Terrible Triumph Bobber
To call Triumph's line of neo-retro motorcycles "successful" would be an understatement. Essentially, these models resurrected the company and put it on the path to sustainable development, and the Bobber model became the fastest-selling motorcycle in the company's history. But according to some admirers of the classics, these motorcycles are too elegant and refined, they lack the spirit of a bygone era.
Egoist
2017 onwards, 1200 cm3, 77 hp, 228 kg (curb weight),
180 km/h, 999,000 rub.
Photo: Elena Safonova
In the photo: Alexander Barkalov
It’s unlikely that anyone would argue with the statement that classic motorcycles are now at the peak of popularity. This is also confirmed by motorcycle manufacturers, among whom even the slowest ones always offer a couple of retro models, be it the notorious cafe racer or a scrambler aiming for country roads.
Guys with rolled-up jeans coming out of barbershops can tell you as much as they want about the historical roots of such motorcycles, describe the rebellious times of the origin of styles, or even refer to the special lifestyle of the owners of such motorcycles. But the main and, perhaps, the only reason for buying a classic motorcycle is its bright appearance and, as a result, close attention.
Attention from other motorcyclists, ordinary passers-by and representatives of the fair sex. The owner of the new Triumph Bonneville Bobber is absolutely guaranteed to get everyone's attention!
Pedigree
Before discussing how the new Triumph Bobber Bonneville corresponds to the canons of bobber construction, you should get acquainted a little with the history of the emergence of this unusual trend in customization and the motorcycle industry as a whole. The birthplace of the first bobbers is considered to be the United States of America in the 30-40s of the last century, where racing on dirt tracks began to gain great popularity.
In those years, the most common motorcycles were heavy and underpowered Harley-Davidsons, so racing participants had to modify them quite seriously. And since the economic situation in the country was far from ideal, budget tuning of racing Harleys usually consisted of making the design as light as possible.
For the same reason of the total lack of money, the bobber often became not only a tool for victories on the race tracks, but also a means of transportation for every day. Thus, the main idea of Bobber-style bikes was, paradoxical at first glance, the possibility of everyday use of a racing motorcycle. It often happens that cinema sets the fashion for exclusively subcultural phenomena.
This happened with the popularity of bobber-style motorcycles. In 1953, Stanley Kramer's film "The Wild One" was released on wide screens, where Marlon Brando's hero drove a bobber based on the Triumph Thunderbird 650. Since "The Wild One" became a cult film for the motorcycle community, a few years after its release, motorcycles appeared that had nothing to do with dirt track racing. While maintaining the family's family appearance, the new bobbers were already designed for driving on asphalt roads.
Mandrill Garage
And the Chinese Mandrill Garage, famous for their charismatic and unusual projects, knew what they wanted to achieve when they were brought the brand new Triumph Bobber. Lu Hao and the guys returned to the roots, turning for inspiration almost 100 years ago, to the thirties, giving the modern motorcycle a truly retro charisma.
Lou, no stranger to working with Triumph, has mixed feelings about the new dropsy retro classics:
The design of this generation is much better than the previous ones - the frame, the engine, the workmanship... But they are too polished, almost perfect, there is practically nothing to improve on them.
Several Bobbers passed through their workshop, and clients usually wanted to add a little here, subtract a little there, but did not dare to do a global redesign.
Exceptional
The bobber, as a factory motorcycle, is still quite a rare phenomenon - production models in this style can be counted on the fingers of one hand. This is understandable; consumer demand for such motorcycles is extremely narrow. However, some might call the appearance of the Triumph bobber only in 2021 too leisurely. “Who, if not the Hinckley plant, sets the tone in the segment of classic and retro bikes?” - the reader will be indignant. But, as the practice of the last ten years shows, the British company perfectly understands the mood and needs of the market. The Triumph Bobber Bonneville was born precisely during the heyday of mass interest in motorcycles of yesteryear.
The new Triumph Bobber is built around last year's debutant of the company - the Bonneville T120 model. At first glance, it is not so easy to recognize the family connection between the new product and the classic: the British miraculously managed to completely change the silhouette of the motorcycle, making it low and elongated. A hardtail swingarm with a wide rear wheel and a single bucket seat played a decisive role in the transformation. By the way, the design of the rear suspension deserves special attention.
To achieve visual similarity with the signature feature of bobbers - a rigid hardtail frame - Triumph engineers had to use a trick and hide the monoshock absorber under the seat, placing it almost horizontally inside the frame. If you don’t look at the design thoroughly, the result is a real “cracker.”
