[Traveller]

Okay easy question. Why doesn't Triumph just put the Speedmaster shock on the Bobber? Would it be that hard to do? It's a direct fit and already has adjustable preload, plus they already have the things in their inventory.

It seems the one common theme from the new Bobber owners is changing out the shock, you would think Triumph would get the hint.

Side note: I still hate the person that designed the pull ring under the Speedmaster seat, but that is an easy fix with a little 550 cord.

 

[Taurus]

I think it depends on the rider. I have the stock shock and it works fine for me. I did just over 200 miles last Friday, no problem with comfort at all. To be fair it took about 3,000 miles for it to wear in but after that it's been great.

For some people changing the shock is a must because it's not adjustable, so if you're above the range it was designed for it's not going to work for you. But I suspect that's led to a knee-jerk reaction that everyone has to change the shock.

For anyone around the target weight I'd say ride the bike for a few thousand miles before changing it.

 

[Born Loser]

I think it depends on the rider. I have the stock shock and it works fine for me. I did just over 200 miles last Friday, no problem with comfort at all. To be fair it took about 3,000 miles for it to wear in but after that it's been great.

For some people changing the shock is a must because it's not adjustable, so if you're above the range it was designed for it's not going to work for you. But I suspect that's led to a knee-jerk reaction that everyone has to change the shock.

For anyone around the target weight I'd say ride the bike for a few thousand miles before changing it.

Exactly my experience. I haven't changed the shock, because, well, to what? Things spot on for me. I grind the "angle indicators" and take it on 1000 mile trips. Its just right. For reference, I am right at 200lbs.

 

[Atopper]

Signing in for the stock shock too 👍. Considering the “bobber thing” to do is hard tail, I think the stock shock is comfortable lol.

 

[sydnrusty]

I'm on the stock shock as well. Stock seat too. I'm just under 200lbs without gear on. I read the posts and get tempted to try an adjustable shock now and then but then when I'm on the bike riding I'm perfectly comfortable and see no reason to spend that kind of money on an experiment. Been out for 4 hours at a time only stopping to gas up and never had any issues. And believe me the roads around where I live are awful!

 

[Northern bobber]

After 5 plus years riding my Bobber I still have stock seat and shock and hate them. Why you ask I bought it after spending thousands on my Ducati only to get nothing back for the LONG list of after market added bling. My bobber is a “bar hopper ” I use around town or within a hour of town. Any where longer I get on my BMW. I will live with the sore ass and pad my wallet with money saved from not upgrading maybe that will make one cheek fell better

 

[atomsplitter]

Well for you "lite-weights" at 200 pounds I'm glad the stocker works for you (saves a few nickels). I tip the scales a bit more than 300 pounds and the stock shock was over 50% of its useful travel with me just sitting on it. A few spinal chord jolts later hitting mild bumps and I fitted the Ohlins and have been very happy with rear shock ride ever since. The front end was just as limp for a hippo rider like myself so went with emulators with stiffer springs and now the thing is a joy to ride. I scaled back from riding my Rocket III to this Bobber because I'm getting too old to push that monster around my garage, the Bobber is a toy in comparison and just a lot of fun to ride. (Note: I did need to change the shocks and fork springs on my Rocket as well, for 2 up riding (wife was over 200 pounds).

So like the man said, get some useful evaluation time on the stocker and then decide whether it warrants a change, it costs you nothing but a few miles and some gas money.

 

[Popsrcr]

I would like to fine tune the shock, but not positive how much difference it will make. I will change the seat eventually, but just for aesthetics. I don't have an issue with the ride either. I'll be putting better suspension on the bonnie first.

 

[atomsplitter]

I would like to fine tune the shock, but not positive how much difference it will make. I will change the seat eventually, but just for aesthetics. I don't have an issue with the ride either. I'll be putting better suspension on the bonnie first.

I hear ya: Remote reservoir rears and progressive springs with preload adjusters on the front

 

[Traveller]

I was just making a point that it seems 1 out 4 post on this forum is about the stock Bobber Shock. Sure, many are happy with it but why not just give the option to adjust on the stock bike? Since most people go to aftermarket vendors to buy new shocks Triumph isn't even making a profit. It's just bad business not to address something you know is an issue for many riders.

 

[atomsplitter]

I was just making a point that it seems 1 out 4 post on this forum is about the stock Bobber Shock. Sure, many are happy with it but why not just give the option to adjust on the stock bike? Since most people go to aftermarket vendors to buy new shocks Triumph isn't even making a profit. It's just bad business not to address something you know is an issue for many riders.

