@@Here.there.andaware have 42,000 on my 2008 bonny 865cc fuel injected. Oil changes ($100x6 times), new tyres ($500 once just recently), one set of new spark plugs ($15) and recent valve adjustment and rocket cover gasket ($130). Approximately $1200 total. Hope this helps.
I own a 2022 T120 Gold Line. Just love the bike... not too many here in western Canada. But man every time i stop for gas or a coffee theres always an old guy coming over to look at it. I own a Triumph Trophy SE and an Aprilia Mana 850 and no one says anything about them when i am out riding. Just goes to show you how Triumph got the design right on the Bonnevilles.
Hi Colin! Thanks for the watch, I’d love to get to western Canada one day. 100% agreed, before riding back a local chap come over and told me all about his BSA he was working on. I did catch it all on video but forgot to ask if he minded it included as it very much proves your point! You can often be late on a Bonneville not because it’s slow but because people want to talk to you 😂
Good review. I bought a T100 new. Its a 2022 model. I think that your model year is a a bit more attractive than mine. Like you, I prefer the look of chrome wheels and engine covers. Also, it looks to me that you have chrome header pipes which I assume are a bit easier to keep clean. But, I do love my T100 and I am slowly adding easy mods. Mirrors, Arton Works clock guages, grab rail, leather seat, sump guard, motone crash bars, TEC center stand. It is a pleasure to own and ride. It gives me nothing but joy.
Have a 2008 bonneville classic 865cc first fuel injection model in Australia. Done 42000 ks with zero issues! Added staintune exhausts, disconnected pollution gear, and a front sprocket with one less tooth. With those very few mods the bike has turned into a midrange power monster compared to the standard set up. Quite amazing difference for very little effort and money. Been riding 50 years or so now and owned many bikes. But my bonny will see me out to the end. Very durable and bullet proof reliable bike. Stable and predictable and such an effortless ride. Best bikes in the world!
Thanks for your long term owners review. After recovering from health issues, I'm going to give riding a motor bike another chance and replace my old BMW R65 with something more recent, suitable for older guys like I am (including the big belly-short arms issues). After a quite bizarre journey on which bike to get, my colleague recommended to check out Triumph. So I went to the dealership nearby and not only was introduced to the Bonneville T100 and T120, but also the Speed Twin 900. Due to budget constraints, it is very unlikely to go for a T120 but a T100 instead or even less for a Speed Twin 900. I was delighted to literally feel the quality of the material just from mere touching and am looking forward to test ride the Speed Twin 900 and the T120 next week. For sure they'd love to sell me the T120, but I'm trying to be realistic so it's either the Speed Twin 900 or the T100 (wich is roughly 1000 EUR more than the Speed Twin 900). Like those rubber gaiters on your T100, that seem to have been replaced with the recent model but is still available on the Speed Twin 900. Again, thanks for that review. 🤗
Thanks for your comments, what year is your R65? I learned to ride on my dads R45 and I’m sure one day will own a BMW R again. I wasn’t aware they had dropped the gators? I suppose without them you can see if you have any leaks but the gators give the more retro look that’s for sure. Let me know which one you choose, I’ve yet to try a T120 to know the difference between the 2
@@pintsizedbiker my R65 is a May 1981 (Type 248) with 50 horsepowers. It was really downtrodden when I bought it and I rebuilt it together with a friend. Including fitting the gators after a fork overhaul. Got a new paint of a original BMW colour by a professional paint shop. The gators for sure add some protection to the fork as they keep dust and sands away. Between the T110 and the T120 - from what can be seen, it's some trim level details like the T120 has cruise control which the T100 has not, the T120 got driving modes and a double disc front brake. Have you ever heard of Brixton? A brand founded in 2016 by Austrian KSR Group, named after that neighbourhood in London. They introduced their first "big" machine in 2022, the "Cromwell 1200" which is almost a shameless lift of the Triumph design. A twin with almost the same specs as the T120 but closer to the Speed Twin 900/1200 design. Designed in Austria, build in China. Price advantage over the T120 is roughly 4000 EUR. I was very close to sign the contract after having enjoyed two test rides - never had a bike with so much power and torque before - when the news came in that KSR Group filed for bankruptcy while trying to sustain operations and recover fully. It was a colleague who pointed me at Triumph and what they have to offer. Before my R65 I owned a Royal Enfield 500 Classic EFI - a painful experience I must say. What I'm now aiming for is a bike with enough power and a quality that allows me to get away with checking the tyre pressure once in a while and service is being taken care of by the dealer. With the 65, you not only can do a lot by yourselves, you have to. No up to date dealership will accept you for service or repair. 🤗 www.kleineblauekuh.de/die-runderneuerte-q/
Love the R65, my dad return to biking with an R45 20 years ago to teach me to ride and do a few jobs so that does remind of that. That’s a shame dealers won’t touch it, luckily I have a local to me that was very helpful when I had a Norton so if I got a BMW one day they would happily help out. I have heard of Brixton, wasn’t aware they had gone bust though. Might be worth looking at a couple of year old T120 as they had a higher spec. Center stand, heated grips and cat that could be removed (I understand they are welded now on the new models)
The tread pattern on those tires looks very much like the K181's I had on my RD400 back in the early 80's - at the time it was about the best road tire you could buy - except perhaps for Pirelli Phantoms . . . . how times have changed!
Nice review thanks, im on a 2023 (street) speed twin 900, love it, yes it gets just over 70mpg no matter how i ride so thats brilliant, tonnes of power even with a pillion, build quality is excellent and I like the retro design, ride free and safe brother 😎👍
Thanks for the long-term review. I just bought my 1st Bonnie today, and is the exact model/year as yours. Am so stoked!!! Such a classy machine, with a lot of safety comforts. Can't wait to start putting miles on it and creating memories.....
@@pintsizedbiker Thanks! My 1st mod is adding a chrome dress bar kit to protect in case of a fall/tip over. It already has heated grips, moderate windshield, saddle bag rails and a center stand. Any recommendations??