The single seat, which is the personification of asceticism, upon closer examination also turned out to be not so simple-minded. For the first time in the class, the driver's seat was equipped with adjustments that allow you to change the driver's position behind the wheel of the motorcycle. The option is certainly useful, but it will only be used once, maximum twice, from the moment of purchase. By the way, about landing.
It should be said right away that due to the overall compactness of the motorcycle, tall drivers will not be very comfortable behind the wheel. Of course, the ability to adjust the seat provides some flexibility for changes. But even these factory options are not enough to comfortably seat a basketball player behind the wheel of a Bonneville Bobber.
To finish the story about the appearance of the motorcycle, the final resemblance to classic bobbers was achieved by installing a wide handlebar, a small fuel tank, spoked wheels of different radii and short fenders that barely covered them.
There were also details that demonstrate the iconic signature features of the class: a small dashboard (adjustable, by the way!), a battery housing surrounded by a steel clamp and a fuel injection system unit disguised as a carburetor. From an aesthetic point of view, the new motorcycle turned out to be impeccable. The laconic, finished image immediately catches the eye, and then captivates the viewer even more, concentrating his attention on authentic details.
Old School Racer
You remember that a real bobber is, first of all, a sports motorcycle? A racing bike simply needs a decent engine. Like most components and assemblies, the new Bobber borrowed its engine from the T120 model. Before installing the 1200 cc parallel twin in the frame of the new model, its design was modified and its characteristics were partially changed. In particular, a new intake system with a bifurcated airbox, a latest generation fuel injection system, and a different exhaust system were used on the motorcycle. As a result of manipulations with the power unit, the maximum power value decreased by 3 “horses”, reaching a very modest 77 hp. With.
To be fair, it is worth noting that the British “two” now reaches its peak power at 6100 rpm – 450 rpm earlier than its predecessor engine. However, you forget about the maximum power indicator on the first free section, where the road situation allows you to accelerate properly. An impressive 106 Nm of torque, available already at around 4000 rpm, accelerates the 228 kg motorcycle very excitedly. After a dozen dashing accelerations, you definitely begin to understand that the “1200 HT” nameplate (HT – high torque in English) is not for nothing that adorns the Triumph Bonneville Bobber engine.
Sadly, the braking system of the British bobber apparently fell victim to the specialists working in the Triumph design center. In an effort to bring the new model into line with the canons of style, where there is only room for one brake disc on the front wheel of a bobber, the islanders have seriously tailored the braking capabilities of the motorcycle. The modest potential of the 310 mm disc and Nissin 2-piston brake caliper is only enough for a smooth and measured ride. For dynamic city driving and emergency braking, assistance from the rear brake circuit is almost always required.
Like a true athlete, albeit an “old school” one, the Bonneville Bobber knows and loves to turn. Despite the fact that the frame and rear swingarm of the motorcycle are made of ordinary steel pipes, and the diameter of the KYB front fork is only 41 mm, the motorcycle steers surprisingly obediently. Thanks to the low-mounted engine, short-travel, low-angle front forks and simple KYB monoshock for its ability to corner quickly. By the way, the settings of the latter on roads with poor surfaces will seem to many to be too harsh, but on good asphalt there are no complaints about its performance.
The very specific driving position of the Triumph also contributes to quick cornering. A low seat, a wide handlebar and footpegs located quite close to the driver create a collected and, in its own way, even sporty, but by no means the most comfortable, position. During long trips behind the wheel of a Triumph Bonneville Bobber, the back and lower back are the first to give up, and then the butt begins to beg to stop. On the other hand, few people would think of going on a trip, albeit in a pseudo, but sports car, the volume of the fuel tank is only 9.1 liters. No, this Triumph was created exclusively for urban racing!
American English: Triumph Bonneville Bobber test 2021
“It’s not my beard or mustache, it’s my ticket into your panties,” read one well-known St. Petersburg rapper. It seems that it is difficult to find a better epigraph for the text about the new Triumph Bonneville Bobber, because British aesthetics, coupled with American recklessness, cannot leave even the most hardened cynic indifferent.
Even though there are quite a lot of classic cruisers in the British model range, most of our compatriots only guess about their existence, and the share of sales of “iron” motorcycles looks modest compared to other Triumph models. So why is Bobber selling well both here and overseas?
The bobber silhouette is the standard of style and pure beauty, unencumbered by practicality.
The answer must be sought in the distant past, when at the turn of the 30s and 40s dirt racing was gaining popularity in the United States, rapidly dividing into large official and amateur ones. It was then that the first “bobbers” began to appear, motorcycles from which everything that was not directly related to racing was mercilessly removed and cut off. By the way, translated from English the word “bobber” means “short-haired”.
