Triumph Bonneville Bobber Black, Review, Seduced by the Dark Side!
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- Опубликовано: 3 дек 2024
- A Definitive review of the Triumph Bonneville Bobber Black. not just a first impressions video!
Motone customs. www.motone.co....
PATREON. / stuartfillingham
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Stuart, nice, accurate review! I have been riding motorcycles for 49 years, started when i was 8. Have owned 19 & been fortunate to ride many, many more. I can honestly say this Bike is the purest, most soul-pleasing, biggest smile-producing item i have ridden that has steel for curves!!! I can not fathom how Triumph went from producing average to unbelievably incredible in a few, short years! In handling, aesthetics, mechanical wizardry & everything else this bike produces sheer joy. So to put my money where my mouth is i have bought one! If you haven't ridden one i suggest strongly - you do! Triumph.....don't pretty this thing up & bring out candy apple colours like Harley-Davidson. Perhaps do that with the plain Bobber but NOT the Bobber Black! By the way, i ride it with an air cushion, it makes a massive difference. I am 6'3" & 84kgs & i am not cramped on it at all. And i swear the only thing this December getting more attention is Father Christmas on his Sleigh! If this thing had been around when they made 'Sons of Anarchy' the bad boys would have ridden Triumph Bobber Blacks & maybe not have fallen off so much! Poor Harley Davidson!! Thank You Stuart from Stuart in Cape Town South Africa
Great video, thank you. I sat on one at the Triumph dealer and if I could afford one I would be riding it instead of typing this reply. Thanks again.
3 years later and still a very relevant review! Nice one. Many thanks
That's what I appreciate, a review of the machine that is informative and covers as many angles as possible in a short time and with valued personal opinion from someone who knows what they are talking about. Those reviews with some dude with a helmet cam riding around shouting "Yahoo!, Wow!, Awesome!" and constant giggling are very annoying! Great job Stuart.
I took this bike for a test ride. Was skeptical at first, but then instantly fell in love.
Its beautiful, voluptuous and does things well. The bike embodiment of Nigella Lawson.
I had a very similar experience Kevin, its not at all what you expect it to be!
I love the look of the new Bobber, looks like my father's Triumph from the 50's, I haven't ridden one yet, but hopefully soon, wish I could add a pic of my dad's bike, hope you have a great time on it.
Perhaps your best video yet Stuart. Well researched and presented. I normally fast forward through the beginning of a RUclips video but yours are always worth savouring. Great footage, editing and music selection. Well done!
Thank you very much sir!
Just bought one and it is the best thing I have ever bought...straight from sports bikes to this...every time I stop anywhere, people just comment on how beautiful it is...if you dont like chat and attention dont buy it. Other than that it goes round corners like a badass and it pulls like a f@@@ing train :o)
get mine tomorrow! 2017 machine with the bigger front wheel ... cant wait... what a bike.. comming from a 1600 yamaha wildstar 😊
I’ve had mine 8weeks now and love riding it. Was a major change from the previous bike (S1000rr). Re the exhaust tone, I fitted some trident slip on pipes and a booster plug (to cure the low speed ‘lumpiness ‘). The sound is now more open and pleasing to the ear. Recommended as upgrades
Love the sound stock but wished it was louder. Does the trident make it louder?
My first experience of riding a British bike was a beat up old BSA M21 that my father had on his farm back when I was a skinny 14 year old kid. He paid 12 quid for it at a farm sale. There was an attraction with that bike, and I always wanted something similar but in modern production form. The Triumph Bobber BLACK is it. Especially in matte black.
Hey Stuart, nicely done sir. A very comprehensive review in the usual Fillingham style with some cracking footage. You've captured the essence of the 'Bobber' that other reviewers seem to miss. I must now go and flush my head to rid it of all the green (envy) that's building up. Your garage has become my trouser-tent moment. Very best sir!
Lol thanks for watching Paul I shall leave them all to you in my will sir!
Love the history lesson Stewart…great vid, I didn’t realize the bobber had changed a bit from their earlier itineration.
So funny thing. I showed my lady this bike and the speedmaster and she said I should get the bobber.
So we decided to just wait and buy 2.
