Triumph Bonneville T120 vs. Harley Sportster Davidson 1200 Custom

• Table of Contents
• 1. Triumph Bonneville T120 vs. Harley Sportster 1200 Custom
• 2. Detailed Specs Comparison Between Bonneville T120 & Sportster 1200 Custom
• 3. Design: Bonneville T120 vs. Sportster 1200 Custom:
• 3.1 Triumph Bonneville T120 Design
• 3.2 Harley Sportster 1200 Custom Design
• 4. Engine & Performance: Bonneville T120 vs. Sportster 1200 Custom
• 4.1 Engine & Performance: Triumph Bonneville T120
• 4.2 Engine & Performance: Harley Sportster 1200 Custom
• 5. Comfort & Ergonomics: Bonneville T120 vs. Sportster 1200 Custom
• 5.1 Comfort & Ergonomics: Bonneville T120
• 5.2 Comfort & Ergonomics: Sportster 1200 Custom
• 6. Technology & Features: Bonneville T120 vs. Sportster 1200 Custom
• 7. Pros & Cons: Bonneville T120 vs. Sportster 1200 Custom:
• 7.1 Pros & Cons: Triumph Bonneville T120
• 7.2 Harley Sportster 1200 Custom Pros & Cons
• 8. Triumph Bonneville T120 vs. Harley Sportster 1200 Custom: Which is Better?
• 9. Frequently Asked Questions
• 9.1 Is the Triumph Bonneville T120 Good for Beginners?
• 9.2 Is the Triumph Bonneville T120 Comfortable
• 9.3 What Does the “Custom” in the Harley Davidson Sportster 1200 Custom’s Name Mean?
• 9.4 How Long Can a Harley Sportster 1200 Custom Last?
• 10. Takeaway

1. Triumph Bonneville T120 vs. Harley Sportster 1200 Custom

In the global motorcycle industry, there are two rival motorcycle companies whose origins began on opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean and are still competing with each other even to this day. In the United States, Harley Davidson has earned its reputation for being one of the longest-running American motorcycle manufacturers, consistently putting out new and updated cruisers, sports bikes, and touring bikes every year. In the United Kingdom, Triumph Motorcycles, originally called Bonneville Coventry, is the largest British motorcycle company famous for its cruisers, sports bikes, and adventure/dual sports bikes. Because of the high-quality construction, performance, and features each Harley and Triumph model has, they are highly sought after by thousands of motorcyclists in the U.S. and U.K. motorcycle communities, especially the motorcycle series that are still in production. Two examples of well-known motorcycles that have been recently updated and have comparable characteristics are the Triumph Bonneville T120 and the Harley Davidson Sportster 1200 Custom .

The Triumph Bonneville series's early history began in 1959, with the Triumph Bonneville T120 being the first model in this lineup. For 16 years, the earliest version of this Triumph model received multiple upgrades to its frame, steering, ignition, forks, and engine. They were not very powerful, being only fitted with a 650 cc engine. Due to the Meridian Motorcycle Cooperative worker's protest, the Triumph Bonneville T120 was temporarily discontinued. It was not until 2016 that the Triumph Bonneville T120 made a return with the latest technology and a modern look.

The Harley Davidson Sportster lineup can trace its origins to the Harley Davidson K model built in 1952. It was not until 1957 that the Harley Sportsters were finally given their official series title. For the first several decades, Harley Sportster models were powered by 883 cc and 1000 cc engines. In 1988, the first Harley motorcycle with a 1200 cc engine installed was introduced, then a few years later in 1996, a custom version of this motorcycle was introduced. This came to be known as the Harley Davidson Sportster 1200 Custom.

