Overnight Triumph Motorcycles announced a surprise new addition to the already extensive Bonneville line-up, the 2017 Bonneville Bobber.
First spied earlier this year as a test mule outside the Hinckley factory in the UK, the Bobber drops much of the look we have come to know from the Bonneville range and features a much more vintage aesthetic.
Powered by the same 1200cc High Torque parallel twin found in the new Bonneville T120 models, the Bobber houses the new water-cooled power plant in a decidedly retro frame. Exhaust gasses exit via twin pipes, one for each cylinder, with built in muffler that manages to pass Euro4 while still looking quite decent.
Triumph are definitely getting their money’s worth out of the 1200cc high torque motor with it so easily able to be slotted into a wide range of bike styles. The unit in the Bobber has reportedly been retuned for even more torque with a dip in top end power. It should still be quick with its stripped down bodywork, and could be the surprise performer of the range if it is as light as it looks – we’ll have to wait until its weight is confirmed later in the year to know for sure.
Perhaps the most notable change from the more traditional Bonnies we know and love is the solo seat and lack of rear subframe to house pillion accommodation. Instead, the solo seat is reportedly adjustable forward and back to suit a wide range of rider heights. With the seat set all the way back while the rear of the bike is dominated by the classically inspired hoop style rear mud guard, on which the rear lighting and number plate are mounted.
While for some the lack of pillion accommodation will be an inconvenience, there is no denying the Bobber not only nails that Bobber look, but just looks fantastic in general.
Triumph have become quite adept at packing a lot of modern features into their modern classic range and the Bobber is no different. Carefully placed beneath the obligatory throttle body disguised as a carburettor is the ignition box, which keeps the dash uncluttered as well as housing the integrated immobiliser (something owners will no doubt be thankful for). With the seemingly now standard feature of a ride-by-wire throttle on all Triumph’s bikes, the Bobber also gets all the same electronic aids as the rest of the Bonneville range, with switchable ABS and Traction Control standard, with heated grips and cruise control as optional accessories.
When it comes to accessories in keeping with the custom style of the bike Triumph reportedly have over 150 accessory items ready for launch to ensure owners can make their Bobber their own.
Ergonomically the Bobber is still quite similar to the rest of the Bonneville family, with mid-mounted pegs and flat bars that appear slightly wider than those found on the T120 Bonneville.
Rolling stock comes in the form of beautiful period correct spoked wheels, with a 16-inch rear wheel wrapped in a 150/80 section Avon tyre and the 19-inch front wrapped in 100/90 rubber.
Full specs are yet to be released and Triumph New Zealand is yet to announced expected arrival dates and pricing. We’ll bring you the latest as soon as we can confirm the details!