It would seem, what does Triumph have to do with it? It's simple - in the late thirties, it was British motorcycles that were considered one of the fastest on the planet. Of course, the main world speed records on two wheels were set by the Germans, but at that time they had more important things to do, and after an unsuccessful attempt to take over the world, the main task was banal survival. But the British decorously cultivated fast motorcycles for the masses, which came in handy in rich America.
The copy given to us for testing is equipped with an “ape hanger” soaring into the sky.
The Bonneville model, although it appeared much later, was generally aimed primarily at Americans, and its predecessors were precisely the ones that received the attention of bikers of the New World, who built bobbers from “British” bikes.
That is why the appearance of the Triumph Bonneville Bobber is not a whim and an attempt to cross a hedgehog with a snake, but historical justice and the return of a once popular vehicle. And even though the British never produced bobbers, the owners copiously trimmed their serial road cars, so it doesn’t have to prove its canonicity.
The taillight looks organic, but the turn signals seem superfluous
Don’t be confused by the word Bonneville in the name - from the “Bonnie” T120 there is only a motor and a couple of little things like a tank and remote controls, otherwise the Bobber is an independent model. The appearance will not leave anyone indifferent. I was already delighted with the detail of the Triumph Bonneville T100 we tested at the beginning of the season, and for the second time I won’t lick the brown, ebonite-like spark plug caps with the Triumph inscription, I’ll tell you about what the “weave” doesn’t have.
Spark plug caps with triumph logos are just a small part of the British fanatical attention to detail.
For example, about the powerful right cover, supposedly covering the gearbox, on which there is a massive metal plug, behind which the expansion tank is hidden. Or about the amazing dashboard, the angle of which can be changed by releasing the eccentric clamp. And this round piece with a brass insert and stunning analogue speedometer scale markings, reminiscent of an expensive chronometer combined with a digital tachometer!
The tiltable dashboard is great.
And this is a saddle with a metal base and luxurious leather upholstery: by its very appearance it evokes lust and a desire to caress the stylish stitching, first with your hands... And how can you sit on such a masterpiece with your butt?
It is extremely rare to find leather in the upholstery of production motorcycles, even very expensive ones, and the point is not at all in cost - the material is quite slippery, capricious, not very wear-resistant, and most importantly, extremely hygroscopic. No wonder Vespa, covering the seats of top-end GTS scooters with leather, hides a standard cover under the cushion.
A leather saddle is an aesthetic that only the most seasoned bikers can appreciate
Alas, the Bobber, unlike the canonical and historically correct leather saddle, is not provided with a cover, so after the wash that preceded the test ride, I spent about half the day with a wet butt. Beauty requires sacrifice, you know!
And humidity is far from the only offering to the god of pathos; as soon as the upholstery dries, the pilot immediately begins to slide over it - when accelerating, sliding down to the step prudently left by the British, and when braking, sliding onto the tank.
The inability to seat a passenger is a real tragedy
The tank itself is quite narrow, and unlike other Bonnie models, with which the Bobber’s fuel capacity is unified, it does not have rubber grips on its sides. That is why it is not very convenient to squeeze the tank with your knees, but even if you suddenly succeed, there will be nothing to catch on. Well, never mind, it's still worth it! And when the leather is worn in some places and polished in others, the saddle will look even cooler, like a bottle of wine that has lain in a cellar for decades.
And again about the beauty: what an aesthetics of a real motorcycle! Instead of what is commonly called a tail unit - a small steel wing and a flashlight, in front there is an even smaller wing, stylish stampings of the ribs, perfect!
The Bobber headlight is different from those we are used to seeing on the Bonneville family
But the optional “eiphanger” steering wheel, on the contrary, is not a clear-cut solution - bobbers, as a rule, were equipped with wide “zero drag” or “low drag” with minimal bending. But if its beauty and appropriateness can be debated, then the straight-back position is definitely to my liking.
A high steering wheel with mirrors installed “in reverse” takes some getting used to, but in reality it’s much more convenient than a low one
Yes, the mirrors, located not above but below the handles, take some getting used to, but the low saddle with low forward footpegs and arms at shoulder level are comfortable and look damn cool from the outside. The silhouette of the lowered motorcycle also seems incredibly stylish, and the softail-type frame with a triangular pendulum, with its entire appearance trying to give the impression of a “cracker,” is magnificent. But it’s not easy to drive all this.
