2017 Triumph Scrambler First Ride Review at RevZilla.com 

I get it. I think there is a big push right now for creating easy to ride, approachable machines to get new riders into the sport. And with that comes lower seat heights to make the bike appear less intimidating. But like you said, while that's alright for some, what about new riders that are bigger? While I know a smaller rider might look at a bike like this and think, "Damn, that thing is huge". But for a gentleman (or lady), who is over six-foot, this becomes a comfortable beginner bike or second bike or main bike. I bought my '05 T-100 as a beginner bike and it became my "everything" bike because it was all I could afford. Even that people said I looked too big for. It's all relative I suppose. I am just lucky that I enjoy riding smaller bikes! Thanks for watching man! I appreciate the kind words.

Well as a shorter rider all I can say is " its about f**in time " !! For years bikes have been built with no thought for anyone with less than a 31" inside leg measurement and no adjustment without major mechanical work.

Spurgeon what are the best classic/retro modern bikes for tall inseam riders? I'm 6'1" but with a 34"/88cm inseam. I'd consider the Scrambler, but I like cool running bikes in hot weather - no pipes against the legs! Cheers

MrBojangles I’d like to know this too. Spurg’?

It's probably due to most of the population being under 6 foot.... what's the point in scaring off smaller riders just to cater to tall riders?

You should get one :)

This has been my dream bike for a long time.

Anytime! The holidays really help me to maintain my weight and I am not old enough to start shrinking yet so I imagine I have a few more years of tackling these reviews at my current size!

Kyle M. Trust me, I'd like to review that one as well.

Yeah, regardless of what you like to ride, 2017 is a good time to be on a bike!

Thanks for watching. Yeah, I have 76,000 miles on an old T-100 that's my personal bike. I am interested to see how these engines hold up compared to the old 865cc mills. I would imagine with the liquid cooling and the way they're tuned these engines are going to run forever as well.

I didn't have any issues with the heat, but it was like 50 degrees outside. It was a little bulky on the right side when I was trying to stand up, but nothing super distracting. I'd be interested to ride it in the heat of the summer but I can't imagine it would be any hotter than my old VFR 800 or my current Tiger 800. Thanks for the kind words on the review, duder!

MrFunnyMonkey you're completely correct. modern polymers that are engineered well can be perfect substitutes for metal.

MrFunnyMonkey it comes down to the type of plastic. Without having more time to actually test this and abuse it, it's hard to say. I've smashed up an aluminum skid plate pretty good already so I'm a bit hesitant to trust a plastic one to a nearly 500 pound Scrambler. My point is, as this is a first ride review, I am going to stick with my statement that this is a potential fail point until we have more time with the bike to test it... (ie- I really just want more time to rip on this bike and try to break something... because it's my job... not at all because it's fun... that has nothing to do with it... I'm nothing if not a professional...)

MrFunnyMonkey I'd always prefer metal though. Just for piece of mind, plus it looks cool :)

What is the predominant failure mode of skid plates? Do they transfer impact into the frame or into the parts they're protecting? Does the plate sit right up close to the sump and exhaust headers?

A skid plate serves a variety of functions. In its most basic form, it is designed to keep rocks and debris from bouncing off the bottom of the engine. As you begin to tackle bigger woops and rock gardens, it's job is less about protecting items from hitting the engine and more about protecting the engine from items you are hitting. Also, as mentioned above, it also helps the bottom of the bike to slide over rocks and logs in extreme conditions. From a failure standpoint it depends more on the construction of the plate itself. If it's plastic you could see the plate crack or shatter under the force of a blow. If it's a metal plate that's constructed using a riveted design, those rivets could fail causing the skid plate to fall apart. And if you take a big hit on an aluminum plate, it could bend far enough that it's sitting against the engine itself resulting in a lack of protection from future blows. But i would recommend getting away from the word "fail" or "failure" for the majority of the plates out there. Keep in mind that, as with most forms of crash protection, they're designed to do a specific job. If you take a huge blow to the skid plate to the point where it needs to be replaced, that's not a failure if your bike keeps running. It did its job, it protected the engine case, now it's time to replace it. Most skid plates are mounted to a variety of points, such as the engine and the frame, that changes based on the brand plate and where they believe protection is best served. Using rubber mounted brackets anywhere from 3/4" to an inch thick in most cases, the force of a blow is dispersed to four to six locations as opposed to just one, thus minimizing damage to the machine. I hope this helps to answer your question. Please let me know if there is anything else I can offer up to help with your understanding!

