Not all that hard to do I suppose - but the Scrambler and I met our match today. A steep, rutted, muddy road up a nearby mountain. It was a south facing slope, so the snow was gone, but the mud remained. Some stock 4x4's have trouble on the road... I shoulda known better... At least I was smart enough to turn around at a wide spot and get both the bike and me off the hill before I managed to dent up one or both of us! What would have helped? 1. Dirt riding skills. Sadly lacking here. 2. Better conditions - road was too wet/muddy. 3. Lighter bike, better ground clearance, longer suspension travel, gnarly knobbies and perhaps lower gearing too - something like your basic dirt bike would have eaten this hill alive, with a competent rider. I'll have another go at it when things dry out a bit!
Yep and took 5 working days to get here - gotta be happy with that. Yes the lights are so much brighter. They kick out some heat too. I didnt weigh the fake gearbox/sprocket cover but its quite a substanial item - it might be under 5 kilo Now I gotta get a nice gold chain when the current one wears out now that its more exposed. imaposer eh!
So the southern ride is now over. I'm not a great fan of writing up long ride reports, and since I only post pictures the cheap n nasty way, I'll keep it breif. Firstly the Scrambler did a stirling job on a wide range of surfaces from seal, through to mud, and steep rutted tracks. Two weeks in the saddle, and my buttocks never ached once. (although, once again i put this partly down to the Ohlins kit). The engine is a honey, for having a lazy overun that can be easily controlled on steep down hills, and it slugs above it's weight when pushing through mud. It's weight is an issue only when the suspension is at it's absolute limit in handling the rough stuff. thats when it's time to muscle up, or lay it down gracefully. Being able to get both feet on the deck in muddy situations to "paddle through" is a god send. Many heavy dual purpose bikes need to take a leaf from the Scramblers book there.
My tyre choice of TKC's for gravel, and loose surfaces will continue be first choice. I received some good advise re pressures. 36psi rear, 28psi fr, and only lower it when absolutely necessary. This gives extended wear life if road going is also included.
Sounds like one heck of a ride - two weeks on the road boiled down to a few sentences and a couple of photos. A few more photos would be great! Glad the Scrambler worked out so well for you on the trip. Regards, Guy
The bike will hang out with all manner of dualies from KTM's, DR's KLR's, and Two Strokers, and only be stopped by trails that you require a true trail bike for. (and they can't carry anywhere near the luggage that the Scrambler can.
But it main strength, is to carry a rider over a varying surfaces for many days, in all sorts of weather while said rider never tires of its lazy n honest "Thump Thump Thump". Wash it down, polish some chrome and go to town. Triumph still make the worlds best motorcycle.............MHO
I'll chuck in some scenery shots. But to be honest, it's all been photograghed before, and by much better snappers than me. Suffice to say, if you get the chance, ride New Zealand. Both Islands the diversity of my home country still blows me away.
Two weeks, five thousand kms, and the Trumpy purred all day every day. I guess you could say that it's a pretty good pack mule.
My sentiments excactly. Always willing, never complaining, and plenty good company - a great bike! Thanks for the grat pics! I am envious of the scenery and the warm weather!!
Anybody know where to get the kind of rack that Tri Boy has on his Scrambler, the one on page 52? I need something like that for my upcoming California trip & I don't have a solo seat. I haven't heard back from him. Thanks.
I don't know what his is, but I use a Verntura rack and it is great (prolly what he has, as it is made yonder on the other side of the world). You can easily interchange short and tall back racks to suit the duffle you are carrying or buy their luggage. They are of very high quality and have held up well.