A used motorcycle here in the USA that's only a year old can easily be had for a little over half the original MSRP.
Buying 2 bikes will yield a far better motoring experience than trying to travel 2 up on a bike with luggage. This bike is cool today and it will still be cool 1-2 years from now so I think its well worth the wait to get 2.
Its never gonna get old Sir this design is like a life circle....
Great review. I’m totally new to motorcycles at the grand age of 43, and the triumph bobber black is deffo in my top 5
So many Triumph Motorcycles, so little money! Go ahead Stuart, be the envy of us all...
Seriously! Between them, BMW and Ducati I'm gonna go broke haha.
My dream garage
Triumph: Bobber, speedmaster,
765 Daytona,
Ducati: panigale V4, monster 1200,
BMW: s1000r, BMW R9T.
Yamaha: R1
MV Agusta: Brutale RR, Dragster
Some flavor of vintage Norton
A very impressive review! I rode a bobber black last week, agree with your comments 100%. 👍
Thank you Mr Starr and thanks for watching!
Just fitted some clip-ons! Such a different ride than stock....but still so great! Cant wait to see more on your bobber.
I think it's bloody gorgeous....
I agree!
Good review, I really like This bike, I have sat on one and it fitted me perfectly. I would like to buy one eventually.
Lovely bike Stu , thanks for the info about the Bobber being a nod and a homage to the 500 Speed Twin . I've heard so many people , when speaking disparagingly about the bike that Triumph had lost their way and were trying to emulate some of Harley's classic models . On googling images of the Speed Twin , the comparisons can be clearly seen and this knowledge is a genuine comfort .
DC no problem DC i think a lot of those comments are just born from ignorance. If they dont know any better they will of course draw those sort of conclusions. Im glad the video gave you some peace of mind!
great review! For years, I wanted the Harley 48. Now, I want this baby!
Fantastic review! I have just placed a deposit on one, and my test ride did not disappoint. Very smooth and huge amounts of torque, top speed is no interest to me so this bike ticks all my boxes, can’t wait to pick mine up!
Superlative review. Shoutout to Triumph for the motor mods, you were able to pass the jogger twice!! Cheers.
Thank you Steve! yes I lapped the jogger but strangely he hadn't got very far!
stuart fillingham please keep up the epic adventures, very entertaining and enjoyable! Own a 2012 T100 110th Anniversary Edition which I dearly enjoy; your vids have me on the path to a T120 or perhaps this Bobber. Should Triumph make the Bobber in silver and brooklands green the money will fly out of my wallet in their direction, exactly as it did in 2012. Cheers and be well!
thanks Steve I shall do my best sir!
Had two Harley’s and after this years DGR I will be owning one of these .. after much hd / triumph deliberations, this bike simply cannot be ignored or missed for me . ( better change my channel name eh 🤣)
"Trouser tent moment". LOL Well done again, Stuart. I do so enjoy your work. The first 56 seconds were epic.
Thank you Mel!
Another brilliant video with fantastic arial drone angle shots. I love the extended scenery and long shots. The narrative is informative and interesting. It looks like you put a lot of energy and effort into the video and it shows!
Thank you! and yes I got a bit carried away on this one!
Nice to hear an informed description of what an original bobber was, this Triumph is a lovely looking bike though and I'm finding the name far less irritating than I did when it first came out. This is probably going to be my next bike and its good to find someone making interesting and enjoyable videos about one. Thanks and keep up the good work
LOVE IT !!! Great shots, angles, drone footage and editing as well!
Thank you Chad!
Totally agree with you about my better half joining me a few times a year. In fact you nailed it in the head. She only comes out about 3-4 times a year. Hence why “we” got the t-120 which I enjoy tremendously. The Bobber though is a real beauty. You’re jokes are getting better by the way. LOL. You rock Stuart!!!
LOL thank you Kito!
Stuart, I test rode the Triumph bobber and an Indian Scout Bobber...no comparison. If you just want to ride on the highways going straight as an arrow then the Scout Bobber will do just fine. If you want to tickle your fancy on curves, turns, roundabouts (U.S. streets at least), and anything else that involves cornering or flickability then Triumph bobber wins hands-down.
