2018 Triumph Bonneville Bobber Black Revealed
The fastest-selling Triumph ever produced is going dark, as Triumph introduces the new Bonneville Bobber Black. The 2018 Triumph Bonneville Bobber Black is more than just a new color option, as Triumph has added a fat front wheel, dual disc brakes, thicker forks and a number of other upgrades.
Related: 2017 Triumph Bonneville Bobber Review
The Bobber has been a big success for Triumph, with more than 6,000 units sold worldwide to date since it arrived in dealerships in the Spring. Those who are still on the fence about the Bobber may want to wait for the Black version to arrive.
The most noticeable difference with the Bonneville Black is the more muscular stance created by a thicker front wheel and heftier fork. Instead of the regular Bobber’s 100/90-19 front tire, the Bobber Black uses a 130/90-16 tire. Triumph also swapped out the Bobber’s 41mm KYB fork for a 47mm Showa unit, offering the same 3.5 inches of travel.
The front brakes also receive an upgrade, with the Black receiving a second 310mm rotor and two-piston Brembo calipers replacing the Nissins on the regular Bobber.
Outside of North America, the Bonneville Black also receives a full LED headlight with daytime running light (also found on the new Bonneville Speedmaster). The 5-inch circular headlight maintains the Bonneville family’s classic feel while the LED gives it a distinct modern look. Unfortunately, the LED and DRL is not homologated for North American streets.
Related: 2018 Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster
The Bobber Black also receives a new, simple-to-use cruise control system. Mounted to the left controls by the horn, the system uses just a single button. Press once to activate, press it again to set the speed, and press it again to turn it off.
The engine remains the same high-torque 1200cc parallel-Twin powering the Bobber. Triumph claims a peak output of 77 hp at 6100 rpm and 78.2 lb-ft. at 4000 rpm. The Bobber Black does receive new blacked-out slash-cut sawn-off peashooter silencers. Ride-by-wire throttle control offers Road and Rain ride modes, while switchable traction control and ABS are offered as standard equipment.
The Bonneville Black will be available in a choice of Jet Black or Matt Black paint, both offering these blacked-out components:
- Black painted exhaust (silencers, headers and upper finned casting)
- Black anodized brake pedal and footrests
- Black anodized gear lever
- Zinc nickel plated gear linkage
- Black anodized brake and clutch levers
- Black painted handlebars, with black anodized risers and clamps
- Black painted seat pan
- Black powder coated engine covers, cam cover and sprocket cover
- Black chrome plated headlight rim
- Black painted wheel hubs
One downside for those deciding between this and the regular Bobber: the Bobber Black’s upgrades do add to the weight, raising the claimed dry weight by 21 pounds to 524 pounds. But if you dig the Bonneville Bobber Black’s look, extra stopping power and other changes, it might be worth it. The deciding factor may be price, which hasn’t been announced but will be higher than the Bobber’s $11,900 MSRP.
Dennis has been a part of the Motorcycle.com team since 2008, and through his tenure, has developed a firm grasp of industry trends, and a solid sense of what's to come. A bloodhound when it comes to tracking information on new motorcycles, if there's a new model on the horizon, you'll probably hear about it from him first.
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Hurray! Finally all black! Not.
I dont get the all black thing. 15 years ago all black was entry level, now its the coolest thing around? Details are lost in the black hype. Easier to hide bad cabling I guess, like the entry HDs.
Ha ha ha, "bold new blackness".