with a header and stock mufflers it sounds great when on the throttle and quite when not. thats how it should be.
Just got my bike back from the shop. It's now sporting heated grips, cat eliminator header, V & H pipe, Power Commander and a K & N filter. Aside from the throaty growl I could definitely feel more pull up top. Was just a brief ride home from the shop, barely making it before a downpour. Will put it to the test tomorrow and the coming weekend.
I’ve got about 750 miles on the new bike right now with a 4 day weekend coming and a great forecast so I should get a lot of seat time. I had originally planned to take it on the Virginia/North Carolina mountains and Blue Ridge Parkway but I’m having some recovery issues from a recent surgery that makes long days on the bike a bit painful. So, I may have to settle for day rides but either way I should have a good feel for the bike by then.
I'm now one of the cool kids. Just got done with a 12-hour round trip to pick up my new '17 Street Scrambler. It looks very good in my garage. :)
Cross-posted from my Daily Ride thread. I've had an '01 SV 650 for 5 years. I put aftermarket seats, ATV hi-rise bars and a bunch of other things on the bike. Picked up the Triumph yesterday and got a couple of hours on this morning. My first impressions. 1. There are some similarities with the way I have the SV set up. Bars are a bit wider and a bit lower. 2. There is some compression braking, but the SV has a LOT more of it. That will take some "getting used to." 3. The vibes are more present. The SV, as a V-twin, has some vibes, but they were more of a "thrumming" sensation. The SS vibes are more high frequency and I noticed them in the bars. Not bad, just different. 4. The SV gearbox is very good, this one is superb. It just snicks into gear with no drama. 5. I found myself accidentally going into first gear on some corners. The SV would not have been happy with that. Much lower gearing and a lot more compression braking. The Triumph sort of says, "I say, old bean, there might have been a better cog for that application," but it just goes around the corner. 6. I went down some roads I have been avoiding on the SV as rough roads are not a pleasurable experience. The suspension on the SV is just set up for cornering and quick responses, not rough spots. The longer suspension lets you know the roads are not in good condition, but they aren't a big deal. Exactly what I had hoped. 7. Turn in requires a bit more intentional effort. This might be the difference between the 17" tire v. the 19" tire. The SV is really a sport bike in naked form and it reacts very quickly to rider input. The Triumph requires just a bit more intentional effort. The reviewers that said it is "flickable" probably overstated it. It isn't slow to respond, but it is a bit slower. This is not a bad thing--I've always loved the SV ride, but it can be marginally nervous on bad road conditions. 8. I did not find myself hunting for 6th gear. I often went looking for 7th with the SV. I really like having a fuel gauge and a gear indicator. 9. Stock pipes sound fantastic! 10. Stock seat is excellent. Took me a couple years to find the right one for the SV. 11. Both bikes are extremely comfortable and entertaining. I'm lucky to have enjoyed the SV and I'm lucky to have the Triumph. 12. I'm going to miss the top box. Function over form, but I used it a lot. Going to have to address that on the Triumph. So, am I a fan?
Interesting that you find the vibration more noticeable on the Triumph, but you didn't find yourself reaching for another gear. How do you rate the sound of the Street Scrambler vs. the SV650?
My SV has Scorpion slip on, so it sounds pretty good--if not a bit rowdier. I actually ordered a baffle for it shortly after I bought the bike. Had a lot of bark that the baffle moderated. I like the sound of the Scrambler pipes better. It is loud enough and mellow enough to suit the character of the bike. Since you mentioned the gearing--the biggest issue I had was going into first on really tight corners. Kept wondering why I was doing that since the SV will about put you on your nose for that mistake. I think it is the difference in compression braking. I drop down gear on the Triumph, let out the clutch and expect the same engine braking I'd feel in the SV. When I don't get it I think, "Need a lower gear" and drop down only to find myself in 1st. Engine braking is just is not nearly as pronounced on the Triumph. Not a bad thing, just difference in the engine configuration characteristics.
The relaxed engine braking surprised me too, but it's grown in me. I'm on a T120, but it seems to be across the models. It's actually really helpful and forgiving on tight, twisty roads if you're used to it. I had an SV650 as well but 1st was only for parking, stop lights, and take off.
I really like the bike and I'm going to enjoy it for years, so I expect I'll get used to it. Agree with you about 1st on the SV. Wish I could keep both. I'm really going to miss the SV. Suzuki got it right with that one.
Maybe with the Triumph gear box being so slick you accidentally slip it into first when leaning over because you change your foot position on the pegs. Then you don't feel it because of the slipper clutch. Which is how it's supposed to be.
Possible I guess, but I really think it's because I am so used to the engine braking on the SV. Much more present and I was used to dropping down two gears and not using much braking force. Slapped a flyscreen on it this morning.
Whoa, I like that screen. It really works with the bike. Where's the wind blast on you? Is your helmet in clean air?
It takes the pressure off the chest and leaves my helmet in clean air. I got with the bike when I purchased my SV 5 years ago and have run it on that bike for the entire time. I tried a Givi screen first, but it REALLY buffeted my helmet and I couldn't take it. I think it looks better on the Scrambler too! The SV has a tach and speedometer and the two gauges didn't look right from the saddle. The Scrambler single gauge looks appropriate. It is a Buell screen. I think it came off a Buell Blast, but I'm not sure. It is attached with some janky DIY brackets and I need to spend a bit more time getting it adjusted to the headlight bucket.
My Scrambler has about 1200 miles on it now, that's about 650 miles with V & H and cat eliminator pipe. Far as sound goes, I think it is "just right." Not too loud or obnoxious...just meaty. From a performance standpoint I can't give you numbers as we did not get a before and after dyno, mainly because its been 100+ degrees heat index here and I saw no point in torturing my good friend and mechanic by making him spend time in their dyno room. What I can tell you by the "seat of the pants" analysis is that it has a lot more going for it up top...it pulls strong and steady at higher rpms. I have never once looked for nor felt the need for 6th gear. I have never once felt it was underpowered...and I just came off 2 years on a Super Duke. I rode yesterday with a buddy who is taking delivery of an 1100 Ducati Scrambler in 2 weeks. I rode my Tiger and he took my Scrambler. Both he and I have owned a 2010 Scrambler. In fact, we owned the same one. It also had been fine-tuned by the same mechanic and ran exceptionally well. After about 50 miles, we stopped at one of the distilleries here in Kentucky and I asked him what he thought. His words: "In every way an improvement over the previous model." That sums up how I feel as well. Just my opinion, not knocking the previous model...loved mine, but I believe the Street Scrambler is a very positive forward step. Could not be happier at this point. I have a week trip coming up Labor Day. Not sure if I will take the Tiger, the Scrambler...or the still lusted after but not yet purchased Ducati Supersport S.
Has anyone noticed the large cavernous space behind the bash-guard? Would be the perfect spot for a large tool bag, if the plastic guard wasn't in three pieces and held together with a hundred bolts. Anyone know of an aftermarket skid-plate/ bash-guard that would allow easy access?
But isn't that the skinny one that sits between the frame? Because the scrambler has no cat under the engine in that space it looks void, without the stock bash guard that wraps up around the frame a little. Personal preference, but don't think it looks right with the skinny guard.
BUT it does allow eas(ier) access to the void. Either that or some serious reworking of the plastic shield.
Purchased a Street Twin Givi top case rack to put on the Scrambler. Going to put the pillion seat back on and have the option to put the OEM rack back on to allow for a top case and a water-proof bag at the same time. Looks really nice on the bike as well. I don't have the adaptor plate yet, so not using the top case at the moment.