Triumph has released the ninth member of the new Bonneville family, the 1200cc Triumph Bobber, with unique, adjustable floating solo seat.
It also features wide bars, wire wheels and a fat rear tyre for that cool post-war bobber hardtail look.
Triumph Australia says it will be in dealerships in late February 2017. More information on pricing and final spec is due at the end of December.
We expect the stripped-down model will be the cheapest of the 1200cc range and more than the 900cc models.
The new Bonneville range is becoming quite big now: 900cc Street Twin ($13,350), Street Cup ($15,600), T100 and T100 Black ($15,300) and the 1200cc T120 and T120 Black ($1700), Thruxton ($18,700) and Thruxton R.
The liquid-cooled version of the Scrambler will be based on the 900cc models. It is expected to be at the EICMA show in Milan next month.
Any cruiser replacements for the Speedmaster and America would most likely be 1200cc like the Bobber.
The Bobber version of the new generation Bonneville HT engine is tuned for more torque and power lower down the rev range than the T120. Triumph has not released detailed tech specs yet.
But it should be a spritely bike as the T120 with 59kW at 6500 revs and 105Nm at 3100rpm is impressive.
Like the other new liquid-cooled Bonnevilles, it has a 270 degree firing interval, rather than the lumpy 360 degrees of the air-cooled models. That makes it smoother with a more linear midrange power delivery.
Styling of the new Bobber harks back to the post-war era where minimalism was king.
It features a low solo seat, drag bars, sculpted tank, spoked wheels, bar-end mirrors, rubber fork gaiters and a wide rear tyre. Again, there are no specific width details yet released.
The idea of the Bobber is a blank canvas for customisers to make their mark.
However, there are still some nice styling touches. They include the use of bronze engine badges, brushed engine covers, branded locking fuel cap, silver satin and graphite handlebar risers, authentic battery box with stainless steel strap and carburettor-styled twin EFI throttle bodies.
Floating solo seat
The highlight of the bike is the floating low seat. It is adjustable horizontally and vertically dropping to just 690mm. So it should suit a wide range of rider heights and riding style preferences from aggressive to cruising.
It has a distinctive hardtail look thanks to the ‘cage’ swinging arm with paddock stand bobbin mounts and hidden monoshock.
To further enhance the clean lines, it has a “hidden” catalytic convertor and discreet ECU, ABS modulator, immobiliser and radiator.
The Bobber comes with straight, brushed-stainless-steel twin, slash-cut peashooter exhausts. While its T120 brother has a deep exhaust note, Triumph claims this is even deeper. It’s all thanks to a twin airbox with two filters,” unique intake and exhaust system” and new output shaft.
Like the other 1200s, the Bobber has a host of electronic rider aids: ride-by-wire throttle, road and rain riding modes, ABS and switchable traction control.
Retro with modern features
Other modern features are: LED rear taillights, torque assist clutch for a lighter pull, engine Immobiliser in the key and comprehensive information in the twin instrument pods.
Info includes gear position indicator, odometer, two trip meters, service indicator, range to empty, fuel gauge, average and immediate fuel consumption, clock and traction control and mode settings.
It sits on classic wire-spoked wheels 19 inches up front and 16 inches in the rear on a 3.5-inch rim.
The front is shod with an Avon Cobra AV71 for reduced mass for high-speed manoeuvrability, and a category-first AV72 radial tyre with cobra tread pattern for class-leading stability.
It comes in four colour options: Ironstone, with a matt finish (grey), Morello Red, Competition Green and Frozen Silver, and Jet Black.
Triumph has more than 150 accessories available for the Bobber, including high ‘ape hanger’ bars, bar-end “peep” mirrors, comfort seat in a ribbed and quilted version, a heated grip kit and a cruise control kit .
The British manufacturer is partnering with FOX for a dual-branded adjustable rear shock and with Vance and Hines for exhausts with machined aluminium end caps which are adjustable to change the profile.