Triumph Bonneville T120 (2016-2020) Maintenance Schedule
This is the maintenance schedule with associated service intervals for the Triumph Bonneville T120 motorcycles made from 2016 to 2020 using Triumph’s new 1200cc “High Torque” motor.
The T120 name has a long history — the original production run of T120 motorcycles was from 1959. But the 1200cc T120 is a far cry from that motorcycle of the past other than its retro aesthetic.
The new Triumph Bonneville T120 was also released in a few variants, the T120 Black (blacked out, cool design), T120 Ace (the limited edition Café version) and the T120 Diamond. Maintenance is the same for them, as the differences are largely cosmetic.
The maintenance schedule is also very similar to those for other motorcycles with similar engines in the Triumph Modern Classics, like the Speed Twin.
In 2021, Triumph updated the 2021+ Triumph Bonneville T120, re-working the motor and improving the brakes significantly.
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Triumph Bonneville T120 Service Intervals
Overall, the Triumph Bonneville T120 has 10000 mile / 16000 km or annual service intervals, similar to other Triumphs with the 1200 engine.
At every service, change the oil and filter. Triumph also has a list of checks 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 Bonnie 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.
Tools you may need to maintain your motorcycle
To maintain your motorcycle you need to make sure you have the best oil and other consumables, motorcycle-specific tools, and other tools for your workshop.
Below we’ve listed:
- The most essential motorcycle tools for everyday maintenance
- General workshop tools (sockets, pliers, wrenches etc.) for motorcycles and other use
What you need to service a Triumph Bonneville T120
Triumph recommends many specific kinds of consumables for their motorcycles with the 1200cc engine.
Here’s a list of the things you need to service your Triumph Bonneville T120.
| Triumph | Part spec — Triumph Bonneville T120 (2016-2020) |
|---|---|
| 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 HD4X Hybrid OAT coolant or an HD4X equivalent, like PEAK OET European Vehicles Blue. See our analysis of equivalents to Triumph HD4X. |
| 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. 
|
| 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 the Triumph Bonneville T120
Below is the list of maintenance operations and to be done on the Triumph Bonneville T120 with a distance or time interval — whichever comes earlier.
Notes
- Part of the below table includes checks you should do every day.
- Do the daily checks as part of the annual service.
- The break-in maintenance schedule is omitted — usually a dealer does this under the warranty period. It’s just an oil / filter change plus a check for leaks and chafing.
- Items marked [T] are for Triumph dealers/techs.
| mi x 1000 | 10 | 20 | 30 | 40 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km x 1000 | 16 | 32 | 48 | 64 | Every |
| Lubrication | |||||
| Engine – check for leaks | • | • | • | • | Day |
| Engine oil – replace (Castrol Power 1 Racing 4T 10W-40) | • | • | • | • | Year |
| Engine oil filter – replace (HF204RC) | • | • | • | • | Year |
| Fuel System and Engine Management | |||||
| Fuel system – check for leaks, chafing etc. | • | • | • | • | |
| Throttle body plate (butterfly) – check/clean | • | • | • | • | |
| [T] Autoscan – Carry out a full Autoscan using the Triumph Diagnostic Tool | • | • | • | • | Year |
| Air cleaner – replace (TB-1216) | • | • | • | • | |
| Fuel filter – replace | • | • | |||
| Throttle bodies – balance | • | • | • | • | |
| Fuel hoses – replace | 4 years | ||||
| Evaporative loss hoses (if fitted) – replace | 4 years | ||||
| Ignition system | |||||
| Spark plugs – check | • | • | |||
| Spark plugs – replace (LMAR8A-9) | • | • | |||
| 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 | 3 years | ||||
| Engine | |||||
| Clutch cable – check function and adjust as necessary | • | • | • | • | Day |
| Valve clearances – check | • | • | |||
| Camshaft timing | • | • | |||
| Wheels and Tires | |||||
| Tire wear/tire damage – check | • | • | • | • | Day |
| Tire pressures – check/adjust | • | • | • | • | Day |
| Wheels – inspect for damage | • | • | • | • | Day |
| Wheels – check wheels for broken or damaged spokes and check spoke tightness (when fitted) | • | • | • | • | Day |
| Wheel bearings – check for wear/smooth operation | • | • | • | • | Year |