The only negative to the Triump is the smaller tank but oh well you can't win them all. In any event, based on your reviews (and my test rides for confirmation), I'm in the process of getting a used Bobber Black (matte black). I hope Triumph gives you some kick-backs!
was the rear suspension as bad as they say?
Superb. This is my next addition. Great video as always. Thank you.
This bike has the most "classic" looks of any I have ever seen; looking up the word MOTORCYCLE in the dictionary seems likely to provide a picture of this very machine next to the definition.
fully agree with you Robert!
My first real street bike was a 1975 Trident...loved it ! ...This bobber looks so beautiful !!
Great review, my wife has the original candy red (or whatever they call it) Bobber from last year and she loves it. Finally a bike that smaller people can actually ride and ride with confidence. She recently fitted the Motone risers and they really do improve the ride. Going from a R6 to a Bobber is a step, but a step in the right direction, plus for once she can leave me standing on my Tiger 800 :)
yes it is amazingly low, got on the T120 on Saturday and it felt enormous! risers are I think the first mod on the list!
Excellent review of the Bonneville Bobber. These type of bikes appeal to me as proven by the HD Iron and Wide Glide I own. A friend of mine owns an Indian Scout Bobber which is also a great looking motorcycle. Keep up the excellent videos. I enjoy the history and the in-depth research you provide.
Thank you very much Ray I shall do my best!
One of the most considered and eloquent voices on motorcycling out there. Chapeau, Mr. Fillingham.
Edit: I almost forgot. I like the historical context at the start, and wondered why there was no advance in technology in motorbikes during WW2, when virtually all other sectors came on in leaps and bounds? I would love to hear your thoughts on this matter, particularly since the British were historically pioneers in motorcycling, and engineering.
Hi Gerhard thank you for your comment!
basically the war office just needed cheap basic, reliable motorcycles during the war and they needed them in huge numbers, so during the war years there was literally no time for further motorcycle development, and little point!
after the war the UK was basically bankrupt, so huge exports were needed to get the country back on its feet. thats why the bike industry went in to overdrive, basically chasing the US market and developing new machines that the Americans would want to buy!
stuart fillingham Thanks for the reply. It's hard to imagine that although UK was on the winning side - the cost was that high, despite commanding the resources of one-third of the world.
England is only a tiny country! we had to borrow huge amounts of cash and resources from the Americans!
Simply brilliant, thanks Triumph and thanks Stuart Fillingham for posting.
Best Regards,
Sir Gissa
I love this review and the lines regarding the negative bobber association with the “hipster lifestyle”. “I’m not ashamed that this bike provokes a trouser tent moment”...I’m in the U.S. but I get the translation...we call it a “hard-on”...you Brits have a more classy way of expressing yourselves!
Thanks for that review Stuart. I’m convinced by it. I’m not surprised it handles better than the T120. I think even the Tiger XRT , I had before my T120, handled better. A bit of thoughtful counter steering on the T120 helps at times. It was having a pillion, quite often, that made me choose the T120, a compromise between practicality and style. If I wanted practical I’d choose a Tiger; if I wanted style I’d choose a Bobber. The T120 remains the middle way.
a very sensible sentiment under the circumstances Pete, unless you can have the best of both worlds!
Excellent review!
Full of really meaningful information and detail - far superior to the (many) other reviews of this bike I’ve seen on RUclips.
Have subscribed, naturally….
I just rode this bike home yesterday and love it!
I think it looks ace, the black is definitely the best choice 👍🏻
I took one of these for a test ride this week and I have to agree with most of what you've said about it. For me the seating position was more in line with sitting on a kitchen chair which was quite comfortable. I didnt find the front brakes to be that fantastic but that could have been more to do with the low mileage compared to my T120. The fatter tyres really made the bike handle better. You get a real planted feeling from them. The real downside for me would be the luggage capacity of zero. I find the T120 to be ridiculous in its luggage capacity but at least you do have the seat to strap to if needed. With the bobber you have nothing. Anything you carry will have to be in a ruck sack. For me this would be a great second bike but no use as a main bike. It definitely is a great bike to ride though.
Actually u can put luggage on this bike. The speedmasters pannier rails also bolt to this frame so u can put saddle bags on them..