Steve_Kamrad holidays are a bitch.

With the liquid-cooling, the engine shouldn't get as hot, but exhaust heat might still be an issue in extreme Texas heat. -DrewZilla

Do you mean the Daytona 675? The Daytona is pretty long in the tooth now, so I think it's more likely you'd see us review the new Street Triple 765 perhaps. -DrewZilla

Fox shocks, man.

That too.

They really weren't bad. Those heat shields worked pretty well. There was definitely a bit more heat on the right thigh than something like the Street Twin would be giving off with its low slung exhaust, but nothing unbearable. The engine in my old VFR 800 or current Tiger 800 XCx is as noticeable as this was. Then again, I was riding on a cool winter morning where temps were in the 40s and 50s. It might be a different story in the middle of August. Guess we'll have to see about getting one to test out a bit more!

nice reply to my #1 issue with the high pipes! I got burned A LOT as a kid on the only bike I had at the time. I'm in love with the idea of a vintage dual purpose...but honestly, I can't get past the feeling those high pipes would add some more scars! (I do STILL have permanent burn marks on my right calf - and I'm 50 now! lol)

Solocanoe forget about it. Not in an Italian way. Actually forget it. The heat shield is superb. Apart from a little warmth, you'll feel nothing I promise you. Triumph thought about this.

Solocanoe Don't worry about the heat! It's a bit wormer true, don't touch plastic black part of shield with bear hands (tried it, didn't love ot:-)) and you'll be fine.

Nate Silva are you kidding? Can you imagine how much fun Lem and I could have on a pair of Rebels?

Spurgeon Dunbar so maybe? if can do a shout out to me , I got a 87 Honda Rebel and I know there not monsters but there fun for the city not the highway. I had mine for a year now , but Harley and I are trying to get me on a 2012 Road King . I was telling them too much bike for my second bike but they said it's just a mind thing . what do yall think? Thanks Nate Silva

well that magic feeling of riding a bigger rig fade away very fast...2 weeks later you'd be set in the new routine

We didn't check specifically, since they're pretty necessary, but from all the photos I can find, they appear to be removable with a few bolts. Just keep in mind that pipe wrap can lead the exhaust to rust. -DrewZilla

You probably could get this as a first bike, but you'd be better off riding a smaller bike for a year or two. -DrewZilla

Yes, Spurgeon was able to scrape the pegs on more aggressive turns. If you want to avoid that, then you might consider a different bike with more lean angle. -DrewZilla

In the video, Spurgeon is about 6 ft. 3 in., so he's similar to you in height. You'd probably be fine with it, but I'd recommend going to a Triumph dealer to sit on one yourself. -DrewZilla

The Arai is the new Signet-X. The sunglasses are about $11 bucks at your local Target.

Both are about the same for comfort. If you want a little more cushion/seat height, Triumph makes a bench seat for the Street Twin. -DrewZilla

Scramblers have traditionally run both pipes high on the right side of the bike. For riding off-road, you want the exhaust up and away from rocks on the ground. -DrewZilla

Ducati scramblers are different. Is it possible to remove the pipes and place them on the bottom? Will it fit down there?

Yes, the exhaust gets hot, but there are also heat shields along the length of the exhaust to reduce the heat transfer. -DrewZilla

Thanks. :)

No yet, but it's one that's on the table for consideration. Good call.

