Walked into the dealership a month ago and saw this bike. I knew I was gonna buy it at first glance . I think its one of the coolest looking bikes on the market now. Too bad its cold where I live too. I was only able to put 50 miles on the bike, cant wait for spring!
@@Atopper Its in my garage already. I think its called iron or something. Matte black and like a grey. I already put a leather seat on it. As much as i wish I could ride it, its nice to look at in the garage!
@@Atopper Yea. I can deal with mid 50s fine. 40's, once you drive down the road a mile you quickly realize your mistake lol. I had a few bike I was interested in buying including a Ducati a moto Guzzi and a Kawasaki. The triumph just had a fun factor that i was looking for. Almost like jumping on my Coleman mini bike. Just puts a smile on your face.
I have a 2018 Bonneville T120 Black and I went riding with a friend who has a 2017 Bonneville Bobber. We went for a notoriously adventurous (tons of twisties) and beautifully scenic ride in the panhandle of Western ID close to the city in WA that I live in. In any case, we decided to swap bikes on the way back from our ride . I've always wanted to ride a Bobber and he never tried a T120. We both had great fun that day and I was very surprised and impressed with the way the Bobber handled, (although it did scrape pegs much sooner than my T120 as expected because of the rake, ground clearance, lean angle, etc.) but I thoroughly enjoyed the raw feel of a naked bobber (no windscreen) and the lighter weight than my T120. One thing I was very surprised about was the difference in engine power and the shifting between the 2 bikes. Because both of these bikes had the same HT 1200 engine I was not expecting much of a difference in this regard. Much to our surprise the T120 had noticeably more power and throttle response! Shifting on the Bobber was a just bit clunky but much smoother on my T120. At the end of the day, I still love my T120 but of course it's all very subjective. Honestly the T120 IMO is far and away the better bike. Why? Because of it's versatility. It's very flickable and I can ride all day in some extreme twisties and not scrape the pegs once! Like you, I too love getting on the throttle, just after the apex of the curve. Very exhilarating! The bigger fuel tank and smoother more powerful engine are a big advantage over the Bobber. If I decide to take it cross-country or do some longer distance touring the T120 is up to the task. Getting 160-180 mile range on the tank. Also because of the long and well padded bench seat, I can slide my rear-end to different positions as needed for a rest while on the bobber you are stuck in the saddle. Aesthetics are very subjective, although I must admit the Bobber has a much more hooligan and beefy look (which I like) while the T120 is more refined. That said, I still very much loved riding the Bobber and even thought about getting one for a second bike when it is within my budget! There are some differences between the 2017 and 2021-22 Bobber models (primarily in forks and additional front brake) so I don't know how the these two models would compare on a head to head test ride in the new models. Anyway, just my two cents. Thanks for a great video. Enjoyed your cool ride and your enthusiasm!
Great comparison! I do like hearing tasteful information within the bikes. I have been looking at the T120 a lot since one of my friends traded his Bobber for one. Both of his were 2017s tho. The Bobber with the bigger front wheel is from 2017-2021 (I believe), the Bobber Black with two 16” wheels is from 2018-2021. Apparently Triumph sold so many more Bobber Blacks that in 2022 they changed them all to the 16” wheels (OG Black) and a 12L>9L tank. Without a doubt the Bobber is a bike that can be much less practical but you can’t help to love it. 🤘
I know what you mean, I own an Aprilia rsv4. Last month I tried the Triumph because even though I ride sports bikes I have always liked the bobber type, I rediscovered the pleasure of riding relaxed without acting crazy, but enjoying the road without risking my licenses at every outing, incredible wonderful bike. The desire to buy it is there😁 and I would keep the RSV4 for the track, maybe😅😅
I never got to try a RSV4, it was the only other sport bike I had interest in when I got the S1000RR but I don’t even know how many hours away the closest dealer was at the time. It would be an awesome setup to have the Bobber for the street & RSV4 for track!
100%! I've had a lot of bikes over the years and the Bobber is my favorite so far. The newer ones have a bit larger fuel tank (12L?) which I do appreciate. It's getting colder here too, I'm not looking forward to snow!
Hey bud! Awesome video, I also own a bobber black 18’ and the idea of doing videos with changing stuff and maintenance would be wonderful for viewers like me who’s kind of having a hard time reading the manual (due to disleksia).
Thank you! I do have some videos up of changing a few things. Unfortunately I don’t have anywhere at home that’s visually pleasing to me for working on the bike. I plan on putting two up in the next couple weeks but we’ll see how they turn out. But since you do have a Bobber Black too, check out this sundays video. I think it’ll be interesting for you. 👍
The Triumph Bobber is definitely my favorite bike! Yes indeed AAC, bunch of videos exploring around. Also let me know if there’s any spots you don’t see yet! lol
Yes sir! Hope you’re healing well! Have you test ridden either yet? I’ve only seen one Trident in person, it looked pretty sweet but a completely different setup than the Bobber. I love my Bobber & it’s perfect for how I ride.
@@Atopper not yet on either, i can bend my knee really well but surgeon hasn't even unlocked my brace yet let alone told me to put weight on it, so it may be a few weeks before I can do a test ride. I think mid-Sep i'm back in his office so inshallah. ;) May be ideal timing, I'm retiring from the .mil end of Sep so it could be a fun retirement self-gift. :D Stay safe out there!
Damn, hope all goes well at the next visit. I think it would be a perfect retirement gift! lol. Let me know how everything goes & what you end up picking.
Always wanted and still want one, great bike overall. But love the route you took on this ride. I ride the same way every time I take my bike out. Excellent twisties and views. I head up north to Chesapeake Cycles, which I'm guessing is where you bought you Bobber, great shop too. Enjoy the ride!
It is, did you take a Bobber out on a test ride? I love the backroads around here, I find it difficult to not have all the videos be riding them lol. My friend Burch is hosting a meetup in Annapolis on Saturday the 29th. I’ll be there if you want to come out.
Try it out & see what you think. Dont overthink it, just realize you'll hear & feel the foot pegs hit if you get far enough over. I ride mine in the back roads all the time. You can see in my most recent video, I lean into them a lot on sharp turns but that's not an everyday thing. Also once I wore down the stock feeler pegs, I replaced them with a hex bolt with an extra nut on there to have some room to ride into them. If that makes sense. Let me know what you think after the ride.
