Triumph Bonneville Bobber Review
Bike Tested: Triumph Bonneville Bobber; Road Test No. 958; Test Location: Mumbai
Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 11,88,421/-
Bikes like the Triumph Bonneville Bobber with high torque engines are melodies on two wheels
The Street Triple RS was the last Triumph we rode and that too was almost 6 months back. This year, the frequency of cruiser motorcycles for reviews has been a lot! Adding one more to the list right now, we have the Triumph Bonneville Bobber with us. However, the Bobber is no regular cruiser motorcycle. One of its kind, this Bobber inherits the nature of the retro oldies. Classic design, fun-to-ride, comfortable and yet completely vivid. We spent a few days with the Bonneville Bobber and noticed that it’s definitely a fun-to-ride motorcycle despite having a few shortcomings.
Motor Quest: Triumph has had the Bonneville lineup for quite some time and the T100 and T120 were the main models. However, the lineup in the year 2016 had a major update wherein 2 new crazy motorcycles, the Thruxton and the Bobber, were added to the Bonneville lineup! Even though the Bonneville Bobber had elements from the T120 and was even powered by the same engine, it ran a slightly different electronic tune.
The single halogen headlamp has the signature Triumph logo upfront
Styling – A quick look at the Bobber and even a layman would be able to notice that there are a few elements coming from the Bonneville brothers. Like the design around the engine, the spoke wheels come from the Bonneville T120 although there’s just a single disc up front. The motorcycle gets an almost flat handlebar with bar-end mirrors and a single-piece round headlight above which the adjustable console sits. The Bobber gets a small 9.1-litre fuel tank and a radially-mounted adjustable single-piece seat. While it has exposed chassis elements all over, the single KYB monoshock is neatly tucked in below the seat. Twin slash-cut saw-off peashooter exhausts come right next to the rear wheel and they look absolutely radical!
A better looking single-pod cluster, same as the one seen on the Street Twin
Instrument Cluster and Switchgear – A round-shaped single-pod adjustable console does the job on the Bonneville Bobber. The instrument cluster is analogue-digital and it’s the same unit that we have seen on the Street Twin. However, it has a fresher look and a few more tell-tale lights are integrated within. The speedometer is analogue while the digital unit contains all the other information such as the gear position indicator, fuel gauge, odometer with two trip meters and current as well as total fuel consumption. The switchgear is also the same one seen on all the Triumph Bonneville models and the quality is pretty good too.
The Bonneville Bobber is the only bike in the Bonneville lineup to get a monoshock
Ergonomics – Whenever we mention Bobber motorcycles, we are reminded of a unique seating posture and it’s the same story with the Triumph Bonneville Bobber as well. An almost flat handlebar upfront with an upright seating posture and slightly front-set footpegs result in a slightly leaned-in posture for the rider that looks like one is doing some yoga. The seating is still comfortable and manageable as the footpegs are not placed far from the rider. The seat height is 690 mm at its highest position, making it easily accessible for short riders as well. But the engine and exhaust are very close to the rider which means that one has to let the legs spread outwards while keeping the feet down. Undoubtedly, mentioning it again, it still stays pretty comfortable.
Lifitng a wheel isn’t easy but the Bobber does manage some airtime
Performance – At the heart, the Bonneville Bobber borrows the 1200cc parallel twin motor from the T120. However, it runs on a slightly different state of tune making 76 BHP of power at 6100 RPM and a massive 106 Nm of torque at 4000 RPM. However, this was the first time we rode a Bonneville with a 1200cc parallel twin motor and we were quite impressed with the immense torque pull, which is so immediate that the traction control wasn’t able to handle the wheelspins. Once the switchable traction is turned off, a good control on the throttle is necessary as there is no delay at all in those intended powerslides. This parallel twin motor revs up to 6500 RPM in no time and the redline comes in at a little above that.
The motor in complete flesh, did you notice the key placement location?
