Is the Bobber 838 style girder fork all style and no substance?
The Royal Enfield Bobber 838 concept was one of the most striking features of the girder fork front suspension. The Bobber’s unconventional design choice goes back to vintage motorcycles and certainly helps it stand out from the crowd. It's also sparked questions about how useful and how well it will perform. Telescopic forks are the norm for good reason, and I've rarely seen girder forks on a modern motorcycle. Complexity in the design, a fear of maintenance, and how it will affect handling and ride quality are concerns. It's an aesthetic choice to drive the retro vibe, say some, while others think RE might be onto something new. While the production version might very well be equipped with conventional forks, the debate over the girder design has been a fun one, and you never know, it may end up in the production version.
Pure style. And RE knows their audience very well - it’s all about the Instagram factor.
You don't know till you try it. Girder forks can be a great source of stability and braking dive reduction.
The Bobber is a bold choice. Form and function can coexist sometimes.
A maintenance nightmare waiting to happen. Stick with what works, I say.
It's an interesting experiment, I'm sure the production version will have normal forks.
If RE has engineered this well, it could be a game changer. New ideas are needed for motorcycle design.
In the cruiser world, style is substance. As long as it looks cool and rides decent, that’s a win.
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Discussions and Questions Is The Bobber 838 Style Girder Fork All Style And No Substance
Is the Bobber 838 style girder fork all style and no substance?
09 January 2025 11:03
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