[Bonneville Bobber News]

While other motorcycle manufacturers are coming out with their own Scramblers and café racers, Triumph went in a different direction and created the 2017 Bonneville Bobber that Morgan Gales from Motorcyclist test rode recently.

Some may have been worried that the radical redesign made to the timeless and classic Bonneville platform would serve no purpose other than to make the rider look cool, but that’s not the case with the new Bobber.

Its 2.4-gallon tank combined with 3 inches of suspension, strong brakes, adjustable clutch and brake levers, an excellent engine and 1-inch bars gives the Bobber a solid feel. None of the components feel cheap or flimsy and much thought has been put into every little detail including the small metal cover that hides the rear brake fluid and coolant.

Powering the Bobber is the same 1200cc engine from the Bonneville T120, but it has been tuned for more torque so you won’t find yourself wanting. Through the mountain twists, the chassis was stable and the monoshock design provided Morgan with a smooth and comfortable ride even with its limited travel. A Twin Skin exhaust system with its rich sound rounds out the Bobber package.

At $11,900 for the black trim, the Bobber sits at the higher end of the segment, but you’re getting a classic looking piece of machinery with the performance to back it up.

 

[DownLow]

The Bobber is definitely a looker compared to a Scrambler. It was nice when Ducati initially came out with their Scrambler, but it's no longer about performance with that segment and more about how you look riding one.

Triumph created something with a distinctive that still retains most of the standard T120's performance.

 

[Lure]

The Bobber, in the aesthetics department alone, takes the cake for me. Add that super cool seat and we have a clear shot winner

 

[Bobby]

Admittedly I was leaning towards the Ducati Scrambler, but changed my mind after reading owner reviews and the large amount of problems they have with the bike. At least with Triumph we're getting a quality product with great reliability, performance thanks to the 1200cc engine and looks.

 

[Lure]

Seen quite a bit, off of a quick search you'll be lead to forums that show threads about starting issues, power loss, crunching gearboxes, some major fuel leaks :| That's some horrendous stuff.

 

[DownLow]

We're getting a more reliable bike and it's great for novice riders too because of the super smooth throttle response. Sure most new riders may be scared away after seeing 1,200cc, but it's the delivery that matters.

 

[frank]

Hence why i'm mainly a Harley or Triumph guy although Ducati was on my radar... how can it not when they've stepped up to the plate in this segment.

Always best to go the tried and true route, the two brands i mentioned being it.

 

[DownLow]

They mentioned that it'll be available this spring. The black Bobber should go on sale this Feburary, but I have no idea when the red and green versions will start appearing at dealers.

 

[Lure]

Have you heard any mention of the matte ironstone ??

 

[DownLow]

Nope, but I assume it'll come out with the other two special paints with the black version paving the way first. Or they could all be available at the same time.

 

[Anders Kanten]

Have you heard any mention of the matte ironstone ??

I have seen it at the shop. Looks good, but very matte. I got the cherry red. Got to compare those.

 

[frank]

Anyone planning to do something custom to the color scheme? With the options we have these days it can't be that hard. The easiest will be matte black plasti dip. That's a look I know will resonate with a lot of owners here, even if its just partial matte black.