The British are sensitive to traditions, not forgetting about technology - find the radiator in the photo
Firstly, every “speed bump” in terms of the number of unpleasant emotions stands on a par with a standing one - a low belly and strives to even out artificial and not very uneven bumps, and dense, but nevertheless short-travel suspensions, will force the spine in half a day throw you an ugly tantrum. And secondly, when cornering, the bobber, as befits a “bearded man” motorcycle, very early begins to saw its footpegs and mufflers on the ugly Sobyanin asphalt.
Stylish straight-flow Vans & Hines not only look great, but are also pleasing to the ear.
In addition, if you happen to get caught in the rain, you will have to move your head away from the centerline of the motorcycle, because jets of water from the front and rear wheels fly along it. Protection from wind and water is clearly not about Bobber - the laws of the genre cannot be avoided. Talking about some kind of practicality of this bike is the same bad manners as talking about a Rembrandt canvas in the context of its ability to cover a hole in the wall or peeling wallpaper.
A handbag on a pendulum is an original accessory, stylish but useless
Same with the brakes. They are there, but don't expect miracles from a single floating two-piston caliper on the front wheel and an even smaller mechanism on the rear. In short, you have to brake early and with force, and you can’t count on luxurious feedback. However, given the purpose of the motorcycle, this is quite enough, especially taking into account the relatively modest weight, and most importantly, the impossibility of traveling with a passenger.
A single front brake disc is sufficient for city driving
In general, the motorcycle handles well - the habits are thoroughbred, short strokes and the general rigidity of the hydraulics eliminate swaying, the device is obedient and predictable. But all this is adjusted for good road surface: bumps, joints, removed asphalt - any little thing puts an end to, if not fast driving, then at least the enjoyment of it.
Softail frame cleverly hides shock absorber and rear swingarm
As for safety, as befits a modern motorcycle, the Briton flaunts a full gentlemanly set of safety electronics, including ABS and switchable traction control, as well as an electronic throttle, allowing the pilot to choose one of two modes of engine response to changes in its position . It will be extremely difficult to drop your motorcycle even in the rain.
Clipped wings do not prevent this baby from flying, but they provide conditional protection from water
But in dry weather, the “rainy” settings start to make me sick – I turned on the “sluggish” mode only to make sure it was there, and the traction control, which is automatically activated when the engine starts, was turned off at the first opportunity. Yes, the system works delicately and only reminds you of its existence on very slippery surfaces, but it intervenes constantly, as the indicator on the dashboard immediately reminds you of.
Personally, I don’t see anything wrong with the rear wheel slipping a couple of revolutions when opening the gas on the rubber panels of tram crossings or grinding when starting from a traffic light on the sand, and it’s good that among the British engineers there was a guy who thinks the same way. Traction is turned off with just a couple of buttons, allowing you to enjoy a real motorcycle without electronic contraception.
Wind protection? Forget it, it shouldn't be here!
Just enjoy it, because the 1200 cc “double-barreled gun” is in no way compatible with a banal drive from point A to point B. Particular pleasure comes from the noble growl of standard forward flow, unobtrusive vibrations and 106 Nm of torque, available from four thousand revolutions, providing locomotive traction. By the way, especially for the Bonneville Bobber, the engine was slightly redesigned, shifting the peak power values to the “bottoms” and increasing the torque.
Why don't cables fit to carburetors? You need to know how to mask throttle valves!
The gearbox shifts are pleasingly transparent, and the acceleration dynamics are excellent: the potential of the engine is somewhat greater than what the chassis and brakes can produce. Scary? A little bit, but a drop of true madness in a world choked by norms, rules and safety requirements is definitely to my liking.
Short-travel suspensions and low seating put an end to fast driving outside straight lines
Should I take it? Even if you have a million rubles to buy a motorcycle, I would think twice. On the one hand, the device, mixed with a cocktail of two Anglo-Saxon opposites and combining the manners of a British gentleman with the recklessness of an American trash, is magnificent in every nut. Besides the fact that you can simply hang it on the wall and enjoy it, the Triumph Bonneville Bobber also drives quite well.
The Triumph Bonneville Bobber is a city bike, but in the Triumph model line there is also a motorcycle for traveling outside the Moscow Ring Road
On the other hand, adjustments to Russian reality make it far from the most comfortable and convenient in the city. Therefore, with a million rubles in your pocket, before buying a Bobber, make sure that you already have a motorcycle that you can simply ride to work.
Video review of the Triumph Bonneville Bobber 2017 motorcycle:
We thank the Granmoto motorcycle dealership for providing us with a motorcycle for testing.
