Best Bobber motorbikes (2024) | Specs & Prices

One of the most distinctive trends or fashions in recent years has been the rise of the ‘bobber’ – but what is it exactly? Essentially, it’s a type of cruiser or custom – but a very specific one. The term actually dates back to the US in the late 1920s where the practice of chopping down bikes, often Harleys, to their bare bones to reduce weight and simplify them became fashionable. So mudguards or fenders got ‘bob-tailed’ or given a ‘bob-job’ (later becoming ‘Bobbing’), fancy paint was eschewed for plain or matt black, just a small, single seat was used and so on. Most of these bikes also had small wheels with fat balloon tyres, which were the norm at the time.

Post WW2 the fashion arose again when ex-servicemen in particular wanted to put their own stamp on the masses of ex-military Harleys available. Then, if you wind forward to the mid-Noughties, with pioneering factory versions such as Harley’s Street Bob and followed since, on the rise of the custom scene, with examples from Triumph, Moto Guzzi and more and it’s clear there’s suddenly more available than ever to choose from.

The appeal? Bang on-trend cruiser style that’s easy to ride, affordability (they’re usually cheaper than the equivalent factory cruiser simply because there’s less to them) and a blank canvas ripe for customizing appeals to many. Which you should go for, though, is less easy – so here’s our guide to 10 of the current best, in useful ascending price order… 

Honda CMX 500 Rebel, £6399

Is it a cruiser or is it a bobber? In truth, it’s a bit of both, but as Honda themselves call their A2-licence complying twin a ‘bobber’, plus the fact that it’s so good, meant we had to include it here. It’s the bobber member of Honda’s purpose-designed, 471cc, A2-licence compliant parallel twin family (along with the CB500F roadster, CBR500R sportster, NX500 adventure-styled bike and CL500 scrambler). As with those it’s based on the same, Thai-built, smoothly versatile parallel twin but reworked slightly for extra torque and in a new frame with an even lower (690mm) seat height. It’s an absolute doddle to ride, surprisingly good fun and ripe for customizing. There’s also now an 1100 version – the CMX1100 Rebel – which is based around the parallel twin from Honda’s Africa Twin adventure bike, so is also available with Honda’s clever, semi-automatic ‘DCT’ transmission, which currently starts at £9799.

See our review of the Honda CMX 500 Rebel.

Royal Enfield Shotgun 650, from £6699

Indian-based historic brand Royal Enfield is currently on something of a roll. An aggressive campaign of new models bolstered by its new UK-based Technology Centre has resulted in the best-selling Interceptor and Continental GT 650cc retro roadster twins, quickly followed by the single cylinder 350cc Meteor, Scram 411, HNTR 350, Classic 350, Super Meteor 650 cruiser and, for 2024, the Himalayan 450 adventure bike and Shotgun 650. The latter is based on the Super Meteor twin cylinder cruiser but is more aggressive and sporty thanks to a bobber single seat, different wheels and more. Arguably, it’s only a borderline ‘bobber’, but its 47bhp twin is willing and effective, handles well, is great looking and great value.

Kawasaki Vulcan S, from £7229

Again, arguably more cruiser than bobber, but Kawasaki now offer so many variants of its mid-range Vulcan with this one being decidedly ‘blacked out’ and minimalist, it’s worth including here. It’s also worth pointing out here that Kawasaki has also added its new Eliminator 500 to its 2024 cruiser/bobber line up this year which boasts 45bhp, has a low, blacked out ‘bobbed’ look and is even more affordable, starting at £5999. The Vulcan S is derived from old ER6n parallel twin running gear but, like Honda’s Rebel 500 has a detuned engine and low slung, twin shock frame to give an ultra-low seat height (705mm). Peak power is 61bhp, so it’s not A2 compliant (although a restricted version is available), is as easy as pie to ride and overall, is unintimidating, effective transport. On the downside, the badge and ‘jellymould’ styling hasn’t the same cachet as, say, a Harley or Triumph and there’s only limited customising options. But if you want an accessible, affordable, introduction to the breed, it’s a great option.

See our buying guide of the Kawasaki Vulcan S.

Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber, £9600

Italian legends Moto Guzzi have traditionally taken US-style cruisers more seriously than most ever since one of its bikes became the adopted by the California Highway Patrol in the early ‘70s, so in turn spawning the first California. Its V9 family, introduced in 2016 as the Roamer/Bobber as a new cruiser and Bobber (obviously) replaced the old 750 Nevada developed from that bike’s ‘small block’ 750cc transverse V-twin powertrain. Although the larger 850cc twin is effective and charismatic and the handling OK, the spec is fairly basic, and the styling doesn’t wholly convince. Of the two, the Bobber – minimalist style, blacked out and fat balloon tyres all present and correct – is the best option, is now the sole survivor, was improved slightly in 2017 with a revised seat and riding position and gained further improvements including a revised engine giving more grunt, new seat and detailing changes in 2021. For 2024 a new Special Edition version with bespoke paint and cosmetic updates is also available for £10,450.

Read our Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber and Roamer review.

