Too much fun on the Bobber Black!

 

I last rode the Triumph Bonneville Bobber Black at its South African launch in June. It was only a quick spin around Hartbeespoort Dam’s wall and the road surface was not great, but I was still pleasantly surprised at how much fun it was to run too fast with it.

When I fetched the bike last week I wasn’t expecting to do any kind of distance on it, just ride around town a little. But I ended up attending SuperBike Magazine’s Bike Night in Pretoria. I left Joburg in heavy traffic just after 16:30 and although it wasn’t a very fast ride, it was surprisingly pleasant.

Riding back at night was even more fun and I found that it would be possible to ride the Bobber Black at 160km/h. But, of course, I didn’t. And we would not advise anyone to do it either…

I found that I was looking for excuses to move meetings so that I could ride there on the Bobber before it went back. Yes, it really is that much fun. And it is surprising, because a bobber is more of a poser bike – or a statement of how hipster you are – than a true rider’s bike.

But this is what I love about what Triumph did with their Modern Classics series. Just like the Thruxton R looks like a café racer of the 60s, but is more than a poser. It has Öhlins suspension and Brembo brakes. And it really handles well.

The Bobber Black is just as surprising. It has Brembo brakes and although it looks like it has a “hardtail” rear suspension, it actually has a monoshock and cleverly designed seat – that is slightly adjustable. The headlight is actually an LED set-up and it offers a daytime running light option too.

Instrumentation looks minimalist, but the single “clock” can supply information such as two trip metres, fuel consumption (average and instantaneous), fuel range, a clock and even a rev counter. This goes well with the speed control, adjustable traction control and two riding modes – Road and Rain.

Where the Bobber has a 19-inch front wheel, the Bobber Black has a fat 16-inch front tyre – and of course the Brembo double disks instead of a single brake disk up front.

Triumph’s High Torque engine was probably the biggest surprise for me. The power output does not impress on paper, and it is a very heavy bike. But the engine loves being pushed. Although it feels like an engine profiled for smooth torque delivery at lower engine speeds, it does not complain if you start rolling it on.

Power delivery stays smooth and the sound effects from the all-black exhaust system – from the headers to the tips of the pipes – is a little intoxicating. I can just imagine what it would sound like with pipes that allow a little better breathing – maybe even gutted…

Since the Bobber was first introduced in 2016, it has become Triumph’s fastest seller in its 115 years. Triumph describes the Bobber Black as boasting an authentic battery box with heritage-inspired cover and stainless-steel strap, classic rear drum brake-inspired hub, rear mudguard loop, side-mounted ignition barrel, bar-end mirrors and a premium branded locking fuel cap. Plus an exquisitely sculpted top yoke, carb-styled twin throttle bodies and gloss black bullet indicators.

I felt the styling of the indicators could have done with some more thought. They are big and visible and work well, but they look like an afterthought on a beautifully styled bike.

As with all Triumphs in the Modern Classics range, the new Bonneville Bobber Black is liquid-cooled, reducing emissions and offering a high first major service interval of 16 000km (10 000 miles). It also features the latest immobiliser with the transponder fitted into the Triumph-badged key.

If I had to buy a Bobber Black, I would consider doing some detailed pin-striping to break the “flat” black of the bike’s paintwork. But to be honest, here you have a fun genuine bobber straight off the floor. Apart from the indicators, there is nothing wrong with this package.

Go ride one. But be warned: it is much more fun that you would expect.

Technically speaking: Triumph Bonneville Bobber Black

Engine: 1 198cc, in-line 2-cylinder, SOHC, liquid cooled

Power: 58kW @ 6 100rpm / 106Nm @ 4 000rpm

Gears: 6 speed, chain

Fuel tank: 9,1 litres

Seat height: 690mm

Tyres: 130/90/16 front, 150/80/16 rear

Brakes: 2-piston 310mm double disks (front); 2-piston 255mm single disk (rear)

Wet weight: 237,5kg

Price: R175 500