Triumph Bonneville T120 (2021+) Maintenance Schedule
This is the maintenance schedule with associated service intervals for the Triumph Bonneville T120 motorcycle, an update to the 2016-2020 original Bonneville T120.
The Bonneville is a staple of the Triumph line and has been for many decades. The T120 is the modern incarnation of the classic Bonneville, with a high-torque liquid-cooled 1200cc engine.
Like its predecessor, the Triumph Bonneville T120 is a relaxed standard with a comfortable riding position. It has a character-filled 1198cc parallel twin that’s optimised for torque — in contrast with some of its sportier stablemates which have the same basic block but optimised for power.
While it sounds like not much more, the Bonneville T120 is a big step up from the 2021+ Triumph Bonneville T100.
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Triumph Bonneville T120 Service Intervals
Overall, similar to the previous gen, the Triumph Bonneville T120 has 10000 mile / 16000 km or annual service intervals.
At every service, change the engine oil and filter. Triumph also has a list of checks (for condition, lubrication etc.) to do on your motorcycle — see the schedule below.
The major valve service interval is every 20000 miles / 32000 km. At the same time, change the spark plugs.
Since the Triumph Bonneville T120 is liquid-cooled, you do need to periodically replace the coolant. And also keep the brake fluid fresh.
Otherwise, keep the chain lubed and clean, and generally keep the motorcycle in good order, and it should be good to go for a long time without major repairs — the 1200 engine is rock-solid reliable.
What you need to service a Triumph Bonneville T120 (2021+)
The Bonneville T120 is an easy bike to work on — removing the tank is easy and there are only two cylinders to deal with.
You need the below parts to service your Bonneville T120.
| Triumph | Part spec — Triumph Bonneville T120 (2021+) |
|---|---|
| Oil | Triumph recommends 10W/40 or 10W/50 semi or fully synthetic motorcycle engine oil that meets specification API SH (or higher) and JASO MA, such as Castrol Power 1 Racing 4T 10W-40 (fully synthetic) engine oil. You can also use another of similar spec too, like Motul 7100 10W-40. |
| Oil filter | Replace the oil filter every time you change the oil. Use Triumph part number T1218001. You can also use HifloFiltro’s HF204RC. |
| Brake fluid | Use Castrol DOT 4 for the brake fluid for the T120 |
| Coolant | Triumph uses Hybrid Organic Acid Technology coolant with a 50% ethylene glycol mix. Many Triumph owners use Valvoline Zerex G05. |
| Front brake pads | The part for the brakes are T2027535/T2027545 (for left/right respectively). A popular upgrade is EBC brake pads for better bite, less fade, and longer life. The part code for the Triumph Bonneville T120 is FA142HH. See this image from the EBC brakes catalogue if you’re not sure.  These parts appear to be the same as the 2016-2020 T120 despite the change from Nissin to Brembo calipers. |
| Rear brake pads | Use FA214/2HH (same for many Triumph motorcycles). |
| Spark plugs | NGK code LMAR8A-9. Note they’re sold individually. Make sure they’re gapped to 0.9mm with an appropriate spark plug gap tool. |
| Air filter | The part number for the air filter is T2201057. You can also use K&N part TB-9016. |
| Cable maintenance | Protect All Cable Life is a good-quality cable maintenance product. You can also use engine oil (but it’s a bit messy) |
| Chain maintenance | A good kit to have on hand is the Motul chain care kit — including lubricant, cleaners, a brush, and so on. |
Maintenance Schedule for Triumph Bonneville T120 (2021+)
The following is the list of maintenance operations and to be done on this motorcycle with a distance or time interval — whichever comes earlier.
Maintenance of the Triumph Bonneville T120 follows the same pattern as many other Triumph motorcycles. The maintenance intervals are every 10 000 miles (16 000 km), and there’s a valve service every two services.
- Part of the below table includes checks you should do every day. Do these as part of the annual check too.
- The break-in service is omitted for simplicity. It is an oil + filter change and a check for leaks, cracks, and damage.
- Keep repeating this maintenance schedule beyond the end of the indicated time/distance.