@@jimmyc5050 good idea, I need to do that to mine too. I had dresser bars on my 09 but the new ones don’t look as good but I will regret it one day All sound like good mods to start with. Ride it as it is and then see what you want to change 😊
Hi i have a 2018 Street Cup that returns 78 mpg running a K&N air filter.I try to ride at 3000 rpm in all the gears except when riding motorways of course.Its the best geared bike i have ever ridden and sounds great with the stock pipes.I often think of having a change but can never find any other bike that i like more.
Funny you say that my partner asked me if any of the bikes I’d tried recently had tempted me and the honest answer was no. Interesting to hear about the K&N filter, my stock was is likely due a change, sounds like you are happy with the results?
They really got it right when they come back. I was passed by a very early triple on the M25 in lashing rain on Friday, it was going along like a treat
Beautiful bike! I want one. I also want a Speed Twin 900 (I’m really short), a RE Hunter 350, and probably the new Triumph Speed 400. So many beautiful motorcycles and so little money! I already own a BMW F750GS that I really like and want to keep 😅 I will need a bigger garage 😊
That's a beautiful bike. It looks and sounds amazing. I'm only 5'5" so would probably go for the street twin as I think that's a bit lower. Like to have my feet planted as I do a lot of commuting in heavy traffic. I've got the Honda rebel 500 at present but be nice to have more torque on the overtakes. Great video and very informative.
Hi Luke, thanks for the kind comments! Never tried the 500, be interested to see what they are like. I understand what you mean about the street twin. The 09 Bonneville was a little lower and it did make a difference compared to the T100 at the time
@@pintsizedbiker the rebel is great. It’s so low that you can paddle along with your feet when you need to squeeze between traffic. Handlebars are nice and narrow too. Suspension is a bit hard but she’s got some decent grunt. It’s my first big bike. You should try one.
I'm only 5"6 mate and love my 865cc bonny classic. Upgrade rear shocks and lower them a bit will help that little bit. In saying this the speed twin is a beauty too! Happy riding mate 👍
@@pintsizedbiker At some point. I've had the Z900RS, and currently I have a Tracer 900, but there is a sentimental aesthetic and a very attractive ride quality to the T100 that definitely appeals to me. Your review (and the amazing sound of your bike!) really continued the process of luring me in! 🙂
Hi mate.....Once I took off the cat.....that snatching at low speed all went on my 2020T100....presumbe your cat is still fitted. So many good plus points for taking the cat off. You bike looks grat same color as mine....the best color....sounds like you love your as much as I love mine..... To me it looks just like a bike should look. Looks like you have polished off the brushed effect on the aloy covers so have I looks great....done quite a few mods on mine.... Your exhausts sound great....I fitted Norman Hyde Togas 60s bonnie style shorter peashooters.....was not sure at first but lover em now.....sound great even throttle closed slowing down. Yeah great MPG.....again mine has gone up de-catted....average now 73mpg......I use super unleaded....99 octane.....I know the bike is fine on 95 octane....but the 99 octane only has 5% and usually less Ethanol....I just hate ethanol. 5000mls on mine...first MOT Sept 2023. I altered the angle of the rear plate....made it more upright....dont like the plate on a slant....and its more old school. Bought a private 5 digit plate...xmas presi off the wife.....mainly so I can fit a legale small plate.....I hate the Truck sized plate our bikes have now.....UGLY. Fitted an amp meter in the headlamp bowl...old school. And those air filter covers....I cut mine down....more squared off....TBH....I love the carbs on the T120.....but not the near £4k extra on the price tag. As you say the T100 has got plenty of power.....low RPM grunt.....way more than I need. Made a few more Subtle mods as well wont bore you with them....like you....the blacked out stuff on the later bike is a backward move....black rims whats that about.....Love my spoked chrome rims....it would stop me buying one now...I would need to look at a second hand one. Wonder what part of the country your are? I'm in Cheshire. P.S. love your tank cap. Nick.
Hi mate! Thanks for the watch and the follow! I did take the cat off and it did improve the snatching but not fully remove it, that said I am probably over sensitive to it. The BC silencers and DKW map help. I really should of mentioned that in video, I don’t script things and it’s so easy to forget! The cat was Norman Hyde. I am pretty certain I’ve seen your bike either on the groups or Rat forums? I recall the amp meter in headlight, was that hard to do? And does it work? What is a 5 digit plate? Is it a personalised number? I did run it on the higher octane to start and it did run smoother and have less knock, though maybe that was in my head. I only stopped when the prices rocketed, now they have settled of sorts I might start treating it again to a nicer drink. The fuel cap was from Motone, was a bit fiddly to set up but does make a nice addition and reminds me of my Norton. It does have plenty of grunt for me, others may find it less powerful than the T120 or Thruxton, but it’s all relative. I’ve had sports bike but I just don’t need or want all that anymore. The best balance of power and useable power vs weight was my 2013 CB1100. That was great, the 2nd CB I had in 2018 wasn’t though, felt more sluggish and heavy. The T100 was a delight after that! I am in Hampshire. And yes blue is the best colour, initially I wanted red and white but they had stopped doing them but now I am more than happy with the blue Thanks for watching Nick and ride safe mate!
Great thanks for getting back to me.....I did wonder if you de-cated.....most owners seem to....we are lucky in the UK that we still can. 5 digit number....our bikes as supplied with have 7 digits in the number.....so that means a bigger wider plate is req to fit 7 in....mine only has 5...bought direct from the DVLA £250....only one company I have found in the UK that will make your plate as small as legal....no minimum size on number plates.....just the digit size and spacing....so less room to req to fit in 5 digits. Will look up Motor....I do like you fuel cap...thanks for that....have you still got your Norton....is it an old one....I love old bikes. The T120 is a stunner but heavier....as you know our T100 are no lightweights....I'm 70....so dont want anymore weight.....love to try one saying that. Re the snatch with the clutch....if this is a good thing or not I dont know....I if going a bit slower and then need to open the throttle again....will de-cluch slightly.....and then simultaneously go back on the power....other wise the instant fly by wire can be a bit harsh.....just smooths it out....I dont even think about it....automatic. Yes that will be me on the rat web site. Nick.
