TRIUMPH SCRAMBLER (2006 - on) Review

Year: 2007

Annual servicing cost: £100

Everyday bike with bags of character and easy to service and look after yourself. The sort of bike you would never really want to get rid off.

Buying experience: Private. £3700, bargain of the year

Version: The cool Olive Green one!

Year: 2009

Annual servicing cost: £100

My 2009 Scrambler is a fuel injected version and has Triumph's own TOR exhausts fitted (including a factory remap). With those additions this bike is perfect; the most fun I've ever had on 2 wheels. Not hugely powerful at the top end, but no other bike has tried to throw me off the back winding open the throttle from 1500rpms! Oh and hands down, no argument, no doubt, no matter what you ride...this bike is quite simply the nicest sounding motorcycle I have ever heard.

Buying experience: The thing is with bikes like this and the Bonneville, is they're usually owned by the more mature gentleman, who treat their bike with as much respect as a potential buyer....so no complaints here.

Version: Street Scrambler 900

Year: 2020

Annual servicing cost: £232

So user friendly, bags of power, comfortable riding position, so easy to throw around if that's your bag, cruise all day long on this and very economical. Down side, only takes one panier due to those lovely sounding pipes, not the best two up because passenger seat is small. I love it.

Buying experience: Purchased on line from Chesterfield Triumph dealer at a discounted price.

Year: 2016

Annual servicing cost: £120

Regretted selling my 13 plate Thruxton & wanted a fun bike again so got the Scrambler & it is brilliant. Gearing a bit out for me as would prefer less off the line acceleration & higher relaxed cruising speed but thats easily fixed with new rear sprocket{2 less teeth}. great bike.

Buying experience: Bought from dealer one year old[1000 miles] for £6500 with a new Arrow exhaust system in with the price.

Top speed is more like an old 650 T'bird at 95'ish. Power is 53bhp not 63bhp. The engine is not similar to Thruxton, it is a 270' crank motor as in the America & Speedmaster. Mpg I got 50'ish Seat height quoted is a std/SE Bonnie, the Scrambler has the highist seat height at more like 820mm. Still a good bike for the money apart from the poor chrome plating.

I had a scrambler for a day while my sprint was being seviced. When I set off I thought it was firing on one, it felt like an old AJS 500. I got it on a good straight & it wouldn't do a ton. MCN 125mph? It would be fine as a commuter but I wouldn't want to go far on it.

This is not a sports bike, this is bling retro statement on two wheels. It is a mild 900cc street icon, that is loosely based on the old TR6 motorcycle that had real off road capabilities. This bike does draw a crowd, it seems that even non-bikers stop to look at its upswept exhaust and the whole thing looks sort of right. The tyres are 'Trailwings' and for the type of riding it does they seem fine. The wide bars and slightly higher seat height than the stock Bonneville give you a commanding road presence. If you use the off road Triumph end cans the bike gives a healthy roar when it goes about its daily chores. This is a style machine for the urban street or back lanes. Off road? Well some people do mild off road work and it will do that type, but its a big beast and tarmac is where most will spend time. It can carve its way through traffic and will also be suitable for anyone over 5' 5" or so (I am 5' 8" and its not too tall for me). It seems that this bile gets a universal nod of approval; the ride is good with the engine whisking you along with ease - but remember if you want R1 performance get an R1, this is not that sort of bike. Its both a likable and ridable machine. Do I like it? Yes too right. At present I would not swop it for anything else; by the way if you do need to go distance the little screen apparently will shield you from some wind blast. Its a great character bike - any barbed wire fences around here ? Me and my mate Steve Mc Queen want to jump some fences...move over here we come...

The front springs are too soft. So, that was the downside. On the upside I would say: the Scrambler is a huge bag of fun! The engine has lots of torque and together with the Off Road exhausts the Scrambler roars like hell and make people on the sidewalk turn their heads. Brakes are good, the gear shift is light and precise. The adjustable brake and clutch levers can be set from small (women) to large hands. Handling is easy, precise and light. You wouldn't expect that from a 205kg bike. Beware of the female attention you draw when riding down town! Women seem to like it like a pair of shoes... This is a motorcycle that begs to be ridden and to be seen. It's a pal, a friend and a fashion accesoiry on two wheels.

This is a superb bike. Not a race bike but that's not what its' buyers want. Looks are gorgeous. Engine sweet. Gearbox precise. Handling primative but adequate, brakes good, sounds lovely. New one I tested was very tight but 2nd hand one I bought with 2.5K miles is 100% better and revs away. Can't see me changing it for a long time. Just get one!