2020 Triumph Bobber TFC

5th November 2019

Bonneville | 1200cc | Öhlins | Carbon fibre

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"Ultra premium limited edition motorcycles". That's how Triumph describes its TFC concept. The recipe is simple enough. Take one model off the assembly line. Develop a revamped styling theme. Throw a selection of uprated parts at it. Bling-it within an inch of its life. Produce a limited number of examples. Then serve it up with a suitably expensive price tag.

That's a TFC Triumph. A Triumph Factory Custom. And Hinckley has certainly kept its promise of high quality motorcycling, not least with the new TFC Triumph Bobber. We think it looks a peach—give or take the odd trashy Union Jack graphic on the petrol tank.

As with the standard Bobber, this 1,200cc, liquid-cooled, 8-valve (overall) parallel twin boasts a tough, smooth and torquey motor at its core that develops more than enough oomph for its target market which (dare we suggest it?) is as keen on pose as performance.

The bore and stroke is 97.6 mm x 80mm. The crank angle is 270-degrees. Maximum power is a claimed 87PS (86bhp) @ 6,250rpm. And the maximum torque is 110Nm (81lb-ft) @ 4,500rpm. Overall, this TFC Bobber revs a little higher and more eagerly. Or in Triumph's own words:

"...13% more peak power than the original Bobber, with more power delivered from 3,500rpm all the way up to the rev limit, which is 500rpm higher at 7,500rpm."
 

To further bolster its TFC cred, this motorcycle also features an Öhlins front fork and Öhlins rear shock/damper. Brembo M50 calipers boost the braking. Carbon fibre embellishments have been tastefully applied (if carbon fibre is your taste, that is: at Sump we can live without it). And that seat oozes class with its real leather covering.

Triumph reckon their engineers have shaved around 5kg (11lbs) from this Bobber, largely through skimmed engine components and the aforementioned carbon fibre components.

Other features include:

Swinging arm: Twin-sided, tubular steel
Front wheel: 19 x 2.5-inch (100/90-19 tyre)
Rear wheel: 16 x 3.5-inch (150/80-R16 tyre)
Front fork: Öhlins 43mm inverted, fully adjustable, NIX 30
Rear suspension: Öhlins RSU, rebound & preload adjustable
Front brake: Dual 310mm discs, Brembo M50 4-piston radial monobloc calipers
Rear brake: Single 255mm disc, Nissin single piston floating caliper
Fuel capacity: 9 litres

Instruments are as follows:

LCD multi-functional pack with analogue speedometer, odometer, gear position indicator, fuel gauge, range-to-empty indication, service indicator, clock, 2x trip, average & current fuel consumption display, traction control status display. Heated grips, incidentally, can be easily and quickly accommodated.

The transmission is still 6-speed. The clutch is still wet multi-plate. ABS is, naturally, standard. Ditto for traction control.

We're advised that 750 examples of these TFC Bobbers are to be built, which might well be the required number to justify the additional development, production and marketing, but doesn't strike us as limited enough to add that extra cachet that many, if not most, buyers might want. One hundred bikes might be a better figure. But Triumph alone knows exactly how the financial numbers stack up, so it's pointless us trying to second guess the accountants.

Conclusion?

Overall it looks like a fantastically well built and featureful motorcycle, and we can already see a queue of customers forming. Performance is pretty much on the nail for this kind of street cruiser/roadster, and there's nothing else out there in this league; not as far as we can see.

The Harley-Davison Sportster is a possible contender. So is the Kawasaki W800 (see the previous story via the arrows top or bottom). And Royal Enfield has its Interceptor and Continental GT (which, take note, are developing a lot of kudos). But we think the Bobber range has the edge all round. However, particularly in the case of the TFC, you'll have to pay dearly for it.

The price is a heady (ouch!) £15,500 which compares to £10,560 for the standard Bobber, and £11,650 for the Bobber Black.

So okay, a "factory custom" is a shameless misnomer. But in this instance, we're prepared to overlook it.

Triumph just got it right again.

Want more pictures?

2020 Triumph Bobber TFC left side

2020 Triumph Bobber TFC right side

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