Triumph Bonneville Bobber test

Menus

• Rebel Bonnie
• Discovery
• In the saddle
• In the city
• Motorway and expressways
• Departmental
• Part-cycle
• Braking
• Comfort / Duo
• Consumption
• Conclusion
• Availablity
• Standard equipment
• Colors
• Option
• The video test of the Triumph Bonneville Bobber

Rebel Bonnie

Commercial success and historical reference of a market that smacks of the motorcyclist "belle epoque", the Triumph Bonneville are expanding their range of ever more seductive models. After revisiting the legendary T100 with the Street Twins and now Street Cup and revolutionizing the legendary T120 and Thruxton, the manufacturer of Hinckley declines its roadster in a new muse, the Bonneville Bobber.

Originally, a bobber is a custom devoid of any artifice not devoted to performance, from the English "bobbed", ie cut, simplified. This personalization aimed at aesthetic asceticism was born in the years 1940 to 1950, implemented by the American military on machines withdrawn from service. Inspired by the lighter European motorcycle production that the liberators had discovered at the end of the war, these pioneers returned to civilian life then designed stripped-down machines. The concept was to improve motorcycles, both in part-cycle and in mechanics, keeping the standard frame and especially at lower costs..

The rich and long history of the manufacturer of Hinckley gives it full latitude and legitimacy to expand its vintage range. However, Triumph signs this time an unusual model on the old continent and of which, paradoxically, it caused the emergence. For 2017, Triumph is therefore reviving a passionate style through a machine with a scathing, proud and uncompromising style. It is around Madrid that we take the handlebars of the eternal rebel.

Discovery

An essential machine, with a powerful and rebellious image, the Bobber Triumph alone symbolizes the fierce freedom of its pilot. Like its more versatile counterpart, the scrambler, it is positioned around the bitumen, highlighting a marginal aesthetic as powerful as it is refined..

Remarkable, the design combines vintage style and subtle modernity. It would almost be hard to recognize the Bonneville, as this custom version of the roadster brings an authentic visual power, more common across the Atlantic. And yet, all the English DNA is present there, distant homage to the Speed ​​Twin 500 of 1937. The novelty reduces the T120 to the essential by declining the codes of the bobber. Its minimalist headlight, incorporating the brand’s logo in its center, is embedded in a telescopic fork dressed in bellows and capping the wheel with a thin mudguard. Retaining its traditional lines with marked curves, the tank is refined and reduced its capacity to only 9.1 liters.

In its extension is fixed the most original element of the machine, the saddle. Airy, the single-seater seat symbolizes this successful blend of tradition and modernity. Because the machine is entirely based on this point. Spinning towards the rear wheel, the frame extends into a triangulated tubular swing arm mimicking a hard tail. Of course, this is not the case, the shock absorber being hidden in the chassis. Tightly enveloping the rear wheel, the steel mudguard is finely fixed to the arm by a hoop and therefore follows its movements..

Thus, the machine appears to be split in two, deploying its masses forward. Especially since a stylish bobber must rest on a steering train giving it presence. So the fork pulls up onto a 19-inch black spoked rim and seats the rear on a only 16-unit wheel, giving the machine plenty of momentum. No wide front tire, because the heritage is that of the Bonneville, but the wide hubs want to mimic brake drums.

Bad boy in the English style, the Bobber does not forget to be elegant in every way, particularly highlighting its sumptuous block already fitted to the Bonneville T120. Although cooled by liquid (cylinder head and cylinders), the vertical twin retains its aesthetic authenticity. But fine fins always finely cut the top of the engine, also helping to reduce the temperature. Same treatment for manifold star crimping rings. On the Hinkley Bobber, the block takes the splendid finish of that of the Thruxton, alternating black and clear, matt and shiny surfaces. Thus, engine casings and pinion cover are in brushed aluminum, enhanced with light gold elements..

The integration of modernity is perfect, almost imperceptible. No hoses and the radiator, in front of the frame, is hardly noticeable. Likewise, the two injector bodies mimic carburetors with perforated covers. A constant attention to detail that we find with an ignition switch placed in the front of the right side and a battery compartment on the opposite side, closed by a stainless steel strap. More astonishing still, the collectors are sheathed in stainless steel which thus masks the junctions with the catalyst, located under the engine block and the return towards the two silencers. These large horizontal satin flutes with truncated ends add sportiness and the power cruiser spirit..

