Is the change to radical..?

[Superhoop]

A couple of years ago, my Brother in law bought himself a Triumph Thruxton R.. a lovely bike, which he really enjoyed, but, after 2 years he fancied a change.. so he px’d the Thruxton R and bought a Bonneville Bobber Black..

Now if you have asked pre March would I be interested in something like the Bobber, I most definitely would have said no, but then h took delivery, and the he made a few subtle mods (side mounted plate, different rear lights..) and every time I see it, I like it that little bit more - it just looks cool..

Which has got me thinking - do I want one too..?? I’ve found an ex demo at my local dealer, it has 300 miles on the clock, a side mounted number plate, a few other little mods too.. I’m booked for a test ride on Thursday.. time will tell whether I love it, or hate it..

Now the bit that I’m questioning.. I’ve only ever had sports bikes - after a 12 year “break” I bought a Ducati 848 Evo, kept that 2 years and then bought an MV Agusta F3 800... I do love it.. but suffer back issues and... the MV is really on fun at speeds that aren’t strictly legal..

So would MV Agusta to Triumph Bobber be too radical a departure..??

Has anyone done anything similar.. ?? Any other BB owners on here?? And if so, what are they like to live with..??

[Turn7]

Ive loved the Bobber looks since release, and the custom versions even more so....

JFDI.

[Birky_41]

I was out for a ride about a month ago with someone who owns one. Sounded fantastic and didn't go too bad either

Wasn't so good round the corners though and ultimately crashed while on a ride with us

That has little relevance to your post tbh but if there was one thing I picked up from that it was they are not to be ridden like sports bikes

He decked his out all the time. Its why he crashed... Ground clearance. Sports biker change to bobber still with a sports biker mentality I can only assume

[Superhoop]

Thanks for the input... interesting point on the sports bike mentality.. much as I’d love to say I’m a quick rider, I’m definitely not, I also suffer from back problems, which does seem to be at times, triggered by the MV... I actually think I’m either getting old, or just maybe fancy a slightly slower pace and see it more as a way to keep riding, just slightly more sedately and in a little more comfort..

I think the first really big test will how the first ride goes - it’s going to very different to the MV that’s for sure..

[Mr_Tickle]

I had an S1000rr, I'd been without a sportsbike for a while and had a hankering to own one again; I mainly bought it for the track and blasts through the moutains. However, earlier this year I realised that that it was just sittiing there in my garage. I hadn't been to the track for nearly a year and I couldn't even remember the last time I'd been for a blast through the moutains. I had another bike that I was using for touring (the majority of my km nowadays) and for going places with the missus. I was using the BMW just for the sake of using it, for going into town, etc, and I thought "what's the point of having this kind of bike if I'm not even using it for what it's designed for?".

So I traded it in for a Moto Guzzi V9 Roamer, almost the complete opposite of the the BMW. The guy in the bike shop couldn't get his head round it and thought I was mad. Yes the Guzzi is slower and less sophisticated but that's the beauty of motorcycling, there are many ways to enjoy it and it doesn't have to be all about speed. The missus loves it and we bomb around on it having great fun. I don't break any speed records - I barely break the speed limit - but it doesn't matter. Add to that the bike looks great, gets loads of positive comments, and is cheaper to run (and buy).

I've not regretted my decision for one second, and it one day I have more time or fancy a sportsbike again then I'll buy one, but for the moment I'm happy with what I have.

[A500leroy]

ive just traded a xsr700 for a super cub 125 and im smiling so just crack on with it!

[Superhoop]

Sounds like I'm not the only one making the switch then.. Or at least that is been drawn in by the looks of bikes like the Bobber.. I feel a bit odd about it at the moment, as on one hand, I really want to like it, on the other I really don't as I do love the MV... A bit like the post above though, the MV sits in the garage way more than it should and then gets used for things it's not really designed for like riding to the office, just to justify it sitting there...

[Dakkon]

Depending on budget, you could wait for the next gen Bobber, Triumph are in final stages of testing the newer version of it, or use the new version to get the current version at a cheaper price?

I would go for the Bobber black, the twin disks up front make a noticeable difference.

There are lots of aftermarket luggage options on it now as well.

[Superhoop]

That's interesting and something I'd not considered..

The one I'm riding on Thursday is a Bobber Black.. I much prefer the look and have read that it makes for a better ride.. It's an ex-demo (I think, will find out for sure) has done 300 miles and already has a load of official Triumph accessories on in, including the Fix adjustable rear shock, a side mounted plate and I think., but can't remember, a swing arm (is it still a swing arm?) bag..

[gareth_r]

I think I'd want to try the standard Bobber as well, just to see what effect the fat 16 inch front tyre on the Black has on the handling.

[poo at Paul's]

For a side mounted plate on such a beast, you'll be needing a beard, a penchant for avocados, an ability to call everyone "bro" and "dog" (despite being neither related nor canine) and some nice leather chaps!!

Jokes aside, I'm not a fan of the looks, rear end looks wrong totally and front too bulky. But if you like them that's irrelevant. The only thing to consider maybe is how they are to ride / live with, and judging by how many there are for sale on ebay with pretty much fk all miles, they may not be "all that".

But your brother has one, have you ridden it, if so what is it like. No point in it looking cool and being st to actually use, so you don't use it.

Edited by poo at Paul's on Monday 2nd September 11:07

[MrOrange]

Different beasties. My1299 Panigale shares garage space with a CCM Spitfire FT6 and both get my attention - they truly are polar opposites.

Biking is biking, as they say. And old-fashioned simplicity, naked design and sit-up riding kinda reminds me why I ride bikes, and have done so for almost 40 years and will continue long into my dotage.

[Dakkon]

I would definitely test ride one before you buy, it is a big difference from your current bike.

[Krikkit]

As a half-way house, what about a Speed Twin? Much more relaxed riding position, classic looks, less likely to deck out if you get excited.

[PeterGadsby]

Slightly different but I moved from a 2008 R1 to a Triumph Street Triple... I'm 51 now and don't really go mega fast or go on trackdays.

I'm a short ass (5 foot 4) so was on tip toes on the R1, But the Street I'm flat footed and can manhandle the thing around.

I Haven't looked back since and I have never yearned to want another R1.

- Pete

[Superhoop]

Krikkit said:

As a half-way house, what about a Speed Twin? Much more relaxed riding position, classic looks, less likely to deck out if you get excited.

Hmm, This has crossed my mind, well sort of... I was thinking about the Thruxton R... but not sure of that isn't just a sports bike with more slightly looks..

[lazybike]

I do like the look of the smaller Indian bobber, anyone ridden one?

[Krikkit]

Superhoop said:

Krikkit said:

As a half-way house, what about a Speed Twin? Much more relaxed riding position, classic looks, less likely to deck out if you get excited.

Hmm, This has crossed my mind, well sort of... I was thinking about the Thruxton R... but not sure of that isn't just a sports bike with more slightly looks..

Could be a good gateway into more retro looks without compromising handling though - fancy Ohlins all round, good brakes etc will feel like a bit less of a shock coming from your MV.

OT: Just for ogling, any pics of said MV?

[crofty1984]

Royal Enfield 650?