@@Atopper Also, when I meant ‘the lean” I meant leaning forward. I’m used to mini apes to cruise with and I know Triumph has an option for that. The numbers for my trade need to work out also….stay tuned.
@robertgregory1927 I didn’t think about that. The Bobber has a lot of adjustment & room for customizing the fit of the bike to you. I have some videos on the things I did to make it sit how I wanted comfort wise.
I am kinda surprised they don’t make a smaller cc Bobber. You could always ride it in rain mode to get used to it, if you’re just starting out & like the Bobber. The lower seat is actually really nice I think.
@SimplicityForGood I had a Shadow 750 as my first bike. I loved that bike. Took it all the way to Chicago from Georgia. Your mileage may vary. Some bikes are rebuild well. While some are not.
@@spiketheadventurefurry8732 now my friends who used to to have Harley but left all classic looking bikes are into Yamaha 1300 cc and when they heard I am considering a Honda Shadow bobber pr Suzaki 800 intruder bobber they said no, you gonna regret yourself sooo much, is pure shit! Is just like a moped those 600 cc and a bad imitation of a Harley trying to be something it never will be and told me to get a MT 3 or MT 7 or Honda Hornet
Simply one of the best looking bikes on the market. Rideability, I'm going to have to disagree. Does Spike bottoms out more than any other bike I've ever been on. Kind of makes it dangerous. Super uncomfortable. And I feel like a big fat ass parachute on it.
It’s difficult for a bike to check all the boxes. Just have to prioritize the right ones for yourself. I love the look & minimalistic style of the Bobber. I’d like a hardtail but that’s unrealistic for more miles so the short travel doesn’t really bother me. Also that’s just me personally.
I just bought the bobber today and already scraped my footpeg doing a corner on my first ride. This caused me to be very weary of every turn I made after as it feels very different from other bikes I’ve ridden. I am not sure if I sure go ahead with the bends or go very slow and carefully. Do you have any tips? Or should I just fearlessly wear down those footpegs? Appreciate your advice, if any, since you’ve been with your bobber for a year :) thank you!
Congratulations! I wouldn’t be weary of scraping the foot pegs. But more lately I have been leaning my body more than the Bobber into turns bc I started scraping other parts. On local roads, I’ve gotten used to what gear for what turns are coming. But on unknown roads, I take it easy most of the time. I’ve started using bolts and extra nuts for the pegs after grinding through the stock ones. Much cheaper and last longer.
Thank you! This is a 2018 with 47mm forks and a 9L tank. The bobbers with two 16” wheels have 47mm forks. The bobbers with the bigger front wheels have the 41mm forks, all the new bobbers have the new 12L tank. I dont know how they got 3L more with out the tank looking bigger.
Loove the bike, love your review! What do you think about the vibrations from the seat? Can custom cushioning help? I feel like I can hear the vibrations in your voice while riding, or is it just the road?
Thank you! The vibrations don’t bother me other than recording my voice. There’s no dampening between the frame and seat. Plus my seat is the most minimal one Triumph makes. I recently installed a new rear shock and it helps a bit, haven’t really had the chance to heat the audio difference yet.
The double seat version is the Speedmaster or you could do the Thornton Hundred double seat bracket for the Bobber. I personally like the Bobber setup.
@sgtshak2806 it would be close. I would flip the riser around and drill a hole in the seat bracket (I have a older video of what I mean) to move the seat back. I’m 6’1 & feel stretched out with that setup. Upgrading the suspension would be a must. I’d check out the Indian bobber too, it may come more stretched out without having to do anything too it. I’d try to test ride both. 👍
Hey. Mild winter no? I'm a little north of you and have been able to get out many days this winter tho last night they salted the crap outa the roads. Have you been riding? I'm on a 2023 Trident that I mostly love but I can't help to be attracted to other bikes. These Bobbers have to be just about my favorite looking bikes ATM and might consider one someday except for the wheels....and chain. I'd love one of these with cast wheels and a belt drive. That said, I'm a newer rider with only ~6000 miles so I don't know s____. What's it like keeping after those laced wheels? How do you get in an around the double discs up front to clean the spokes and hubs? Do the spokes rust? Is there an effective spray cleaner so all that's needed is a spray on and then a rinse off with water? What about the lube cast off mess from the chain on the rear rim, spokes and hub? How do you tackle that? I've got this handled on my Trident but laced wheels look like a crap-ton of work and time. Is it?
It has been pretty mild for the most part. This morning woke up to some light snow & it's going to be a cold week this next few days then I think it is going to warm back up. The Trident is a sweet bike, I like how it looks a lot. I love my Bobber but I'm not a huge fan of the spoke wheels. I can understand the desire for Triumph to do it with the heritage of Bobbers, but I really want to do a 5 spoke wheel in the future. Unfortunately the front spokes have some rust on them, the back ones do not tho. I personally wash the wheels by hand with a rag. All the bikes I've ever had came with dual front brakes so it's normal to me!? 🤷♂️ lol. I choose to "under" lube my chain, most recommendations I see are 200-500 miles. I typically will do it around 700-1400 miles, I think. Being a Bicycle Mechanic my whole life, both not lubing and over lubing are not great for the chain. I fall on the lower amount of lube side to keep the bike cleaner for longer. There is a window where then you can pick your preference.
@@Atopper We've had virtually no snow this year except 2 or 3 dustings that did not stick to roads yet they come out in force with brine, gravel sized salt and gravel. We've had only one or 2 days down near single digits and most days are in the 40's with a few in the 30's or 50's. We need a heavy rain or 2 before I want to take 'Whistler' out again because all the salt last night looks to be heavy. I'm in PA fwiw. I don't have heated gear but I've been out at least a couple times a week on the Trident. Sometimes 4-5 days/week. My Trident has double discs up front but does not have spokes to contend with. After the first few times of cleaning these wheels it's really not too bad especially compared to what I imagine keeping after spoke wheels. When I was considering my second bike I looked at the Moto Guzzi V7 850 and an Indian Scout Sixty because I wanted to avoid a chain. First bike was a Honda Rebel 500. I've been washing the 🔱 and cleaning/lubing my chain a fair amount this winter because of salty roads. I used to be an avid road cyclist till a couple years ago and lived on a mtn bike from roughly 1985-2005 when I switched to the road. Built all my mtn bikes and wheels but once I was on skinny bikes I left most everything to my LBS. The Trident is a hoot. Do I trade it (for a Triumph ST900) or do I get it a quick-shifter and a Scorpion exhaust? I ask myself that most everyday and get a different answer. 🙃
I haven't even been out to look at the roads today. I hate it when they start salting, specially for the fact most of the time it doesn't even snow. It all depends what you're looking for in a bike, as well as if you're looking to have one or two bikes. The Rebel is like a sporty cruiser bike, where the Trident seem to be a technical backroad bike that you can use the power band completely. Id just think about your riding style/ what style bike you're looking at. Then begins the endless research lol. If they make a quick shift for the Trident, I would lean towards that.