- Items marked [D] are for those with dealer tools
| Mi x 1000 | 10 | 20 | 30 | 40 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Km x 1000 | 16 | 32 | 48 | 64 | Every |
| Lubrication | |||||
| Engine – check for leaks | • | • | • | • | Day |
| Engine oil – replace | • | • | • | • | Year |
| Engine oil filter – replace | • | • | • | • | Year |
| Fuel System and Engine Management | |||||
| Fuel system – check for leaks | • | • | • | • | |
| Air filter – replace | • | • | • | • | More often if riding in dusty conditions |
| Fuel filter – replace | • | • | |||
| Spark plugs – renew | • | • | |||
| Cooling system | |||||
| Cooling system – check for leaks | • | • | • | • | Day |
| Cooling system – check coolant hoses for chafing/cracks/damage. Replace if necessary. | • | • | • | • | |
| Coolant level – check/adjust | • | • | • | • | Day |
| Coolant – replace (Zerex G05) | 3 years | ||||
| Engine | |||||
| Clutch cable – check function and adjust as necessary (lubricate as needed with Protect All Cable Life) | • | • | • | • | Day |
| Clutch lever pivot – lubricate | • | • | • | • | Year |
| Valve clearances – check | • | • | |||
| Camshaft timing – check/adjust | • | • | |||
| Wheels and Tires | |||||
| Tire wear/tire damage – check | • | • | • | • | Day |
| Tire pressures – check/adjust | • | • | • | • | Day |
| Wheels – inspect for damage | • | • | • | • | Day |
| Wheel bearings – check for wear/smooth operation | • | • | • | • | Year |
| Spokes – check for cracked/damaged spokes, and for tightness – adjust as necessary | • | • | • | • | Day |
| Steering and Suspension | |||||
| Steering – check for free operation | • | • | • | • | Day |
| Front and rear suspension – check for damage/leaks/smooth operation | • | • | • | • | Day |
| Fork oil – replace | • | ||||
| Headstock bearings – check/adjust | • | • | • | Year | |
| Brakes | |||||
| Brake system – check operation | • | • | • | • | Day |
| Brake pads – check wear levels, replace as necessary | • | • | • | • | Day |
| Brake master cylinders – check for fluid leaks | • | • | • | • | Year |
| Brake fluid levels – check | • | • | • | • | Day |
| Brake fluid – replace (Castrol DOT 4) | 2 years | ||||
| Drive Chain | |||||
| Drive chain slack – check/adjust | • | • | • | • | Year |
| Drive chain – check wear | 500 mi (800 km) | ||||
| Drive chain – lubricate (Motul Chain Care Kit) | 200 mi (300 km) | ||||
| Drive chain rubbing strips – check for wear, cracks, or damage | • | • | • | • | Year |
| General & Electrics | |||||
| All lights, instruments and electrical systems – check/adjust | • | • | • | • | Day |
| [D] Autoscan — carry out a full autoscan using the Triumph Diagnostic Tool | • | • | • | • | Year |
| [D] Instruments and engine ECM – check for latest calibration using the Triumph diagnostic tool | • | • | • | • | Year |
| Bank angle indicators – check visually for wear | • | • | • | • | Day |
| Side stand/Center stand – check for wear/smooth operation. Lubricate as necessary | • | • | • | • | Day |
| [D] Carry out all outstanding Service Bulletin and warranty work | • | • | • | • | Year |
| Carry out road test | • | • | • | • | Year |
| [D] Complete the service record book and reset the service indicator | • | • | • | • | Year |
About the Triumph Bonneville T120 (2021+)
The Triumph Bonneville T120 2021+ takes the same basic formula of the original 2016-2020 Bonneville T120 and improves on it in a number of ways.
Primarily, the 2021 update is a Euro 5 emissions compliance update, but some components were updated at the same time, and Triumph simplified the maintenance requirements.
Both the original and the 2021+ T120 have the Triumph 1200cc (actually 1198cc) “High Torque” parallel twin engine, a dual overhead cam 8-valve engine with a 270-degree crank.
The power quoted is the same too — a peak of 59 kW (80 PS or 79 bhp) at 6550 rpm, and 105 Nm (77 lb-ft) at 3500 rpm. This is in contrast with many of the other 2021+ Triumph Modern Classics (like the 2021+ Speed Twin) which got a higher-output engine.
But the 2021 Bonneville T120 gets some subtle upgrades
- Brembo 2-piston calipers, replacing the older Nissin 2-piston calipers. Still on 310mm floating discs
- 7 kg lighter weight, mostly in the lighter aluminium wheel rims and calipers, which lead to much lower unsprung mass and better handling
- Standard cruise control
- More rev-happy engine, through a lighter crankshaft
The lighter wheels and brakes is a sleeper update. It seems like a tiny amount to remove from a fairly heavy motorcycle, but the fact that it comes from the wheels and brakes means that in many people’s opinions, the 2021+ Triumph Bonneville T120 is the best-handling Bonneville ever — more so than its smaller sibling, the T100, which is lighter.
However, this isn’t a bike made for going too quickly. It’s fairly heavy, at 236 kg fully fuelled, and the brake calipers are simple two-piston units on a 310mm disc. It’s fairly easy to reach the brakes’ limits in an emergency. Fortunately, ABS is standard.
As with the last generation, the Triumph Bonneville T120 for 2021+ comes as the Bonneville T120 Black, as well. It’s the same bike, but with blacked out details like the engine, exhaust, and so on.
Manual for the Triumph Bonneville T120 (2021+)
The above maintenance schedule comes directly from the user’s manual for the Triumph Bonneville T120 (2021), which is available on the Triumph website.
