2018–2021 · Retro Classic · Buyer's Guide
Blacked-Out Factory Bobber
The Bobber Black takes Triumph's 1200 cc High Torque parallel twin and wraps it in a fully blacked-out, hardtail-look chassis. It makes 76 hp and a thick 78 lb-ft, and the 270-degree firing order gives the motor a lumpy, off-beat pulse down low. Triumph Ride-by-Wire Throttle Maps (1st generation) sit quietly behind the ride, feeding a clean signal to the bar without ever showing their hand. ABS, traction control and ride modes all come standard, so the modern safety net is present while the styling stays pure. That fat 16-inch front tire sets the whole stance.
On the road it feels planted and low, the 27.2-inch seat dropping you right down into the machine. This is a bike built to be looked at and modified. The aftermarket potential is enormous, and the welds and fasteners still look factory-fresh after real weather exposure. It suits a rider who values style and genuine character over outright practicality. Be honest with yourself about the trade-offs. The 2.4 gal tank keeps range short, the 525 lb wet weight asks for respect at walking pace, and this is a single-seat machine at heart.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 76 hp (57 kW) @ 6,100 rpm |
|---|---|
| Torque | 78 lb-ft (106 Nm) @ 4,000 rpm |
| Displacement | 1200 cc |
| Engine | Parallel twin |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
| Final drive | Chain |
| Fork | Telescopic |
| Front brake | 310 mm |
| Front tire | 130/90‑16 |
| Rear tire | 150/80‑16 |
| Wheelbase | 59.4 in (1510 mm) |
| Seat height | 27.2 in (690 mm) |
| Wet weight | 525 lb (238 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 2.4 gal (9.1 L) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Comfort
Drivetrain
Lighting
Safety
This isn't my ride report. It's what I've picked up over years of listening to Bobber Black owners in paddock conversations, at club nights and bike meets, and in the emails and messages riders send me directly. The pattern is consistent. Owners are united in praising how the Black handles, stops and looks, and they're just as united on what the bobber stance costs them in range, comfort and clearance.
Handling is the praise riders repeat most often. Owners describe a bike that turns in neutrally and stays stable through a bend, and many say it feels far lighter once it's rolling than its stance suggests. The front brakes come up almost as often. Riders report strong, progressive stopping from the twin discs, well beyond what they expected from a cruiser. Several owners also point to the engine's linear delivery and say it makes an ordinary ride feel effortless without ever getting dull.
Owners agree that the murdered-out finish, fat tires and slash-cut pipes draw attention wherever the bike is parked. When they talk about why it looks expensive up close, they name the deep paint and the bar-end mirrors.
Range is the most common complaint. Riders put real-world distance at roughly 100 to 120 miles (160 to 190 km) per tank. Suspension comes next. Owners call it firm, say sharp bumps come through harshly at the rear, and point out there's no adjustment up front. Ground clearance gets a steady stream of comments as well. The pegs touch down early, and that limits cornering speed. Some owners add that the thin seat padding and the peg position start to hurt after 40 to 50 miles. Riders also regularly bring up price. New, it cost significantly more than many middleweight cruisers, and that put it firmly in premium territory.
Early check engine light or stalling
Some owners reported the check engine light coming on within the first few hundred miles, sometimes accompanied by stalling, often requiring dealer attention.
Wheel harmonic vibration after tire change
A few owners experienced unusual vibrations after replacing the OE tires, possibly related to wheel balancing or the unique 16‑inch front wheel dynamics.
Intermittent turn signal failures
Some owners report turn signals failing to illuminate or hyper‑flashing, often traced to poor connections or water ingress in the switchgear.
Mystery oil leaks
A few threads mention oil drips appearing under the engine after riding, with no consistent cause identified, possibly from breather or gasket areas.
Where this Triumph Bonneville Bobber Black pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the Bonneville Bobber Black is actually built for.
This is your bike. The style and sound suit small-town routes and slow scenic runs perfectly. Just plan your fuel stops around that small tank and keep the days relaxed rather than epic.
Made for Acadia National Park · Austin / Handbuilt Motorcycle Show · Blue Ridge Parkway
You'll love the presence and the noise rolling into a rally. It carries real identity and sound, though the single seat and short range make it more a statement ride than a two-up mile-crusher.
Made for A1A — Florida Atlantic Coast · Black Hills / Sturgis Rally Hub · Daytona Main Street / Bike Week
Go in clear-eyed. The Bobber has the torque and the character for Hill Country cruising, but the weight and slow-steering front want a flowing pace over hard-charging the Twisted Sisters.
Made for Austin / Texas Hill Country · Twisted Sisters · Austin / Handbuilt Motorcycle Show
If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
Any price note compares both bikes at the same age — the youngest age both have on the used market — against this Triumph Bonneville Bobber Black. “cheaper/pricier” is what that bike costs second-hand, not how worn it is.
Competitor · 2018–2020
Attitude Poured Into Iron
Roughly $1,200 cheaper used than this bike at 6 yr
Competitor · 2014–2017
Maximum Chopper Stance, Yamaha Reliability
Same Platform · 2019–2020
Factory Custom, Built Right
About the same used price as this bike at 6 yr