@@Atopper The Rebel was my first bike, I'm not interested in one now. I think it's really more of a bobber than cruiser. It was a perfect starter bike and I put tons of research into many bikes and that's how I ended up on the Rebel as well as selecting to test ride the Trident, the Speed Twin 900, the Moto Guzzi V7 Stone 850cc and the Indian Scout Sixty to replace the Rebel which I sold last spring. I loved both the Indian and the Moto Guzzi but I decided they were out of contention for other reasons than the bikes themselves or how they rode. Well, they did have some minor points against them but then no bike is perfect. Mostly it came down to dealer support which I felt was lacking and my local Triumph dealer is Awesome. Tho the Speed Twin 900 and the Trident are very different bikes I loved both for different reasons and really it essentially came down to a flip of the coin knowing full well that whichever I chose I'd likely pine for the one I did not get. I am not going to ever own more than one bike at a time. And yeah, Triumph does make a specific quick-shifter for the Trident, that's why I mentioned it. However, I think the character of the ST900 may speak more to my soul than the pretty great handling Trident and it's sweet triple. Planning on another test ride of the ST900.
I was just saying you know how the Rebel rides and now the Trident. That’s awesome you have a great local Triumph dealer. I’ve always have been a big fan of Triumph. Test ride the bikes and see what one you like better.
Thank you! They make a few attachments for bags for the Bobber. They have pannier brackets, either seat or fender mounted racks, & of course a tank bag. I’ve seen some people load up the Bobber pretty well.
I have the smaller 2.4g tank & don’t have an issue with it. The newer Bobbers have the 3.2g tank. Only thing is the routes with over 100mile gaps between stations I’d get nervous but more towards 120+. The comfort of the bike, just really comes down to you personally. I found the statement seat more comfortable than the more padded stock seat. The rider fitment is actually quite adjustable compared to most bikes for not spending money to do so to an extent. At end of the day it is a shorter travel bike. Most of my riding is up to a whole day or shorter but with going to do longer multiple day trips in the future. I’m not stressed over it being on the Bobber. 🤷🏻♂️🤘
Normally people would use a bagger style, big front fairing/ windshield & hard bag storage for long distance. I’ve done a few 200+ mile days but I much prefer back road over highway. Also with that, I love my Bobber & choose to use it as a do it all bike.
My 2018 Bobber Black is my all time most favorite possession. At 5'7 145lb, its like a tailor measured me and built the the bike. Just added a little storage for snacks.
I find my bobber is too tall geared for an around town cruiser, it'll do almost 3 figure speeds in 4th and even though it has good torque low down, it pulls hard all the way through the rev range, which results in going way beyond the speed limit really quickly, i'd prefer if it was shorter geared so i could short shift and stay in the low rev torque curve, but when i try that now, it lugs slightly. 30mph is a struggle in 4th, the bike will protest, 3rd is probably more suitable, yet my Tracer 900 will do 30mph in 6th no problem. My bike is Euro spec, with factory Vance & Hines and factory mini apes, i don't know if gearing is standard world wide? apart from what i said above, i love it. 👍
I have been hearing people changing the gear ratio on the Bobber. Down one tooth in the front & up one or two in the back. They seem to really like it. I thought about it but I feel like I do pretty all around riding & don’t want to under gear it on the highway.
@@Atopper Yeah ive seen a few people do that, problem is it changes the asthetics of the bike slightly, as it moves the rear wheel out of position quite a bit and because the rear fender is fixed to the rear, it changes the wheel to arch gap and if you have the short fender which i do, looks even worse. But i admit, i bought the bike for it's looks, so i'm fussy 😃
I completely understand & agree with what you’re saying. I personally want my rear wheel farther forward, so now I’m thinking about going up a tooth or two in the back. Which won’t change the the gear ratio too much.
I weigh 195lbs. I’d get some miles on it first to see what you think. If you do the bigger rear sprocket. It would pull the wheel up & “stiffen” the ride of the rear shock
Pros : torque, speed, style, sound Cons: freeway is not your friend, small and hurts my hips after 30 mins of riding( I'm 6'1 ) Not good for long travels
It’s definitely not meant for highways, favors backroads a lot more. I’m 6’1 as well, stock it’s a bit tight. But with drilling a new hole in the seat bracket, it’ll be much nicer. How I have mine setup, I’m more on the stretched side. I think it’s pretty perfect. Triumph Bobber Custom Setup for 2024 th-cam.com/video/l7jAXX2A-RA/w-d-xo.html
Nice video! Thanks for sharing. Quick question: I have been searching for the right rear fender as the OEM one the bike comes with looks ugly. Where did you get yours from? Also, did you change the exhaust pipes for better sound?
Thank you! The rear fender is actually the OEM shorty option that I got from the local dealer. In this video I have the V&H mufflers on, I have since changed them & have the V&H for sale. The V&Hs are slightly smaller & louder but I wanted to get a bit louder but mainly different aesthetic look. In the next month or two I’m going to do a 10k mile review & updated bike check.
Ok, so you are roughly the same size as me. I'm like 6'2 and 210. I'm currently weighing up getting one of these or a t120.... I sat on a bobber in the showroom last week and it didn't feel too small. You think I'll need to uprate the suspension then?