Interesting on the number plate. Yes we are lucky we can de cat, I’ve kept the old heavy lump just in case rules change. Sadly I sold the Norton when I got the T100. It was an 850 commando, there is a video of it in my shorts. Sadly I didn’t have time to keep on top of it along side life and work. And worse I would do or get done a recommended upgrade like belt primary drive and then it would go wrong or cause some other issue. I got fed up in the end- when it was working though it was such a joy. Shame, maybe one day I’ll get another but I think if I get a classic it would a smaller cc like a 500 Triumph or 350 perhaps.
I think I would prefer the Street Twin because of the weight. It is a consideration as I have less upper body strength than a man. Interested to see how the new baby Bonnevilles get on.
Thanks for watching again Lily. Yes that 400 looks nice, I’d love them to do a more retro version. It looks on paper to have some nice power, it’s great to see manufacturers doing mid range cc bikes again. What do you ride currently?
@@pintsizedbiker I'm on CBT and can't quite afford a bike yet. I'm looking at AJS or a Grom. Need to flat foot and not be too heavy. I have ridden a Grom and it was OK The only disappointing thing with the Triumphs is the seat is quite high.
@@lilynorthover8378 the classic 350 is very high too which makes no sense for a small cc bike. A bit left field but what about a classic like 70s 2 stroke? they are often lower. Maybe an RD250, it will be light and it would hold its value forever and have a good amount of speed
@@pintsizedbiker my son who did his CBT with me wants a 2 stroke. I'm old enough to remember 70s bikes and they were lower. North Cornwall Motorcycles sometimes has them. Thanks.😊
It’s quite an issue finding a bike you can stand up with when you’re not very tall (I’m 5’6”) so after a 30 year gap I got back into biking and bought a Yamaha xv535 (don’t laugh).. mainly because of the seat height, in hind sight I should’ve bought something else as the ‘chopper ‘ style really isn’t me.. but your triumph is a great bike.
Thank you Derek, nothing wrong with them Yamaha XV’s I remember taking a liking to them at the time despite not really being a fan of that American style. At the time there wasn’t many retro bikes out there, the Bonnie wasn’t quite there so it was a choice of bikes like the XV or a W650 Kawasaki or maybe the Triumph Thunderbird. Safe riding mate!
Loved this review. Toying with a T100, T120 or a Speed Twin. I love the retro look but i need tubeless tyres on a bike as a personal preference and because the 100 and 120 are traditionally spoke wheeled its pushing me towards the Speed twin or a street twin i suppose. One day i'm T100 and going against my specs..... next day ...Speed Twin. Your bike looks great but i am tending towards the black engine casings which your not keen on. I ride all year round, not because i have to but because i need to. That sounds daft but i am not a "season" rider i have to be out on it as much as i can. I have seen water ingress under the lacquer on the polished aluminium casings on some bikes and it looks terrible so i am hoping the black offers a better resistance to the winter.
Hi thanks for watching! I hear what you are saying, my 09 started black and yes it will hold up to the weather better & I assume easier to restore if needed. The early pre liquid cooled bonnevilles did suffer badly with the lacquer but they seem better now. Mine can go a bit funny but you just polish heavily and it comes up nice On the spoke front it is possible to get the wheels altered to be tubeless but I am not confident to do it myself and when I asked my local dealer they wouldn’t do it. Others though swear by it. I did recently get a puncture and it was very annoying how fast it went down compared to a tubeless. Probably would of been worth a mention in the video. Might need to do a follow up of things I forgot 😂 Let us know what you choose!
It's a pity that Triumph don't lace their spokes to allow tubeless tyres. Tubes are a PITA if you get a puncture on a large bike. Like you, I oscillate between the Speed Twin and T100. I prefer the two clocks, larger tank (12L tank on the Speed Twin is ridiculous) and higher seat of the Bonnie.
Great longer term review, it’s a beautiful looking bike and the price retention is amazing. I love the fact you’ve made it your own with the custom bits & pieces. My heart is still with the Street Twin but I’m slowly being converted. Cheers mate
Thanks Andy! I should of mentioned I saw a street twin that someone had just swapped the wheels so it had spokes and it looked great. And had a slightly lower seat + more powerful motor
❤ love ya bike the new model is terrible with all the black ,, triumph r doing what BMW have done and omega 2 many models,, after the same as yours with low mileage on it best wishes from Durham
Great review, I’m so glad you’ve had no issues with your T100, you’ve been fortunate so far but :- 1. keep an eye on the wiring loom, where it passes over the headstock, to ensure it isn’t 😂. chafing. Broken internal wires gave rise to many on going intermittent electrical faults on my Street Twin. 2. Check the tiny E-clip holding the bolt in place that secures the side stand. Mine regularly dropped off. 3. Check the security of the tiny magnet that stops the engine from starting when the stand is down. Mine dropped off on route and I had to call recovery. 4. Take the bike bike to the dealer immediately if you have difficulty in changing down through the gears. This is a sure sign that the selector shaft is on it’s way out. A friend has had three replacements, thankfully all under warranty. My bike was a 2017 Street Twin, I endured ownership for three years but the intermittent electrical issues, which the dealer failed to fix, despite the recall mod, resulted in me trading it in. I hope this helps. Best wishes.
Sorry to hear this. I know of the wiring loom but thought that was just T120? Actually good point on the gearbox, I don’t know how but I’d totally forgot that i had triumph recommended fix done to it early in its life though I’d never had an issue myself. It’s in the triumph workshop documents so I took it Carl Rosner in Croydon and they did it free of charge. I will keep an eye on the rest and will try to do a follow up about the gearbox as I really shouldn’t have forgotten!
