TRIUMPH STREET SCRAMBLER (2019 - on) Review

Words by Adam Child and Jon Urry

The Triumph Scrambler 900 modern retro may carry a name associated with off-road riding, however this is far more an urban scrambler than a true off-road bike and while it can handle the odd gravel path thanks to its 19-inch front wheel, that’s about your limit.

• Latest news: Triumph unveil Stealth Editions of Bonneville family

But is this a bad thing? Not really, if you are after a bike that looks cool, has a comfortable and upright trail bike stance and is about as easy-going as it gets, the Street Scrambler is for you.

Triumph like to play the heritage card and it is true, the Scrambler name can be traced back to the firm’s bikes of the 1960s, however the Street Scrambler is far more modern.

Not technically related to the first of the ‘Hinckley’ Scrambler models, which arrived in 2006 and were powered by the firm’s air-cooled Bonnie motor, the Street Scrambler was launched in 2017 and while designed in exactly the same mould as the Scrambler, it is powered by the water-cooled Street Twin motor and also has a stack of modern safety assists.

Not that you would necessarily know this to look at it. And for 2019 it received some significant updates.

With a new motor boasting more performance, uprated brakes and suspension and better electronics, not to mention a slightly sharper look, the 2019 Street Scrambler has all the right ingredients.

Although not as popular as the Street Twin, the Street Scrambler is a really cool bike that makes for a wonderful retro urban adventure bike. A few owners customise their bikes and if you like the sound of making something a bit unique out of yours, there are some amazing specials out there to get inspiration from.

Update for Euro5 in 2021, Sandstorm limited edition revealed

In April 2921, Triumph unveiled the Euro5 updated version of the Street Scrambler, including the above special edition, called the Sandstorm.

The entire Triumph Street Twin-based range got some subtle tweaks with a new saddle, sidepanel number board, aluminium headlight bracket, heel guards and throttle body finish. And despite meeting Euro5 emissions regulations, the new version sacrifices none of its 64bhp peak power output. The Street Scrambler was also rebranded as the Scrambler 900.

The limited-edition Sandstorm pays tribute to the original desert racing Triumph Scramblers of the 1960s with a special three-tone paintjob. On top of this, it gets a high-level mudguard, aluminium bash plate, rubber knee pads, headlight grille and a tail tidy.

The Sandstorm edition was available from May and cost £9900 but just 775 units will be made worldwide.

Although not as popular as the cheaper Street Twin, the Street Scrambler is a really cool bike that makes for a wonderful retro urban adventure bike. A few owners customise their bikes and if you like the sound of making something a bit unique out of yours, there are some amazing specials out there to get inspiration from.

Once you've read this review and our owners' reviews, you may want to join an online club to meet likeminded folk. We'd suggest the Triumph Owner's Motor Cycle Club is a good place to start.

Watch: Triumph Street Scrambler video review

Join Adam Child for a go on the Triumph Street Scrambler on the launch in Tenerife to find out what his verdict was.

Triumph always somehow manages to make really good handling road bikes and the Street Scrambler, albeit a slightly budget, novice-orientated, off-road-styled retro roadster, is no exception.

It’s slim and reasonably light which makes it easily manageable and unintimidating. And although it is slightly taller and roomier than its Street Twin roadster cousin, due mostly to its larger diameter 19-inch front wheel and slightly long-travel suspension (which means it will never deliver quite the same feeling of security), the Street Scrambler is still as easy as pie to ride.

It also worth pointing out that it suits taller, slightly more experienced riders. Overall it handles more than sweetly enough for you to enjoy yourself in the bends.

Ultimately, of course, the Street Scrambler is no sports bike. And its retro style twin shocks and slightly budget tubular cradle frame, single disc and unadjustable forks don’t shout ‘handling aplomb’. But it’s also far better than you might expect.

For 2019 Triumph updated the KYB suspension to give it a better ride quality and more agility, something that certainly shows up when you are getting a bit giddy, but what most riders will appreciate is the neutral and balanced feel you get when just cruising on it.

If you want a bit more grip, swapping the tyres from the Metzeler Tourance to more road-targeted rubber makes a huge difference but it also detracts slightly from the bike’s looks.

Surprisingly for a bike that doesn’t really have performance at its heart, Triumph added a Brembo four-piston front brake caliper for 2019 (just the one...) which manages to deliver enhanced stopping power without going over the top, mainly as it acts alone!

Pleasingly, the ABS can be deactivated for off-road use, which would have been easy to overlook and does give it a bit of credibility in the dirt. If you want to take a pillion (probably not off-road...) the Street Scrambler’s bench seat is really comfortable and the relaxed nature of the motor makes it a good option for two-up trips.

While the old Street Scrambler was pretty, it was also a bit disappointing to ride due to a motor that was fairly gutless and uninspiring.