It really depends on your riding style/ roads around you. I ride backroads, moderately aggressive and the suspension leaves a bit to be desired. If you’re riding pretty nice roads and not taking turns hard then it’s pretty good. I personally flipped the factory risers around to face forwards and I drilled a hole in the seat bracket, moving the seat 22-23mm back. I like to be a little bit stretched out. I hear a lot of people liking the more upright position and the more travel you get with the T120. But the Bobber is just it’s own bike and I feel like fits its heritage well.
If I was starting from scratch, I would buy the Bobber again without a doubt. Would I trade mine in for a newer version, no. I’ve bonded with my Bobber.
Loved the look, hated the rear shock (replaced with a Hagon, bit better) but that low speed throttle response is godawful... I'm thinking of selling it...😒
Have you thought about regearing it or adjusting the ECU map? I swapped out the rear 37t sprocket for a 39t & I like it much more overall. It also helped a bit with the low speed throttle. But it seems like most people will bump up fueling by 5% at low speeds to make it smoother.
I’d recommend getting your headers painted if you can’t find a good used set. The oem paint finish peels but also I do like the worn in look too. If you’re in the US I have these V&H mufflers for sale. 👍
The torque and powerband are geared too high for most driving conditions. You will seldom, if ever, use 6th gear. The rear suspension is terrible! The ride is spine jarring. Even with the larger 12L tank, you will search for gas stations every ride. The low fuel light (not adjustable) comes at just under 1/2 a tank!
It’s definitely not a bike for everyone but if you understand the characteristics of what you’re buying, I think this is a great bike. I have upgraded the rear shock & rear sprocket, 37t to 39t now. I still like the 9L tank better but avg 60+ mpg & normally always have a gas station somewhere around. The fuel light & bar doesn’t do anything till half a tank but at least it has a light. Lol
@@Atopper I got 2broken ribs....punctured lung and a broken scapula.....( shoulder )I would like another....mind was all changed short rear mudguard.....indicators..side lights and brake lights were all in one.....Vance and hinds exhaust pipes and a few other bits....I have a 1977 GS 750 suzuki.....so I still have something.....God Bless My Friend And watch out for the enemy..( cars )👍🇬🇧🤓
Damn, I hope you’re all healed & healthy now. Glad it wasn’t worse. I hate riding where it is too congested. I try to say in the country backroads as much as possible.
nice review. however, talking with your hands is distracting. those gloves make your hands look like Kermit the frog talking. geez, you can't ride with both hands on the handlebars because Kermit must be animated!!?
Thank you! And for being monotone, I heard talking with your hands could help keep the attention. The neon gloves are pretty ridiculous but I already had them. I do want to get them in black. Just happy I haven’t marshaled any planes in for landing.
Easily one of the best-looking bikes out there IMO. 👌
I do agree!
Great opinion
Walked into the dealership a month ago and saw this bike. I knew I was gonna buy it at first glance . I think its one of the coolest looking bikes on the market now. Too bad its cold where I live too. I was only able to put 50 miles on the bike, cant wait for spring!
That’s awesome & congratulations! This winter is already hitting hard (temp wise). Highs are in the 20s&30s. What color are you getting?
@@Atopper Its in my garage already. I think its called iron or something. Matte black and like a grey. I already put a leather seat on it. As much as i wish I could ride it, its nice to look at in the garage!
Heck yeah! That’s sweet. Did a quick ride today and it was borderline not worth it.
@@Atopper Yea. I can deal with mid 50s fine. 40's, once you drive down the road a mile you quickly realize your mistake lol.
I had a few bike I was interested in buying including a Ducati a moto Guzzi and a Kawasaki. The triumph just had a fun factor that i was looking for. Almost like jumping on my Coleman mini bike. Just puts a smile on your face.
Completely agree lol. Actually with both, the Bobber is such a great all around bike I think. You can make it anything you want.
I have a 2018 Bonneville T120 Black and I went riding with a friend who has a 2017 Bonneville Bobber. We went for a notoriously adventurous (tons of twisties) and beautifully scenic ride in the panhandle of Western ID close to the city in WA that I live in. In any case, we decided to swap bikes on the way back from our ride . I've always wanted to ride a Bobber and he never tried a T120. We both had great fun that day and I was very surprised and impressed with the way the Bobber handled, (although it did scrape pegs much sooner than my T120 as expected because of the rake, ground clearance, lean angle, etc.) but I thoroughly enjoyed the raw feel of a naked bobber (no windscreen) and the lighter weight than my T120. One thing I was very surprised about was the difference in engine power and the shifting between the 2 bikes. Because both of these bikes had the same HT 1200 engine I was not expecting much of a difference in this regard. Much to our surprise the T120 had noticeably more power and throttle response! Shifting on the Bobber was a just bit clunky but much smoother on my T120. At the end of the day, I still love my T120 but of course it's all very subjective. Honestly the T120 IMO is far and away the better bike. Why? Because of it's versatility. It's very flickable and I can ride all day in some extreme twisties and not scrape the pegs once! Like you, I too love getting on the throttle, just after the apex of the curve. Very exhilarating! The bigger fuel tank and smoother more powerful engine are a big advantage over the Bobber. If I decide to take it cross-country or do some longer distance touring the T120 is up to the task. Getting 160-180 mile range on the tank. Also because of the long and well padded bench seat, I can slide my rear-end to different positions as needed for a rest while on the bobber you are stuck in the saddle. Aesthetics are very subjective, although I must admit the Bobber has a much more hooligan and beefy look (which I like) while the T120 is more refined.
That said, I still very much loved riding the Bobber and even thought about getting one for a second bike when it is within my budget! There are some differences between the 2017 and 2021-22 Bobber models (primarily in forks and additional front brake) so I don't know how the these two models would compare on a head to head test ride in the new models.
Anyway, just my two cents. Thanks for a great video. Enjoyed your cool ride and your enthusiasm!
Great comparison! I do like hearing tasteful information within the bikes. I have been looking at the T120 a lot since one of my friends traded his Bobber for one. Both of his were 2017s tho. The Bobber with the bigger front wheel is from 2017-2021 (I believe), the Bobber Black with two 16” wheels is from 2018-2021. Apparently Triumph sold so many more Bobber Blacks that in 2022 they changed them all to the 16” wheels (OG Black) and a 12L>9L tank. Without a doubt the Bobber is a bike that can be much less practical but you can’t help to love it. 🤘
I have a 2021 T100. I love the build quality and design of all of the triumphs. They all look like fun.
