonneville again. My head hurts! Subscribed with a vengeance. Ride safe son.

Yes there is a USB port under the seat first off slide the seat back and up you’ll see it right in the middle it’s sort of hidden but it’s there Your videos have such a Brittish charm! Great music n filming. Love my 2022 t100 Bonnie is sooo chic! you’re definitely a good model for motorcycle apparel Cheers mate USA

I've had a T120 2016 for six years now. Mine has a USB port under the saddle, so I assume the Ace does too. The heated grips help but basically heat the palm of your hand, not the fingers, I find. I ride daily in Barcelona, so I find it great as a city / traffic bike, as well as being nippy on motorways. Wind resistance above 70mph is pretty intense. The issues you raised with the accelerator is true but has more to do with the Phantom tyres which come as standard, in my opinon. They are awful in the rain. I changed them and am much happier. Generally I'm very happy with the bike. There was an issue with the cables, which all had to be replaced. It was out of the warranty period but Triumph did end up covering the cost for that, which was good.

Wish we could lane split in Texas against the law😮 I still do it when safety is paramount. Would rather get a ticket than die. Great channel.. Love the T120, it's on my bucket list 5:55

Hey Freddie, your videos have sold me on buying a Triumph. Torn between the Street Scrambler and the T120 Black. Which one would you choose out the two? Your clothing tips are also brilliant. Love the content keep it coming!

Great content Freddie! Would you be doing a vlog for a triumph speed twin to compare with the RnineT and the T120?

Hello Freddie Just changed my 2017 triumph bobber had it 4 years now have a Triumph T120 fantastic bike for me now i am 67 really comfortable has 2 into 1 exhaust and upgraded fork springs . Regaurds Michael

Great video. Your comment about the throttle being snatchy is a common problem on the Bonneville range, i had a 900 Street Scrambler with the same issue. The same throttle body is used on Ducati and Ducati make throttle spacers that can be fitted in less than 10 mins that totally eliminate the problem of the snatchy throttle, not expensive either, just a shame Triumph don’t fit them from the factory!

So, what was the verdict? T1200 or Indian scout bobber. I’d be really interested to hear your thoughts. Btw, love your content.

Loving the vids Freddie and the chilled music.Keep it going.

So tempted by the T120, despite the excess weight. Older video now, but do you still enthuse given your gasket and parts issues for the 865, which I also love, do you still recommend the T120? Cheers.

My 2022 T120 USB port is located better the - and + battery hook ups. Its a little black box with rubber cover.

Dang nothing fun about spitting lanes in traffic. I'm 67 years of seniority. And have been an idiot. Not interested. In pushing fate. That means been there got the tee shirt. By the way own an iron butt. 1000 miles 24 hours. It was on an 1984 Honda aspencade. Great machine. Almost forgot it was back to back the return trip was just the same. My point here is that I own a Thruxton 900 and I will remember the most important part of the performance of a tool is the operator. I ride with a Man that is 80 years old and has trophies that fill the back of his garage. And he got so passed off at me he went off and bought a Buell 1200 so he could feel the trill. My point is real men never give up ride and ride I never will grow up.!!!!!

Love the Ace edition blacked out bike, I hope the next T120s have an all matte black version!

Two things 1) The traffic in the first part of the clip was a disaster, glad to know you had the T120 2) Why does this channel only have 3k Subscribers !! unbelievable Amazing work, keep making amazing content

Hi Freddie, so tempting, I like the street twin too. Loved the vlog, my ears pricked up when you mentioned motorcycle photography. Looking to get into this as a photography genre myself. Thanks for an excellent vlog and all of the info. 👏📸👍

Once you unlock the fuel cap, you don't have to leave the key in there to turn the fuel cap to open scratching the paint on the tank. Once you unlock, you can remove the key and the cap still turns to open.

The power port is an accessory and costs extra. It is well worth it though and so are the heat warmers. I have the Street Scrambler and prefer the upright seating position over the Street Twin or the T100, but the T100 and the T120 are gorgeous. Also in the land of Harley Davidson and Indian it is special to have a proper British motorbike. It gives us, because the Misses also rides, a bloody smile 😁. On a second note I met a double retired gent who has a T100 and he continuously only buys Triumph, I guess once in love 💕... always in love... with Triumph 😉.