Triumph has a pair of decent size panniers they designed for this and the speedmaster.
Plus you could just buy the rails and fit your own.
The panniers from triumph are plenty big enough for about 2-3 days worth of clothes and other toiletries add a backpack you can have plenty of storage. It's no Goldwing, but realistically speaking how much things do u need to take with u on a ride, or even a weekend road trip.
And like the reviewer said you have to really think about what u want from a bike. It's not something you'd use for a 2 week camping trip though if ur creative it could do it. There are guys doing 2000 mile 2 week camping trips on 250cc dirt bikes...
One of my chief complaints about the Bonneville T120 was the front brakes and it sounds like the bobber has really improved upon this. I would like this as my primary bike
Great vid Stuart, filmed well/very well.
excellent bike review all round, definitely
A step up ;)
Thank you Russell!
I sold my MT10 to get a Bobber black, its a great fun bike for the real world. If it were a car it would be an MX5 with a V8 engine or a Morgan 3 wheeler. Top speed not required for awesome fun.
Badger I did exactly the same! Loving the bobber Black!
Trousers Tent moment... gotta love that expression.
I actually take ownership of mine tomorrow morning. Thanks to good credit, I was able to take advantage of Triumph's Endless Summer and get $1200 in extras along with cheep financing. Gonna go with a black brown and Bonneville color motif. Already ordered the LaRosa swing arm bag with the fuel canister combo off RevZilla.com, and the motone union jack pads. I hope some day Motone expands thier tank pad selections as this could be a great way to customize the bike aside from what Triumph offers. I'm excited to see what they come up with. Super excited to drive this beautiful bike home tomorrow morning. It was free after all....came with my super expensive backpack.
Re the tank pads William, im sure Motone will read this and consider your comment!
Did they give you the $1200 and 0% APR? Or no? I also have good credit and am looking at this bike.
I got the $1200 from Triumph and 2.3% from my credit union. I actually got all the Triumph gear I wanted and still had some to put toward the first service. Only bad spot was the bike didn't come with the backpack. (They claimed there wasn't one in the crate)
Thanks for the info. I'm curious if they offer in house financing. Its something I'll have to explore. Thank you.
I would have kicked up about it, until I got one William!
The best looking bike out there, in my opinion.
You've sold it to me i will going to the Triumph dealer tomorrow 😍
Superb review, this bike is a massive personal statement - i love the look of it. However my choice is one of the adventurer range.
I tested several motorcycles (some more than once), during my search for a second bike and the Bobber was top of the list of bikes to test. After much anticipation I finally got my chance and took it for a good test ride. I found it to be a rather rough ride due to the stiff suspension and also more vibration than I would have liked. The smaller tank and chain drive were also negative points for me and the fact that the colour was only determined by the colour of the tank while all else only came in black, odd I thought. I felt as though the Bobber had a lot of the same characteristics as the Harley Sportster which was exactly the type of ride I was trying to move away from. Don't get me wrong, it's a far better machine in my opinion and much quicker and more enjoyable to ride than the Sportster, but not the smoother ride I was looking for.
Fillingham style makes me smile.
Thank you for an absolutely top notch and entertaining review. It's certainly an appealing bike. 👍
Looks beautiful doesn't it....just like the Harley Davidson sportster 48 which looks beautiful too.
I bought the 48 and put more horses on it by adding the Vance and Hines pipes,bigger breather and the fpk3 tuner.
I sold the 48 after about a year and 5000 miles of ownership.i rode it from the north west of England to the west coast of Ireland....yeah I know its NOT the bike to do such a ride but I found it ok.
Now the bobber.....I tested one of these and it has no comparison to the 48....its too low to ground ratio and for a big 6'4" guy like myself it holds no forward controls,so my chin was resting on my knees....it held well around some twisties I took it on and felt really weightless but standing it up on exiting I felt it needed more torque to feel the rush of a complete manoeuvre....maybe more horses can combat that issue.
Straight speed....nothing in it for me apart from a broken neck as you get with these style of bikes as the wind rush smacks you full on in the face.
To sum up....if you want to ride to the local shops for a pint of milk and a loaf of bread or measure your willies in some carpark along with other owners then by all means throw your money at one but if you want to ride with speed and cornering satisfaction then look elsewhere.
