What is a Bobber Style Motorcycle?
Loud and undeniably badass, bobbers are the epitome of custom motorcycles. A bobber refers to a bike that’s been stripped of excess parts and modified, usually by hand by the builder, often to increase its speed and performance. If you’re not ready to build your own, there are plenty of options on the market, including the legendary Triumph Bobber.
A Brief History of the Bobber
The bob-job emerged in the 1930’s and evolved from the 1920’s cut-down that was created to modernize and improve the performance of the J-series Harley-Davidson. By removing the front fender, shortening the rear, and “bobbing” all superfluous parts, the motorcycle was significantly lighter and faster.
Bobbers became popular in the 40’s and 50’s by mechanically savvy soldiers returning from World War II who had been inspired by lighter and more nimble European motorcycles. Bob-jobs reflected the aesthetic tastes of their owners, and were largely home-built until the late 1990’s when the style saw a resurgence in popularity.
Shorten the fenders, replace the stock seat with a custom bucket seat, replace mufflers with something louder, add custom lights, and give it a change of color and you're on your way to bobber bliss! Custom-built bobbers grew so popular that motorcycle manufacturers are now building their own factory bobbers, which is great news if you’re not eager to build your own.
The New Triumph Bonneville Bobber
The new 1200cc Bonneville Bobber is now blacked out into one single model powered by a Euro 5 certified and updated engine, boasting 77 horsepower at 6,100 rpm and a commanding 78 lb-ft of torque. It’s stunning to look at and includes enhanced engine performance for an even more responsive and thrilling ride. Higher specification technology and equipment are included in an all-new blacked-out style.
The Bobber gets a host of upgrades, including lower emissions, reduced weight, a larger 3.2-gallon fuel tank, higher-spec twin-disc Brembo brakes, a Showa fork, and a new 16-inch front wheel. The seat height is an adjustable stumpy 27.2 inches for an authentic Bobber riding experience.
The Bobber also gets road and rain ride modes, ABS/switchable traction control, and a torque assist clutch. A well-hidden monoshock helps maintain the Bobber’s hard-tail motif, and an all-LED headlight and cruise control are now standard options. Three color choices are offered: Jet Black and a duo of two-tone Matte Storm grey and Matte Ironstone and Cordovan Red.
Bobbers were originally prized because they took to roads faster and with more ease, and because riders were able to modify them at their leisure, lending a unique edge to the biker scene. Nowadays, the appeal is much the same. Whether you prefer a custom bobber or the factory-styled version, we've got something here for you. Get in touch with us today.