Anyone ridden a BMW Scrambler or Triumph Bobber?

[Robby]

I'm considering spending an awful lot of money on a hipster special next year. Top of my list is a Harley street bob, because I miss having a Harley and it has a 1700cc engine. I'm also having a look at what else is out there.

I like the look of the BMW R NineT Scrambler, because I've always liked the look of the BMW flat twin engine. I also like the look of the Triumph Bonneville Bobber, thought I'm not that fond of the radiator.

Anyone ridden one?

[Polarbear]

No, so not much help.

IMHO with those bikes it's pretty much down to what floats your boat looks wise.

For me it would be the Triumph as I think it's the prettiest and I like Triumphs.

I think the BMW with the boxer engine looks naff, bloody horrible but it has shaft drive.

Get the Harley, you can join the HOG and wear Sons of Anarchy patches


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[Samsbike]

I am not sure anything other than the BMW is going to match the harley.

The BMW is likely to feel more sporting than the Harley but as the other poster said, you are really going to have to ride them to find out what floats your boat.

I think while the Triumph looks nice, I am not so sure that the engine will be as visceral as the other two.

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

I wish I could tell you I've ridden the BMW R NineT so I could tell you to get it.
Everything I've heard about them is positive and that includes the negatives. Y'know like the engine rocking you gently as you wait at the lights.

Get it Robby.
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[ScaredyCat]

+1 on the BMW


except that it's a BMW Motorcycle...
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[Johnnythefox]

I'm lusting over the Triumph, would need new side panels without that hideous 'Bobber' logo, or HD Road King, or Yam Midnight Star 1900, two years time who know what I might get

[stevo as b4]

Fuck Me I'm going to sound like another BCF'er here, but on looks I'd choose a Guzzi or Moto Morini scrambler over the BMW. Sure the BMW has some style and some off road lineage and history/success. But they don't seem exciting enough in any way to me for the money they cost.

I personally quite like the look of the Ducati scrambler as far as modern new hipster style bikes go. I imagine it'd be a pretty nice pleasant thing to ride?

Though not as stylish or retro, I can't help thinking that a bike like a new Triumph Tiger would be so much better to ride and own than any of the retro stylish options though!

[shdaxner]

Mmm Triumph Thruxton R....I have seen a few at Squires and a guy blasts round my way on one and I have seen him out and about a few times, looks lovely and sounds even better....quite pricey though but not sure how it compares to the beemer or harley.
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[Shaft]

I haven't ridden any of them, but I know a bit about you and the bikes you like.

I think you like the idea of a BMW, but I suspect you might find it a bit sterile and a PITA to look after, pretty much the same reasons that stop me from buying one - plus, if you've talked to anyone that knows BMW twins, you won't buy anything newer than an 1150.

The Triumph does look good and it would be nice own a British bike icon, but is that enough to drop a silly amount of money, just to have one in your garage?

You've had a Harley, so you know what they are about and you loved the experience - buy the Harley.
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[grr666]

I'd have the BMW if we were talking purely about looks.
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[recman]

I don't like the bobber look so I'm going to side with ze Germans on this one.
I've sat on and started up the BMW in question, the movement of the engine is a bit wierd but the look was nice.
I wouldn't buy either tbh.

[secretagentmo...]

All of those considering a Bobber, save some cash and buy an Enfield Continental GT....

Hipsters would love these, basically 1950s bikes.....

[Johnnythefox]

I am considering the Triumph Bobber because it is styled as a 'bobber' you recommend an Enfield styled as a 'café racer'.....

[Enduro Numpty]

I bought a T120 Bonneville in August. Not a Bobber (which I find hideous - sorry) but given that it's the same engine it's maybe close enough for a recommendation. Overall the T120 does what you would expect - I bought one to try and keep my licence. The engine is a peach, it makes plenty of torque from 2000 rpm and is close to vibration free. The handling is much as you would expect - good but not brilliant. The brakes are the same, but none of these are at all bad things - if I wanted more performance I'd have bought a Thruxton or better still kept my Fireblade.
The quality of the materials used will take time to assess but there are specs of corrosion showing on the spokes which is a concern on a 4 month old bike that's kept in a dry, frost free environment.

If it's a Bobber style that you're looking for, I'm sure you won't be disappointed with how the engine works but I see there's only a single front disc. That would worry me a bit given that the twin disc set up on the T120 is only just adequate.

[Rogerborg]

[Johnnythefox]

[secretagentmo...]

[TheSmiler]

Really don't like the boxer engine, so I'd have to go for the triumph but I'd prefer the scrambler. That's the bike I'd have as a toy if I had the room to store it.
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[stevo as b4]

Poor Robby, all he wanted to know is what these 3bikes are like to ride and own?

I'm sure he's well aware they are in different classes of hipster style bike, of which a true stripped down bobber is probably the least bearded hipster cliché than cafe racers, street scramblers or wannabe flat trackers.

[Robby]

Stevo, I knew the thread would go the BCF way, but it's enough to give me some snippets of information.

The Boxer comments are that the engine is a bit sterile (one of the very reasons I dislike Japanese engines) and people like the way it rocks back and forth at the lights. I know that this is barely any rocking at all compared to a Harley engine, that has a big rubber block in front to allow it to roll forward and back half an inch every rumble.

The Triumph engine sounds capable, but not exciting. About what could be expected for a large modern parallel twin in a low state of tune.

So Harley it is. 300kg of incest and eagles.

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

Oh Robby. U iz well naughty with yer big chopper bike.

Chuffed for you.
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