This 2024 Bonneville Bobber was provided by Cyclespot Wellington. All opinions are my own, and this article was not reviewed or altered by the dealership prior to release.
What was meant to be a quick demo of either the T120 or the Speedmaster from Triumph’s line-up, led to me taking the Bonneville Bobber out for a decent ride instead! While technically this was the result of there being no demo units available anymore of the other models, knowing the engine would be much the same was good enough for me to give this a go.
Punchy off the line!
Propelling you forward is Triumph’s High-Torque 1200HT motor – a beefy, 1200cc twin that’s tuned for more torque down low compared to its High-Performance counterpart (1200HP motor). The Bobber model also received a special ‘Bobber Tune’ which bumped the torque figures up again by a small amount. At the wrist is 76.9HP (@6100rpm) and a chunky 106Nm (@4000rpm) of power on tap.
Even with this bike weighing around 251kg wet, that pulling power is enough to pull itself off the line with ease, and plenty of enjoyment to be had both around town and on the highway. Compared to other 1200cc bikes, the Modern Classics line from Triumph isn’t meant to blow your socks off, but aims to instead offer a plush, reliable, and aesthetically pleasing ride.
Power delivery is predictable, pulling nicely while still having enough juice to have fun with when you give it the beans. The engine and gearbox felt buttery smooth and felt surprisingly uncompromised, which I believe is partially a result of Triumph specifically designing these motors to be highly under-stressed in favour of reliability.
Instantly Recognisable Class
This is an absolute stunner of a bike – spoked wheels, low single-seat, dual slash-cut pipes, and countless intricate details work to showcase the premium build quality of the Modern Classics. It’ll gain attention parked up, and hold attention as it rides away. Colour options include: Matt Graphite/Matt Baja Orange, Jet Black, Jet Black/Ash Gray, and this example in the Red Hopper. Though the red was a lovely, vibrant tone, it would definitely be my second pick after the sleek look of the Jet Black/Ash Gray.
The Modern Twist
To complement the classic styling, the Bobber offers a fair bit of modern tech – Two Ride modes (Road and Rain), Adjustable TCS, ABS, Cruise Control, and full LED lighting all around. They’re all integrated very well, and are just the modern touches needed to make this a 2024 bike without overcomplicating itself. Hand controls are intuitive, and make switching between ride modes and toggling cruise control an easy task. Rain mode dulls the power delivery a little but wasn’t too noticeable during my ride, though, I’d love to see how it feels in actually wet conditions! An analogue speedometer and a smaller digital display pair up nicely to create a visually reserved dash, and although I have my qualms about digital rpm gauges, a second analogue dial would have worked against the clean aesthetic of the front end, so it ultimately works well.
Low Rider
Bar height was perfect and kept me in a relaxed riding position, though this would differ between individuals. With the single seat sitting very low at 690mm (adjustable to 700mm), the Bobber is incredibly accessible and sits a fraction lower than even the touted CMX1100 from Honda (700mm). The saddle, despite looking very thin, is surprisingly plush and provides ample support. Though venturing into the aftermarket will always provide plenty of options, Triumph already offers alternate OEM seat options like the Comfort Seat which are well worth checking out (picture of one). At 6-feet tall, the bike was very comfortable with the foot controls being a little forward-biased, and didn’t feel cramped at all.
Up to Speed
Taking it up to speed, the Bobber sits more than comfortably on the highway, although the same engine in its Speedmaster form will better suit those pursuing longer trips! As much as the engine will sit happily at posted speed limits, the single floating-seat and city-focused suspension will remind you that this just isn’t Triumph’s touring offering. With no fairing or windscreen, wind-buffeting felt just as expected – neither better nor worse. Suspension feels great, though the rear shock could be a touch softer for our very average road surfaces. The Bobber shines brightest when it is flicked around town, pinned when the lights turn green, and admired when you’re off it – there’s no denying its innate capability of attracting attention.
Bassy Tones
Triumph did well to make the stock exhaust sound and look as good as it does, giving that 1200 engine a nice bassy tone on throttle. Styling takes the form of two sawn-off peashooter-style exhausts that balance the bike visually on both sides. Not only do they look stunning and reflect the bobber culture in a refined ‘factory-built’ manner, the Bobber received countless compliments parked up.
The Verdict
Triumph did well to release a bobber that stays true to its roots while embracing just enough modern tech to make it a proper 2024 machine. There’s really nothing else quite like it on the market, and with its killer looks, grunty performance, and easygoing ride, the Bonneville Bobber is bound to find its way into plenty of garages—including mine!