| Steering and Suspension | |||||
| Steering – check for free operation | • | • | • | • | Day |
| Front and rear suspension – check for damage/ leaks/smooth operation | • | • | • | • | Day |
| Fork oil – replace | • | ||||
| Steering head bearings – check/adjust | • | • | • | • | Year |
| Steering head bearings – lubricate | • | • | |||
| Brakes | |||||
| Brake pads – check wear levels | • | • | • | • | Day |
| Brake master cylinders – check for fluid leaks | • | • | • | • | Year |
| Brake calipers – check for fluid leaks and seized pistons | • | • | • | • | Year |
| Brake fluid levels – check | • | • | • | • | Day |
| Brake fluid – replace (use DOT 4 only) | 2 years | ||||
| Drive Chain | |||||
| Drive chain slack – check/adjust | • | • | • | • | Day |
| Drive chain – wear check | 500 miles (800 km) | ||||
| Drive chain – lubricate (Motul chain paste) | 200 miles (300 km) | ||||
| Drive chain rubbing strips – check | • | • | • | • | |
| Electrical | |||||
| All lights, instruments and electrical systems – check/adjust | • | • | • | • | Day |
| General | |||||
| [T] Instruments, chassis ECM (if equipped) and engine ECM – check for latest calibration download using the Triumph diagnostic tool | • | • | • | • | Year |
| Fasteners – inspect visually for security | • | • | • | • | Day |
| Bank angle indicators – check for wear | • | • | • | • | Day |
| Side stand/Center stand – lubricate/check operation | • | • | • | • | Day |
| Side stand pivot pin – clean/grease | • | • | • | • | |
| [T] Carry out all outstanding Service Bulletin and warranty work | • | • | • | • | Year |
| Carry out road test | • | • | • | • | Year |
| [T] Complete the service record book and reset the service indicator | • | • | • | • | Year |
About the Triumph Bonneville T120
The Triumph Bonneville T120 is the classic Bonneville — a relaxed upright roadster — with a big, torque-laden engine.
It’s not a sportbike, nor is it pretending to be. And while it isn’t a cruiser, it’s very comfortable, to the point where many riders often compare a Bonneville to cruiser options like the Harley Davidson Iron 1200.
The twin throttle bodies are styled to remind you of carburettors, but the engine in the Triumph Bonneville T120 is entirely modern. It’s a liquid-cooled eight-valve parallel twin that makes a ton of torque — as much as 104 Nm (77 ft-lb) at a lowly 3100 rpm. Lots of torque is available right off idle, so you’re never short on thrust.
The Bonnie T120 isn’t a high-power machine, but the 59 kW (79 hp) it makes is enough to get you well and truly over speed limits, by which time the relaxed position will start to feel unnatural and uncomfortable, anyway.
It’s easy to dismiss liquid-cooled motorcycles as being less-simple and higher-maintenance, but the Bonneville T120 does it with grace. The radiator coolant only needs to be changed every four years, and it’s tastefully hidden between the frame at the front of the motorcycle. Yes, it’s there, but it’s well-concealed.
There are a lot of style and finish details that make the Triumph Bonneville T120 very easy on the eye. Why don’t they make cars like this anymore? A few of these details are
- Recessed gauges — like vintage watches
- Stylised fuel injector housings that look like carburettors
- A catalytic converter hidden away under the bike
- Hoses and lines mostly tucked away from view
- Chrome and black in abundance (in varying amounts, depending on whether you got the T120 Black)
The engine is also an incomparable improvement over the 865cc air-cooled engine in the last Bonneville T100. In fact, it seems silly to say “this bike makes X% more power and torque”, because it’s just a different motor. What they have in common, however, is loads of character — more, even, because the T120’s high-torque 1200cc motor has a 270cc crankshaft for a lumpier idle and raspier roar.
The front forks are a conventional (non-inverted) setup, but are cartridge style, giving a plusher ride — though you can’t push them too hard. Braking is also competent with twin 310mm discs, though grabbed only by Nissin two-piston calipers. ABS is standard on the Triumph Bonneville T120.
The 2021+ Triumph Bonneville T120 has slightly improved braking, lower-weight wheels, and Euro 5 compliance.
Manual for the Triumph Bonneville T120
The above maintenance schedule comes directly from the user’s manual for the Triumph Bonneville T120 , which is available on the Triumph website.
