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| On the road Triumph Scrambler 900: an air of freedom By T. Groussin The new Triumph Scrambler takes us back to the late sixties, when off-road motorcycles were still derivations of road bikes. Rustic aspects, of course, but above all bags of charm.  © Triumph Great escape to the sixties In motorcyclist terminology, the term Scrambler designates the road bikes of the sixties turned into off-road motorcycles by decking them out with high silencers, off-road tyres and wide handlebars. This kind of machine was notably illustrated in the hands of Steve McQueen who, in the film The Great Escape in 1963, crosses the barbed wire of the prison in which he is being held captive on a Triumph converted into a Scrambler ... And so the legend was born, an emblem of freedom at a time when barriers were falling one by one. It was, more precisely, the 1968 Triumph TR6c that inspired this modern Scrambler, version 2006. Magnificent! Park the Triumph Scrambler on a Saturday afternoon on Place de la Bastille in Paris, and you will draw a crowd within five minutes! This motorcycle is as eye-catching as a gleaming Harley-Davidson, and sparks even greater curiosity. The eye is first of all attracted by the chrome of the impressive exhaust, then rests on the curves of the small two-tone fuel tank flanked by Triumph logos in relief, your hand brushes the flat seat with white edging. The Scrambler awakens all your senses. Beyond its refinement, it is noted for its robustness: here there is almost no aluminium, but heavy, strong materials, made to last. A blast from the past Your first spin on a Scrambler is surprising because you have to become reaccustomed to all its little old-fashioned aspects, deliberately recreated but long gone from our modern motorcycles. A fuel tank cap that does not lock, the absence of petrol gauge, the steering lock on the column, the absence of storage compartment for an antitheft device, etc. The Triumph Scrambler is not a practical motorcycle. Once you have resigned yourself to that, and have managed to wedge your leg against the aluminium exhaust protection (rest assured, there's no risk of getting burnt!), you will succumb to its charm.
For the ride There is nothing sophisticated about the Scrambler's build, but it offers sound handling, as long as you don't ask too much of its rustic suspension. In town, the large sculpted tyres and very open steering angle require a certain effort at the handlebar, but that does not in any way mar its vocation as an urban machine. Only big bumps or overly brutal handling interfere with the precision of riding. Used as intended, at a sedate pace, the Scrambler excels on minor roads, revealing a highly engaging personality which will delight those not concerned with modern motorcycle performance. The relative comfort may deter you from undertaking long journeys, all the more so with a passenger, just as the absence of protection will naturally keep you away from sections of motorway. In any case, the engine calls for an entirely different use. And what about off-roading? It would frankly be a shame to damage this fine machine: a jaunt along a dry track maybe, but if it is muddy then stay away! The Triumph personality As well as looks, the 865 cc air-cooled twin-cylinder engine is the Scrambler's other crowning glory. Modern, reliable and economical to use, the only retro thing about this piece of machinery is its appearance. The sound is of course more discreet than in 1968, but the guttural intonation typical of Triumph causes a sensation. Relatively smooth in the city, well served by a good gearbox and devoid of annoying vibrations, this engine discloses little by little all its flavour when making the most of its torque at midrange revs. Another considerable advantage, its modest output (55 PS) means that you can ride with peace of mind, without fear of radar speed checks. Future collector's item? The high price of the Triumph Scrambler, justified by the quality of build, could deter those who appreciate the performance and comfort of modern machines. But aesthetes, novice or experienced riders, for whom a motorcycle is first and foremost an object of passion that must reveal a very distinctive personality on each use, will not remain impervious to Triumph's neo-retro model.
Photographies : © Triumph  | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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