2. Detailed Specs Comparison Between Bonneville T120 & Sportster 1200 Custom

	Triumph Bonneville T120	Harley Davidson Sportster 1200 Custom
Basic Information
Manufacturer	Triumph	Harley Davidson
Year	2023	2020
Model	Bonneville T120	Sportster 1200 Custom
Motorcycle Type	Classic Cruiser	Custom Cruiser
Base Price	$12,395	$9,999
Colors	Jet Black Silver Ice/Cobalt Blue Silver Ice/Cordovan Red	Midnight Blue River Rock Gray River Rock Gray/Vivid Black Billiard Red/Vivid Black
Engine & Systems
Displacement	1200 cc	1,202 cc
Engine Type	Parallel-Twin Engine	Evolution V-Twin
Cooling System	Liquid-Cooled	Air-Cooled
Compression Ratio	10:1	10:1
Stroke	80 mm	96.8 mm
Bore	97.6 mm	88.9 mm
Cylinders	Two	Two
Drive Train	Chain	Chain
Transmission	Six-Speed	Five-Speed
Clutch	Wet Multi-Plate Torque Assist Clutch	Wet Multi-Plate
Exhaust	Chrome Two-into-Two Exhaust System with Twin Chrome Silencers	Chrome, Staggered, Shorty Exhaust with Dual Mufflers
Fuel Delivery System	Multipoint Sequential Electronic Fuel Injection	Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection
Performance & Capacity
Speed	120 mph	96.7 mph
Horsepower	78 hp	67 hp
Torque	104 Nm	96 Nm
Fuel Tank Capacity	3.83 gal	4.49 gal
Dimensions
Trail	105.2 mm	107 mm
Rake	25.5°	30°
Seat Height	790 mm	725 mm
Wheelbase	1,450 mm	1,530 mm
Weight	236 kg	268 kg
Ground Clearance	-	105 mm

3. Design: Bonneville T120 vs. Sportster 1200 Custom:

3.1 Triumph Bonneville T120 Design

The Triumph Bonneville T120 is a sleek cruiser that combines a traditional and modern aesthetic. It is built with a trail size of 105.2 mm, a rake angle of 25.5°, and a wheelbase of 1,450 mm. The Triumph Bonneville T120’s handlebars are within the rider's reach, ensuring a comfortable and relaxed riding position that makes this vehicle best suited for short commutes through the city. The front suspensions are 41 mm cartridge forks, while the rear suspensions are twin RSUs with pre-load adjustment. The front brakes are twin 310 mm discs with a Brembo 2 piston floating caliper and an ABS, while the rear brake is a single 255 mm disc with a Nissin 2 piston floating caliper and an ABS. The front and rear wheels are aluminum rimmed 32-spoke wheels, with the front tire being a 100/90-18 tire and the rear tire being a 150/70 R17 tire.

The Triumph Bonneville T120’s chassis has a painted finish and chrome plating. The engine and exhaust are blacked-out to complement the dark brown seat better. Though this vehicle is built with aluminum engine casings, long cooling fins, and twin-skin brushed exhaust, this Triumph model has a streamlined, aerodynamic design. This vehicle can come in the following color schemes: jet black, silver ice/cobalt blue, and silver ice/cordovan red.

3.2 Harley Sportster 1200 Custom Design

The Harley Davidson Sportster 1200 Custom is a custom-style model that retains aspects of the Harley Sportster 1200’s overall design. This motorcycle is built with a trail size of 107 mm, a rake angle of 30°, and a wheelbase of 1,530 mm. The Harley Sportster 1200 Custom’s handlebars are covered in chrome and slightly swept back so that riders do not have to bend too far forward to reach the grips, making this vehicle best suited for short-distance travel on city streets. The front and rear brakes are dual-piston calipers. The front and rear wheels are black steel laced, with the front tire being a 130/90B16 73H tire and the rear tire being a 150/80B16 77H tire.

The Harley Sportster 1200 Custom comes with blacked-out and chrome parts. The engine is constructed out of lightweight aluminum heads and cylinders. The engine has blacked-out rockers and an oval air cleaner cover, and a black and chrome timer cover. Other blacked-out parts include the side mirrors, turn signals, and gauges mounted on the handlebars. The Harley Sportster 1200 Custom’s exhaust pipes, mufflers, front forks, and handlebars are covered in chrome. This vehicle can come in the following color schemes: midnight blue, river rock gray, river rock gray/vivid black, and billiard red/vivid black.

4. Engine & Performance: Bonneville T120 vs. Sportster 1200 Custom

4.1 Engine & Performance: Triumph Bonneville T120

The Triumph Bonneville T120 is powered by a 1200 cc liquid-cooled, 8-valve, SOHC, parallel twin engine. This motorcycle has a six-gear transmission system connected to the rear tire via a chain train drive. The Triumph Bonneville T120’s engine can reach a maximum torque of 104 Nm at 3,500 rpm and a maximum horsepower of 78 hp at 6,550 rpm. Designed with a bore of 97.6 mm and a stroke of 80 mm, this engine allows the Triumph motorcycle to attain a top speed of 120 mph. Its liquid-cooling system can reliably prevent the engine from overheating regardless of the weather and air temperature.

