Triumph Scrambler 900
Triumph Street Scrambler in the test (Baujahr 2021)
Does the 900 Bonneville in-line twin work in a scrambler machine?
Photos: motorradtest.deThe Triumph Street Scrambler has only been slightly revised for 2021. The engine is now Euro 5 compliant and there are a few optical retouches. We took a closer look at the new 900 Scrambler and compare it in this test with the sister models Bonneville T100 and Street Twin.
This is how she stands
They can build beautiful motorcycles at Triumph. Especially the models of the "Modern Classic" series impress with their appearance - although of course this is always in the eye of the beholder. In any case, the Street Scrambler is a real "Bonneville" and impresses with its classic lines and the double exhaust made of brushed stainless steel, which is typical of a Scrambler. Everything that looks like metal here is also made of metal. Workmanship and value leave nothing to be desired with the model available from 10,900 €. Since 2021, this model has been available in the colors Urban Grey (gray-blue like our test bike), black and matte-green.
Photo: Triumph (work)
As usual with Triumph, the buyer can customize his bike with no less than 120 parts. There are various brushed aluminum parts, side-attachable pockets, windshields, heated handles, etc. Of course, all this has its price, but it's actually a lot of fun to configure the Street Scrambler on Triumph's website to your own machine.
Like its sister models T100 and Street Twin, the machine is rather small in terms of dimensions. The wheelbase is 1.44 m and the seat height is 790 mm. Even small people feel comfortable and safe here. But the machine also offers enough space for Dietmar with its size of 1.84 m. The handlebar is wider and higher than the T100 and the Street Twin, so the Scrambler feels a bit more adult, although the feeling of a naked bike also predominates here. There is no windshield, which can be a bit annoying for longer trips over 100 km/h. The sitting position is very upright and casual and goes a bit towards the cruiser - Steve McQueen sends his regards.
What is immediately noticeable when sitting up for the first time is the easy manoeuvrability of the machine. However, this is probably more related to the dimensions than to the weight, because when fully fueled, the Triumph Street Scrambler weighs 223 kg. But it feels much lighter, both when stationary and when driving.
What it should be able to do
The technical equipment of the Street Scrambler is comparable to the T100 and the Street Twin. There is ride-by-wire, switchable traction control and three driving modes. In "off-road" mode, traction control and ABS are deactivated, which certainly makes sense off-road. Unfortunately, the machine is not really off-road due to the short spring travel (120 mm front and rear). But it doesn't want to be that either, after all, it's called "Street Scrambler" and not "Enduro Scrambler". The look is 100% Scrambler (incl. the Metzeler Tourance mixed tires), but everything else is more road than terrain.
Except for the rear light (LED), incandescent lamps are used and there are no crazy technical aids here. No 6-axis IMU, no cruise control, no wheelie control - would be a bit out of place at 65 hp. The Scrambler is therefore wonderfully down-to-earth and is very manageable and just as easy to use.
Photo: Triumph (work)This is how she drives herself
Before we start, we first listen to the sound. As expected, it is just as rich and bubbly as with the sister models. The Scrambler is not riotously loud at 91 dba, but the engine sound is still very present and fits perfectly with the Twin. Well, then go in the 1st gear and go...Wonderful, how beautiful the machine comes out of the basement. The engine has only 65 hp, but 80 Nm and that already at 3,250 rpm. So it's a real torque engine and that's how you drive the Scrambler. Due to the 5 gears you have to shift less often than usual and that also fits great with the engine. The Triumph Street Scrambler is de facto not a fast motorcycle, but it still doesn't feel lame. In contrast to the 1200 models from Triumph, however, you do not feel constantly animated to turn the throttle, you are more like cruising around the area. We already liked that with the Street Twin and the T100 and is the same here: You come down, enjoy the environment and leave all worries behind. Hardly any other bike manages as well as this Scrambler to transport the earthy, original feeling of motorcycling - wonderful!
Points of criticism must be looked for in the Street Scrambler with the magnifying glass. Driving while standing is made more difficult by the side exhaust, we had already mentioned the wind pressure and the performance has advantages and disadvantages. If you like to do fast laps, you will certainly use another bike, especially since the freedom from inclination on the Scrambler is not exactly exhilarating - but who cares about this machine?
Virtual tour around the machine
Conclusion - what sticks
The announced comparison to the T100 and the Street Twin is almost imperative here. The T100 is even more classic in terms of appearance and the Street Twin is not only cheaper, but visually also a bit more modern, which is mainly due to the normal rims. The Scrambler with its spoke wheels, bellows and the Scrambler exhaust is visually a bit more "riotous". It is a bit more stable or less manoeuvrable due to the 19" front wheel, but it gives the driver more control due to the wider handlebars.So if you like it classic, you can use the T100, if you are looking for a stylish naked bike that fits into today's world, take the Street Twin and if you want to look a little on the poop, you can use the Scrambler. All three machines have their justification and deliver a lot of driving fun due to the great 900 twin - really!
Price/Availability/Colours/Years of construction
- Price: 10.900€
- Used (3 years old): 8.000€
- Years of construction: 2017-2021
- Colours: blue-grey, black, matt-green
Further tests
Triumph Tiger 1200
Review
Triumph Street Twin
Review
Triumph Speed Twin
Review
Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE
Review
Triumph Tiger 1050 Sport
Review