Triumph Bobber Black

[AJB88]

Morning all,

I've had my Kawasaki ER6-N for about 14 years and in that time done a massive 3,000 miles. I bought it when I lived in Cheshire and had a mate who lived in North Wales who had a Bandit 600 then Triumph Street Triple 675. Soon after though relocated to MK for work and its not really been used much since.

Just in the process of moving houses and there is some spare cash left over which I had ere marked for a bigger car, I've already down graded from 2 cars to one. Any way one of the missus friends husband has just done his test and fancies going out for some rides which I've said I'd be up for. The reason I don't really ride my Kawasaki much is I don't have that person down here to go out with that often and plus it doesn't ride very well (very bumpy) and also I'm only 5'8 with a small inside leg and find even with the Kawasaki short seat on I'm still on tip toes the whole time (it was my first big bike I didn't bother test riding as it was cheap new).

Anyway I'm off out on it now.

But recently have seen quite a few of these Bobber style bikes, Harleys etc and keep looking at the Triumph Bobber Black. Any owners on here? recommended or not? I obviously am not going to need a big fuel tank, what's the range like?

Think the lb.ft will be more than my Kawasaki currently. I fancy something a little lower riding, probably "slower" even though my ER6 is not really a speed machine.

Edited by AJB88 on Wednesday 16th June 08:30

[five50]

Have not ridden one personally, but like much of Triumph’s modern classics range, I hear good things. A few comments about the tank being a bit small on the Bobber. May not be a big deal if for now and again recreational use.
As ever, a test ride would help u decide. In my experience, Triumph dealers generally quite helpful.

[AJB88]

I hear the 2021 model has a few upgrades one of which is the tank. Going to see if my local dealer has one in for test ride in a few weeks after I've moved house. Took my Kawasaki out today, only 12 miles of fairly smooth roads.

[GG33]

My best mate has a bobber, he loves it but the range is a miserly 70-80 miles before the light comes on. My other best mate had a long test ride on the new model last week, bigger tank but still only 100 miles range. Personally I dont get them - totally impractical, but whatever floats your boat...

GG

[_Neal_]

I really like them and as a bike purely for fun and short-ish jaunts I reckon it'd be a really good choice. Excellent feel good factor when opening the garage too. I think the Harley Forty-Eight is a comparable alternative - also look great, also have a comedy-sized tank.

[200Plus Club]

I've got a 21 plate and it's great so far as a weekend toy/ quick night out blast. Small tank means 90m range really but it rips along nicely.
Love the look, easy to keep clean with all the blacked out cases etc. Sounds fabulous with trident pipes. Handling is great but easy to grind pegs, it's not a race bike.

If buying one be aware the stock rear shock is "very" firm. A lot of smaller/lighter riders have had to buy the fox shock to get some comfort or it punts them out of the seat on bumpy roads. I'm 6ft3 and 15st and it's still very firm!

It will cruise along at 80mph, it's fairly nippy due to all the low down torque. 10k service interval.
Brakes are great, stock seat needs extra padding adding which cost me 90 quid at a trimmers.
So far so good it's been very enjoyable.

[200Plus Club]

_Neal_ said:

I really like them and as a bike purely for fun and short-ish jaunts I reckon it'd be a really good choice. Excellent feel good factor when opening the garage too. I think the Harley Forty-Eight is a comparable alternative - also look great, also have a comedy-sized tank.

Pretty good summary.

[AJB88]

Any more? neither of my local dealers have a Bobber or Bobber Black in stock to take a look at or test drive.

Any pics the owner above?

[Janluke]

Indian Scout Bobber might be worth a look

[AJB88]

I've looked at them but just fancied the Triumph with it being British and that (doubt they are built here?)

[200Plus Club]

AJB88 said:

Any more? neither of my local dealers have a Bobber or Bobber Black in stock to take a look at or test drive.

Any pics the owner above?

Really happy with it. Done about 1k miles on it so far. 1st 500m service cost 69 quid or so as part of warranty period.

[thainy77]

Here's a few pics of mine, only complaint from me is the fuel tank size.

[Pothole]

Unless you really want a bobber, a Guzzi V7 Stone is still retro, but will do at least 200 miles on a tank and has a low enough seat.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/bike-details/20210708...

[AJB88]

200Plus Club said:

Really happy with it. Done about 1k miles on it so far. 1st 500m service cost 69 quid or so as part of warranty period.

Love the colour scheme!

[RichTT]

I loved my bobber. Had great plans to modify her but in the end needed something that I could run year round and do longer distances. If I could justify two bikes I would definitely have kept.

[AJB88]

Longest ride I might do is to my mums which is 130miles so tank size isn't really an issue.

So 2020/2021 Bobber vs Bobber Black whats the difference?

[200Plus Club]

Bobber black has chunky tyres/rims and the double disc larger Brembo brakes. The latest version now has a slightly larger tank. I think the Bobber Black wins hands down on style points. Altho they are only about 80bhp they are very torquey and nip along well.

[Markgenesis]

When you say you find the ER6-N bumpy and too tall you can try adjusting the rear shock, you might find the spring has too much preload for your weight, i bought a Kawasaki Versys 650 which is like a Tall ER6-N, seat height is 33" but i wound the rear shock off (has one click left) so it sags when i sit on it (added to the static sag), you need to adjust the preload on the forks to suit, can highly recommend the excellent Dave Moss videos on Youtube, i'm 5'7" with 30" inseam, can flat foot it no problem, have to mount and dismount it like a horse though especially with the panier box's on.

[thainy77]

AJB88 said:

Longest ride I might do is to my mums which is 130miles so tank size isn't really an issue.

So 2020/2021 Bobber vs Bobber Black whats the difference?

There is no 2021 Black, the new model has all of the 2020 Bobber Blacks upgrades plus a larger tank.

[AJB88]

Markgenesis said:

When you say you find the ER6-N bumpy and too tall you can try adjusting the rear shock, you might find the spring has too much preload for your weight, i bought a Kawasaki Versys 650 which is like a Tall ER6-N, seat height is 33" but i wound the rear shock off (has one click left) so it sags when i sit on it (added to the static sag), you need to adjust the preload on the forks to suit, can highly recommend the excellent Dave Moss videos on Youtube, i'm 5'7" with 30" inseam, can flat foot it no problem, have to mount and dismount it like a horse though especially with the panier box's on.

I'm 5ft 8 with a inseam of 29" haha, I'll keep meaning to give this a go, I reckon I've probably got too much pre-load these days on the rear, I used to be about 120kg I'm now around 87kg, have been down to 68kg at one point.