Triumph 1200 Bonneville Bobber - thoughts please

[Mosel Bikes]

Anyone own/owned a Triumph 1200 Bonneville Bobber or at least ridden one? Could I ask for your thoughts and impressions please?
Thinking of buying one for occasional sunny evening trundles (I have a number of bikes for other things) and we have a few for sale locally.
Just like the retro bobber look and as I ride less these days - seven greyhounds and volunteering at the rescue kennels leaves little time - something I can enjoy polishing and looking at.
Ta muchly.

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[DavidS]

They might not be to everyone’s taste but I love the look of them and the magazines are pleasantly surprised how good they are and real world usable, unless you want to go round the world. That said, my mate did LeJog and back on his 1942 Indian Bobber so.....
My wife had nowhere to sit so not an option for me but I have loved my new T120 Black with, what I presume, is the same tune 1200 engine. Masses of lovely torque so nipping along and quick overtakes are dead easy and it will poodle along with ease.

I had the choice of any loan bike I fancied last week and, too late, realised I should gone for the Bobber.

[PHILinFRANCE]

Love it

[qcnr]

No personal experience, but do like the look of it. From reports and Youtube reviews, the only issue is the small fuel tank.

[daveuprite]

Not my kind of thing, but I can see the appeal if you're after that particular retro look. It's bound to be better built than most of these awful CX500-based home-made shockers with brown leather chesterfield seats you see emerging from workshops these days.

I suppose the best way to judge it is by comparison with its immediate rivals. The Guzzi V7 looks better (IMO) but moves like a slug and at least the Triumph is supposed to handle reasonably, which certainly can't be said of Harley's appalling 'sportster'.

You'd have to really love that bobber image to stick big money into one, because you sacrifice so much (e.g. luggage / pillion) for the privilege.

We have a big multi-dealership here in Limoges which has the full range of Ducatis and Triumphs on display. I'm afraid I just couldn't bring myself to walk past a Ducati Desert Sled on my way to spending the same money on a Bobber. But that's just me. Chacun a son gout...

[SteveW]

I was talking to a Triumph Tiger 800 rider a couple of days ago. He had a 1200 Bonneville as a loan bike whilst his bike was being serviced.
He didn't want to give it back!

[DavidS]

My T120 Bonneville Black is a more practical proposition.
Not quite as artistically designed though. Yes, fuel range is an issue with the Bobber - it’s only about 165 miles on the T120.
I have an inkling the T120 tank fits the Bobber though.

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[macvisual]

Not my kinda style, but I can see the attraction etc...

Check out the Indian FTR-1200 motorcycle, a flat tracker styled machine.

Something like this;

Indian Scout 750 flat-tracker by APM Photography, on Flickr


mac

[daveuprite]

My T120 Bonneville Black is a more practical proposition.

That looks like it's about to jump that border fence...

[DavidS]

I had the old 30’s(?) style tank badges put on last week.
It would need to lose a bit of weight to start jumping off more than a 4” kerb.