16/11/2025

Contributing Editor Keshy Dhillon / keshy@piston.my Editorial

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SUNDAY | NOV 16, 2025

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Classic nostalgia Triumph Bobber nod to days of old with modern power BY WAHID OOI

The Bobber can be surprisingly comfortable despite a stiff seat.

THE 2025 Triumph Bonneville Bobber reminds us why some bikers get on the wrong side of the law – by default. This is a motorcycle that eggs you on to be “cheeky”, for want of a better word, so read on. WHAT IS THE 2025 TRIUMPH BONNEVILLE BOBBER? A review of any model in the Triumph Bonneville line-up needs to begin with a history lesson, as the manufacturer imbues their bikes with spirit of where they came from. The “bobber” style of motorcycles origi nated in the late 1920s and 1930s when rid ers modified their bikes to reduce weight and increase speed by “bobbing” or remov ing non-essential parts, especially the front and rear fenders. This post-World War II trend, which became a symbol of rebellion and freedom, was born from soldiers who missed the lightweight European bikes and stripped down their bulky American motorcycles. Riders removed or shortened the front and rear fenders, leading to the name “bob ber” from the “bobbed” rear fender. Other common modifications included removing luggage racks, large seats, and other unnecessary components. (The rear brake stayed on for this bike, thankfully.) The style has since evolved, with many modern manufacturers creating factory built bobbers with the same classic aesthet ics, but with modern features. Also, extreme weight reduction may not be the main emphasis anymore in the interest of safety and comfort. Coming back to the Triumph Bobber, it

The Bobber is a single seater.

Instrument dial is a mix of analogue and digital.

Highlights: 0

follows the same cut-down, minimalist styling of the early bobbers – some of their pictures grace the walls of Ace Cafe in London. Triumph introduced the Bonneville Bobber in 2016, and it immediately became the company’s best-seller ever. Back then, it came with a skinny front tyre, while the later Bobber Black version was introduced with a fat front tyre. It was fitted the 1200cc “High Torque” parallel-twin engine instead of the “High Power” variant found in the Speed Twin and the awesome Thruxton RS. It also boasted a solo seat which made the rider seemingly sit on air, concealed rear shock to give the frame a “hardtail” look, and modern electronics. We reviewed back then and came away impressed, noting that it had a very smooth powerband.

You get LED lights all around.

1200cc, liquid

cooled, 8-valve, SOHC, parallel-twin, with 270° crank angle specifically tuned for this bike.

0 The engine pro duces 76.9hp (57.5kW) @ 6,100RPM, and 106Nm @ 4,000RPM. 0 Wet, multi-plate torque assist clutch and chain final drive. 0 47 mm

Showa car tridge forks (non-adjust able), RSU monoshock with link age.