They're both built on the same platform, so both would be good for a first bike. -DrewZilla

For Spurgeon, he finds cruisers uncomfortable, so he prefers the comfort of the Scrambler. It's different for different people, so definitely go sit on one or ride one if you can. -DrewZilla

The heat wasn't that bad. The heat shields worked pretty well. I didn't try housing a passenger on the back but the design is pretty thought out. I had no problem using a passenger on the old Scrambler and I wouldn't be too worried here either. At worst, just make sure they exit the bike on the left side. I pretty much train all my passengers, on all my bikes, to step on and up like they are getting on a horse. On the larger ADV bikes, it's really the only way to access the pillion seat.

Spurgeon Dunbar great. Thanks for the information.

Yep! They are Triumph's Lothian Gloves.

Here is a link: shop.triumphmotorcycles.com/gloves/id-MGVA16105/Lothian_Glove

It might be ok for a beginner, though you'd probably still be better off starting on a smaller bike of 300cc or less in engine size. -DrewZilla

RevZilla I appreciate the response thank you!

Yes, the Street Twin is good for a beginning rider. -DrewZilla

That's a tough call. Both are good road bikes that can also handle some dirt roads. The Ducati requires a bit more maintenance though. -DrewZilla

RevZilla that alone for me would be enough to buy the triumph but from initial impressions it appears the Ducati is the better off reader.

N Johnson I talked about the pipes a bit more in the written review, they get warm, but the heat shields work pretty well. If anything you'll notice a sweaty thigh in the summer months. But nothing worse than the heat my Tiger 800 or old Honda VFR gave off.

That really depends on your own physique. We recommend sitting on both to feel the differences for yourself. -DrewZilla

RevZilla wow you actually answered, thanks a lot! I had an hernia but I think you are right, I will halve to sit. In both

Isn't it mandatory for the first comment to be: "First!"?

Triumph should offer a thicker seat and taller 'bars as an option. BMW offer a higher seat on their Scrambler.

Seems like all bikes are getting smaller and smaller, unless you ride a ZX-14R, Hayabusa, FJR1300, Concours 14, R1200GS, or some giant cruiser.

I'm 6ft 1.5in and I fit perfectly. Considering I'm in the 90th percentile of US men's height (and around the 95th or 96th considering all human adults, male and female, all nationalities) I think Triumph did a decent job in catering for normal sized human beings...

Yes, you can still feel the heat from the exhaust. -DrewZilla

If you want to skid around with the back wheel and have some fun, then yeah

yep it's really a shame, knowing also that you can turn a street twin into a scrambler with the optional parts from triumph, and then......you can turn the ABS off.

They should be hitting showrooms shortly. -DrewZilla

What cc is this?

900cc.

From us...RevZilla. Link is in the description...and below as well. -DrewZilla *www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/alpinestars-brera-leather-jacket

We shall see how 2017 plays out. I know Lem has a whole list of bikes he's lining up.

Assembly is done in one of Triumph's own factories in Thailand (Factory 4 I believe). Components come from the UK, Germany, Japan, Thailand, and elsewhere. -DrewZilla

It depends on your location. Here in the US, the speedometer is in MPH. Most other places in the world, the speedometer is in KMPH. In the video, it was blurry, but it appears to be KMPH (which makes sense for being in Spain). -DrewZilla

I learned how to order a beer as well!

Its already a measly 55HP why would you want even less?

woaaahh you really must be an expert

Maybe a scooter is better for you.

so glad to get your knowledgable input on that, you degenerate old fat mongrel

It's a common mistake in terminology. It needs to be referred to as "off pavement."

Nicholas S looks like the astars brera

If you're ever curious about the gear Lem and I wear in the reviews all you have to do is click the "Show more" tab, just above the comments section. We include links for all of the gear used in the reviews. @doubledoubleandfries is correct. It's the Alpinestars Brera. www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/alpinestars-brera-leather-jacket

I am living my life one ZZ Top song at a time. My pink ones broke so I have moved on to these. The nice thing about $10 sunglasses is they never last long as they break easily. Who knows what I'll have by the next review!