Barely visible canister and ABS module are concealed just in front of the rear wheel. Expansion tank and rear brake fluid reservoir are housed behind a false crankcase dressed with a mesh cover. The first is visible by a cutout, the other by a large screw cap which allows to raise the level..

Service intervals increase to 16,000 km, reflecting a reliable design. Useful detail given the charm of the Bobber, the ignition key is coded.

With 227 kg dry the Bobber takes only 3 units compared to a T120. Ready to roll, the latter admits 245 kilos. The novelty, with its reduced tank, should still be less heavy, around 243 kg ready to tame the bitumen. And above all, its lower center of gravity is likely to give it superior maneuverability..

The technique of the Triumph Bonneville Bobber

Racy, seductive, almost sporty in appearance, the Triumph Bonneville Bobber, like its sisters, skilfully conceals its modernity under a retro aesthetic. An accessories catalog of 160 pieces allows you to personalize the machine and further strengthen its power of seduction … There is a front led optic, but also cafe racer type saddles, textile or leather luggage (superb), fork, new "Vance & Hines" exhausts, "Ace" handlebars … etc.

In lack of inspiration? So choose the Old Scool Bobber kits and its Ape Hanger, or the Quarter Mile Bobber and its bracelets…

In the saddle

Stripped and minimalist, the Bonneville Bobber takes care of both its aesthetics and its ergonomics. A remarkable element of its style, its floating single-seater seat gives it a sportiness of rare elegance. Positioned at just 690mm, the topstitched trim rests on an aluminum support that can be raised, lowered, advanced and retracted. We will thus choose a saddle position suitable for dynamic driving or a more traditional posture, set back and low..

The finesse of the machine is tangible, leaving more and more visible a large part of the cylinder heads. The legs naturally find their place around the tank which the knees dominate. The bust is straight, the shoulders are arched and the arms are stretched out reasonably to grip the grips of the large handlebars. Thick, adjustable levers join the powerful style. Integrated model, the optional heated grip control is placed on the left grip, adjusting the heat on two levels.

Like the saddle, the position of the speedometer is adjustable thanks to a mechanism allowing to modify the angle according to the riding position. This unique element features a large analog tachometer incorporating an LCD window. This displays tachometer, gear indicator engaged, clock. By pressing the Information button on the handlebars, one reads successively average and instantaneous consumption, fuel gauge, range, deactivation of traction control and choice of mapping. The latter is done by a press dedicated to the right chest of drawers.

In the city

Got down on the Bobber, I can’t wait to start the terrible machine. If the first coughs of the twin seem discreet, a blow of gas wins the last point of seduction. Snoring, the English custom sets off to storm the urban asphalt under the sensitive force of an imposing mobile crew.

Intuitive, the handling allows to glimpse already a homogeneous cycle part and without excesses, comparable to that of a roadster. With a very good balance, changes are easy in traffic, where the Triumph pounded the air in third gear. The clutch is softer, but the gearbox is less smooth and sound, requiring precise instructions..

Consequently, the turning radius does not make it a queen of U-turns, but easily satisfies city use. Guire spacious, the mirrors mounted at the ends of the handlebars return a correct field and free of vibrations.

Strolling down the avenues of Madrid is a constant pleasure at the helm of the British Bobber. Its fierce look makes you the rebel of the neighborhood. But the docile frame already shows a whole character that we quickly want to see express itself over wider horizons..

Motorway and expressways

The wide Spanish highways let the Triumph easily attack the asphalt with speed. At the approach of 5.5,000 laps, we approach 200 km / h on the last report … The red zone at 7,000 laps brings theoretical speeds that we will not look for, but the Bobber is not lacking resource. Neither heading, no oscillation disturbing the trajectory.

In legal terms, the mechanics purr at 3,500 revolutions per minute delivering ample vibrations. Of the over drive type, the last gear calmly restarts the machine. It is advisable to drop one or two reports for more dynamics. Depending on the pilot’s resistance to air flow, we will then run for a longer or shorter time while making the flag. The seductive capital of minimalist custom should be fully expressed on the secondary network.

