Tag Archives: bobber

Should Hyosung return with Bobber?

Hyosung could be planning a comeback with its GV 300 S Bobber which they will sell in Europe and could usher the brand back into other markets such as Australia.

The Korean manufacturer began in 1966 and stormed into our market about 10 years ago with good quality learner-approved models and attractive pricing.

Australian importers PS Importers no longer brings them in and group marketing manager Dale McBride says they have no current plans for Hyosung.

However, he says they will monitor how the Bobber 300 goes in Europe.

Hyosung Bobber 300GV 300 S Bobber

The Korean motorcycle company has been virtually dormant for several years and is now only available in Australia for online parts.

Hyosung promised great things when they introduced their brand to the Australian market.

It was a bargain-priced product with a heart of gold and honest performance.

Hyosung return?

Hyosung Bobber 300GV 300 S Bobber

But the brand did not perform well here, which is strange since Korean car manufacturers Hyundai and Kia have taken Australian and the world by storm with their attractive, well-priced models.

Unfortunately, Hyosung has had virtually had no new models and few updates or improvements.

Until the Bobber GV300, that is.

The Hyosung range features 250cc and 650cc models with the 300cc V-twin-powered GV 300 S Bobber slotting in between.

It will have a low 710mm seat, weigh only 170kg and have only about 30hp output.

More importantly than engine size, it actually looks quite attractive ( a bit like Yamaha’s Bolt cruiser), unlike the ugly and weirdly named Aquilla cruisers.

Hyosung GV650 AquilaHyosung GV650 Aquila

However, price in Europe is €4990 (about $A8300) which is about $2500 overpriced for our market.

If it goes well in Europe and they trim some pricing, could this be the bike that returns the Korean brand to Australia?

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Triumph adds limited-edition Bobber TFC

Triumph Motorcycles is adding a stunning, exclusive and expensive Bobber TFC (Triumph Factory Custom) to its new customised range as expected.

It joins the equally beautiful Thruxton TFC and Rocket TFC.

Triumph Thruxton and Rocket 3 TFC ace diamond
Triumph Thruxton and Rocket 3 TFC

And like those limited-edition models, only 750 numbered bikes will be available worldwide.

Triumph Motorcycles Australia hasn’t said what their allocation will be or whether it will be by customer order, only.

There is also no price yet, although as a gauge the THruxton TFC is over $30k.

Bobber TFCTriumph Bobber TFC

Like the other TFC models, it comes with more power, better suspension and lashings of carbon fibre.

Power is up 7.5kW (10hp) to 64kW and 17.9Nm of torque which is a 4Nm bump in grunt.Triumph Bobber TFC

They say there is 39% lower engine inertia resulting in 500rpm higher revving, while the bike is also 5kg lighter than the Bobber Black.

Apart from fully adjustable Öhlins forks a shocks, it comes with Arrow mufflers with carbon fibre end caps, Dual Brembo M50 monobloc brake calipers, Brembo MCS radial master cylinder,
three riding modes (road, rain, sport) and LED lighting.Triumph Bobber TFC

Every Bobber TFC owner will also receive a special tailor-made TFC handover pack unique to their bike.

It features a numbered letter hand-signed by Triumph’s CEO Nick Bloor, a personalised custom build book, a Bobber TFC bike cover, a TFC document wallet and a leather TFC branded rucksack.Triumph Bobber TFC

Bobber TFC tech specs

Engine Type Liquid cooled, 8 valve, SOHC, 270° crank angle parallel twinTriumph Bobber TFC
Capacity 1200cc
Bore/Stroke 97.6 x 80mm
Maximum Power 64kW (87PS) @ 6250rpm
Maximum Torque 110Nm @ 4500rpm
Fuel system Multipoint sequential electronic fuel injection
Exhaust Brushed stainless steel 2 into 2 single-skin exhaust system with Arrow brushed stainless silencers and carbon end caps
Final drive Chain
Clutch Wet, multi-plate assist clutch
Gearbox 6 speed
Frame Tubular steel cradle
Instruments LCD multi-functional instrument 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 grip ready – controlled by a handlebar mounted scroll button.Triumph Bobber TFC
Swingarm Twin-sided, tubular steel
Front Wheel 32-spoke, 19 x 2.5 in
Rear Wheel 32-spoke,16 x 3.5 in
Front Tyre 100/90-19
Rear Tyre 150/80 R16
Front Suspension Öhlins, ∅43mm, USD, fully adjustable, NIX 30
Rear Suspension Öhlins RSU, rebound and preload adjustable
Front Brake Dual 310mm discs, Brembo M50 4-piston radial monobloc calipers, ABS
Rear Brake Single 255mm disc, Nissin single piston floating caliper, ABS
Seat Height to be confirmed – subject to final homologation in January 2020Triumph Bobber TFC
Rake to be confirmed – subject to final homologation in January 2020
Trail to be confirmed – subject to final homologation in January 2020
Dry Weight to be confirmed – subject to final homologation in January 2020
Fuel Tank Capacity 9 L

