A Street Fighter in action
Triumph’s Street Scrambler combines the flair of classic motorcycle design with the usability of a daily ride.
TRIUMPH Motorcycles have been making waves with their modern classics. Its designs have been well received by riders around the world who adore the original look of the yesteryear.
Modern Triumph engineering has made their range of classic motorcycles as reliable, engaging and as useable every day as any Triumph.
The modern classic which I reviewed recently was the Triumph Street Scrambler, priced from RM65,900 and powered by a 900cc engine.
The Street Scrambler has definitely retained every single bit of the Scrambler’s classic and timeless design.
A good example is the long and wide saddle, which had ample room for me and my pillion rider.
The sleek tank with functional rubber knee pads on both sides of the tank are extremely useful when one decides to ride hard with winding roads.
Also a must mention is the bike’s double exhaust pipes, one stacked on top of the other which further enhances the rugged look.
To retain the classic looks, designers at Triumph has hidden the catalytic converter between the exhaust and the engine. Bravo!
I was told there are about 150 different accessories for the Street Scrambler which allows any owner to customise the motorcycle to his heart’s content.
Do take note that the Street Scrambler is not a “serious” offroad bike, rather it is designed to tackle unpaved tracks like dirt roads, plantations trails and beaches, among others. But this bike is definitely at home on open roads. No doubt about that.
I rode the bike on a rubber plantation and I must say it performed well.
The bike is light, weighing at 200kg thus making it agile and easy to manoeuvre on the rough trails of the plantation.
The riding position of the Street Scrambler is very much upright and the wide handle bars was perfect especially when I was riding in the rubber estate for a good hour and a half.
The wide bars allowed me to have maximum control over the bike, like a jockey on a horse.
The front suspension travel of 120mm is able to soak all bumps and humps easily.
My buttocks and back did not ache at the end of the thrilling 90-minute adventure in a plantation in Kuala Selangor.
Complementing the front suspension is the rear KYB twin rear shocks that are adjustable for preload, delivering the same 120mm travel like the front.
On open roads, this handsome looking fella is at its best.
The Street Scrambler’s engine is torquey but very tame unlike the Speed Triple or Street Triple.
The Scrambler delivers a manageable 54hp at 5,900rpm and 80Nm of torque 3,230rpm.
Power delivery is linear and enough to satisfy anybody’s need for speed, but of course the Street Scrambler is much slower than the Daytona.
I hardly used fifth-gear on the highway, most of the time cruising in fourth.
With the engine speed around 3,200rpm and upwards, my ride becomes very interesting.
Every time I twisted the throttle, power surges in for me to conquer the open road easily.
Even when I dropped the engine speed towards 1,500rpm, the
Street Scrambler does not twitch and the ride remains pleasant.
The smooth and precise handling gave me better control; and these are largely due to the rideby-wire system, where the throttle response is at its best.
During rush hour ride in the city centre, the Street Scrambler is able to do countless stop-and-goes without the engine stalling.
Be it in first or second gear, I was able to weave through traffic without the bike feeling strained.
The upright sitting position gave me good visibility during my daily commute, thus weaving through traffic was enjoyable.
And the 120mm suspension travel was more than enough to absorb all the potholes, humps and cracks on roads in the city.
While riding up to Genting Highlands, I was very impressed how easily the bike handled all corners and managed twists and turns gracefully.
The Street Scrambler is equipped at the front with a twin-pot Nissin calliper biting on a single 310mm disc while the rear uses the same twin calliper, but with a 255mm disc.
The bike also comes with switchable anti-lock braking system (ABS).
My overall experience on the brakes has been pleasant and the Nissins have done very well in stopping the bike.
This is one great bike to commute and whiz through any traffic challenge plus a very reliable interbike, state tourer.
A comfortable be it as a sinpillion gle or with a rider.
It will not be too much to say that the Street Scrambler has a split personality, the manners of a gentleman and the image of a bad boy, with either one at your disposal.