Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1542841
P100 RIDE REVIEW I 2026 TRIUMPH BONNEVILLE RANGE With attitude to burn, the Bobber is the most polarizing in the Bonneville range, but we love it all the same. T he $14,795 Bobber leans hard into that minimalist, single-seat style that was pioneered by returning service- men after the Second World War, but this one is far more usable than those our predeces- sors rode. Powered by Triumph's 1200cc parallel-twin (the same as the Speedmaster and T120), it delivers huge amounts of low-range performance and a satisfying pulse that suits the Bobber's laidback attitude. On the road, the 2026 Bonneville Bobber feels more complete than before—still a style state- ment, but now a more convinc- ing everyday motorcycle. One of the most welcome changes is the larger 3.7-gallon gas tank, one that has steadily grown since the model's in- troduction back in 2017. That extra capacity translates into more miles between stops, although just how far you'll go is up to how much punishment your spine can take, as it's not the most comfortable bike in Triumph's lineup. However, comfort has also been improved on the 2026 model. The floating solo seat has been reworked with more padding and a wider base, mak- ing longer rides less punishing than earlier versions, and the handlebar is now a single-piece unit compared to the clip-ons of the last generation. The suspension remains on the firm side, as expected for a bobber, but the balance feels improved, helped in part by new lightweight wheels that sharpen steering response and reduce effort when tipping into corners. Here's the most surprising aspect of the '26 Bobber. It'll hustle through backroad bends with more gusto than you'd expect, but it takes a certain coercion to make it happen. You'll sit extremely low in the chassis (seat height is a tiny 26.9 inches), and if you don't get your weight off the seat in corners to help it turn when rid- ing briskly, you'll ground things like footpegs real quick, but its bulldog stance can still help you get around corners far quicker than you'd think. Twin brakes up front give twice the power of the previous generation's single disc and caliper setup, and cornering-sen- sitive ABS and traction control give you an extra safety net. You also get full LED lighting and practical touches such as cruise control and a USB-C charging port, features that feel right at home on a modern classic. The Bobber is the most extreme of the Bonneville range and certainly isn't for everyone. Despite the improvements, I wouldn't call it a comfortable machine for more than half an hour at a time, but I have long legs that don't like low seat heights. If you're a little shorter than my 6-foot-1 and 33-inch inseam, you might find a willing partner in the Bobber. However, in terms of legit cool style, there's pretty much nothing in the Triumph catalog, let alone the Bonneville sub- name, that can touch the Bobber.