Question for dual sport riders

[Brumos]

This is a question for riders with KLR's, VSTROM's and similar bikes. How would a Triumph Scrambler fair on the roads you guys travel on? I'm not talking about serious off-roading. I think it'd be fine but i've never ridden on those forestry roads. I'd mainly use it for hitting the backcountry roads.

Here's a pic of what it looks like.

[BMR]

If you keep the bike upright and go easy, you should be fine, but this really is a compromise bike if you want to do any off road riding.

KLR is more dirt worthy that the other 2 you mentioned, and there are a lot of bikes beyond the KLR.

If you wanted to stand on the pegs in the rough stuff, is the exhaust going to be in the way?

[Thumper 8]

This is a question for riders with KLR's, VSTROM's and similar bikes. How would a Triumph Scrambler fair on the roads you guys travel on? I'm not talking about serious off-roading. I think it'd be fine but i've never ridden on those forestry roads. I'd mainly use it for hitting the backcountry roads.


I would say you would be fine on smooth gravel roads, but you wouldn't have the suspension travel to deal with potholes, big ruts etc. Anything beyond a basic gravel road, I think it would start to get a little dodgy... and uncomfortable

Looks like there are some vulnerable parts too - even for logging roads, I would think you would need a skidplate and hand guards etc... and do they may knobby/off-road tires for that rim size?

The bike could be surprisingly capable, but there are so many better options - because once to start riding off road, you will want to explore more technical roads and remote areas, and soon you would start to realize the limitations of the bike. Have said all that, I have lots of pictures from the '60's where old coots are doing amazing off-road rides and scrambles on similar style bikes. It would be fun to give a boot and see what it could do :rockon

FWIW, there are usually some good used KLR's on Craigslist starting around $4,000 (I am currently on an '04 KLR).

[Brumos]

Well the only reason I'm looking at this bike is because I have the opportunity to pick up a used one, only 5 months old with 5,000km at a steal of a price... basically half the cost of what the original owner paid out the door. I already have a sportbike and I think this would be perfect for cruising 2up occasionally and hitting the dirt roads once in a while.

No offense guys, but i just don't like the looks of the KLR.. looks too much like a dirt bike. Where as this has a more retro appearance.

[rivet]

Looks quite capable here :D

http://www.davidcohen.co.nz/scrambler_800px.jpg

[URANUS]

in the old days they raced these things in scrambles....along with BSA, Norton, Greves, Harley, Indian, Royal Enfield...
I would like to get one of those!!!
Kinda like the old honda 350's

[URANUS]

what do ya think??? a friend owned one....

I had a TS250...

Others had DT's

good ol days///hahahaha

[geek]

what do ya think??? a friend owned one....

I had a TS250...

Others had DT's

good ol days///hahahaha

Ah yes, the good ol days of muffler burn on the inside of the legs. :)


oh and to keep it on topic, I think that bike would be a riot off road and definitely unusual to see used like that too.

[scooter]

Its all in the skill of the rider, although I wouldn't want to take it on a decomtioned road. Ah, what the hell, I'd thrash on one. Looks good too.

[TeeTee]

It won't be as good as the 'Strom or other adventure bikes. The shocks are more a low travel sort of deal and not meant for serious beatings.

The Scrambler harkens back to when such bikes were used for some desert racing and for flat track racing. Such bikes were not really used for serious off road work.

Taken at a reasonable pace any bike can do gravel including a sportbike if you don't mind the odd rock chip. And that's about how this one should be ridden off road. It's not really meant for it. The pipes and tires are just for show. It's a stock street Bonnie behind the Scrambler window dressings.

[Brumos]

A pair of pics with knobbies installed.

[Fitz]

Notice that all the pics of the bike actually on dirt roads feature the skid plate on the bottom of the frame.

My biggest worry would be taking such a pretty bike and getting it all dinged up.

[Brumos]

That skid plate is an easy add on.

[avsagain]

sounds like you're sold on the bike. just get it already, and let me take it for a spin up the back of seymour mountain

[Brumos]

Actually, these are the ones i'm sold on. Hard to find though.

[Triplepete]

That Thruxton is a sweet bike. The Scrambler should do well - the last dirt ride I did with my vstrom, a guy joined us on a Buell XB12S... and kept up,

[PitScar]

There are many definitions of offroad. I don't think that bike would do too well on any of the fun ones. Even if it was ok, YOU wouldn't be having much fun! Don't really see the point of riding offroad if you have to hold back the entire time and are afraid to drop the bike.