Had a 2014 t100, great bike, bike has deteriorated in the last number of years, no offence. Would only last 45 mins on it unless making good progress. Have upgraded to a gs 1250, and have no issues. When I go back to a retro, it'll probably be a 9t
Hi Paul thanks for watching. Why has it deteriorated? And how come only last 45 mins? I want to try the 9T soon, I like some of the styling add ons to give it a more retro look, like the R style tank. I’d prefer twin shocks though and a smaller cc engine
Enjoyed the video thank you. Currently going through the T100/T120 conundrum so your video is very useful as a reference. Finally got a Triumph authorised dealership back where I live in Cyprus after far too many years, they’ve a good reputation which makes the decision to purchase easier. Thanks again.
That is quite the conundrum. Questions I’d think about Do you ride with pillion often? Is there many motorways in Cyprus? And do you use them? If answer to both is no then the T100 is a really capable bike. Though it can do both of the above
@@pintsizedbiker. Thanks for the reply. In answer to your questions, yes I have an occasional pillion rider, and although she’s a lightweight the difference in bike handling is of course noticeable. Motorways, probably not what UK riders would consider M/ways but good quality 2 lane major roads between the main towns + some excellent B roads up into the forested mountains ranges with bike friendly off road tracks through the forests. The mountains are where I do most of my riding for pleasure during the summer escaping the heat of the central plane and the coast and it’s that long steady climb upwards and then the descent that makes me wonder if I should go for the T120 with its additional power and twin front disc brakes.
Great video chap, I've just got my hands on a 07 Bonneville and love it so far. Quick question did you get your exhaust slip ons in the UK or have them shipped over? Struggling to find some for my year of bike. Cheers!
Thank you! I got them 2nd hand, during Covid a guy was going to do a build and then decided not to, they were about £200 cheaper. From memory the earlier Bonnevilles could take a bigger range of slip on’s, the Dunstall ones always looked good
Do you use low Octane or high Octane fuel for that 75-79 MPG. The emblem on the gas tank has always been plastic which i feel they should have changed to metal 6 years ago other makes have the painted logo on the tank which doesn't reduce the price of the bike but it is there and i prefer that better you pay for what you get.
@@juans3728 I use shell V power which I think is 99. But I did use 95 previously but it wasn’t as smooth. I never been too bothered about the logo. Can probably replace it pretty easily with an original.
how is the wind on the t100 at highway speeds? do you find it jarring and buffeting given its a naked bike with no windshield? does the bike feel stable and planted on the highway?
I don't find the jarring but i am short which probably helps as i have never felt an issue in 20 years of riding various bikes. It is stable but you can get a very gentle side ways movement but this might be down to the tyres or the wind catching the box I usually have
Occasionally find yourself trying to find a sixth gear. 😂 in America trying to find the sixth gear is an every time occurance. You hit 50mph when you need 6th gear. And every main road is 50 mph common speed, and freeways are 75-80 mph almost all the time. This is barely freeway drivable without screaming at the last bit of 5th gear. It’s fun to ride on the regular streets though.
I did do that, I had it done after a week. It did give an improvement but wasn't night and day I have to say. I felt a bit improvement when i got a map done to match the exhaust
@@pintsizedbiker Hi how much are they ???? Is it a easy job ??? Looking for a orange and cream one on a 19 plate r a 20 need low mileage drop me text u c out I'm in Durham
I have exactly the same bike as you,year and colour same,I purchased a comfort seat but it doesn't completely lock into the retaining catch so I may have to raise the latch slightly,can I ask did you have any problem with yours please?
Hi Tony, now you say that it was quite stiff at first. I think from memory I gave it a bit of shove to click in. Not sure if something is blocking it. It does always go in though, I had just thought it was being a bit too gentle with it.
Thanks for your reply,it does always go into place and have been firm with it but just wont go down enough to be able to lock into place,its not unsafe to ride just cant lock it,anyway will try raising the catch a little.@@pintsizedbiker
@@michaelpina1858 thanks, I really want a proper sized stainless one for rear but they don’t exist without modifying a universal one, which probably isn’t that difficult just time etc
@@michaelpina1858 that would be the plan, it shouldn’t be too hard. But a few other jobs first, I want to out Hagon shocks on and maybe upgrade the brake first
I can’t really say but I see now reason why not, there is thicker seats to raise height as well as longer shocks. Also higher or wider bars might help. But I’d try it as is first
I’d prefer this, as I like that more classic style. But the street twin had a slightly more tuned engine in 2019, also would be lighter due to the different wheels. Street also had a lower seat, but I guess you could put a lower seat from street on a T100
I've done 131.000Km in my 2017 T100...loving it. I have not seen many after market changes that improve Edward Turners original design.
Fair play that is quite the mileage! Any reliability niggles?
Yes im very curious about that as well, would appreciate some valuable insights :)
@@Here.there.andaware have 42,000 on my 2008 bonny 865cc fuel injected.
Oil changes ($100x6 times), new tyres ($500 once just recently), one set of new spark plugs ($15) and recent valve adjustment and rocket cover gasket ($130). Approximately $1200 total. Hope this helps.
@@southernmike3265 thanks! That certainly does help
I own a 2022 T120 Gold Line. Just love the bike... not too many here in western Canada. But man every time i stop for gas or a coffee theres always an old guy coming over to look at it. I own a Triumph Trophy SE and an Aprilia Mana 850 and no one says anything about them when i am out riding. Just goes to show you how Triumph got the design right on the Bonnevilles.
Hi Colin! Thanks for the watch, I’d love to get to western Canada one day.
100% agreed, before riding back a local chap come over and told me all about his BSA he was working on. I did catch it all on video but forgot to ask if he minded it included as it very much proves your point! You can often be late on a Bonneville not because it’s slow but because people want to talk to you 😂
Yes, they need polishing from time to time but agree the silver engine cases & rims look much better than the black.
Cant agree with u more..
Good review. I bought a T100 new. Its a 2022 model. I think that your model year is a a bit more attractive than mine. Like you, I prefer the look of chrome wheels and engine covers. Also, it looks to me that you have chrome header pipes which I assume are a bit easier to keep clean. But, I do love my T100 and I am slowly adding easy mods. Mirrors, Arton Works clock guages, grab rail, leather seat, sump guard, motone crash bars, TEC center stand. It is a pleasure to own and ride. It gives me nothing but joy.
