ONE OF THE missing pieces in Triumph’s new Bonneville line-up has been revealed in the form of the 2017 Bonneville Bobber.
While the other members of the water-cooled Bonnie family – the Street Twin, T120, Thruxton and the new-for-2017 Street Cup
and T100 – have followed a tried and tested formula, the Bobber represents something new for Triumph. The bike has been spotted on test on several occasions over the last couple of years, and the final machine is just as radical as those earlier prototypes promised.
While the engine is the same 1200cc ‘High Torque’ motor that powers the T120, it has been re-tuned for even more torque at the bottom end. The chassis is also quite different. It’s a convincing hardtail-style design, although there is hidden rear suspension. Triumph calls the triangulated rear end a ‘swing cage’ since it has no traditional swingarm. The rear shock is mounted directly under the solo seat.
Despite the Bonneville name, the bike’s styling harks back to an era before that title ever appeared in Triumph’s bygone sales brochures.
There’s a 1940s feel to its shape and visage, reminiscent of the earliest era of custom bikes, long before long forks and laid-back head angles became big on the scene.
The wide, flat handlebar and mid-mounted footpegs may not appear to add up to a comfortable riding position, but Triumph claims otherwise. Notably, the seat can be moved into a high, forward-mounted position for ‘dynamic riding’ or shifted down and backwards for a more relaxed cruising posture. In the low mode it’s just 690mm off the ground. The underside of the seat is an aluminium pan, topped with a deep foam pad.
The single instrument – an analog speedo with a small digital display at the bottom – is also adjustable. The LCD element can display gear position, odometer, trip meter, a service indicator and traction control settings. There’s also a trip computer with all the usual functions like remaining fuel range and average consumption.
The old-school styling hides plenty of modern technology. There’s ABS, of course, plus ride-by-wire incorporating ‘road’ and ‘rain’ riding modes. Switchable traction control is also standard, along with a ‘torque assist clutch’ that reduces lever effort. More traditional are the old- fashioned tubed Avon tyres fitted to 19-inch front and 16-inch rear wire wheels.
As expected, there will also be a huge range of extras on offer, including ape-hanger ’bars, and heated grips.
By Ben Purvis
