If you’ve ever lost a winter’s afternoon to scrolling through the motorcycle classifieds on Craigslist, you’ve probably come across a preponderance of dirt cheap, beat-to-death, Meriden Bonnevilles that at some point in their life were subjected to the ruinous fettling of a quack mechanic and his trusty angle grinder. The resulting bodger, er, bobber, would bring Edward Turner to tears. However, the original bobbed Bonnies played a significant role in the postwar custom scene, creating a genre unto itself that would become part of the larger Bonneville legacy. So when Triumph launched the from-the-factory Bonneville Bobber in 2017, it was a master stroke—and an instant hit. It even earned the nod for “Best Cruiser” in Cycle World’s annual Ten Best.
And no wonder: In three dimensions, it’s an absolute stunner, with spot-on proportions and high-quality details. The engine’s cooling fins, the amazing lack of external coolant hoses, the hidden rear shock, and the ribbed fenders give the Bobber period-correct charm and refined style. That quality extends to the riding experience. The 1,200cc High Torque engine delivers a claimed 77 hp at 6,100 rpm and 78 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,000 rpm, and has plenty of character to go with its distinctive style. Modern touches include two ride modes with adjustable traction control, ABS, LED lighting, and cruise control. For 2025, Triumph is offering a new TFC (Triumph Factory Custom) version that has way more than just a fancy paint job (see below). Maybe the best part of the Bonneville Bobber is that its existence might spare future generations from having to endure the travesties of homemade bob-jobs gone wrong.
The 2025 Bonneville Bobber starts at $13,995. The Red Hopper color adds $300, Jet Black/Ash Gray adds $500, and the Icon Edition adds $800. The 2025 TFC model is where things really get crazy though. Limited to just 750 units, the TFC model has elevated styling details, including hand-painted gold accents, carbon fiber parts, a leather seat, a billet aluminum triple clamp, and a smaller fuel tank. More significantly, it has its own engine tune; an additional ride mode; twin Akrapovič silencers; a 19-inch front wheel in place of the base model’s 16-incher; clip-on bars; Öhlins 43mm NIX 30 fork—a major upgrade to the base model’s conventional Showa unit—and an Öhlins shock; and a sportbike-spec braking system, featuring twin 310mm discs upfront with Brembo M50 calipers, and a Brembo MSC master cylinder. The TFC is significantly lighter than the base model. At the time of writing, there’s no word on US pricing.
- Indian Scout Bobber, from $12,999
- Harley-Davidson Street Bob 114, from $16,999
- BMW R 12, from $12,645