Accreditation and organization of test drives – Denis Sokolov | | +7 (999) 851-49-71
Narcissist's weapon
The undeniable advantage of the latest generation of classic motorcycles is the fact that even though they are dressed in a retro shell, they are mostly imbued with the most modern technologies. Therefore, even while driving a motorcycle with the appearance of your grandfather's Java, you can fully enjoy the fruits of civilization. Like the rest of the classic Triumph range, the Bonneville Bobber boasts an electronic throttle that allows you to select the motorcycle's settings; can flaunt the presence of an anti-lock braking system and traction control; has every right to trump the presence of a standard immobilizer and even a slipper clutch.
All these advantages make driving a Triumph bobber comfortable and safe, but in the end they play absolutely no role in the purchasing decision. The key factor, as before, remains the bright appearance and unique charisma of the device from Hinckley, forcing passers-by to stop and watch the retreating noble murmur of the British “two” with approving glances.
Additional accessories, of which there are a great many in the company’s corporate catalog, will give this motorcycle even greater individuality and showiness. Tuning exhaust systems, various steering wheels and custom seats open up real scope for creativity, allowing you to realize the most daring ideas for creating a unique motorcycle worth over a million rubles! Let those who have this million decide whether it is a lot or a little for a dream motorcycle. But, for reference, similar offers from other manufacturers will cost much more.
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Triumph Bobber Tests and Reviews
There have been several legendary Triumph motorcycles over the years, one of which is the Bonneville. It has a rich history, just look at the iconic Bonnie motorcycle and the stars who love it.
Following this tradition, Triumph has introduced the 2021 Bonneville Bobber, a motorcycle with a strong character, blacked-out finish and masculine poise that exudes a fighting spirit. Let's not forget that this Bobber is equipped with a 1200 cc engine. Let's look at the main points in this motorcycle.
When did the Bonneville Bobber come out?
We got our first look at the 2021 Triumph Bonneville Bobber, inspired by the Bobber-style motorcycles of the 1940s. It was equipped with a 1200 cc engine.
2021 Triumph Bonneville Bobber
Let's not forget the rich heritage of this British manufacturer, which dates back to the famous Bonneville Salt Flat racetrack and ranks among the finest motorcycles ever made. But there's a lot more you need to know about it, such as the racing legend, its amazing updates and the legacy of those early days.
The 2021 Bonneville Bobber is a refined evolution, not just with that blacked-out trim and the 1200cc parallel twin. It's often compared to the Indian Scout Bobber to see which is cooler, but in my opinion both bikes look great.
Sleek Design
Bonneville Bobber screams, “I want to get out on the road and tear up the streets!” Featuring a 12 liter tank with an imposing appearance that matches the design of the bike, right down to the seat that gives the Bonia a low slung style.
Triumph Motorcycles rightly describes the bike as having "masculine stance and poise", especially when you look at the 47mm front fork coupled with the 16-inch front wheel.
Engine
The engine of this beast provides the 105 Nm of torque and 77 horsepower we need. Yes, the engine is one of the reasons we love this manufacturer. Not only does it sing with responsiveness, but it also delivers decent acceleration. Not only that, but the Bonneville Bobber's power is paired with what the company describes as a "distinctive sound."
The dual exhaust system with Peashooter cut mufflers is unique to this model. Let's not forget about the dual air intakes located under the seat. The overall sound of the bike is unique.
Fit and handling
The Bobber's floating aluminum seat blends seamlessly with the design but also allows the driver to adjust his position. Seat height is 71 cm.
Note the wide, flat handlebars, as well as the optional tall "Ape-hanger" style handlebars offered as an accessory to change the feel and look of your ride.
The Bonneville Bobber's handling was widely praised. It offers a comfortable ride to a wide range of riders of all skill levels, including beginners.
Two riding modes worth mentioning are road and rain, giving you options for different riding conditions. Let's not forget the Bonneville Bobber's switchable traction control.
Braking and suspension
Twin-piston Brembo calipers plus twin 310mm discs take care of stopping power at the front, with a single 255mm disc at the rear. Of course, you can't help but notice the 16-inch 32-spoke wheels with Avon Cobra tires.
The Triumph Bonneville Bobber has 47mm cartridge Showa front forks and a monoshock rear suspension. The bike is equipped with ABS and cruise control.
In terms of lighting, the Bobber comes equipped with an LED headlight. Of course, we can't forget about some of the optional accessories that Triumph offers on this bike, including a front control kit and a seat upgrade option that offers striking stitching and improved shock absorption.
Of course, there is a range of colors available for the model, including Jet Black, Cordovan Red, Matte Storm and Matte Ironstone Grey.
But with all that said, you might be wondering how much it'll cost to drive home in this beauty, with a starting price starting at $13,400.
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