MCN Fleet: Getting in the zone on the Bobber

I had one of those rides last night. You know, the kind where everything is just right. Yes, it’s November, and it was dark, but that didn’t matter.

I’ve made no secret of the fact that I’ve struggled to get on with the Bobber this year, for various reasons, but last night, finally, it all seemed to click. Despite the all-encompassing darkness out in the Northamptonshire sticks, and the fact Bonfire Night is just a few days away, it was surprisingly mild, which no doubt helped lift my spirits.

TOP STORIES

• Ducati Monster 821: ‘Capable and fun to ride’
• New Norton California marks 50th anniversary
• WSB: 2018 calendar unveiled
• Top 4 ways to get cheap motorcycle insurance
• Gallery: ‘R’ motorcycle SP-ecials really that special?

It’s a route I take several times a week, on a wide, fast A-road with only a few roundabouts to break up the ride. There was plenty of traffic – mainly in the form of slow moving lorries – but the Bobber is great at quick overtakes at those speeds. Just knock it down a cog and breeze past as the cacophony of the 270º firing order reverberates off the sides of the lorry. 

I haven’t ridden the Bobber much lately, I took the opportunity to give the new Kawasaki Versys-X 300 a go when it came into the office, and I think that helped to rekindle the Bobber’s flame. The Bobber has bags of character where the Versys doesn’t and, although I’ve criticised it in the past for its lack of practicality, it means rides never become sterile.

With big adventure bikes it sometime becomes a bit too easy to just sit there at cruising speed behind the big screen, heated grips keeping your hands toasty, plush seat cosseting your behind. You don’t get any of those luxuries on the Bobber, but what you do get is a real sense of involvement and occasion. And isn’t that part of the reason we ride bikes?

Have a browse for your next bike on MCN Bikes ForSale website or use the MCN’s Bikes For Sale App.