Have a 2008 bonneville classic 865cc first fuel injection model in Australia. Done 42000 ks with zero issues! Added staintune exhausts, disconnected pollution gear, and a front sprocket with one less tooth. With those very few mods the bike has turned into a midrange power monster compared to the standard set up. Quite amazing difference for very little effort and money. Been riding 50 years or so now and owned many bikes. But my bonny will see me out to the end. Very durable and bullet proof reliable bike. Stable and predictable and such an effortless ride. Best bikes in the world!
I forgot all about Staintune silencers, are they still about?
They are great bikes! Loved my 09
@@pintsizedbiker yeh I got lucky getting them from a mate thats big into trumpys. They are awesome! Great note.
Thanks for your long term owners review. After recovering from health issues, I'm going to give riding a motor bike another chance and replace my old BMW R65 with something more recent, suitable for older guys like I am (including the big belly-short arms issues). After a quite bizarre journey on which bike to get, my colleague recommended to check out Triumph. So I went to the dealership nearby and not only was introduced to the Bonneville T100 and T120, but also the Speed Twin 900. Due to budget constraints, it is very unlikely to go for a T120 but a T100 instead or even less for a Speed Twin 900. I was delighted to literally feel the quality of the material just from mere touching and am looking forward to test ride the Speed Twin 900 and the T120 next week. For sure they'd love to sell me the T120, but I'm trying to be realistic so it's either the Speed Twin 900 or the T100 (wich is roughly 1000 EUR more than the Speed Twin 900). Like those rubber gaiters on your T100, that seem to have been replaced with the recent model but is still available on the Speed Twin 900. Again, thanks for that review. 🤗
Thanks for your comments, what year is your R65? I learned to ride on my dads R45 and I’m sure one day will own a BMW R again.
I wasn’t aware they had dropped the gators? I suppose without them you can see if you have any leaks but the gators give the more retro look that’s for sure.
Let me know which one you choose, I’ve yet to try a T120 to know the difference between the 2
@@pintsizedbiker my R65 is a May 1981 (Type 248) with 50 horsepowers. It was really downtrodden when I bought it and I rebuilt it together with a friend. Including fitting the gators after a fork overhaul. Got a new paint of a original BMW colour by a professional paint shop. The gators for sure add some protection to the fork as they keep dust and sands away. Between the T110 and the T120 - from what can be seen, it's some trim level details like the T120 has cruise control which the T100 has not, the T120 got driving modes and a double disc front brake.
Have you ever heard of Brixton? A brand founded in 2016 by Austrian KSR Group, named after that neighbourhood in London. They introduced their first "big" machine in 2022, the "Cromwell 1200" which is almost a shameless lift of the Triumph design. A twin with almost the same specs as the T120 but closer to the Speed Twin 900/1200 design. Designed in Austria, build in China. Price advantage over the T120 is roughly 4000 EUR. I was very close to sign the contract after having enjoyed two test rides - never had a bike with so much power and torque before - when the news came in that KSR Group filed for bankruptcy while trying to sustain operations and recover fully. It was a colleague who pointed me at Triumph and what they have to offer.
Before my R65 I owned a Royal Enfield 500 Classic EFI - a painful experience I must say. What I'm now aiming for is a bike with enough power and a quality that allows me to get away with checking the tyre pressure once in a while and service is being taken care of by the dealer. With the 65, you not only can do a lot by yourselves, you have to. No up to date dealership will accept you for service or repair. 🤗
www.kleineblauekuh.de/die-runderneuerte-q/
Love the R65, my dad return to biking with an R45 20 years ago to teach me to ride and do a few jobs so that does remind of that. That’s a shame dealers won’t touch it, luckily I have a local to me that was very helpful when I had a Norton so if I got a BMW one day they would happily help out.
I have heard of Brixton, wasn’t aware they had gone bust though.
Might be worth looking at a couple of year old T120 as they had a higher spec. Center stand, heated grips and cat that could be removed (I understand they are welded now on the new models)
The tread pattern on those tires looks very much like the K181's I had on my RD400 back in the early 80's - at the time it was about the best road tire you could buy - except perhaps for Pirelli Phantoms . . . . how times have changed!
Very true, my dad had an RD250 (74) and 400 (77) and he would of had them on his 400 certainly. He first fitted them to his commando
Nice review thanks, im on a 2023 (street) speed twin 900, love it, yes it gets just over 70mpg no matter how i ride so thats brilliant, tonnes of power even with a pillion, build quality is excellent and I like the retro design, ride free and safe brother 😎👍
Thank you Paul! That’s great that still getting the great mpg even with the extra power. Ride safe mate 😊
Thanks for the long-term review. I just bought my 1st Bonnie today, and is the exact model/year as yours. Am so stoked!!! Such a classy machine, with a lot of safety comforts. Can't wait to start putting miles on it and creating memories.....
I don’t think you will be disappointed! Any upgrade plans?
@@pintsizedbiker Thanks! My 1st mod is adding a chrome dress bar kit to protect in case of a fall/tip over. It already has heated grips, moderate windshield, saddle bag rails and a center stand. Any recommendations??
@@jimmyc5050 good idea, I need to do that to mine too. I had dresser bars on my 09 but the new ones don’t look as good but I will regret it one day
All sound like good mods to start with. Ride it as it is and then see what you want to change 😊
Hi i have a 2018 Street Cup that returns 78 mpg running a K&N air filter.I try to ride at 3000 rpm in all the gears except when riding motorways of course.Its the best geared bike i have ever ridden and sounds great with the stock pipes.I often think of having a change but can never find any other bike that i like more.
Funny you say that my partner asked me if any of the bikes I’d tried recently had tempted me and the honest answer was no.
Interesting to hear about the K&N filter, my stock was is likely due a change, sounds like you are happy with the results?
@@pintsizedbiker k & N filters let more air in..guess what else they let more of in ? Yeah , not worth it.
Its a quality product, i have a 1997 T509 speed triple, no faults in 26 years.
