Triumph Bonneville Bobber (DV01A): Specs & Facts

The Machine's Character

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.

Hard Numbers

Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.

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Key specifications
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

ABS Standard
Traction Control Standard

The Truth on the Street

This section doesn't come from my own seat time. It comes from years of listening: conversations in the paddock, owners talking at club nights, and the messages Bobber riders send me directly. Put together, it tells a consistent story. Owners are pleasantly surprised by how well this bike handles and how easy it is to live with. Their complaints come down to build consistency and ride comfort.

Sharper in the bends than it looks

The surprise owners mention most often is how agile the Bobber feels once the road starts to twist. Riders describe neutral steering and a low center of gravity that keep it steady through a corner, even with its cruiser stance. Shorter riders say the low perch gives them confidence from the very first ride.

Where owners lose patience

The most common complaint is quality control. Some owners report loose wiring connections, warning lights that come on out of nowhere, and sudden losses of power. A smaller group says the suspension is firm and that sharp hits on broken pavement come straight through the non-adjustable fork and the preload-only rear shock. The odd rider also mentions a sore lower back and tired feet from the forward controls after long days.

Known issues

Electrical system failures and wiring loom tightness

electrics occasional

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.

The Expert Benchmark

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.

What kind of bike this is — character vs. the class

Modern Classic Authenticity

Invisible Modern Tech

Pure Mechanical Feel

Easy Gentleman Handling

Character Without Fake Weakness

Classic Look Without Old-Bike Problems

Accessible Sunday Ride Ease

This bike Class average

Head-to-head: Triumph Bonneville Bobber vs. its rivals

Power

76 hp This bike 55 hp Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber Sport 75 hp Husqvarna Vitpilen 701 74 hp Yamaha XSR700 XTribute 90 hp Honda CB1100 EX

Torque

78 lb-ft This bike 45 lb-ft Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber Sport 53 lb-ft Husqvarna Vitpilen 701 50 lb-ft Yamaha XSR700 XTribute 67 lb-ft Honda CB1100 EX

Displacement

1200 cc This bike 853 cc Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber Sport 693 cc Husqvarna Vitpilen 701 689 cc Yamaha XSR700 XTribute 1140 cc Honda CB1100 EX

Wet weight

522 lb This bike 439 lb Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber Sport 419 lb Yamaha XSR700 XTribute 562 lb Honda CB1100 EX

Top speed

112 mph This bike 130 mph Honda CB1100 EX

Seat height

27.2 in This bike 30.3 in Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber Sport 32.7 in Husqvarna Vitpilen 701 33.5 in Yamaha XSR700 XTribute 31.1 in Honda CB1100 EX

The 'Should I Buy It?' Score

Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the Bonneville Bobber is actually built for.

A scenic view of Angeles Crest Highway winding through rugged Southern California canyon terrain. Rocky mountainsides with golden earth tones frame the asphalt road with tight sweeping curves. Double yellow center line visible, sparse vegetation along the shoulders, clear blue sky with white clouds. Daylight, dry conditions. Iconic location for canyon-road enthusiasts. — Josh Sorenson / Pexels

Best retro motorcycle for road trips?

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

Best motorcycle for Texas Hill Country?

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

Best cruiser for Sturgis?

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

Alternatives to the Triumph Bonneville Bobber

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. “cheaper/pricier” is what that bike costs second-hand, not how worn it is.