Which Triumph Modern Classic Is Right For You? Buyer's Guide

Which Triumph Modern Classic Is Right for You?

Triumph's modern classics range is the biggest, most varied family in the whole line-up, and that's exactly why it causes the most head-scratching in the showroom. Six different bikes, all built around the same 900cc or 1200cc parallel-twin heart, all wearing that unmistakable Bonneville silhouette — yet each one rides, handles and suits a completely different kind of rider.

Do you want the lightest, cheapest way into Triumph ownership? The most authentic classic silhouette? Something that will happily take a gravel track in its stride? Or the most power you can get without leaving the family? This guide breaks down the Speed Twin 900, Bonneville T100, Scrambler 900, Bonneville T120, Speed Twin 1200 and Bonneville Bobber so you can work out which one belongs in your garage, usually every bike is available to view, sit on and test ride at Blade Triumph in Cheltenham and Stratford-upon-Avon.

At a Glance: The Full Line-Up

*Weight figure as published on the manufacturer spec sheet at time of writing, please confirm with your Blade Triumph showroom before relying on it. Prices correct at time of publication and include the base colour option; premium paint finishes carry a small uplift. Always confirm current OTR pricing with your local Blade dealer.

Speed Twin 900: The Easiest Way In

Light, agile and refreshingly uncomplicated

If you're coming straight off your test or stepping up from a smaller machine, the Speed Twin 900 is the one to sit on first. At 216kg it's the lightest bike in the whole modern classics range, and that lightness shows the moment you pull away, it's flickable, confidence-inspiring and never feels like it's working against you. The 900cc twin makes the same 80Nm of torque as the Bonneville T100 and Scrambler 900, but it's delivered through a naked roadster stance rather than a full classic silhouette, so the riding position is a touch more upright and immediate.

At £9,495 it's also the cheapest route into Triumph ownership, and it qualifies for Triumph's Ticket to Ride new rider initiative - up to £500 towards the purchase price if you've passed your test within the last 12 months. For riders who want classic Triumph character without any of the bulk, this is the obvious starting point.

Bonneville T100: The Authentic Original

The silhouette everyone pictures when you say "Bonneville"

The T100 is the bike that best captures why people fall for the Bonneville name in the first place. Spoked wheels, a twin-dial analogue clock, that teardrop tank, it's the closest thing in the current range to the classic Bonnevilles of decades past, just with fuel injection, a slipper clutch and cornering ABS quietly doing the hard work underneath. The same 900cc twin as the Speed Twin 900 delivers a smooth, unhurried spread of power that never feels like it's asking you to rush.

At 233kg it carries a bit more heft than the Speed Twin 900, largely down to the classic wire-spoked wheels and more traditional chassis, but that extra weight translates into a planted, reassuring feel at speed. It's also part of the £500 Ticket to Ride new rider offer, making it a genuinely accessible way to own a proper, classic-looking Triumph from day one.

Scrambler 900: The One That Doesn't Stop at Tarmac

Go-anywhere spirit with everyday manners

Take the Bonneville formula, fit a larger 19-inch front wheel, longer-travel Showa suspension, dual-purpose Metzeler Tourance tyres and a signature high-level twin exhaust, and you have the Scrambler 900. It uses the same 900cc twin as the Speed Twin 900 and T100, but with a dedicated Scrambler tune, and the taller, more upright riding position makes it genuinely happy standing on the pegs down a gravel track or byway, not just posing at the school run.

On the road it's every bit as usable as the rest of the range, the sump guard and wide bars are as much about presence as protection and at 221kg it splits the difference neatly between the Speed Twin 900 and the T100. It's also eligible for the £500 Ticket to Ride contribution, so if adventure riding on a budget is the goal, this is where to start looking.

Bonneville T120: The Complete Classic

Everything the T100 does, with the bigger engine to match

Step up to the T120 and you get the same beautifully finished Bonneville silhouette as the T100, twin analogue dials, chrome exhausts, spoked wheels, but built around the larger 1200cc twin. The result is 105Nm of torque, noticeably more shove low down and through the mid-range, plus twin front discs and Brembo calipers where the T100 makes do with a single disc. It's the bike Triumph itself describes as "part of who you are," and it's easy to see why once you've ridden it: nothing about it feels rushed, but nothing feels lacking either.

At 233kg it carries the same wet weight as the T100 despite the larger engine, so the extra performance doesn't come with a handling penalty. If you want the full classic experience without compromising on power, the T120 is where most riders in this range end up settling.

Speed Twin 1200: The Performance Pick

Classic looks, sports bike appetite

The Speed Twin 1200 is the one for riders who love the Bonneville aesthetic but don't want to compromise on outright pace. It's the most powerful bike in this guide by a clear margin, 105PS and 112Nm of torque from the same-capacity 1200cc twin that powers the T120 and Bobber, just tuned harder and breathing through a sportier state of tune. Marzocchi suspension front and rear, Brembo M50 monobloc radial calipers and a cast aluminium wheel set (rather than spokes) all point to a bike built for B-roads rather than boulevards.

It's a genuinely different riding experience to the rest of the range: sharper steering, a firmer ride and a soundtrack from the twin megaphone silencers that matches the performance on offer. At £12,795 it sits just above the T120 in price, but the two bikes are aimed at quite different riders, one prioritises classic comfort, the other outright thrills.

Bonneville Bobber: The Custom Icon

Low, muscular, and built to be noticed

The Bobber is the outlier of the range, and deliberately so. Stripped-back bodywork, a hardtail-look rear end that's actually a clever monoshock in disguise, and a seat height of just 690–700mm make it the most distinctive bike here by some distance and one of the easiest for shorter riders to get both feet flat on the floor. Under the minimal styling sits the same Bonneville High Torque 1200cc twin used in the T120, tuned for a punchy, low-down feel that suits its cruiser-influenced character.

At 251kg it's the heaviest bike in this guide, but the weight sits low and the riding position is relaxed rather than sporty, so it doesn't feel cumbersome at a standstill or in traffic. This is the bike for riders who want their Triumph to look like nothing else in the car park, and who are happy to trade outright practicality for genuine custom presence straight out of the showroom.

Which One Suits You?

Come and Ride the Range at Blade Triumph

Every bike in this guide is available to view and test ride at both Blade Triumph showrooms. Whether you're after the lightweight simplicity of the Speed Twin 900 or the low-slung attitude of the Bonneville Bobber, our teams in Cheltenham and Stratford-upon-Avon can talk you through the full range and get you out on the road.