Just my option ...nothing personal.
Between the gas tank, seat and lack of saddle bags and mounts I am certainly glad I bought the new t120 this year. (and riding position was less than optimal)
Note: still a nice bike, rode it several times while testing the street twin, t120 and Thruxton, but my better half would be pissed if those 5-10 times a year she hops on the back she wasn't able to!
You could’ve put saddle bags up there no problem.
Quality take on the bobber. Could only wish you’d do the same on a thruxton 1200.
Ill put it on my list!
I luv the way it looks, absolute best looking bob ever.......fkng brilliant !
Very good, honest review , thanks .
your videos are amazing as always
Excellent video! Your music goes perfectly with your shots and I enjoy the content you provide with it! If Triumpth pays commission to people for promoting then you should pay you because you've definitely help the sell the Bobber Black to me! Hahaha
Are there any loud pipes that you can put on the bobber?
Great review. Very informative.
Thank you sir!
Great review of the bike Stuart.... It is definitely back on the wish list, along with the Thruxton r and possibly the KTM 790.... Going to be a difficult decision I think... Thanks for the info on the Bobber Black mate.. Cheers!
just get them all!
When I win the lottery, that is exactly what I will do.. Till then I will be financed to the eyeballs buying one of them 😐
Fortnine finally has competition for some of the best production and meaningful reviews of motorcycles, thanks to your step-up!
I’ve been eyeing the bobber black for a while, so this was really helpful. The competition for me, however, is the Indian Scout, which has similar specs, is also drop dead gorgeous, but is not British. (And I’m a British and American citizen!!). Do you or anybody reading this have a opinion on the comparison of the bobber and scout?
Thank you sir! re the scout no, I have no experience of them I'm afraid!
Comparing the Triumph Bobber Black with the Indian Scout Bobber
Benefits of the Indian: More HP, slightly lower price (but going for the ABS option pretty much bridges that gap), American (if you're American :)), has passenger options if you care for it. This is for me specifically: Dealership close by.
Cons of the Indian: Rough suspension ($600 for Progressive 444, $1000 for the Indian Fox option), seat gets complaints (although it may be related to the suspension issues, so fixing suspension might remove seat issues).
Benefits of the Triumph: More torque, standard ABS, standard traction control (both supposedly can be switched off), switch for road/rain modes, cruise control, British (if you're British :)). Seat is adjustable. Haven't heard issues about suspension.
Cons of the Triumph: A little more expensive, which is offset by the ABS and electronics options I think, plus the brakes are now better. No passenger option. British electronics (I'm sorry, it's just something I've seen around me and had some issues with myself). This is for me specifically: Dealership far away.
Another big difference is the seating position, but that's a personal preference and the Triumph allows for some free adjustability.
On paper the Triumph looks better. It really depends on what you want of course and what kind of weight you attach to certain differences.
such a stupid reason to not buy a bike you otherwise love....the name! for whatever reason some people still bang on about the perceived target demographic of this bike, and how offensive it is to them. yes, the Bobber ads were utterly puke-inducing, but the BIKE is stellar! forget a few little jibes that your mates may throw your way, and just enjoy what is mostly considered a home-run for Triumph in every way.
I like the features on the black (except the fat front tyre), but not completely in love with the look. the original Bobber however, I have loved ever since the first release pictures a couple of years ago, and in the next year or two there's no doubt that I will own one.
great job on the review btw, I really enjoyed it. :)
unfortunately some people are put off by the name but obviously not all as it is selling very well!
Simply, Well said and not to mention a fine film.
Thanks Gary!
Great review. Thank you very much!
From what I've read the "cut down" or "Bob job" originated in the state's as early as the 20's primarily with Harleys then progressing to the Indian scout. With that said, love the triumph bobber, looks great, when someone offers a good rear shock for it should really be perfect, thanks for the review.
In a way it happened everywhere that people started to race road bikes, although the Name Bobber originated in the states
Gorgeous Black
I just got one, what a bike and the sound
Its a beauty. Should i get this as my 1st one though after i pass my test..that is the question?
