Brixton Cromwell 1200: A True Modern Classic Built to Ride

There’s something magnetic about taking a modern classic up into the hills. That connection between old-school charm and raw road presence, with just enough technology to keep you from sliding into the ditch when the roads get greasy. When I heard we were testing the Brixton Cromwell 1200 up in Bilaspur, I didn’t hesitate. Not because I expected the Cromwell to be a revelation, I was curious, sure, but because the quiet, rugged roads above Bilaspur are the kind of proving ground where a motorcycle shows you exactly what it’s made of. No marketing, no Instagram filters. Just grit, road, and gravity. What surprised me most wasn’t how good the Cromwell 1200 was (though it is), but how honest it felt. It doesn’t scream for attention. It doesn’t try to outdo anyone in flash or gimmicks. It just rolls up, rumbles confidently, and asks: “Where are we going?” That, right there, is the kind of bike I want to keep around.

Multicultural – the Cromwell 1200 is an Austrian with British charm and Chinese manufacturing

If you’ve followed the rise of Brixton Motorcycles, you know the brand is an intriguing mix of cultures. Designed in Austria, styled with unapologetically British flair, and built in China, the Cromwell 1200 is a global affair. You can’t help but see the heavy Triumph Bonneville T120 influence. It’s got that same long tank, that same retro silhouette, and the X-logo on the tank tries to shake off the déjà vu, but there’s no denying the shared DNA. That being said, it’s not a clone. It’s a tribute with its own twist. Think of it like this: it’s as if someone loved the Bonnie, studied it obsessively, and decided to offer it to riders who wanted the vibe but couldn’t stomach the cost. It’s smart, calculated, and, in my opinion, very well-executed.

Market launch at the end of August – The price is a challenge to the competition

Let’s get to the elephant in the room: €9,999 in Germany. That’s almost €3,000 cheaper than Triumph’s Bonneville T120. Factor in taxes, and you’re still walking out of the showroom with change in your pocket, and enough left over for a helmet, jacket, and a long road trip. When I first swung a leg over the Cromwell 1200, I had to remind myself: this isn’t a €15,000 motorcycle. The build quality says otherwise. The metal tank feels solid. The welds on the double-loop frame are clean. The seat is well-stitched and comfortable. It doesn’t feel like a budget motorcycle, it just feels well thought out. At this price, it’s a hard slap to the competition’s ego.

No frills, but honest motorcycle attitudes

Let me tell you about the first few kilometers leaving Bilaspur town. Rain had passed just an hour earlier, and the hill roads were slick, pockmarked, and littered with gravel patches. Not ideal, but perfect for a real-world shakedown. The Cromwell doesn’t have keyless ignition. No heated grips. No radar this or that. It’s old-school in its intentions: turn the key, thumb the starter, and go. But that’s its charm. The sound from the 1200cc parallel twin is throaty but not obnoxious, enough bass to make you grin without drawing unwanted attention. Throttle response? Smooth and progressive. There’s torque,108 Nm of it at just 3,100 rpm, so overtaking is never an issue, even when you’re already climbing in third. The traction control kicked in once on a particularly slimy bend, but it did so gently, without drama. Nothing about this bike feels like it’s pretending. That’s a rare and precious quality in 2025.

The chassis stands out positively

The KYB suspension setup deserves a shoutout. Front telescopic forks and rear dual shocks (adjustable preload) handled everything Bilaspur threw at them: broken tarmac, muddy edges, and one utterly hellish descent into a village road that hadn’t seen maintenance since the last monsoon. The wheelbase of 1,450 mm gives it stability, and while it’s no sportbike in the corners, the Cromwell turns in predictably and remains poised. The Pirelli Phantom Sportscomp tires grip well even when the surface goes sideways, literally and figuratively. Comfort-wise, the 800 mm seat height was perfect for my 5’10” frame. After hours of up-and-down riding, no backaches, no numb hands. Just easy cruising.

LED and TFT technology

You get the retro look without sacrificing visibility or usability. The headlight and indicators are full LED, which proved especially handy when we descended late evening through mist and fading light. Visibility was excellent, even in low-contrast fog. The TFT dash, round and minimalistic, gives you all the data you need without looking like a gaming console. It displays clearly in direct sun and blends into the bike’s overall vintage aesthetic without breaking the vibe. It’s a thoughtful blend, modern tech that supports the rider, without stealing the show. Around 140 retailers in Germany carry the Brixton brand Brixton isn’t some startup running out of someone’s shed. It’s already established itself with bikes like the Crossfire series, and 140 retailers in Germany alone prove they’re not messing around. What this means for you as a potential buyer is simple: spares, service, support. You’re not going to be stranded if something goes wrong, and that confidence makes ownership feel a lot more secure.

Technical Specification

Conclusion

The Brixton Cromwell 1200 doesn’t try to be everything to everyone. It doesn’t chase horsepower records or try to dominate tech charts. Instead, it offers something a little rarer: a ride that feels real. And when you’re carving through hairpins in Bilaspur, water dripping off pine trees, and the sky slowly turning to mist, that authenticity matters more than specs on a brochure. It’s got just enough power, just enough comfort, and way more character than its price tag suggests. If you’re in the market for a modern classic that doesn’t just look the part but plays the part, without leaving your wallet in shock, this bike deserves a serious test ride. Forget the badge. Feel the ride.