They are such a classically good looking bike. When it comes to styling with the Bonneville, Triumph certainly took the phrase, 'if it ain't broken, don't fix it', on board.

2 years later I wonder if you still own your T120 Ace? What # is it? I have #1125/1400.

“Francis Barnett, never heard of those”…..and you call yourself a biker!!

Heated grips first thing I speced when I bought my street scrambler new last year. I also have a heated gillet as I ride all year on it. I think throttle spacers and a booster plug sort the fuelling and there’s always Motone for a metal front mudguard👍. Great vlog again.

Freddie, would love to see you do a comparison review of the Moto Guzzi V7 vs the Triumphs. Great video!

Excellent video and review! Watching you split traffic made me nervous for you! Is this one of the best all around bikes? I was wondering about the distance and freeway riding and this video addresses that well. How did the suspension feel and what other bikes would you recommend that can do a lot of things? Great video you are excellent!

End of the month can’t come quick enough to receive my T120 Black 😂 agree with you on the mudguard metal would have been better but I can buy some from Motone, I have a huge list of upgrades 😂 thankfully the choppy throttle is sorted on the 2022 bike as I’ve ridden one 👍 think I’ve watched every T120 on RU-vid including my own twice now 😂😂

Great Vlog. Loved the bit about the engine grunt in second and third gear from the 1200 engine. I feel the same with my 1200GS. I bought it straight after passing my test. I thought is it too big but the seller said get the bigger engine otherwise in 6 months you will wish you had. Best advice I ever got and took I think regarding bikes! And heated grips?! C”mon. These are a game changer. Absolutely agree 100%. How is the lack of wind shielding from the front? Does the riding position work without any? Curious as I know the design of the bike is of course sublime and better without it but I haven’t rode a bike without one for any sort of distance.

booster plug will illminate your snatchiness of throttle by enrichening the system during dynamic riding

loved the lane splitting music...Agat...Big Shot...totally loved the song and the video. Great work.

Thanks Freddie great review! Love my T120, my throttle seems smooth, however if you want to smooth it out further just leave it in Rain mode. Plus, it has traction control so if the surface is a bit lose you should be ok 😊

I know this is an older vid but I just put my Bonneville to bed for the winter and I miss her already. Vids like this help with the withdrawal symptoms.

I love the T120. I’ve had mine for 2 years now and yes, I replaced the plastic front fender with an after market metal one from Motone

T120 is top notch, you are correct with the throttle being snatchy , my 1200 scrambler is the same way. Great video Freddie 😎👍⭐️

Can you do a review on the modifications you've done on your bike ? To black it out? Your bike looks so beautiful and badass

Im a Brit living in south Thailand and I have to say I'm glad I don't ride in that type of shit traffic and cold weather any more.

A re-map will take care of the snappy throttle, or a booster plug. Re-map is best, especially if you de-cat first.

@ 10:00 Looking cool as f*** bud, thanks for the quality content . Have a look at how Peter McKinnon lists his stuff (gear) in his video. I think you would gain from doing exactly the same. If I like something you take time to present on cam, I will rush to the vid. description to see a link. (@Breizham)

Booster plug will take out that little iffy problem about snatchy throttle. Great video!

Freddie try changing the drive mode from Road to Rain that should help with the snatching a bit

1:25 that is one useless anchor that ring could be cut in 5 seconds, gorgeous bike tho

The T120 is my dream bike. I specked my 2020 model with cruise control, USB port on the handle bars, fly screen and luxury seat. Had a great year of fun 🤩. I can’t fault it. I agree the heated grips are fabulous. Great video dude, I’m now subscribed 👍

You need a woman.. you might not really want one, but you do need one.

Totally agree on the heated grips. As you say, they are a game changer - especially here in Colorado. I’ll put them on any bike I ever have. And usually a pretty easy install.

watching you weave through the traffic i thought, this would piss everyone off here in Toronto - you would get seriously told off! and it is illegal here! but after a quick google search found that is perfectly legal in the UK. it also led me to some interesting articles on the pros and cons of filtering - some of the pro points seem to be reflected in other areas of law in the UK, like no congestion fees and free or low cost parking! one of the top pros being motorbikes being greener!