Triumph’s parallel twin rumble is very soothing, neither too loud nor too quiet
The 6-speed gearbox has slick shifts but the clutch feels so heavy that getting it into neutral is also a task. The Bobber has tall gears which meant lesser gear shifts are required. Hitting the ton is just as easy and quick as it can be. First gear tops out at 70 km/hr while the 2nd gear takes the bike to 110 km/hr. However, the engine runs smoothly even on the 6th gear at 60 km/hr. There were some engine vibrations creeping in here and there but harshness wasn’t felt at all. The test bike had Vance & Hines end-cans too, making it super fun to rev the Bobber.
The Bonneville Bobber doesn’t look as alluring as it actually is
Riding Dynamics – Riding the Bobber isn’t much of a task, however, getting used to the riding posture might take a while. The low saddle height makes it easy for anyone to ride. But that’s the game changer! It has only one seat and although the seat height can be adjusted, the maximum height it goes to is just 690 mm. The front 41 mm KYB forks are the same as we’ve seen on all Bonneville models and the rear suspension is a tiny KYB monoshock with linkage offering only 77 mm of travel. As soon as you hit a bump, the rear just bounces back and unsettles the rider as well as the motorcycle. Overall, the motorcycle is comfortable but not as much for the Indian roads. The Bobber has 228 kgs of raw mass and yet it doesn’t feel heavy once you start riding.
Yup, I hit a bump and was actually thrown in the air (not literally)
A regular motorcycle to live with and yet the Bobber is one hell of a looker
The rake angle is also increased making the wheelbase a little longer at 1510 mm. Hence, the Bobber requires extra effort and a little more lean angle to tackle corners. The Bobber has a 19-inch steel rim at the front with 100-section rubber while the 16-inch rim at the rear gets 150-section rubber. The grip from these tyres is just about adequate. In spite of that, the 310 mm single disc at the front and the 255 mm single disc at the rear provide stupendous braking power and feedback. While the tubular steel cradle frame does the job of keeping the dynamics intact, the Bobber becomes a real fun-to-ride motorcycle once you get used to it.
Holding triple digit speeds is not a problem at all for the Bobber
Verdict – The Triumph Bonneville Bobber is easily the most retro, and yet very charming, motorcycle of the Triumph Bonneville lineup. It would take some time for the rider to get used to the vivid nature of the motorcycle. But once on the saddle, the refinement and the parallel twin rumble of the motor would take over. Adding to it would be those staring eyeballs as you go places all by yourself. It has a few shortcomings like the unsettling rear suspension which makes it uncomfortable for the Indian roads but the unique character and a retro appeal gives it the necessary brownie points.
This tiny bag goes unnoticed, that’s the only place to put some luggage!
What’s Cool
* Naked retro design, looks very cool
* Low seat height makes it accessible to all kind of riders
* Parallel twin rumble is very engaging, the engine is very refined and torque delivery is exciting as well
What’s Not So Cool
* Rear suspension has a bounce-back effect
* Long wheelbase, difficult to turn around and requires efforts
* No pillion seat, you have to arrive alone if you ride the Bobber
This isn’t blur, this is the fun with traction turned off!
Triumph Bonneville Bobber Specifications
* Engine: 1200cc, Liquid Cooled, 8 valve, SOHC, Parallel Twin
* Power: 76 BHP @ 6100 RPM
* Torque: 106 Nm @ 4000 RPM
* Transmission: 6-speed
* Fuel Type: Petrol
* Frame: Tubular Steel Cradle
* Suspension: 41 mm KYB Telescopic Forks (Front), KYB Monoshock with Linkage (Rear)
* Tyres: 100/90/19 (Front), 150/80/16 (Rear)
* Brakes: 310 mm Disc (Front), 255 mm Disc (Rear), ABS
Triumph Bonneville Bobber Dimensions
* Length x Width x Height: 2235 mm x 800 mm x 1025 mm
* Wheelbase: 1510 mm
* Seat Height: 690 mm
* Fuel Tank Capacity: 9.1-litres
* Kerb weight: 228 kgs
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