4.2 Engine & Performance: Harley Sportster 1200 Custom

The Harley Davidson Sportster 1200 Custom is powered by a 1,202 cc air-cooled Evolution V-twin engine. This model has a five-gear transmission system connected to the rear tire via a chain train drive. The Harley Sportster 1200 Custom can produce a maximum torque of 96 Nm at 3,500 rpm and a maximum horsepower of 67 hp at 6,000 rpm. Designed with a bore of 88.9 mm and a stroke of 96.8 mm, this engine makes it possible for this Harley motorcycle to ride at least 96.7 mph. The air-cooled system will work optimally in moderate and cool weather conditions, but will not be able to keep the engine cool during sunny and hot days.

5. Comfort & Ergonomics: Bonneville T120 vs. Sportster 1200 Custom

5.1 Comfort & Ergonomics: Bonneville T120

The Triumph Bonneville T120’s seat comes in dark brown and stands at a height of 790 mm. Designed with a neutral riding position, high-quality suspensions, and lightweight parts, this Triumph model is capable of quick acceleration and high maneuverability. Thanks in large part to the adjustable rear suspensions, the Triumph Bonneville T120 offers comfort and stability when traveling across short distances. It is possible to adjust the height of the rear suspensions to better suit the needs of individual riders, making this vehicle suited for all riders regardless of height. The adjustable rear suspensions can also leave enough room for you to install luggage like saddlebags, tank bags, sissy bar bags , tail bags, trunks , backpacks, or solo bags.

The Triumph Bonneville T120 is a better fit for short commutes, but it can be used for touring. Due to the seat having a large surface area, the cushion will help your bottom stay comfortable even when going on long trips. The Triumph Bonneville T120’s cruise control allows you to leisurely ride which will help reduce fatigue on long trips. While you can modify the Triumph Bonneville T120 to give it extra features and improve its comfortability, it may not be necessary to install aftermarket parts .

5.2 Comfort & Ergonomics: Sportster 1200 Custom

The Harley Davidson Sportster 1200 Custom’s seat comes in standard black and stands at a height of 725 mm. This motorcycle is designed with an upright riding position and mid-mounted foot controls, making it better suited for shorter riders. Due to its bold throwback styling and aggressive riding position, this vehicle is ideal for traveling short distances through the city or on commutes.

Due to its softer adjustable rear suspensions, the Harley Sportster 1200 Custom does not handle well when traveling over long distances. Should you travel for more than a few hours or the terrain of the road becomes rougher, you may begin to experience discomfort in your back and bottom. Though it is possible to modify the Harley Sportster 1200 Custom with aftermarket parts to adjust the seat height so it is more comfortable for average riders, this motorcycle is unfortunately not suited for touring. You can improve its capabilities somewhat by installing crash bars, fairings, luggage racks, and sissy bars.

6. Technology & Features: Bonneville T120 vs. Sportster 1200 Custom

	Triumph Bonneville T120	Harley Sportster 1200 Custom
ABS	✔	Optional
Instrument Cluster	Handlebar-Mounted	Handlebar-Mounted
Clock	✔	✔
Dual Trip Meter	✔	✔
Speedometer	✔	✔
Odometer	✔	✔
Tachometer	✔	✔
Fuel Guage	✔	✔
Fuel Warning Indicator	✔	✔
Low Oil Indicator	✔	✔
Traction Mode	✔	X
Throttle Control	✔	X
Riding Modes	✔	X

7. Pros & Cons: Bonneville T120 vs. Sportster 1200 Custom:

7.1 Pros & Cons: Triumph Bonneville T120

Triumph Bonneville T120 Pros	Triumph Bonneville T120 Cons
Suitable for any weather conditions Can be ridden by all riders Beginner-friendly motorcycle High traction due to lighter tires and traction control Can offer leisurely rides due to cruise control Lightweight and highly responsive Ideal for short- and long-distance travel	Overall weight makes turning tight corners difficult Competitively expensive price Less fuel capacity Less bulky & durable chassis Issues with electrical system Water leaking into gauges and dials