100%. I’ve always had my eye on Triumphs. Im so happy to have one of my own.
I know what you mean, I own an Aprilia rsv4. Last month I tried the Triumph because even though I ride sports bikes I have always liked the bobber type, I rediscovered the pleasure of riding relaxed without acting crazy, but enjoying the road without risking my licenses at every outing, incredible wonderful bike. The desire to buy it is there😁 and I would keep the RSV4 for the track, maybe😅😅
I never got to try a RSV4, it was the only other sport bike I had interest in when I got the S1000RR but I don’t even know how many hours away the closest dealer was at the time. It would be an awesome setup to have the Bobber for the street & RSV4 for track!
100%! I've had a lot of bikes over the years and the Bobber is my favorite so far. The newer ones have a bit larger fuel tank (12L?) which I do appreciate. It's getting colder here too, I'm not looking forward to snow!
The new tanks are 12L, i dont know how Triumph upped it without it looking much bigger. Crossing my fingers for a mild winter.
I adore these. I've gone for a T120 purely because I ride two up a lot. It's cool to hear that you came from a S1000RR.
The T120s are sweet. I’ve seen some builds that make me want N+1 lol. I loved my S1000rr, I wonder where is it now🤔
I’m good with the small tank….just looks appropriate. I did change the rear shock….so much better.
I agree! I think the tank fits the Bobber perfectly & I recently changed the rear shock, much nicer once it’s setup. 🤙
Hey bud! Awesome video, I also own a bobber black 18’ and the idea of doing videos with changing stuff and maintenance would be wonderful for viewers like me who’s kind of having a hard time reading the manual (due to disleksia).
Thank you! I do have some videos up of changing a few things. Unfortunately I don’t have anywhere at home that’s visually pleasing to me for working on the bike. I plan on putting two up in the next couple weeks but we’ll see how they turn out. But since you do have a Bobber Black too, check out this sundays video. I think it’ll be interesting for you. 👍
@@Atopper I’ll be keeping an eye out for the new video💯
I notice the Bontrager bicycling gloves. Nice. I use a pair in the winter.
Haha yeah I’ve been wearing cycling gloves the whole time. I haven’t found a pair of motorcycle gloves that I really like yet.
I just seen one today, and he had after market exhaust, i was blown away! Sweet note..
The parallel twin sounds really good & matches the sound to the style of the bike well. I have something new coming soon that I’m excited about.
I have a 2017 that I freaking love! I knew at the beginning of your video it looked like Anne Arundel Co! My old stompin’ grounds!
The Triumph Bobber is definitely my favorite bike! Yes indeed AAC, bunch of videos exploring around. Also let me know if there’s any spots you don’t see yet! lol
Taller rider only need to set the seat back, install forward foot controls/floor boards as well as mini ape bars and it feels like a custom fit bike….
Just brought one today, can not wait to ride it.
Congratulations! It's easy to fall in love with it! What color did you go with?
@@Atopper Iornside Green
holy crap AA county fren! once i'm allowed to ride again (ACL surgery a few weeks ago) i'm narrowing down the bobber vs trident and leaning bobber.
Yes sir! Hope you’re healing well! Have you test ridden either yet? I’ve only seen one Trident in person, it looked pretty sweet but a completely different setup than the Bobber. I love my Bobber & it’s perfect for how I ride.
@@Atopper not yet on either, i can bend my knee really well but surgeon hasn't even unlocked my brace yet let alone told me to put weight on it, so it may be a few weeks before I can do a test ride. I think mid-Sep i'm back in his office so inshallah. ;) May be ideal timing, I'm retiring from the .mil end of Sep so it could be a fun retirement self-gift. :D Stay safe out there!
Damn, hope all goes well at the next visit. I think it would be a perfect retirement gift! lol. Let me know how everything goes & what you end up picking.
Always wanted and still want one, great bike overall. But love the route you took on this ride. I ride the same way every time I take my bike out. Excellent twisties and views. I head up north to Chesapeake Cycles, which I'm guessing is where you bought you Bobber, great shop too.
Enjoy the ride!
It is, did you take a Bobber out on a test ride? I love the backroads around here, I find it difficult to not have all the videos be riding them lol. My friend Burch is hosting a meetup in Annapolis on Saturday the 29th. I’ll be there if you want to come out.
@@Atopper sounds like a plan. I no longer have a ST but I’ll share that story on the 29th. Where’s the meet up?
Awesome! And he still hasn’t picked a location yet. I’m going to share his update stories on my Instagram (Atopper) that’s the best way.
Checking out a Bobber tomorrow, been riding Harleys 40 years so this should be interesting. Concerned with the lean though.
Try it out & see what you think. Dont overthink it, just realize you'll hear & feel the foot pegs hit if you get far enough over. I ride mine in the back roads all the time. You can see in my most recent video, I lean into them a lot on sharp turns but that's not an everyday thing. Also once I wore down the stock feeler pegs, I replaced them with a hex bolt with an extra nut on there to have some room to ride into them. If that makes sense. Let me know what you think after the ride.
@@Atopper Not sure if the weather will cooperate today here in Pa because of rain 🌧️ so we’ll see.
@robertgregory1927 You’re just north of me. It’s raining good down here today.
@@Atopper Also, when I meant ‘the lean” I meant leaning forward. I’m used to mini apes to cruise with and I know Triumph has an option for that. The numbers for my trade need to work out also….stay tuned.
@robertgregory1927 I didn’t think about that. The Bobber has a lot of adjustment & room for customizing the fit of the bike to you. I have some videos on the things I did to make it sit how I wanted comfort wise.
Triumph would do well with a 900 Bobber, don't you think? I'd also like to see a 1500cc Rocket 3 in addition to the big brother.
I am kinda surprised they don’t make a smaller cc Bobber. You could always ride it in rain mode to get used to it, if you’re just starting out & like the Bobber. The lower seat is actually really nice I think.
If you have the chance to get a bobber. Get it. Bobbers are the best around town bikes.
I agree!
Everyone says they are pure shit, like the honda shadow 600 bobber, for example… that is like a heavy moped
🤷🏻♂️ Buy what you like, pass what you don’t.