They really got it right when they come back. I was passed by a very early triple on the M25 in lashing rain on Friday, it was going along like a treat
Beautiful bike! I want one. I also want a Speed Twin 900 (I’m really short), a RE Hunter 350, and probably the new Triumph Speed 400. So many beautiful motorcycles and so little money! I already own a BMW F750GS that I really like and want to keep 😅 I will need a bigger garage 😊
Thank you, that is the eternal dilemma! Problem is the cost of a bigger garage takes money away from buying more bike 🤣
That's a beautiful bike. It looks and sounds amazing. I'm only 5'5" so would probably go for the street twin as I think that's a bit lower. Like to have my feet planted as I do a lot of commuting in heavy traffic. I've got the Honda rebel 500 at present but be nice to have more torque on the overtakes. Great video and very informative.
Hi Luke, thanks for the kind comments!
Never tried the 500, be interested to see what they are like.
I understand what you mean about the street twin. The 09 Bonneville was a little lower and it did make a difference compared to the T100 at the time
@@pintsizedbiker the rebel is great. It’s so low that you can paddle along with your feet when you need to squeeze between traffic. Handlebars are nice and narrow too. Suspension is a bit hard but she’s got some decent grunt. It’s my first big bike. You should try one.
I'm only 5"6 mate and love my 865cc bonny classic. Upgrade rear shocks and lower them a bit will help that little bit. In saying this the speed twin is a beauty too! Happy riding mate 👍
Good info on the older vs. newest T100 - thanks for posting!
Thank you! Really appreciate hearing my ramblings have been helpful. Are you looking to buy one?
@@pintsizedbiker At some point. I've had the Z900RS, and currently I have a Tracer 900, but there is a sentimental aesthetic and a very attractive ride quality to the T100 that definitely appeals to me. Your review (and the amazing sound of your bike!) really continued the process of luring me in! 🙂
Hi mate.....Once I took off the cat.....that snatching at low speed all went on my 2020T100....presumbe your cat is still fitted.
So many good plus points for taking the cat off.
You bike looks grat same color as mine....the best color....sounds like you love your as much as I love mine.....
To me it looks just like a bike should look.
Looks like you have polished off the brushed effect on the aloy covers so have I looks great....done quite a few mods on mine....
Your exhausts sound great....I fitted Norman Hyde Togas 60s bonnie style shorter peashooters.....was not sure at first but lover em now.....sound great even throttle closed slowing down.
Yeah great MPG.....again mine has gone up de-catted....average now 73mpg......I use super unleaded....99 octane.....I know the bike is fine on 95 octane....but the 99 octane only has 5% and usually less Ethanol....I just hate ethanol.
5000mls on mine...first MOT Sept 2023.
I altered the angle of the rear plate....made it more upright....dont like the plate on a slant....and its more old school.
Bought a private 5 digit plate...xmas presi off the wife.....mainly so I can fit a legale small plate.....I hate the Truck sized plate our bikes have now.....UGLY.
Fitted an amp meter in the headlamp bowl...old school.
And those air filter covers....I cut mine down....more squared off....TBH....I love the carbs on the T120.....but not the near £4k extra on the price tag.
As you say the T100 has got plenty of power.....low RPM grunt.....way more than I need.
Made a few more Subtle mods as well wont bore you with them....like you....the blacked out stuff on the later bike is a backward move....black rims whats that about.....Love my spoked chrome rims....it would stop me buying one now...I would need to look at a second hand one.
Wonder what part of the country your are? I'm in Cheshire.
P.S. love your tank cap.
Nick.
Hi mate! Thanks for the watch and the follow!
I did take the cat off and it did improve the snatching but not fully remove it, that said I am probably over sensitive to it. The BC silencers and DKW map help. I really should of mentioned that in video, I don’t script things and it’s so easy to forget! The cat was Norman Hyde.
I am pretty certain I’ve seen your bike either on the groups or Rat forums? I recall the amp meter in headlight, was that hard to do? And does it work?
What is a 5 digit plate? Is it a personalised number?
I did run it on the higher octane to start and it did run smoother and have less knock, though maybe that was in my head. I only stopped when the prices rocketed, now they have settled of sorts I might start treating it again to a nicer drink.
The fuel cap was from Motone, was a bit fiddly to set up but does make a nice addition and reminds me of my Norton.
It does have plenty of grunt for me, others may find it less powerful than the T120 or Thruxton, but it’s all relative. I’ve had sports bike but I just don’t need or want all that anymore. The best balance of power and useable power vs weight was my 2013 CB1100. That was great, the 2nd CB I had in 2018 wasn’t though, felt more sluggish and heavy. The T100 was a delight after that!
I am in Hampshire. And yes blue is the best colour, initially I wanted red and white but they had stopped doing them but now I am more than happy with the blue
Thanks for watching Nick and ride safe mate!
Great thanks for getting back to me.....I did wonder if you de-cated.....most owners seem to....we are lucky in the UK that we still can.
5 digit number....our bikes as supplied with have 7 digits in the number.....so that means a bigger wider plate is req to fit 7 in....mine only has 5...bought direct from the DVLA £250....only one company I have found in the UK that will make your plate as small as legal....no minimum size on number plates.....just the digit size and spacing....so less room to req to fit in 5 digits.
Will look up Motor....I do like you fuel cap...thanks for that....have you still got your Norton....is it an old one....I love old bikes.
The T120 is a stunner but heavier....as you know our T100 are no lightweights....I'm 70....so dont want anymore weight.....love to try one saying that.
Re the snatch with the clutch....if this is a good thing or not I dont know....I if going a bit slower and then need to open the throttle again....will de-cluch slightly.....and then simultaneously go back on the power....other wise the instant fly by wire can be a bit harsh.....just smooths it out....I dont even think about it....automatic.
Yes that will be me on the rat web site.
Nick.
Interesting on the number plate. Yes we are lucky we can de cat, I’ve kept the old heavy lump just in case rules change.
