By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Cruiser vs Retro Classic
Harley-Davidson Softail Street Bob 114 FXBBS (MY2021) vs Triumph Bonneville Bobber (DX04)
Into the first tight bend, the Harley-Davidson Softail Street Bob 114 FXBBS folds over quickly on its skinny tires, and it's nimble from the first input. The Triumph Bonneville Bobber's long wheelbase doesn't slow its turn-in one bit. It comes alive the moment it's leaned over.
So which one do you buy?
Buy the Bonneville Bobber if…
Keeping running costs low
Clear pick: Bonneville Bobber
If you'd rather spend your money on gas and gear than at the shop, the Bonneville Bobber makes far more sense.
The Bonneville Bobber has the edge if…
Daily commuting & city riding
Slight edge: Bonneville Bobber
Through rush hour, the Bonneville Bobber is a little easier to live with. Put it down to easier maneuvering in tight spots and friendlier manners.
Which one's the smarter buy
Different classes, different trade-offs
They're different kinds of bikes, so the value call is a trade-off. Neither is the obvious better buy for the cash you spend.
What makes each one tick
Softail Street Bob 114 FXBBS
The Street Bob's old-school build runs to blacked-out metal and high mini-ape bars that keep the ride up front. The throttle wakes 119 lb-ft (161 Nm) of Milwaukee-Eight torque, and the pull doesn't let up from idle to redline. The V-twin hauls past traffic.
Bonneville Bobber
Low in the revs, the Bobber's parallel twin shoves hard and rumbles in a way that's worth hearing. Its floating aluminum seat slides fore and aft to fit you, but the thin pad and forward pegs aren't kind after an hour or so. With ABS behind the brake lever, the Bobber stops on a twin-cradle steel frame and a fat front wheel. Its front end stays planted.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Bonneville Bobber has the lower wet weight: 553 lb (251 kg) vs 655 lb (297 kg).
- The Softail Street Bob 114 FXBBS makes more peak power: 94 hp (70 kW) vs 77 hp (57 kW).
- The Softail Street Bob 114 FXBBS makes more peak torque: 119 lb-ft (161 Nm) vs 78 lb-ft (106 Nm).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Not their thing
Long days aren't what these two do best. Plan shorter legs and plenty of stops.
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Both miss here
Neither one is where you should learn. Get a season on something gentler first.
They come out level on twisty roads. The better-kept used example is the smarter money.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
Softail Street Bob 114 FXBBS
What owners say
Strengths
- Agile handling for its size
- Huge torque from the Milwaukee-Eight 114
- Minimalist, cool styling
Bonneville Bobber
What owners say
Strengths
- Agile handling for a cruiser
- Torquey and characterful engine
Trade-offs
- Uncomfortable on long journeys
What they cost used
These prices compare a 4-year-old Softail Street Bob 114 FXBBS with a 4-year-old Bonneville Bobber.
- Softail Street Bob 114 FXBBS
- $14,100
- Bonneville Bobber
- $10,000
At four years old, the Softail Street Bob 114 FXBBS sits around $14,100 while the Bonneville Bobber lands near $10,000. That's a $4,100 gap in the US market. They're pulled from earlier used-market records, not live listings.
What they share
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Fork
- Telescopic
- Rear tire
- 150/80-16
Where the spec sheets split
| Softail Street Bob 114 FXBBS | Bonneville Bobber | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 26.8 in (681 mm) | 27.2 in (690 mm) |
| Wet weight | 655 lb (297 kg) | 553 lb (251 kg) |
| Softail Street Bob 114 FXBBS | Bonneville Bobber | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 1868 cc | 1200 cc |
| Engine | 45° V-twin | Parallel twin |
| Cooling | Air/oil-cooled | Liquid-cooled |
| Power | 94 hp (70 kW) | 77 hp (57 kW) |
| Peak power at | 5,020 rpm | 6,100 rpm |
| Torque | 119 lb-ft (161 Nm) | 78 lb-ft (106 Nm) |
| Softail Street Bob 114 FXBBS | Bonneville Bobber | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 3.5 US gal (13.2 L) | 3.2 US gal (12 L) |
| Softail Street Bob 114 FXBBS | Bonneville Bobber | |
|---|---|---|
| Final drive | Belt | Chain |
| Front tire | 100/90-19 | MT90-16 |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| Softail Street Bob 114 FXBBS | Bonneville Bobber | |
|---|---|---|
| ABS | Option | Standard |
| Traction Control | Not offered | Standard |
| Ride Modes | Not offered | Standard |
| Cruise Control | Option | Standard |
| Slipper Clutch | Not offered | Standard |
| USB Charging Port | Standard | Not offered |
| Heated Grips | Not offered | Option |
| LED Headlight | Not offered | Standard |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