@SimplicityForGood I had a Shadow 750 as my first bike. I loved that bike. Took it all the way to Chicago from Georgia. Your mileage may vary. Some bikes are rebuild well. While some are not.
@@spiketheadventurefurry8732 now my friends who used to to have Harley but left all classic looking bikes are into Yamaha 1300 cc and when they heard I am considering a Honda Shadow bobber pr Suzaki 800 intruder bobber they said no, you gonna regret yourself sooo much, is pure shit! Is just like a moped those 600 cc and a bad imitation of a Harley trying to be something it never will be and told me to get a MT 3 or MT 7 or Honda Hornet
Simply one of the best looking bikes on the market. Rideability, I'm going to have to disagree. Does Spike bottoms out more than any other bike I've ever been on. Kind of makes it dangerous. Super uncomfortable. And I feel like a big fat ass parachute on it.
It’s difficult for a bike to check all the boxes. Just have to prioritize the right ones for yourself. I love the look & minimalistic style of the Bobber. I’d like a hardtail but that’s unrealistic for more miles so the short travel doesn’t really bother me. Also that’s just me personally.
I just bought the bobber today and already scraped my footpeg doing a corner on my first ride. This caused me to be very weary of every turn I made after as it feels very different from other bikes I’ve ridden. I am not sure if I sure go ahead with the bends or go very slow and carefully. Do you have any tips? Or should I just fearlessly wear down those footpegs? Appreciate your advice, if any, since you’ve been with your bobber for a year :) thank you!
Congratulations!
I wouldn’t be weary of scraping the foot pegs. But more lately I have been leaning my body more than the Bobber into turns bc I started scraping other parts. On local roads, I’ve gotten used to what gear for what turns are coming. But on unknown roads, I take it easy most of the time. I’ve started using bolts and extra nuts for the pegs after grinding through the stock ones. Much cheaper and last longer.
Thanks a lot! Appreciate you taking the time to share.
Move your bodyweight into the corner, it will keep the bike more upright.
How does the engine compare to a Yamaha v-twin?
Honestly I have no idea. I’ve never ridden or researched anything about the Yamaha vtwin.
Good looking bike. So is this a 2020 with the 41mm front shocks? The 2021 and up have the bigger 12L tank and 47mm tank.
Thank you! This is a 2018 with 47mm forks and a 9L tank. The bobbers with two 16” wheels have 47mm forks. The bobbers with the bigger front wheels have the 41mm forks, all the new bobbers have the new 12L tank. I dont know how they got 3L more with out the tank looking bigger.
Nice, they just used the speed master tank like most guys who want a bigger tank do on the triumph forum.
True, I didn’t think of that. I do like having the 9L tank personally.
Harley guy lurking.....You're exactly right. A Bobber isn't a touring bike.
Backpack & tank bag will be about it for me. What Harley(s) do you ride?
@@Atopper I've owned 9 softtail's and touring models, my last was a 2016 FLSS.
Awesome! Do you not have it anymore?
@@Atopper No, I sold it last fall but currently in the market.
Of course I could be biased but could always test ride a Bobber lol. Or the Indian sport chief could be a good option for one to do all, cruiser wise.
Loove the bike, love your review! What do you think about the vibrations from the seat? Can custom cushioning help? I feel like I can hear the vibrations in your voice while riding, or is it just the road?
Thank you! The vibrations don’t bother me other than recording my voice. There’s no dampening between the frame and seat. Plus my seat is the most minimal one Triumph makes. I recently installed a new rear shock and it helps a bit, haven’t really had the chance to heat the audio difference yet.
Can you add a double seat?
The double seat version is the Speedmaster or you could do the Thornton Hundred double seat bracket for the Bobber. I personally like the Bobber setup.
You've probably already mentioned it but what exhaust do you have on your bike?
In this video I have the V&H slipons. I currently have them for sale. I am running British Customs slipons now.
As a 5’3 (160cm) man I think the bike is perfect for me.
The ability to adjust the riding position on this bike for all different riders is pretty impressive.
@@Atopper What about for a 6'4"/ 255lb guy? I'm afraid to pull the trigger on one because of possible cramped riding.
@sgtshak2806 it would be close. I would flip the riser around and drill a hole in the seat bracket (I have a older video of what I mean) to move the seat back. I’m 6’1 & feel stretched out with that setup. Upgrading the suspension would be a must. I’d check out the Indian bobber too, it may come more stretched out without having to do anything too it. I’d try to test ride both. 👍
Hey. Mild winter no? I'm a little north of you and have been able to get out many days this winter tho last night they salted the crap outa the roads. Have you been riding? I'm on a 2023 Trident that I mostly love but I can't help to be attracted to other bikes. These Bobbers have to be just about my favorite looking bikes ATM and might consider one someday except for the wheels....and chain. I'd love one of these with cast wheels and a belt drive. That said, I'm a newer rider with only ~6000 miles so I don't know s____. What's it like keeping after those laced wheels? How do you get in an around the double discs up front to clean the spokes and hubs? Do the spokes rust? Is there an effective spray cleaner so all that's needed is a spray on and then a rinse off with water? What about the lube cast off mess from the chain on the rear rim, spokes and hub? How do you tackle that? I've got this handled on my Trident but laced wheels look like a crap-ton of work and time. Is it?
It has been pretty mild for the most part. This morning woke up to some light snow & it's going to be a cold week this next few days then I think it is going to warm back up. The Trident is a sweet bike, I like how it looks a lot. I love my Bobber but I'm not a huge fan of the spoke wheels. I can understand the desire for Triumph to do it with the heritage of Bobbers, but I really want to do a 5 spoke wheel in the future. Unfortunately the front spokes have some rust on them, the back ones do not tho. I personally wash the wheels by hand with a rag. All the bikes I've ever had came with dual front brakes so it's normal to me!? 🤷♂️ lol. I choose to "under" lube my chain, most recommendations I see are 200-500 miles. I typically will do it around 700-1400 miles, I think. Being a Bicycle Mechanic my whole life, both not lubing and over lubing are not great for the chain. I fall on the lower amount of lube side to keep the bike cleaner for longer. There is a window where then you can pick your preference.