7.2 Harley Sportster 1200 Custom Pros & Cons

Harley Sportster 1200 Custom Pros	Harley Sportster 1200 Custom Cons
Ideal for commutes and short-distance rides Beginner-friendly motorcycle Can be ridden by shorter and average riders Offers stable and easy handling Lightweight and sleek frame Adjustable rear suspensions	Shorter wheel travel distance Uncomfortable stock seat Not ideal for touring and long-distance trips ABS is a non-standard feature No built-in storage Less ground clearance Softer rear suspensions No riding modes

8. Triumph Bonneville T120 vs. Harley Sportster 1200 Custom: Which is Better?

Both the Triumph Bonneville T120 and the Harley Davidson Sportster 1200 Custom come with a wet, multi-plate clutch that connects the transmission to the engine. Both of them are beginner-friendly bikes and are suitable for shorter and average riders. Both of them are also reliable vehicles for short commutes and traveling through the city.

The Triumph Bonneville T120 has better overall performance since it is capable of higher speed, horsepower, and torque than the Harley Davidson 1200 Custom. Being fitted with a six-speed transmission system means that the Triumph Bonneville T120 can reliably travel on highways for several miles and hours without experiencing any discomfort. With its seat height of 790 mm, shorter, average, and taller riders can operate this vehicle with little difficulty. Because the Triumph Bonneville T120 can be customized, it is possible to install crash bars, fairings, luggage racks, and sissy bars.

The Harley Davidson Sportster 1200 Custom has a larger fuel capacity which means you do not have to refill on gas as often as with the Triumph Bonneville T120. Its lower seat height means it is easier to mount the Harley Davidson 1200 Custom’s saddle and makes it possible to flat foot when slowed or stopped. This motorcycle’s ground clearance and wet weight make it highly maneuverable in heavy traffic or when turning tight corners. It is possible to attach luggage and increase the Harley Sportster 1200 Custom’s carrying capacity with saddlebags, tank bags, sissy bar bags, tail bags, trunks, backpacks , or solo bags.

9. Frequently Asked Questions

9.1 Is the Triumph Bonneville T120 Good for Beginners?

Though it is recommended that beginners try to practice riding on motorcycles with engine sizes at least or below 600 cc, the Triumph Bonneville T120 can be a surprisingly beginner-friendly motorcycle. This Triumph model’s torque and horsepower are manageable and are not so responsive that they jump to full power with only slight prompting. Due to its lighter weight of 236 kg and its seat height of 790 mm, the Triumph Bonneville T120 offers better balance and control which will allow beginners to practice without undue stress.

9.2 Is the Triumph Bonneville T120 Comfortable

The Triumph Bonneville T120 comes with a low seat height and a comfortable riding position for riders of varying heights. Its long and durable rider’s seat has enough surface area for you to rest your bottom without any discomfort. Also, the heated grips on the handlebars will help keep your hands warm if you are ever riding in cool weather conditions.

9.3 What Does the “Custom” in the Harley Davidson Sportster 1200 Custom’s Name Mean?

A custom motorcycle like the Harley Davidson Sportster 1200 Custom is a modified version of an original model with one or several significant stylistics or structural changes that improve its performance, look, etc. Not as mass-produced as standard motorcycles, custom models may only be manufactured for a limited time and/or come in a limited quantity.

9.4 How Long Can a Harley Sportster 1200 Custom Last?

As with most Harley Davidson motorcycles, the Haley Sportster 1200 Custom can travel at least 75,000 miles or last for 25 years if you make sure to good care of its condition and constantly keep up with its maintenance. So long as it does not suffer severe damage, is stored correctly during different seasons, and is cleaned regularly, it is possible to extend the Harley Sportster 1200 Custom’s lifespan to 100,000 miles.

10. Takeaway

The Triumph Bonneville T120 and the Harley Davidson Sportster 1200 Custom are cruisers from rival motorcycle companies, built to fulfill different purposes and reflect the quality of their brands. The Triumph Bonneville T120 is an updated, newer model with fewer technical issues and is well-rounded due to being accessible to all riders, plus being better suited for travel across short and long distances. The Harley Sportster 1200 Custom is more affordable, has better fuel efficiency and short-range performance, and is relatively easy to handle for newer and intermediate motorcyclists. Before you decide whether one motorcycle is better than the other, take some time to review the Triumph Bonneville T120 and Harley Sportster 1200 Custom’s specifications so you can have a better understanding of both vehicles.

Photo Credit: @triumphmotorcycles ,  @thunderbike