In the 2019 update Triumph addressed this issue and the new High Torque 900cc parallel twin is a major step up in terms of both drive and character. Boasting a claimed 18% more performance in its locker, the upgraded engine has 10bhp more peak power and also a fatter torque curve thanks to lighter internals.

While you get two power modes – Road and Rain – there is very little point in swapping out of Road mode as the twin is wonderfully relaxed in its attitude and has a near-perfect throttle connection, good gearbox and a beautifully light clutch action.

If you want an urban cruiser, the Triumph is bang at home, and it is also great fun to hop on and explore the backroads as well.

As is always the way, the exhaust note with the OE can is a bit disappointing but there are loads of companies out there to help resolve that minor issue without losing the cool twin-stacked look. A restrictor kit for A2 licence holders.

Despite Triumph playing the heritage card, the Street Scrambler is built in Thailand and not Blighty. Is this a problem? Not really, nearly all of Triumph’s bikes (and all of the modern classics it has to be noted) are built out there and the firm has very rigorous testing and quality control procedures to ensure they meet customer expectations.

As with any bike with spoke wheels, always check for rust or damaged spokes (and bent rims if it has been taken off-road, but this is unlikely) but really if the bike looks clean and tidy you should be safe.

A few owners feel money has been saved in some areas, however just like Harley, Triumph’s fairly large (over 120 parts) accessories range is always there to add a bit of extra bling – at a cost...

When buying used, if you want accessories then search out a bike with them already fitted as this will save you cash, just ensure the OE parts are also included in the package in case you want to return it to stock.

When it comes to full-on specials, you do need to be wary. Some customisers are better skilled than others and you need to do your research to ensure what you are buying will be fit, and safe, for use on the road.

Our Triumph Street Scrambler owners' reviews indicate a few issues with sub-standard parts and poor build quality so it's worth having a good read before taking the plunge.

Being a moderate performer means Street Scrambler insurance is reasonably cheap, fuel economy fairly respectable, too, at about 60mpg (which is probably just as well considering its small fuel tank) and as this model is less common than the Street Twin, they tend to hold their value a bit better as a result. Happy days, as Fonzie might say – who rode a Triumph TR5...

On top of that, its hunger for consumables such as tyres, brake pads, chain and sprockets, brake pads etc is more than respectable, too, which also helps to keep running costs down.

While with 10,000-miles service intervals, the Street Scrambler is a cheap bike to run and also reasonable value to buy used. The very nature and style of the bike means that not many Scramblers cover big mileages and you can get a real beauty with less than 2000 miles on its clocks for in the £7500 area, which is roughly a £2000 saving on a new model.

As a new buy it’s pretty good value, too. With a launch price of £9300, the new Scrambler is £1200 more than the base Triumph Street Twin, which it’s heavily based upon and which is Triumph’s most affordable, entry-level member of its retro-roadster Bonneville ‘modern classic’ family, but that’s still good value compared to many rivals which can’t boast the same name and heritage.

Find a clean, low mileage example – and most are – complete ideally with some quality Triumph accessories, and you’ll be laughing all the way to the bank.

Rivals include the BMW R nine T Urban GS and the new for 2023 Fantic Caballero 700 that uses the parallel-twin engine from a Yamaha Ténéré 700.

• Related: MCN's guide to the best enduro motorbikes

 

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The new 2019 Street Scrambler’s beautiful looks, character, and accessibility have all been developed to make it brilliant fun to ride, around town, out of town or on green lanes and gravel tracks. Follow the link in our bio to find out more.

A post shared by Triumph Motorcycles (@officialtriumph) on Nov 4, 2018 at 4:00am PST

Considering it’s a slightly budget middleweight, Triumph didn’t hold back in terms of spec on the Street Scrambler. As standard you get ABS and traction control (both can be deactivated for off-road use), two power modes, a Brembo caliper, an immobiliser, underseat USB socket and LED lights. That’s not bad at all.

However just like Harley, Triumph’s fairly large (over 120 parts) accessories range is always there to add a bit of extra bling – at a cost... Among those offered by Triumph are parts to turn it into a more hardcore off-roader (Fox shocks, high level mudguard, light protector, bash plate etc) and even a whole ‘Urban Tracker’ inspiration kit, which includes 25-litre panniers, a Vance & Hines silencer and more.

A lot of owners add a few bits to their bikes and most stick with official accessories, which do add a degree of value to the bike. Great accessories include a set of replacement slip-on cans to enhance the sound, luggage (the waxed cotton pannier retains the retro theme), a small screen and heated grips.

When buying used, if you want accessories then search out a bike with them already fitted as this will save you cash, just ensure the OE parts are also included in the package in case you want to return it to stock.

Of course, when it comes to full-on specials, you do need to be wary. Some customisers are better skilled than others and you need to do your research to ensure what you are buying will be fit, and safe, for use on the road.