Sadly I sold the Norton when I got the T100. It was an 850 commando, there is a video of it in my shorts. Sadly I didn’t have time to keep on top of it along side life and work. And worse I would do or get done a recommended upgrade like belt primary drive and then it would go wrong or cause some other issue. I got fed up in the end- when it was working though it was such a joy. Shame, maybe one day I’ll get another but I think if I get a classic it would a smaller cc like a 500 Triumph or 350 perhaps.
I think I would prefer the Street Twin because of the weight. It is a consideration as I have less upper body strength than a man. Interested to see how the new baby Bonnevilles get on.
Thanks for watching again Lily. Yes that 400 looks nice, I’d love them to do a more retro version. It looks on paper to have some nice power, it’s great to see manufacturers doing mid range cc bikes again. What do you ride currently?
@@pintsizedbiker I'm on CBT and can't quite afford a bike yet. I'm looking at AJS or a Grom. Need to flat foot and not be too heavy. I have ridden a Grom and it was OK
The only disappointing thing with the Triumphs is the seat is quite high.
@@lilynorthover8378 the classic 350 is very high too which makes no sense for a small cc bike. A bit left field but what about a classic like 70s 2 stroke? they are often lower. Maybe an RD250, it will be light and it would hold its value forever and have a good amount of speed
@@pintsizedbiker my son who did his CBT with me wants a 2 stroke. I'm old enough to remember 70s bikes and they were lower. North Cornwall Motorcycles sometimes has them. Thanks.😊
I have t120, and I'm 5'6. Only had it a bit, but so far, I love it. Definitely very heavy, though
Thanks for watching. I need to try a T120 soon to compare. On paper it isn’t massively heavier but in real life it can be different
It’s quite an issue finding a bike you can stand up with when you’re not very tall (I’m 5’6”) so after a 30 year gap I got back into biking and bought a Yamaha xv535 (don’t laugh).. mainly because of the seat height, in hind sight I should’ve bought something else as the ‘chopper ‘ style really isn’t me.. but your triumph is a great bike.
Thank you Derek, nothing wrong with them Yamaha XV’s I remember taking a liking to them at the time despite not really being a fan of that American style. At the time there wasn’t many retro bikes out there, the Bonnie wasn’t quite there so it was a choice of bikes like the XV or a W650 Kawasaki or maybe the Triumph Thunderbird.
Safe riding mate!
Loved this review. Toying with a T100, T120 or a Speed Twin. I love the retro look but i need tubeless tyres on a bike as a personal preference and because the 100 and 120 are traditionally spoke wheeled its pushing me towards the Speed twin or a street twin i suppose. One day i'm T100 and going against my specs..... next day ...Speed Twin. Your bike looks great but i am tending towards the black engine casings which your not keen on. I ride all year round, not because i have to but because i need to. That sounds daft but i am not a "season" rider i have to be out on it as much as i can. I have seen water ingress under the lacquer on the polished aluminium casings on some bikes and it looks terrible so i am hoping the black offers a better resistance to the winter.
Hi thanks for watching! I hear what you are saying, my 09 started black and yes it will hold up to the weather better & I assume easier to restore if needed. The early pre liquid cooled bonnevilles did suffer badly with the lacquer but they seem better now. Mine can go a bit funny but you just polish heavily and it comes up nice
On the spoke front it is possible to get the wheels altered to be tubeless but I am not confident to do it myself and when I asked my local dealer they wouldn’t do it. Others though swear by it. I did recently get a puncture and it was very annoying how fast it went down compared to a tubeless. Probably would of been worth a mention in the video. Might need to do a follow up of things I forgot 😂
Let us know what you choose!
It's a pity that Triumph don't lace their spokes to allow tubeless tyres. Tubes are a PITA if you get a puncture on a large bike. Like you, I oscillate between the Speed Twin and T100. I prefer the two clocks, larger tank (12L tank on the Speed Twin is ridiculous) and higher seat of the Bonnie.
Great longer term review, it’s a beautiful looking bike and the price retention is amazing. I love the fact you’ve made it your own with the custom bits & pieces. My heart is still with the Street Twin but I’m slowly being converted. Cheers mate
Thanks Andy! I should of mentioned I saw a street twin that someone had just swapped the wheels so it had spokes and it looked great. And had a slightly lower seat + more powerful motor
❤ love ya bike the new model is terrible with all the black ,, triumph r doing what BMW have done and omega 2 many models,, after the same as yours with low mileage on it best wishes from Durham
Great review, I’m so glad you’ve had no issues with your T100, you’ve been fortunate so far but :-
1. keep an eye on the wiring loom, where it passes over the headstock, to ensure it isn’t 😂.
chafing. Broken internal wires gave rise to many on going intermittent electrical faults on
my Street Twin.
2. Check the tiny E-clip holding the bolt in place that secures the side stand. Mine regularly
dropped off.
3. Check the security of the tiny magnet that stops the engine from starting when
the stand is down. Mine dropped off on route and I had to call recovery.
4. Take the bike bike to the dealer immediately if you have difficulty in changing down
through the gears. This is a sure sign that the selector shaft is on it’s way out. A friend
has had three replacements, thankfully all under warranty.
My bike was a 2017 Street Twin, I endured ownership for three years but the intermittent electrical issues, which the dealer failed to fix, despite the recall mod, resulted in me trading it in. I hope this helps. Best wishes.
Sorry to hear this. I know of the wiring loom but thought that was just T120?
Actually good point on the gearbox, I don’t know how but I’d totally forgot that i had triumph recommended fix done to it early in its life though I’d never had an issue myself. It’s in the triumph workshop documents so I took it Carl Rosner in Croydon and they did it free of charge.
I will keep an eye on the rest and will try to do a follow up about the gearbox as I really shouldn’t have forgotten!
Had a 2014 t100, great bike, bike has deteriorated in the last number of years, no offence. Would only last 45 mins on it unless making good progress. Have upgraded to a gs 1250, and have no issues. When I go back to a retro, it'll probably be a 9t
Hi Paul thanks for watching. Why has it deteriorated? And how come only last 45 mins?