Loved the longer vid. My dream bike is the triumph scrambler 1200xe! Buying the 2021 model once it hits dealerships in Canada in may. My second choice would definitely be the T120 if I didn’t want to do any off roading. It’s such a gorgeous bike, I’m jealous you got to ride it so much. Took your advice from the podcast to just buy your dream bike ASAP to save money long term. So excited for the April 13 announcement to see what they’ve done to the scrambler range for this year. Great vid as always keep it up!

Just found this channel. So addictive. Am a japanese bike only rider, tried bmws but too much £££. This has got me excited about Triumphs. Test rode speed twin couple of years ago and would buy one but for cost. Hoping 2nd hand would be cheaper but boy do they hold their money. Started me thinking would a street twin be enough in real world, certainly going to test one. Thanks for this channel isle of wight has always been on my bucket list

As a Brit, living in the NW and fortunately now retired, I hope never to have to venture south of Birmingham ever again. How you guys cope with that traffic is beyond me. No journey is worth sitting in that traffic.

Freddie I ride a bonneville 900 scrambler and within minutes of watching your blogs I’m getting my helmet back on . I love your presentations and the information you provide , please keep them coming . Paul

Thankyou Freddie you've convinced me my 865 Bonville I've had for nearly 6 years is being traded in for the t120 wasn't impressed with your previous review on the Bonville but you smashed it this time Freddie I think your getting better at your reviews keep up with the good work Yours sincerely Ian Gilmour

Cracking video, really enjoyed it!

Another great video Freddie, love that jacket too!

Watching you lane split at 2x made me dizzy but at the same time, I was wondering if I could scoot my GoldWing or Electra Glide through those gaps....... Nope! Fail!

Got to agree on the lane splitting.......Scared me just watching it! Loved the video. What is refreshing about the way you do your videos is that you really seem very "Genuine". What do I think about the T120? I have been following this bike since 2016 and really like them. Sat on one one time and fired it up in the dealership. Seemed to fit me well. I currently ride a Honda Valkyrie and couldn't be happier with the overall comfort, smoothness, and power it delivers. Did 5800 miles in 11 days Last Summer and never got off the bike with anything that hurt. What are your thoughts about vibration and smoothness at upper highway speeds on the T120? Is it a bike you can ride back to back 500 mile days if you want?

Great video! I also found the USB hard to find but it is there! the heated grips are so good that I’m sure I burnt my hands after a long ride haha.

I’m loving the videos. I’m in the states, Oregon, and can’t wait to get my T120.

Hey Pal..new subscriber here. Love your content. I currently have an "21 Vespa Sei Giorni (which I love) and a '22 T-100 (recommended to me over the T-120 due to my type of riding) Love this bike too. Thinking of adding a 3rd bike. A Bobber. Looking at a used '20 Triumph Bobber and also a used Scout that already has the mini apes. How do you think either of these bikes fit a 6'4" rider and also, do you think the Triumph Bobber is too similar to the T-100 to own both?

Thank-you for another great video. I really think you need to hit up Triumph for a new Bonnie T120. And why do I say this? Well I’m a current BMW R9T rider, and while I will be definitely keeping my BM, your videos have seriously pushed my interest in adding a new Bonnie T120 to my garage. So much so, that after see this video, I’m going for a test ride this weekend. Thanks again for your enjoyable videos Freddie.

Quick question: new 2022 T100 (Euro 5, front Brembo single disk) vs March 2019 T120 (5000 km, dual Nissins, pre gear selector fix, Euro 4) for 2000 euros less. Which one is better? The T120 will have to go through a series of checks, including changing the gear selectors that Triumph fixed in September 2019. Won’t spend 2k, but not much less.

Thanks for the video Freddie! I have the 2015 Bonneville. I got it new & love everything about it. I also got the Corbin seat for it. People always stop me to ask questions. They usually think it's an old bike from the 1960's and are surprised when I tell them the year. I liked your background music. Can you add some Sex Pistols on the next one? Cheers from California!

