2019–2020 · Retro Classic · Buyer's Guide
Factory Custom, Built Right
The Bobber takes the 1200cc High Torque parallel twin and wraps it in a single-seat, low-slung silhouette that stands on its own inside the Bonneville range. That floating aluminum seat, the stripped bodywork, and the fat rear tire do the talking, while the liquid cooling and the ABS and traction control sit quietly in the background where they belong. It makes 76 hp and a meaty 78 lb-ft, and the whole bike is built around that low-rpm shove. This is a factory custom that looks the part without asking you to wrench for it.
On the road it rides like what it is: a heavy, low machine built for presence over pace. At 522 lb with a 27.2-inch seat, it plants you close to the ground and rewards a relaxed rhythm rather than hard charging. It ages well because the style is honest and the aftermarket runs deep, so you can make it yours over time. Two honest caveats. The 2.4-gallon tank keeps your range short, and some owners have chased intermittent electrical faults tied to tight wiring near the loom. Buy it for the look and the feel, not for big-mileage days.
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 |
| Front tire | 100/90-19 |
| Rear tire | 150/80-16 |
| Seat height | 27.2 in (690 mm) |
| Wet weight | 522 lb (237 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 2.4 gal (9.1 L) |
| Top speed | 112 mph (180 km/h) |
| Fuel economy | 57 mpg (US) |
Equipment check
Safety
Swing a leg over and the first thing you notice is how low and settled it feels: boots forward, wide bars in easy reach, the tank narrow between your knees. Thumb the starter and the twin drops into a deep, uneven pulse you feel through the pegs and the seat as much as you hear it. That vibration stays characterful without turning numb, and the note carries real weight at a steady cruise. Bring it up to a road pace and it sits planted and unbothered, holding a line at highway speed with a composure that belies the low stance. The single floating seat is firmer than it looks, and the riding position is one you sink into rather than perch on. It is a bike that asks you to slow down and enjoy the theater of it.
The picture here comes from years of listening to people who own these bikes: the threads riders swap, talk in the paddock, and the notes that land in my inbox. For the Bobber, that chatter settles into a clear shape. Owners praise how it steers and how it fits them; the gripes gather around comfort when the road turns rough or the day runs long.
Given the low, cruiser stance, riders are consistently surprised by how willingly it turns. They describe the steering as neutral and the bike as stable when leaned over, helped by a low center of gravity. A recurring favorite is the sliding seat, which owners move fore and aft to dial in their reach; several call it unique to this bike. The low perch earns its own praise, giving shorter riders a confident, planted footing.
The complaints center on comfort. A recurring one is the firm suspension, which owners say passes sharp hits straight through on rough pavement. The other is the forward-set controls; some find the feet-out position works the lower back and feet once a ride runs long, which limits how far they want to take it in a day.
Electrical system failures and wiring loom tightness
Multiple owners report intermittent electrical problems including dashboard blackouts, warning lights illuminating, and engine cut-outs, often traced to loose or overstretched wiring harnesses near the headstock.
Where this Triumph Bonneville Bobber 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
Top speed
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the Bonneville Bobber is actually built for.
This is your machine for classic routes and small-town stops at an easy pace. Plan around the short 2.4-gallon tank and the single seat, and the look and feel will carry every mile.
Made for Acadia National Park · Austin / Handbuilt Motorcycle Show · Blue Ridge Parkway
For twisty Hill Country weekends it looks the part and cruises with real character. Just know its weight and low-rpm focus favor style and vibe over a sporty, hard-charging pace.
Made for Austin / Texas Hill Country · Twisted Sisters · Austin / Handbuilt Motorcycle Show
For sound, style, and community it brings presence and a deep exhaust note. Just know it is a compact single-seater with a short tank, better for the look and the ride-in than long touring legs.
Made for A1A — Florida Atlantic Coast · Black Hills / Sturgis Rally Hub · Daytona Main Street / Bike Week