I want to try the 9T soon, I like some of the styling add ons to give it a more retro look, like the R style tank. I’d prefer twin shocks though and a smaller cc engine
I had a T100 as a loaner once while my Street Triple was in the shop. I liked it, but it felt rather badly underpowered compared to what I'm used to.
Thanks for watching Robert! It would be quite a bhp drop from the triple that is for sure 😊
Enjoyed the video thank you. Currently going through the T100/T120 conundrum so your video is very useful as a reference. Finally got a Triumph authorised dealership back where I live in Cyprus after far too many years, they’ve a good reputation which makes the decision to purchase easier.
Thanks again.
That is quite the conundrum. Questions I’d think about
Do you ride with pillion often?
Is there many motorways in Cyprus? And do you use them?
If answer to both is no then the T100 is a really capable bike. Though it can do both of the above
@@pintsizedbiker. Thanks for the reply. In answer to your questions, yes I have an occasional pillion rider, and although she’s a lightweight the difference in bike handling is of course noticeable. Motorways, probably not what UK riders would consider M/ways but good quality 2 lane major roads between the main towns + some excellent B roads up into the forested mountains ranges with bike friendly off road tracks through the forests. The mountains are where I do most of my riding for pleasure during the summer escaping the heat of the central plane and the coast and it’s that long steady climb upwards and then the descent that makes me wonder if I should go for the T120 with its additional power and twin front disc brakes.
Great video chap, I've just got my hands on a 07 Bonneville and love it so far. Quick question did you get your exhaust slip ons in the UK or have them shipped over? Struggling to find some for my year of bike. Cheers!
Thank you! I got them 2nd hand, during Covid a guy was going to do a build and then decided not to, they were about £200 cheaper.
From memory the earlier Bonnevilles could take a bigger range of slip on’s, the Dunstall ones always looked good
I like those tires. What sizes are they Please?
Do you use low Octane or high Octane fuel for that 75-79 MPG. The emblem on the gas tank has always been plastic which i feel they should have changed to metal 6 years ago other makes have the painted logo on the tank which doesn't reduce the price of the bike but it is there and i prefer that better you pay for what you get.
@@juans3728 I use shell V power which I think is 99. But I did use 95 previously but it wasn’t as smooth.
I never been too bothered about the logo. Can probably replace it pretty easily with an original.
@@pintsizedbiker TY for your reply.
Great review! Could you tell me what saddle bags you are using on this bike?
Thank you! They are triumph ones. I think originally for the earlier Bonneville’s but fit fine. The have clips that bolt under the seat
@@pintsizedbiker Got it, thanks man!!
The slightly snatchy throttle is the only negative with my otherwise brilliant 2018 T100.
Very true Simon!
Great video, cheers.😊
Thank you Michael!
how is the wind on the t100 at highway speeds? do you find it jarring and buffeting given its a naked bike with no windshield? does the bike feel stable and planted on the highway?
I don't find the jarring but i am short which probably helps as i have never felt an issue in 20 years of riding various bikes. It is stable but you can get a very gentle side ways movement but this might be down to the tyres or the wind catching the box I usually have
Occasionally find yourself trying to find a sixth gear. 😂 in America trying to find the sixth gear is an every time occurance. You hit 50mph when you need 6th gear. And every main road is 50 mph common speed, and freeways are 75-80 mph almost all the time. This is barely freeway drivable without screaming at the last bit of 5th gear. It’s fun to ride on the regular streets though.
a lot of folks seem to install an xpipe and delete the catalytic converter on the exhaust. do you suggest doing that ?
I did do that, I had it done after a week. It did give an improvement but wasn't night and day I have to say. I felt a bit improvement when i got a map done to match the exhaust
@@pintsizedbiker did you find the exhaust too loud after you installed the x pipe?
Hi have you done out with the forks ?? Been told u can get better springs put in them etc ????
Front yes, I swapped out for TEC fork springs. Noticeable difference
@@pintsizedbiker Hi how much are they ???? Is it a easy job ??? Looking for a orange and cream one on a 19 plate r a 20 need low mileage drop me text u c out I'm in Durham
I HAVE THE2010 900,ONE PROBLEM ,ITS HEAVY TO PUSH AROUND .
Compared to other bikes I’ve owned I don’t find it a struggle
I have exactly the same bike as you,year and colour same,I purchased a comfort seat but it doesn't completely lock into the retaining catch so I may have to raise the latch slightly,can I ask did you have any problem with yours please?
Hi Tony, now you say that it was quite stiff at first. I think from memory I gave it a bit of shove to click in. Not sure if something is blocking it. It does always go in though, I had just thought it was being a bit too gentle with it.
Thanks for your reply,it does always go into place and have been firm with it but just wont go down enough to be able to lock into place,its not unsafe to ride just cant lock it,anyway will try raising the catch a little.@@pintsizedbiker
Why the smaller mud guard, looks like it doesn’t guard radiator at all !
No issues and I prefer the look. More of the 70s feel that I am going for
@@pintsizedbiker it does look good!!👍🏼
@@michaelpina1858 thanks, I really want a proper sized stainless one for rear but they don’t exist without modifying a universal one, which probably isn’t that difficult just time etc
@@pintsizedbiker can you find a rear one from an older T100 or T120 , then modify it?
@@michaelpina1858 that would be the plan, it shouldn’t be too hard. But a few other jobs first, I want to out Hagon shocks on and maybe upgrade the brake first
I’m 6’ 2” 270 would it be comfortable for bigger riders
I can’t really say but I see now reason why not, there is thicker seats to raise height as well as longer shocks.
Also higher or wider bars might help. But I’d try it as is first
this or the street twin 900? what do you prefer ?
I’d prefer this, as I like that more classic style. But the street twin had a slightly more tuned engine in 2019, also would be lighter due to the different wheels. Street also had a lower seat, but I guess you could put a lower seat from street on a T100
Tires ?
Hi, thanks for watching. Dunlop TT100 GP
Holy shit, a phonebooth !
It’s full of books so calling someone would be tricky!
@@pintsizedbiker Time traveling is out too I suppose 😕.
@@leeinwis probably but turning into Superman is still on I reckon
A fantastic video and so true