@@Atopper We've had virtually no snow this year except 2 or 3 dustings that did not stick to roads yet they come out in force with brine, gravel sized salt and gravel. We've had only one or 2 days down near single digits and most days are in the 40's with a few in the 30's or 50's. We need a heavy rain or 2 before I want to take 'Whistler' out again because all the salt last night looks to be heavy. I'm in PA fwiw. I don't have heated gear but I've been out at least a couple times a week on the Trident. Sometimes 4-5 days/week. My Trident has double discs up front but does not have spokes to contend with. After the first few times of cleaning these wheels it's really not too bad especially compared to what I imagine keeping after spoke wheels. When I was considering my second bike I looked at the Moto Guzzi V7 850 and an Indian Scout Sixty because I wanted to avoid a chain. First bike was a Honda Rebel 500. I've been washing the 🔱 and cleaning/lubing my chain a fair amount this winter because of salty roads. I used to be an avid road cyclist till a couple years ago and lived on a mtn bike from roughly 1985-2005 when I switched to the road. Built all my mtn bikes and wheels but once I was on skinny bikes I left most everything to my LBS.
The Trident is a hoot. Do I trade it (for a Triumph ST900) or do I get it a quick-shifter and a Scorpion exhaust? I ask myself that most everyday and get a different answer. 🙃
I haven't even been out to look at the roads today. I hate it when they start salting, specially for the fact most of the time it doesn't even snow. It all depends what you're looking for in a bike, as well as if you're looking to have one or two bikes. The Rebel is like a sporty cruiser bike, where the Trident seem to be a technical backroad bike that you can use the power band completely. Id just think about your riding style/ what style bike you're looking at. Then begins the endless research lol. If they make a quick shift for the Trident, I would lean towards that.
@@Atopper The Rebel was my first bike, I'm not interested in one now. I think it's really more of a bobber than cruiser. It was a perfect starter bike and I put tons of research into many bikes and that's how I ended up on the Rebel as well as selecting to test ride the Trident, the Speed Twin 900, the Moto Guzzi V7 Stone 850cc and the Indian Scout Sixty to replace the Rebel which I sold last spring. I loved both the Indian and the Moto Guzzi but I decided they were out of contention for other reasons than the bikes themselves or how they rode. Well, they did have some minor points against them but then no bike is perfect. Mostly it came down to dealer support which I felt was lacking and my local Triumph dealer is Awesome.
Tho the Speed Twin 900 and the Trident are very different bikes I loved both for different reasons and really it essentially came down to a flip of the coin knowing full well that whichever I chose I'd likely pine for the one I did not get. I am not going to ever own more than one bike at a time. And yeah, Triumph does make a specific quick-shifter for the Trident, that's why I mentioned it. However, I think the character of the ST900 may speak more to my soul than the pretty great handling Trident and it's sweet triple. Planning on another test ride of the ST900.
I was just saying you know how the Rebel rides and now the Trident. That’s awesome you have a great local Triumph dealer. I’ve always have been a big fan of Triumph. Test ride the bikes and see what one you like better.
Stunning looking bike. I want one lol, my problem then is my mates do like 4 days trips, doubt I could go if I had this tho lol
Thank you! They make a few attachments for bags for the Bobber. They have pannier brackets, either seat or fender mounted racks, & of course a tank bag. I’ve seen some people load up the Bobber pretty well.
@@Atopper yeh seen other videos of this I think the main thing would be making my arse comfortable lol and the fact the tank isn't very big
I have the smaller 2.4g tank & don’t have an issue with it. The newer Bobbers have the 3.2g tank. Only thing is the routes with over 100mile gaps between stations I’d get nervous but more towards 120+.
The comfort of the bike, just really comes down to you personally. I found the statement seat more comfortable than the more padded stock seat. The rider fitment is actually quite adjustable compared to most bikes for not spending money to do so to an extent.
At end of the day it is a shorter travel bike. Most of my riding is up to a whole day or shorter but with going to do longer multiple day trips in the future. I’m not stressed over it being on the Bobber. 🤷🏻♂️🤘
I wanna know what genere of bike is good for long distance rides
Normally people would use a bagger style, big front fairing/ windshield & hard bag storage for long distance. I’ve done a few 200+ mile days but I much prefer back road over highway. Also with that, I love my Bobber & choose to use it as a do it all bike.
My 2018 Bobber Black is my all time most favorite possession. At 5'7 145lb, its like a tailor measured me and built the the bike. Just added a little storage for snacks.
I think the Bobber is such an underrated bike! I love it!
Mm, snacks are important 👌
I find my bobber is too tall geared for an around town cruiser, it'll do almost 3 figure speeds in 4th and even though it has good torque low down, it pulls hard all the way through the rev range, which results in going way beyond the speed limit really quickly, i'd prefer if it was shorter geared so i could short shift and stay in the low rev torque curve, but when i try that now, it lugs slightly.
30mph is a struggle in 4th, the bike will protest, 3rd is probably more suitable, yet my Tracer 900 will do 30mph in 6th no problem.
My bike is Euro spec, with factory Vance & Hines and factory mini apes, i don't know if gearing is standard world wide? apart from what i said above, i love it. 👍
I have been hearing people changing the gear ratio on the Bobber. Down one tooth in the front & up one or two in the back. They seem to really like it. I thought about it but I feel like I do pretty all around riding & don’t want to under gear it on the highway.
@@Atopper Yeah ive seen a few people do that, problem is it changes the asthetics of the bike slightly, as it moves the rear wheel out of position quite a bit and because the rear fender is fixed to the rear, it changes the wheel to arch gap and if you have the short fender which i do, looks even worse.
But i admit, i bought the bike for it's looks, so i'm fussy 😃
I completely understand & agree with what you’re saying. I personally want my rear wheel farther forward, so now I’m thinking about going up a tooth or two in the back. Which won’t change the the gear ratio too much.
What is your height and weight?
I am 6’1 & 195lbs.
How much do you weigh? I weigh 140lbs, I was thinking of just getting the upgraded suspension when I buy the bike
I weigh 195lbs. I’d get some miles on it first to see what you think. If you do the bigger rear sprocket. It would pull the wheel up & “stiffen” the ride of the rear shock
Pros : torque, speed, style, sound
Cons: freeway is not your friend, small and hurts my hips after 30 mins of riding( I'm 6'1 )
Not good for long travels
It’s definitely not meant for highways, favors backroads a lot more. I’m 6’1 as well, stock it’s a bit tight. But with drilling a new hole in the seat bracket, it’ll be much nicer. How I have mine setup, I’m more on the stretched side. I think it’s pretty perfect.