Awesome overview of the bike Stuart! Looking forward to see the additions/changes you make to it. For me, the bike needs some apehangers to really make it look the part! Love the history lesson too! Now I need to go find something to hide my trouser tent! :)
Just carry a flat cap around with you Jeff! always comes in handy for those situations!
Hi Stuart, just wanted to say I really like your cinematic approach to filming, difficult to achieve properly. 👍
My dream girl has her own bike.
My dream bike has its own girl
My wife has a Ducati, lot faster than my Triumph.
Er, now that I think about it, why isn't she home ahead of me preparing supper when I arrive.
Great review and well put together as usual. I love the bike and as much as I've enjoyed my America for the past seven years and look to replacing it, I must say that I'm sadly disappointed in Triumphs aftercare. Mr Bloor (or his staff) really don't care if you have an issue, they are only interested in selling you another...
I agree sir, past experiences with customer care have not been good for me either!
Enjoyed your review, Thanks very much. Cheers from Australia.
Thanks, Stuart, great review.
Nice video! Where did you shoot this?
Thank you Rajesh, all filmed in East Yorkshire!
Missed this when you first published it. Great video and review. I'm a huge fan of my Bobber (not the Black version, but blacked out). It's a phenomenal bike that I cannot get bored of riding. Have you ridden a none-Black? If so, how would you compare the handling?
Hi Yah, Nice, no bullshit review. I'd be interested in your opinion of the T120 Speedmaster with it's forward controls and so-called beech bars.
Liked and subscribed, what a fuckin great video man, crackin review, glad I came across it and a northern accent to boot. Picking mine up in about a week.
How many Triumph 'bath tubs' were stripped off and thrown into the weeds at the bottom of the garden?
All in the name of performance.
That was the original motivation behind the chopper cult before it became something very different.
Great review Stuart, I'd still put mini apes on it mind you........
Get rid of the cat, like you did on the T120, throttle in traffic will be much better as well as the exhaust sound. Worked wonders on my Speedmaster.
Its in the pipeline Scott!
And there it is... my weekly vice.
Great vid ! Top Marks !
Thank you sir!
Beautiful bike and I'm really contemplating getting one, but I just struggle with the size of that tank
The John Peel of Biker reviewers...
Thank Paul! im hoping thats a good thing!
Great and fully informative review👍
The only thing that I don't like about the "Bobber Black" is that short side stand, I'd much prefer a longer stand like the T140 "Bonneville 750" or the Norton Commando Mk 3 had. My old Laverda 1200 triple had a short side stand, these bikes was tall and top heavy, they were renowned for toppling over the stand when parked on anything less than level ground. My Laverda toppled (expensive mistake) so I removed the side stand and only used it's exceptional centre stand.
Do you know of a good tail tidy for the bobber black and micro combined brake light and indicators, cheers mate
Nothing on the market yet Wilko!
stuart fillingham
Thanks mate, I’ve since found a picture of a German bobber with a side mounted plate, shorter rear fender with micro indicators. I’ll let you know if I can source them, cheers
If you have to carry a passenger, get the new Speedmaster. It’s in a similar vein as the Bobber but designed for two. Nice review as always.
OMG just awesome!
All right now to get some modernized Corbin Gentry parts
For me image wise the lines from the tank through to the tail are missing something.
yes! seat rails!
First of all I always thought you are a Royal Enfield guy !!! Anyway what about the thump ? I am a RE thump fan. Will this be able to justify the bullet thump?
I have 3 Triumphs and 2 Royal Enfields.
That's a beautiful bike....
Nice laid back review style. Lovely bike, but it would be the speedmaster for me and not because of the name.... what's in a name? Still wouldn't buy a Street Cup though.
Excellent video Stuart; as always. I replaced my T120 Black for this and I use it for commuting on daily basis. I have my Bobber Black for almost 2 months now and am really enjoying it. Couldn’t agree more on it not being a typical cruiser.
Have you had a chance to play with the seat adjustments yet? If so, what is your most preferred / comfortable setting?
Looking forward to your future videos on BB.
Thank you Siraj, yes I have adjusted it about half way so far but may bring it back slightly, still experimenting at the moment!
I have my Bobber black and im in love
Do you like this better than your t120?