My take on the Scrambler

[Dirtysouth]

I briefly thought about a Nightster but went with the bike that I have lusted over since first laying eyes on it; the Scrambler. I left out from my house the day after Christmas with 754 miles on my 2010, and it turned over 3300 miles today coming home from work. I did a SS1000 on it, actually doing 1184 miles on it in a little over 21 hours (hey it was cold, and there was a wreck on I-10 that delayed me an hour).



Cross posted from Advrider


The bike had plenty of power for the long stretch of interstate, but I do have the TORS and a retune, but I don't know how much of a difference that makes. Of course it has no wind protection although with the fly screen it does help, but I froze my butt off last night. I made the mistake of shipping my top box back home with all of my clothes, big mistake. I never once got tired, but that's because all I could think about was how miserable I was because of the cold :lol3.

I had thought of going up a tooth on the front sprocket to lower my RPM for the interstate, but I'm glad I didn't spend the money. The stock gearing is perfectly fine for a honest 75 mph, and it will do the ton if needed.

My fuel light (EFI) came on at 120 miles like clockwork at interstate speeds, and I would stop and get fuel at 140-150 miles or so and I would put in 3-3.5 gallons so I was getting on average 42+ mpg at interstate speeds.

Honestly, my only complaint is the seat to peg distance, or lack there of. The seat height is fine, but the pegs are a little close but I don't notice it until the mileage starts clicking away. I'm going to try to find some foot pegs to add to the engine guards to give me somewhere to put my feet when I need to stretch.

Suspension. What suspension?
The front isn't that bad but the rear is non-existent, and coming through LA. and AL. was brutal.  

Overall the bike is a hoot to ride. It's not a dirt bike, nor a sport bike, and for sure not a touring bike, but it will handle anything that I am willing to throw at it, and it oozes coolness.

I don't have any good shots of the bike but I do have a couple pics that I managed to snap along the way.

[Dirtysouth]

And while I understand that the top box on a bike with number plates is a visual oxymoron as someone over on Advrider mentioned, I needed something to throw my stuff in for the week long trip. After making this trip, I realized that I really don't need more than a couple changes of undies and socks, along with whatever medicine or hygiene items you need. I don't carry a lot of tools, simply because I don't plan on rebuilding the bike on the side of the road anyways, hell I couldn't do that in my own garage.

I have a small pelican case mounted on the left side behind the number plate that holds a tube, tire irons, and inflator.

[caddydaddy]

Awesome report.  But for doing that many miles at once, I'll stick to my Sprint!  

[Dirtysouth]

Awesome report.  But for doing that many miles at once, I'll stick to my Sprint!  

Wise decision.

If I could put another bike in the garage right now, it'd be the Sprint. I love that bike, but I'm smart enough to know that I'm not responsible enough for it. I've had some go fast bikes, but now that I have two young daughters, I needed something to keep me a little more honest.

[Rincewind]

You got the best color one, too.  Nice job on the big trip.

Is that a Triumph single seat or aftermarket?  Any pics from the front with your flyscreen?

[Dirtysouth]

You got the best color one, too.  Nice job on the big trip.

Is that a Triumph single seat or aftermarket?  Any pics from the front with your flyscreen?

It's the Triumph solo seat. I don't have any pics offhand but will get some posted up.

[BobW]

Great report!

[atadaskew]

I briefly thought about a Nightster ...

Suspension. What suspension?

I thought you didn't get the Harley?