A nod from the Editor*

What's the rush?

Since we last spoke, I’ve been given the keys to my long-term test bike. A Triumph Street Scrambler. I was meant to get my hands on it at the start of April, but with lockdown closing dealers and workshops across the country delivery was put on hold. Until now.

Over the last month, I’ve been getting reacquainted with my favourite of Triumph’s Bonevillebased ‘modern retros’. I say reacquainted because I’ve spent a fair bit of time on them over the past few years. Just as I remembered, the Street Scrambler’s an absolute treat to ride. It’s light and composed, it looks fantastic and it sounds glorious. I admit it’s not the fastest or most sophisticated bike I’ve ridden, but who cares…?

I actually jumped on it after spending three weeks hooning around on Ducati’s Multistrada 950, so those first few days were a bit underwhelming. They were always going to be; the Ducati’s an animal by comparison. That’s nothing against the Triumph (or the Ducati, for that matter), it just took me a few days to adjust my expectations and settle into a slightly more relaxed rhythm. I was trying to ride the two very different bikes in the same way, but that was never going work.

Instead of hunting for the next overtake and taking each corner as quickly as possible, I’ve found I’m perfectly happy pottering on the Street Scrambler. I was no monster before, but I’m more patient, more considerate and probably safer as a result when riding the Triumph.

Don’t get me wrong, when the road opens up and I’ve got a bit of room to wind open the throttle, I will. It’s a capable bit of kit that’s more than up for some scratching when the mood takes, but for some reason it doesn’t feel necessary.

I guess what I’m trying to say is that the Street Scrambler’s got soul. There’s something a bit special about it and the way it makes me feel. It’s a return to back-to basics-motorcycling, and I love it.