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Will Royal Enfield Bobber be a Meteor?

Royal Enfield has trademarked the name Meteor which could be the name for their upcoming bobber.

The Bobber 838 Concept KX made its world debut at the EICMA last year in November 2018, but there has been no more information since. 

Royal Enfield KX Concept bobber meteor
KX Concept

Now that Royal Enfield’s parent company, Eicher Motors, has applied for the European trademark rights for the name Royal Enfield Meteor, the rumour mill has been running hot.

The trademarked application was made in February but has only recently been published.

Some predict Meteor will be the name for the Bobber and others say it could be another variation on the very popular 650cc twins.

Meteor history

Perhaps there is some clue in the history of the name as the company built a 500cc Meteor Minor and a 700cc Super Meteor.

Both were twins, which is no clue as the Bobber 838 is a V-twin and the 650cc Interceptor and Continental GT are parallel twins.

Mind you, the Super Meteor was replaced by the Interceptor in 1962.

But the hottest speculation is that the name will be used for the bobber models which is expected to be unveiled at the EICMA show in Milan this November.

The Bobber Concept KX prototype soft-tail pays homage to the company’s 1938 1140cc V-twin with its old-style girder-type forks.

Royal Enfield KX Concept bobber meteor
KX 1140

However, it has modern tech such as twin ByBre (cheaper Brembo version) brake discs, LED headlight, all-digital circular instrument pod (like the Ducati Scrambler) and an airbox that is part of the frame.

It is believed the engine will be mated to a six-speed transmission.

We reckon it looks pretty cool with styling very similar to the popular Indian Scout, right down to the dual right-right-side pipes and brown solo seat!

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Royal Enfield develops 834cc V-twin engine

Royal Enfield has only just unveiled their 650cc parallel-twin-engined Interceptor and Continental GT, but are already developing a bigger 834cc V-twin.

The Indian company unveiled the engine in a Bobber prototype soft-tail called the Concept KX to pay homage to their 1938 1140cc V-twin.

1938 Royal Enfield KX 1140 834cc
1938 Royal Enfield KX 1140

Interestingly it’s 834cc, but there is 838 stamped on the engine in their official video.Royal Enfield KX Concept bobber 834cc

While Royal Enfield says the KX will not go into production any time soon, it could be the start of a whole new line of cruiser models with the traditional cruiser-oriented V-twin format.

While the Bobber is designed along the lines of their 1938 model and has old-style girder fork, it has modern tech such as twin ByBre (cheaper Brembo version) brake discs, LED headlight, all-digital circular instrument pod (like the Ducati Scrambler) and an airbox that is part of the frame. Sounds as innovative as something Erik Buel would think up!

No more details on the bike are available, but it does look a lot like the very poplar Indian Scout right down to the dual right-right-side pipes and brown solo seat.

The new 834cc V-twin engine was probably developed in Leicestershire, England, were the Indian-owned company has built a research, design and development “technology centre”.

Enfield of India began assembling Bullet motorcycles under licence from the British company in 1956 and complete bikes by 1962.

The British company went bust in 1971 and Enfield of India was bought by heavy vehicle and bus maker Eicher in 1995.

Royal Enfield is now the oldest motorcycle brand in the world still in production while the Bullet model is the longest motorcycle production run of all time.

We will be very interested to see what other engines and bikes will come from the new UK tech centre!

The 650cc models certainly could do with a scrambler, street tracker and bobber.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com
https://motorbikewriter.com/royal-enfield-develops-834cc-v-twin-engine/