Making a small change is easy for you and I, making any change at all for a corporation is like beating an elephant with a flyswatter to make it change direction. All pushback and no progress. My 2005 Rocket III had a problem with factory routing power to the headlights thru the ignition switch barrel. The 55 watt draw would melt the solder joints and the bike would quit running. They discovered this weakness in the original 2004 model. After a boat load of repaired switch barrels and a ton of complaints by owners about this problem, Corporate fixed the issue with the 2010 models and beyond. That is 6 years of a known engineering defect in place and unresolved when it only took a few bucks to fix the issue. The guy at Eastern Beaver made a fortune making bypass relay kits for that bike cuz the only permanent fix was to bypass headlight power from the ignition barrel.

 

[Popsrcr]

Yup. And that same issue existed in many....lucas at least....wired cars in the 70s. Hmmmm lol

 

[atomsplitter]

Yup. And that same issue existed in many....lucas at least....wired cars in the 70s. Hmmmm lol

Lucas, the Prince of Darkness........................

 

[Bobber-Bomb]

I was just making a point that it seems 1 out 4 post on this forum is about the stock Bobber Shock. Sure, many are happy with it but why not just give the option to adjust on the stock bike? Since most people go to aftermarket vendors to buy new shocks Triumph isn't even making a profit. It's just bad business not to address something you know is an issue for many riders.

Fitting unadjustable suspension was obviously done to keep the price down, I guess their original idea was if you were bigger than average you bought the optional Fox shock. But with a Max Load of 275lbs that’s rider plus kit and accessories the bobber was never designed for super heavyweights, I think Triumph were happy to leave that market to Harley.

 

[atomsplitter]

The Bobber can happily support my load with the proper suspension. The tires, wheels, and frame are capable of a lot more load than I have (even after lunch). I am quite happy with the Bobber with the upgraded suspension, I was also more impressed with the power of my Rocket, but it weighed more than 800 pounds. Dainty it was not.

 

[zippoParis]

Money! It would hurt Triumph's bottom line.

I'd say this is more of an accountant's decision than a focus/user/rider group.

Money! It's always money.

 

[Traveller]

Money! It would hurt Triumph's bottom line.

I'd say this is more of an accountant's decision than a focus/user/rider group.

Money! It's always money.

@Bobber-Bomb and @zippoParis
But the Speedmaster and Bobber are the same price, at least at my dealer, and the Speedmaster has the adjustable shock that is actually cheaper than the Bobber shock.

Based on the 2020 models

Speedmaster Rear Suspension Unit (Current price) $ 469.23, Part Number: T2054347

Rear Suspension Unit. 2020 Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster | HERMYS TRIUMPH eSTORE, Port Clinton PA

2020 Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster Rear Suspension Unit

www.triumphestore.com

Bobber Rear Suspension Unit (Current price) $ 517.55, Part Number: T2056899

Rear Suspension Unit. 2020 Triumph Bonneville Bobber | HERMYS TRIUMPH eSTORE, Port Clinton PA

2020 Triumph Bonneville Bobber Rear Suspension Unit

www.triumphestore.com

 

[Bobbert]

It's a pretty reasonable shout. Sounds like design philosophy that could change if consumers make enough noise about it. I'm sure Triumph is happy to have a slice of demographic they didn't necessarily intend on buying the bobber; those that share your outlook should share give feedback. There's a contact form under the owners tab...who knows, you just might contribute to an update.

 

[Aitch]

gotta say that my stock shock is pants... that said the roads hearabouts resemble motorcross courses so perhaps the bobber was a poor choice... but ... I love the looks of the bike...

the stock shock kicks you outta the seat on the bumps, and Triumph know that shock is pure [email protected] on anything but a billiard table smooth road, otherwise they'd not bother offering a Fox aftermarket one to fit...
That said I'm still exploring fitting an aftermarket one, M shocks and Hagon are looking favourite at the mo... Being a poor pensioner I need to save, beg, borrow, steal, or sell the missus to get some pennies first before I bite the bullet... Hagon is looking favourite as they are local to me and they offer a Bobber shock that has adjustable everything and is fully rebuildable for around the £300 mark

 

[Born Loser]

gotta say that my stock shock is pants... that said the roads hearabouts resemble motorcross courses so perhaps the bobber was a poor choice... but ... I love the looks of the bike...

the stock shock kicks you outta the seat on the bumps, and Triumph know that shock is pure [email protected] on anything but a billiard table smooth road, otherwise they'd not bother offering a Fox aftermarket one to fit...
That said I'm still exploring fitting an aftermarket one, M shocks and Hagon are looking favourite at the mo... Being a poor pensioner I need to save, beg, borrow, steal, or sell the missus to get some pennies first before I bite the bullet... Hagon is looking favourite as they are local to me and they offer a Bobber shock that has adjustable everything and is fully rebuildable for around the £300 mark

My conversion isnt great, but I think £300 would buy enough pints and fish and chips to get your ass heavy enough for the stock shock to work properly! Just offering an alternative...