Very nice video as always you do , I have a small channel if you have time take a look i love the t120 black and the ace iven more, just a small advise if you will read my comment, never and ever put a helmet on a mirrors as you do on this video it is a easy way to damage it inside for the small but constant pressure of the mirrors bike in the most delicate parts of your helmet, anyway I love your channel best regards Federico alias Bruto94 👍

That is a lot of allotments, Freddie! When you mentioned getting stopped (so much on the T120 and Scout Bobber) I thought you meant by the boys in blue! Ha. Good riding, particularly the meander through the traffic.

One mans meat is another man's poison Freddie. I've had 2 Suzuki 600 bandits both 2000 models. First bandit cost £2000 in 2006, I'm no adventurer but it took me around the west coast of Norway, but mainly the lake district and Scotland. It was stolen in 2016, bought another 2000 model in 2016 for £1400.00, still have it and never had a mechanical issue. Love the bandit, I'm not even flavour of the minute but this poor man feels like a king on a quiet country road with the sun shining.

Hi Freddie, I really enjoy your vids. I’m about to enter stage three of my mid-life crisis….at 51 I re-joined the army, at 56 I got the much younger girlfriend (sadly no more 😊), now the day before my 58th I’m leaving the army, and plan to get a motorcycle. I’m torn between the T120 and the Speedmaster and see you’ve tried both. I plan to do long trips, but also a lot of city riding in Bristol, where the traffic is atrocious! I’m concerned the wider bars on the Speedmaster may make it less practical for filtering. You’ve tried both….what would you recommend?

Great video... though the filtering terrified me somewhat! 😂

I take it you must be relatively young but also quite under read on classic motorcycles. The fact you haven't heard of a Francis Barnett ?. Anyway on the good side, the vid is quite entertaining and quirky. Oh yes ,the other bike that came into to the fuel station. You pronounced as a Jarva. I think you meant a Jawa.

Nice video Freddie! I am looking to get a Triumph this spring and I'm torn between the T-120 and the Speedmaster. I'd be driving a lot of country back roads here in Upstate NY. If you had to choose one bike, which one would it be? Haven't driven either one yet and hoping too when the weather finally gets nice here. Thanks.

Cheers from an ex-Brit now living in Canada. I think the throttle snatchiness on the newer Bonnies can be cured with a remap as Euro 5 has resulted in very lean mixtures at certain parts of the rev range. Heated grips and cruise control are things you never realize you need until you've ridden a bike that has them (same with heated seated and steering wheels in cars in Canada). I love the Bonnie's but currently ride an FJR1300 as its better suited to 2-up riding for the long distances we find ourselves covering in North America. I would like to get a Bonnie/Speed Twin as a second bike for solo riding and shorter 2-up trips but it would be hard to choose between a T100, T120 and a Speed Twin - they are all good and each has its niche. I think the T120 is probably the best all rounder. I also like the Kawasaki Z900RS . . . tough choices to make . . . .trying to figure out how to justify having 3 - 4 bikes!

Hoping to trade my 2016 America for a T120 in next couple of weeks.Heated grips first order of the day.The Triumph ones & not the Oxfords i put on the america.Great vid - gives me confidence i'm making the right choice.Thanks again.

Just had a laugh, nice blog on bike , but the helmet, never put your helmet on your mirror, it damages the inside protective lining , making it useless, been riding bikes 50 years and see so many bikers doing it 😣🤪🤪

This or speedmaster? Should I even consider t1100? Thank you for awesome videos. Subscribed

I love the look of the Bonneville, but the closest one to me is over 200 miles away. I am tall and not sure I can even ride on of these bikes. Please tell me how tall you are so I can compare before I proceed any further with a Bonneville.

Thank you for the video mate! One question though, if the price would be no object, which is it? T120 or the scout? In my case it would not be the bobber, but a scout with semi apes. So considering 5 days a week big city trafic going to work and ocasionally in weekends 400 - 500 km round trips on highway speeds...the perfect one would be the T120, right?

Golly! When I thought our traffic here in Manila was that bad. Even with that fast forward effect I think that was at least a kilometer long jam.