Brawlin' Bobbers

We toss two power-packed bobbers into the black-top ring in a fight to the death. They will have to brave sharp corners, chaotic traffic, and (borderline) wild animals in their quest for two-wheeled supremacy. Which one will come out on top?

- Harket Suchde

STEP RIGHT UP folks, step right up; we have quite the treat for you today. Two heavyweights of the motorcycling world go head-to-head for all the plaudits. In the Morello Red corner, weighing in at 228 kg, hailing from Hinckley, Leicestershire, the brutal British beauty: Triumph Bonneville Bobber. And, in the Girgio Sport grey corner, weighing in at 199 kg, from Mandello del Lario, the feisty Italian: Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber.

Both competitors are looking fit and raring to go, so let’s get right into it. Round one — the looks, and ding, ding, there’s the starting bell. With its looks inspired by hard tails of yore, the Triumph has a retro-styled motif running across its design philosophy. The classically round headlamps, flat handlebars, minimalist circular bar-end mirrors, sculpted tank, wire-spoke wheels, chromed-out twin pipes, and minimalist steel mudguards all look the part. The absolute standout element has to be that floating single seat, which when taken in conjunction with its recessed rear monoshock almost fools you into thinking that the Brits have gone all-out and made an actual hardtail. The overall effect is one of a bike that sits low and is the epitome of cool.