TRIUMPH BONNEVILLE BOBBER BLACK (2018 - 2020) Review

The Bonneville Bobber is a good, low-slung cruiser motorcycle, but the Triumph Bobber Black is even better. A fantastic modern take on the retro bobber style that delivers on every single front so well it could actually convert those who previously sneered at this kind of bike to bobber fans.

During 2017 MCN ran a standard Triumph Bobber on the long-term test fleet. We found that while it might appear impractical, it's actually a seriously impressive everyday bike. There were some build quality issues, however...

For 2021, the Triumph Bobber family was updated along with the rest of the Bonneville range of bikes with engine upgrades and better handling and brakes. The standard Triumph Bobber also took the front wheel/tyre combination and twin brake discs of the Black to become the only version - before a Chrome Edition joined the range in 2022.

The Bobber Black makes for a fantastic custom bike too, as shown with Triumph Glasgow's 135bhp project.

The Bobber Black rolls into the second and third gear corners with complete neutrality and total stability and tracks through the bends with precision. Being a bobber ground clearance is always a limiting factor, but you don’t have to be scraping the Black everywhere to gain a thrill, the whole riding experience is so pleasurable that you are more than happy to ride at the brisk pace the clearance allows rather than push too hard and scuff the pegs.

The non-adjustable forks and shock deliver quite a firm ride, meaning that over sharp bumps they can feel a bit harsh and unforgiving. It’s a trade off for the bike’s stunning look and only really makes itself felt on particularly aggressive undulations, for general road riding the suspension is excellent and remarkably plush.

Powered by an identical Bonneville HT motor as the Bobber, the Black retains the same spirit and character as its sibling. In the Bonneville T120 this version of the parallel twin is a bit too refined, but the Bobber’s unique tune (which is 10% more powerful lower in the rev range compared to the Bonnie) and slash cut exhaust system gives it a lovely feeling and sound all of its own.

There is a pleasant bit of vibration thanks to the 270-degree crank, but nothing that causes the mirrors to wobble or your hands to go numb. And the modern electronic systems such as the traction control and ride-by-wire throttle are subtle enough in their operation so as not to detract from this old-school motorcycling-inspired experience.

The overall level of finish is excellent on the Bobber Black with a lovely attention to detail that we’ve come to expect from a Triumph modern retro model. The major service intervals are pleasingly long at 10,000-miles and overall the Bobber Black appears a quality product. There are no reliability issues with the parallel twin motor, so it’s a safe buy.

Our Triumph Bobber Black owners' reviews show a mixed bag. Some owners are really pleased with their purchase, while others aren't so keen. There have been some reliability concerns, particularly around the quality of some parts, but owners seem to love their bike's handling and performance.

With a price tag of £11,650 the Black was £1050 more than the standard Bobber, but you do get cruise control, LED and daytime running lights, Showa forks and an extra brake disc with Brembo calipers, so that’s not bad value at all.

But it’s a shame you then have to pay £125 more for matt paint! In the market it is a bit more than the air-cooled Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight (£9995), but it packs way more technology and is cheaper than the premium Harley-Davidson Fat Bob model (£14,295).

Triumph Bobber Black vs CCM Bobber

Triumph have become the benchmark for retro bikes due to their ever-increasing and generally brilliant family of 900 and 1200cc twins, whether in Bonneville roadster trim, Scrambler or otherwise, and the Bobber, first introduced in 2017, continues the success story.

That bike, due to a combination of authentic post-WW2, US ‘bobber’ styling (enabled by a special monoshock frame), perky but unthreatening detuned, 1200cc, 76bhp Bonnie performance plus Triumph’s traditionally good handling, proved an immediate hit. And this Black version, raised the bar with its moody blacked-out image.

It also comes with a more authentic-still fat, 16in balloon front tyre (the original post-war US bobbers were usually ex-military Harley WLAs with fat front tyres), fatter forks and uprated brakes.It also boasts twin discs with Brembo twin-piston calipers; an upgrade on the stock Bobber’s single disc and Nissin twin-piston caliper.

Now there's a tempting alternative in the form of the CCM Bobber, a Husqvarna-powered Spitfire with bobber styling. The CCM, which comes complete with hand-welded tubular steel frame, swanky cycle parts and custom goodies such as leather grips and hand-stitched seat, has been given a bobber makeover courtesy of new 16in wires wearing similar (but white-walled) Avon Cobra tyres, flat bars and solo ‘tractor’ seat.

MCN contributor Phil West put the two bikes head-to-head around the UK's toughest test route - the MCN250 - to discover which is best:

Half way round I’d decided the CCM was the better bobber, the Triumph the better motorcycle but on reflection it’s not as simple as that. There’s nothing wrong with the Triumph – it looks and goes great – but the CCM shows up its authenticity, steering, brakes and, surprisingly, its comfort and value.

The CCM is even further from perfect: the engine’s raw and limited, build and delivery is suspect, there are no dealers and servicing (every 3500 miles) is via a man with a van. But as a bobber it’s the real deal while the Triumph is a nice, reassuring motorcycle that’s been dressed up as one.

The question is: how much of a true bobber do you want?

The Black is impressively equipped for a stripped-back bobber and has switchable traction control, ABS, two-power modes and cruise control as standard as well as LED lights with DRLs. The bar-end mirrors are a neat touch and while the new Showa forks and KYB shock lack adjustability, you do at least get twin Brembo two-piston calipers to boost the Bobber’s stopping power. Colour choice is limited to black or matt black, Henry Ford would be proud…