Triumph Bobber Custom Setup for 2024
th-cam.com/video/l7jAXX2A-RA/w-d-xo.html
Nice video! Thanks for sharing. Quick question: I have been searching for the right rear fender as the OEM one the bike comes with looks ugly. Where did you get yours from? Also, did you change the exhaust pipes for better sound?
Thank you! The rear fender is actually the OEM shorty option that I got from the local dealer. In this video I have the V&H mufflers on, I have since changed them & have the V&H for sale. The V&Hs are slightly smaller & louder but I wanted to get a bit louder but mainly different aesthetic look. In the next month or two I’m going to do a 10k mile review & updated bike check.
I’m curious, just to compare to my own height and weight, could you please share yours? Thanks :)
I’m 6’1 or 185.5cm 🤘
Ok, so you are roughly the same size as me. I'm like 6'2 and 210.
I'm currently weighing up getting one of these or a t120....
I sat on a bobber in the showroom last week and it didn't feel too small. You think I'll need to uprate the suspension then?
It really depends on your riding style/ roads around you. I ride backroads, moderately aggressive and the suspension leaves a bit to be desired. If you’re riding pretty nice roads and not taking turns hard then it’s pretty good.
I personally flipped the factory risers around to face forwards and I drilled a hole in the seat bracket, moving the seat 22-23mm back. I like to be a little bit stretched out.
I hear a lot of people liking the more upright position and the more travel you get with the T120. But the Bobber is just it’s own bike and I feel like fits its heritage well.
That's my North Beach route 🤘
It’s a beautiful stop! Literally have been passing this spot for years and haven’t stopped.
@@Atopper turn right on Leitch road from Franklin Gibson and there's a wild brick English style mansion & horse paddock
I would really like to take photos on that property.
@@Atopper yeah seems like should be a museum or ghost tours
I completely agree!
The question is: would you buy the next year model if you had the money?
If I was starting from scratch, I would buy the Bobber again without a doubt.
Would I trade mine in for a newer version, no. I’ve bonded with my Bobber.
hey bro, i'm from brazil and my dream is having this bike. you've changed the handlebar?
I haven’t changed the handlebars yet but will be in the next couple weeks 👍
looks is definitely top... price, that is a bit harsh
I love my Bobber. I lucked out with mine. Normally I try to buy new bc I don’t plan on selling stuff. Mine was second hand tho & keeping it.
Good video nice bike but i cant handle the yellow gloves on a black bobber, ua killing the image 😅
It’s so people can see me flick them off easier! lol just kidding. Thank you & I am going to get new gloves soon!
Loved the look, hated the rear shock (replaced with a Hagon, bit better) but that low speed throttle response is godawful... I'm thinking of selling it...😒
Have you thought about regearing it or adjusting the ECU map? I swapped out the rear 37t sprocket for a 39t & I like it much more overall. It also helped a bit with the low speed throttle. But it seems like most people will bump up fueling by 5% at low speeds to make it smoother.
@@Atopper really can't be bothered throwing more money at it... 👎
I can understand that
I really like the blacked out exhaust on that. I am looking for a set.
I’d recommend getting your headers painted if you can’t find a good used set. The oem paint finish peels but also I do like the worn in look too. If you’re in the US I have these V&H mufflers for sale. 👍
The torque and powerband are geared too high for most driving conditions. You will seldom, if ever, use 6th gear. The rear suspension is terrible! The ride is spine jarring. Even with the larger 12L tank, you will search for gas stations every ride. The low fuel light (not adjustable) comes at just under 1/2 a tank!
It’s definitely not a bike for everyone but if you understand the characteristics of what you’re buying, I think this is a great bike. I have upgraded the rear shock & rear sprocket, 37t to 39t now. I still like the 9L tank better but avg 60+ mpg & normally always have a gas station somewhere around. The fuel light & bar doesn’t do anything till half a tank but at least it has a light. Lol
El espejo está bien para ver la hebilla del pantalón , ver el tráfico de atrás es secundario 😂😂
Haha can’t prove it
@@Atopper no sé el significado de lo q as escrito . Yo tengo una Triumph bobber y se q ese espejo no vale
Jaja, no puedes probarlo. Funciona mejor en el manillar superior, pero no es un reemplazo completo. Espero que el traductor funcione.
Stay healthy 😜 !!!
Thank you! You too!
Great Bike..I had one until some Git knocked me off it.....👍🇬🇧🤓
How are you doing from it? Thinking about getting another?
@@Atopper I got 2broken ribs....punctured lung and a broken scapula.....( shoulder )I would like another....mind was all changed short rear mudguard.....indicators..side lights and brake lights were all in one.....Vance and hinds exhaust pipes and a few other bits....I have a 1977 GS 750 suzuki.....so I still have something.....God Bless My Friend And watch out for the enemy..( cars )👍🇬🇧🤓
Damn, I hope you’re all healed & healthy now. Glad it wasn’t worse. I hate riding where it is too congested. I try to say in the country backroads as much as possible.
@@Atopper Yes Thanks getting better now.....when I get back riding I’ll stick to country roads.....👍🇬🇧🤓
nice review. however, talking with your hands is distracting. those gloves make your hands look like Kermit the frog talking. geez, you can't ride with both hands on the handlebars because Kermit must be animated!!?
Thank you! And for being monotone, I heard talking with your hands could help keep the attention. The neon gloves are pretty ridiculous but I already had them. I do want to get them in black. Just happy I haven’t marshaled any planes in for landing.
Man, you are getting cold get some good clothing your voice is shaking a little bit
Just wait for tomorrow’s video.👍
You cant buy a Bobber! Buying a factory Bobber is like trying to buy "Style" When you were born a Dweeb!
You can turn a Bobber into a Bobber tho lol. Most things that people buy are for “style”. I feel like being a Dweeb is something you grow into.
Terrible audio. Take off the helmet.
Thank you. I’ll try that
yap yap yap waaah aaah wank wank....
Just ride!
If ya want an easy ride in "turns" driver a car..
Lol 🤘