The rear wheel is again on a 16-inch rim but shod with 150 / 80 rubber. The Avon Cobra tyres are terrific, with no discernible foibles or bad behaviour, whether in the wet, on rough surfaces, or rubber – covered – concrete. The 1200HT Bonneville engine with the Bobber tune is a fabulous workhorse. Having put 13,000 kilometres on my own I know the beauty of this long legged powerhouse, and it’ s a legendarily successful beast. In this iteration it is black with machined fins, brushed stainless covers, and bronzed inserts, even the chromed header clamps have finned heat sinks – both retro and modern at the same time.
There’ s a nod to the battery box of old too, with a lovely stainless strap. The fuel injection units have the retro-look of carbs which disguise the throttle bodies, and the minor corrosion problem of some earlier models seems to have been sorted out. Overall, the finish is exemplary, and Triumph is a class leader these days. Coming in three paint configurations, which isn’ t going to drive you nuts with choice, just black, red and black and white tank colours. They suit the bikes well. >
KIWI RIDER 87