T120

Discussion in 'Newbies Hangout' started by David Caven, Aug 1, 2022.

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  1. Hi, I'm currently eyeing a T120 as a first motorcycle. I have been leering at them for over a year. Any thoughts? I live in Houston and will mainly be riding around town but think the T120 might be better suited for the rare freeway rides.
     
  2. Helmut Visor

    Helmut Visor Only dead fish go with the flow
    Subscriber

    Oct 3, 2018
    6,095
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    Howdy David :cool:
     
  3. Hi. I think I requested to be added to this site months ago but it has just happened, I'm still in the process so all is well.
     
  4. DavidS

    DavidS Member

    Jun 19, 2022
    28
    18
    East Sussex
    Hi and welcome.
    I love mine but it is used more for country back lanes.
    I have put a smaller gearbox sprocket on it though and it makes it much easier to ride and more responsive but US gearing may be different to UK.
     
  5. Mrs Visor

    Mrs Visor Elite Member

    Aug 21, 2021
    3,186
    800
    UK
    Hi and welcome!
     
  6. Bikerman

    Bikerman I used to have 5500 posts.

    Oct 29, 2014
    1,406
    1,000
    Lincolnshire
    Greetings from Lincolnshire
     
  7. Markus

    Markus Crème de la Crème
    Subscriber

    Oct 28, 2020
    2,825
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    AUSTRIA
    @David Caven: Hi there! Welcome to the forum. I am using my T120 as a 2nd bike, but I have already covered 8,500 km with it since April. You can use it for short trips, but also daily stages in the range up to 600 km are no problem. My T120 has so far proven itself on all roads, from small country roads to the highway.
     
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  8. Wessa

    Wessa Cruising

    Apr 27, 2016
    11,318
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    Hi and welcome….
     
  9. Dartplayer

    Dartplayer Crème de la Crème

    Aug 8, 2018
    6,912
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    New Zealand
    Hi David and welcome to the forum :cool: best wishes on your purchase :p
     
  10. triumph900

    triumph900 Active Member

    Dec 24, 2017
    117
    43
    US
    First bike? Hmmmm. Maybe. A lot depends on your comfort level, skill set you've developed so far, your size.
    Does the T120 fit you? It's not huge but it is a bit tall and heavy. It's not difficult to ride and it has ABS, TC and traction controls, which is nice. The ride modes are great, and since your new, I'd suggest using Rain mode to get used to things.
    Many will say "get a used bike as a starter". There are good reasons to do that. If you did decide to do that, maybe a used T100 to start?
    But if you want a T120, it is a fine bike.
    Be safe and happy hunting.
     
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  11. BLKWND

    BLKWND Member

    Nov 17, 2020
    34
    18
    HOUSTON
    Hello David. I’m just north of IKEA.
    The T120 is a lot of bike. For anyone, with any amount of experience.

    Most might suggest you learn on dirt first, or with a smaller bike, or an older bike, or one with more plastic than metal bits…

    I learned on a new 2004 Speedmaster and managed to scratch out 1000 miles a month for the next 10 years without commuting to work on it. It taught me a lot. There are milestones and thresholds you will experience, and nobody is going to tell you what those are, or when you will cross them, but it is a never-ending learning process.

    Back then, I had kids and an ex in San Marcos, family in Livingston and Deer Park, and I chase SHSU football and baseball everywhere I can as a destination and excuse to ride. That little 790cc Speedmaster engine had plenty of power and torque to do it all. The bike was quite large and comfortable but the displacement of the engine was more than adequate and very satisfying. Many a 10 hour day or more in the saddle, trips up into north Georgia and even to Myrtle Beach and back. Carlsbad, enroute to Conway, Arkansas - I got around. And I wore it out at 115K miles.

    I knew I needed a Tiger for the long rides I make, and I went and put 40 miles on a demo Tiger 1200, expecting a Tiger 900 would be the wiser choice, but I intended to ride a R3, and a new RS. The new Speedmaster is a smaller chassis and I felt it a downgrade. But my salesman friend had a new T120 waiting for me when I returned with the Tiger1200, and I figured why not. I had never ridden a standard bike before!

    I was grinning before I got off the parking lot. I put 10 miles on it, came back and placed my order. It was the hot-rod vibe of the Bonneville that hooked me. 14K miles later, and I just had the third pair of tires put on. I took it to Stephenville and back again the same night. Two weeks later I rode to Abilene, and only spent the next night as there were no rooms to be had when I arrived and I needed sleep.

    The Comfort Seat is a necessity, and is as described. You’ll want a windscreen (look to Madstadt), and I would suggest fog lights/driving lights - so others on the road will see YOU, and they do help see the ditches at night.

    When I’m not in Houston, I’m always looking for deer, hogs, or other livestock, so I’m not as apt to ride too fast unless on the Interstate or other major improved roadways, but the closer I get into Houston the faster I go. That’s a defense. I like the gearing as is, as it suits the riding I do the most.

    For a first bike, as many before have stated, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the T100. Other than only having a 5-speed gearbox and only one front disc brake, which is more than adequate in both instances, the T100 itself is a lot of motorcycle.

    I still need that Tiger in my life, and the Tiger 660 is an excellent all-rounder, with still more power and torque than the 790cc Speedmaster had. I’m drooling over a new Tiger 1200 GT for the bigger instrument display and the shaft drive. They’ve finally trimmed the beast down to a more manageable size I think I can live with, but I won’t be doing anything anytime soon. I love the T120, and every time I make a late night run through downtown Houston and back I feel like Superman again for another day. It’s a gentleman’s sport bike, and a good looker, at that, and it eats urban traffic for breakfast.
     

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