CCM Spitfire Bobber, £9995

Here’s a bobber that came out of leftfield. British cottage manufacturer CCM was born in the ‘60s as an off-road specialist after Alan Clews (of Clews Competition Motorcycles) bought up parts and stock from BSA’s off-road racing department which was being closed down. It’s fair to say CCM has been on a fairly roller-coaster ride ever since, mostly with off-roaders, but latterly with more road-going singles. Based around a larger, 600cc version of the 450cc single which powered the now defunct BMW G450X enduro, it has a simple, hand-made frame, lots of sweet detailing (brown leather grips for example) and has somehow managed to hit the current retro/café racer trend bang-on. A number of variants are now offered, including Scrambler, Tracker, Racer and now this Bobber version and all are punchy, light, stylish and good fun. Wouldn’t want to ride one down the M4, though…

BMW R 12, £11,990

Another significant newcomer for 2024 that’s a sort of cruiser/bobber hybrid, but also one so good – and also a new entry from BMW – we had to include it here. BMW’s RnineT retro boxer roadster has proved such a success for the German firm it’s introduced both a significantly updated version – the R12 nineT – for 2024 and now added this cruiser/bobber version, which is intended as a more entry-level addition to its R 18 cruiser. And, with a detuned, 94bhp (and thus potentially A2 restrictable) version of the new nineT’s engine, shorter suspension, 19/16inch wheels, low seat, raised bars and blacked out look, it’s both a credible cruiser (just about) AND an excellent roadster. Best of all, though, starting at under £12K (although you can quickly add to that with the number of accessories available) it’s BMW’s most affordable big boxer twin.

Read our Technical Review on the BMW R12.

Triumph Bonneville Bobber, £13,195

Arguably one of the most impressive Triumphs of all in recent years and almost certainly the most adept, dynamically, and yet authentically styled bobbers of all. It was introduced in 2016 born out of the Hinckley marque’s new 900cc/1200cc Bonneville retro roadster family and uses the larger engine detuned for more torque in its own, hidden shock (for the hardtail look), low slung chassis. Being a Triumph, it handles and stops far better than its looks suggest; that 76bhp engine is a peach and the whole look and detailing are exquisite. Add on top of that two riding modes, LED lights, a neat, single clock, adjustable riding position and more and it’s probably no wonder it’s been one of Triumph’s biggest sales success stories. A great bike. What’s more, if you want a more twin seat, touring version, there is also the Bonneville Speedmaster at the same price.

Read our Triumph Bobber buying guide.

Indian Scout 1250 Bobber, £13,195

Upstart US Harley rivals Indian, which was relaunched as a brand by the huge Polaris concern in 2014, first with its ‘big-bore’ Chief and Chieftain models, has been one of world motorcycling’s biggest successes of recent years. But although its big bikes impress, its smaller, 1133cc, Sportster-rivalling Scout family, launched soon after impressed even more with a punchy, 100bhp V-twin, decent chassis, style all their own and a dedicated Bobber variant. For 2024 there’s an all-new Scout 1250 range with new, enlarged engine producing 110bhp, new tubular steel chassis, TFT screens and more and again there’s a dedicated Bobber version. If that’s not enough, Indian also do a ‘Big Twin’ cruiser range and, of those, the 1890cc Chief Bobber Dark Horse, with balloon tyres, single seat and blacked-out

Harley-Davidson Sportster S, £15,145

There’s a certain irony to the fact that the US brand most associated with bobbers – Harley-Davidson – no longer produces an entry-level bike of the type. Its old, air-cooled 883/1200cc Sportster range was axed at the end of 2020 for failing to comply with Euro5 but of its all-new, liquid-cooled replacements, the Sportster S, with a low-slung stand, single seat and balloon tyres probably comes closest. It’s powered by an all-new 120bhp, 1250cc, liquid-cooled V-twin (similar to that in the PanAmerica 1250 adventure bike), has modern electronics and cycle parts and handle and goes well. On the downside, it’s significantly more expensive than the old 883/1200 and lacks its rustic charm/character. That said, there’s also the cheaper, smaller 975cc Nightster version, starting at £13,295.

Read our Harley-Davidson Sportster S review here.

Harley-Davidson Street Bob, £15,195

If the new Sportster S isn’t traditional Harley bobber enough for you, H-D still produce the Street Bob, the bike which is the original production bobber and still, for many, the best. H-D introduced its first Street Bob, then based on the old, twin shock Dyna chassis, way back in 2006, way before ‘Bobbers’ became a mainstream fashion motorcycle. Updated repeatedly since, most recently and significantly into new (hidden shock) Softail form along with the new ‘Milwaukee Eight’ big twin motors and a host of detail changes, it’s now better than it ever was. And that, essentially, is pure, uncluttered, blacked-out and ‘bobbed’ Harley big twin. As such it’s an entry-level big Harley, a blank canvas for customizing (as bobbers always were), simple and straightforward. It even rides decently and evocatively (thanks to the new chassis/engine) as well. For many it's the definitive, purest, ‘only’ factory bobber around. Oh, and those ‘mini ape hanger bars are nowhere near as extreme as they look.

Read our Harley-Davidson Street Bob review here.