Departmental

What a surprise to bring so easily a geometry that we feared more clumsy. Because not only is the Bobber at ease, but it is even more rigorous than the T120. Admittedly, the ground clearance limit is quickly reached, regretfully, because the Bonnie shaves asphalt benefits from one of the healthiest cycle parts and shows good agility on tortured tracks. Its lowest center of gravity is combined with reduced headroom and a 150mm rear tire to make the machine dance on the road. And whatever its front wheel in 19 "and its large wheelbase, barely noticeable on the tightest curves. And when the track loosens, you appreciate its stability on the angle at high speed. Responsive to handlebar impulses and footrest, the Triumph thus passes from one bend to the other without slackening, well guided by a very precise front steering. Here too, we appreciate the front gommard whose unspoiled narrowness perfectly suits the dynamism of the Bobber. muscle AND real ability to ride a little "sport", here is another quality of the English.

However, the shyness of the front brake will reduce the ardor of the too reckless. Fortunately, the rear clamp turns out to be much more powerful and allows you to maintain a lively rhythm, very usefully seating the custom in curves..

These rustic evolutions are of course accompanied by the deep vocalizations and the hectic punch of the Hinckley parallel twin. In a permanent rumble, the Bobber moves into third gear, moving from 70 to 130 km / h vigorously, between 2,500 and 5,000 revs. This is precisely, in my opinion, its most effective range of use at all levels. Especially since, modified, the driving character of the Bobber is expressed more, the driving force being important over a wider range. You can easily push it to its maximum power, but I personally find the engine running less charming over the next 1,000 rotations. The vibrations become drier and the melody less singing. In addition, we then evolve on the fat of the couple or the block works wonders in all respects, whirring with elegance during the revivals. And if by chance the very good grip of the Avon casings was damaged, the traction control regulates the loss of grip quite quickly..

Efficient, the suspensions correctly filter the defects of the bitumen even on the more important compressions. Over the kilometers, the dynamic pleasure of the Bobber is exciting, both for its efficiency and its mechanical vigor..

Part-cycle

Surprisingly agile for the category, the Bonneville Bobber is even more pleasant and rigorous than the T120. Precise and dynamic, the cycle part also testifies to good agility.

Braking

On the strongest decelerations, gripping the lever only slows the Triumph down. One completes with much more efficiency by pressing the pedal, thus returning to a piloting completely conforms to the segment. However, more power would not be too much on the steering gear..

Comfort / Duo

The single-seater seat is comfortable and enveloping, well supported by efficient suspensions. Adjustable, the saddle optimizes style more than comfort. The typical position can prove to be tiring on long journeys, especially at speed a little too high. As the motorcycle is approved for one person, the duo is not possible, even by adding a jump seat.

Consumption

Given for a little more than 4 liters, the recorded average seems to be closer to 5.8 liters during a rather dynamic ride. The autonomy is then 120 km before reserve. Data to be confirmed.

Conclusion

Symbol of anti-conformism and stylish sportiness, the Triumph Bonneville Bobber reveals a character consistent with the strength of its image. Authentic and sporty, the stylish custom brings together the best of history, technology and design, at the service of a seductive machine. Refined, yet it does not overlook any aspect.

Have you been wise enough for the Hypst-pиre Noel to bring it to you? Priced at 12,900 ¤ in Jet Black, the Albion Bobber is likely to heckle the tenors of the segment. Thus, the Indian Scout, 13,650 ¤, endowed with many dynamic qualities and allure will find in the English an opponent. And the Sporster Harley Davidson Roadster, 12,850 ¤, is likely to shake for many reasons other than those of its V-twin…

Decidedly royal in terms of achievement and pleasure, the British motorcycling family of Hinckley is now accompanied by a bad boy gentleman who will be talked about..

Strong points

• Outstanding style
• Motor character
• Finishes
• Adjustable saddle
• Retro integration of modern equipment
• Assistance (ABS, anti-slip)

Weak points

• Front brake a little tight

The technical sheet of the Triumph Bonneville Bobber

Availablity

• February 16, 2017

Standard equipment

• Two-mode ride-by-wire
• Anti-slip disconnectable TTC
• Assisted clutch
• ABS
• LED rear lights
• Silent "peashooter"

Colors

• Jet Black
• Morello Red / + 150 ¤
• Mate Ironstone / + 150 ¤
• Two-tone version with hand-painted edges Competition Green and Frozen Silver / + 300 ¤

Option

• Heated grips

The video test of the Triumph Bonneville Bobber

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