Text Ole-Andreas Isdahl
Photo: Triumphmotorcycles.com
A happy new motorcycle year and a great start to 2025
We start the year with Triumph’s recently announced Bonneville Bobber TFC (Triumph Factory Custom), a really beautiful piece of work or a piece of art in the motorcycle world. A model that Triumph itself says is something more than just a motorcycle and I completely agree with that. I bought one of the first editions in 2017 and have since had a lasting love affair with this model. This is really cool stuff for many reasons.
This is one of the most beautiful motorcycles I’ve ever ridden, ergonomically it’s a gem and the design is just awesome. It’s a sexy head twister that not only looks great, but also has one of the hottest engines I know. The two-cylinder engine that delivers 80 hp and a whopping 106 Nm has a raw masculine power and a velvety smooth ride that I personally continue to dream about. It actually makes my knees go weak. The gearbox is absolutely fantastic and the driving comfort is beyond most. One small complaint on my part is that my own affinity and love of cornering causes the pegs to scrape if I get too excited. It doesn’t matter, but I’m startled every single time. But apart from that, this is a model that belongs in the godsend department of motorcycle heaven. I’ve also developed an unhealthy relationship with the engine sound, which can best be described as a tenor with a huge resonance box, deep, soft, sensual and sexy. And I’m talking about the original version, the TFC model comes with a specially made Akrapovic pot that is guaranteed not to be any worse.
The model comes in a small, exclusive edition, which is attractive in itself. We don’t know how many of these will make it to Norway, but if you’re planning to buy one, you should probably contact your dealer as soon as possible. The TFC edition, which definitely represents something exclusive, has a wide range of details that make this something more than just a motorcycle. The model, which has a two-tone special paint, is marked with special decor that tells you that this is something out of the ordinary.
The first model released in 2017 had a 19-inch front wheel with a slim 90-19 tire, but the model later came with a much wider “fat sized” front wheel that I personally didn’t like that much. This dimension came along with two brake discs and an extra mower that in total added another 9 kg to the front. I think this extra weight was a bit unfortunate and contributed to the Bobber Black having a different mass balance and steering geometry that I personally didn’t like that much. On the TFC model, Triumph has chosen to go back to the 90-19 front tire and it is completely in line with the preferences I have for this particular model. In addition, you get Brembo Stylema calipers which in themselves are just wonderful to brake with. The model comes with three mapping options (rain, road and sport) and that’s pretty cool too. This machine pushes well and, in addition to being very comfortable to ride, can also be quite cheeky in sport mode. Then the Bobber can probably keep up with most things provided you can tolerate scraping pegs in the asphalt. The rear damper also has a fairly short travel, so don’t forget that this isn’t exactly an Adventure model that eats up poor surfaces – it doesn’t. But apart from that, it’s just a dream of a motorcycle. Personally, I’m now going to lose a few nights of sleep because of this, and the risk that I’ll go on a huge meltdown is huge. This is seductive and in no way good for people who lack impulse control or backbone.
For my part, I’m literally on the road here.
