First Ride Review: 2017 Triumph Street Scrambler

The scrambler concept goes back generations with the original TR6, probably best known as Steve McQueen's mechanical co-star in the 1963 movie, "The Great Escape." Retro styling sometimes misses the mark, but this new-for-2017 Street Scrambler nails it—lots of thoughtful details, and an authentic stance that faithfully reproduces the look and feel of Bonnevilles from the 1960s.

At first glance the most obvious scrambler bits are the high-mount exhaust (with a cleverly integrated catalytic converter), skid plate, and blocky Metzeler Tourance tube-type tires mounted on spoked wheels. There’s also switchable ABS and traction control. A really comfortable ribbed solo seat, aluminum rear rack (as well as a pillion pad), rubber tank pads, fork gaiters and brushed aluminum hard parts help complete the retro-rugged look. Triumph is taking a page out of the Harley-Davidson book, too, with more than 150 Street Scrambler goodies in the accessory catalog. “Customize” to your heart’s content.

To give the Scrambler better off-road chops, the chassis is optimized with more forward located (and serrated) footpegs, recalibrated fork internals and longer rear shocks for added ground clearance, compared with the Street Twin. Durable spokes replace the more vulnerable cast wheels of the Street Twin, and a larger 19-inch spoke front hoop is there to help manage rougher terrain. Seat height is 31.2 inches—that’s up from the Street Twin’s 29.5 inches, but 1.3 inches lower than last year’s Scrambler.

The Scrambler gets a single instrument with all kinds of useful data that lives inside the LCD info window. Fuel range, consumption, TC and ABS status, trip meters and an RPM readout are all accessible using the left control pod’s Info button, which is mounted on a strong and handsome tapered handlebar. Accordion gaiters protect the conventional fork tubes, and of course add to the retro aesthetic. A plastic skid plate and mesh radiator screen are there to guard against rocks getting chucked up and ruining your day, and also reminding you that the aftermarket (or Triumph’s own catalog) is full of metal alternatives. Rubber inserts pop out of the footpegs to reveal gator-teeth for extra grip. Suggestive, and handy.

Looks are important and all, but so is function. As with the Street Twin, the Scrambler is light on its feet and delightful to ride. Sharing the Street Twin's 55 horsepower, 900cc liquid-cooled "high-torque" vertical twin engine, throttle response is snappy but linear. This isn't a particularly fast bike, but somehow there's an intoxicating dose of git-up-and-go on tap whenever you want it. For reference, the last generation Scrambler used the 51 hp 865cc air-cooled motor and didn't have this level of responsiveness. The exhaust note coming from the twin pipes is throatier than the other sibling in the Street Twin family, the Street Cup.

Off-road looks are high on the Street Scrambler’s list, but ironically it was on road where it showed why it will be many people’s new favorite do-almost-anything bike. There is something absolutely endearing about the willing character and seamless performance of this machine. Even though it shares many of the same components as the Street Twin and Street Cup, this Scrambler’s handling is refreshingly light and neutral, plus it feels like there is more immediate off-idle power delivery. The overall fun factor and cornering confidence were terrific. The package just works.

The ride-by-wire throttle and light-effort torque-assist clutch make launches predictable and easy to control while the smooth 5-speed gearbox keeps the motor humming within the sweet part of the rev range. The front brake is the same Nissin two-piston caliper clamping a single solid-mounted 310mm rotor shared with the Street Twin (the Street Cup gets a floating disc). Initial bite and control is fine, but stopping quickly the 454-pound (claimed, dry) Scrambler from speed requires a decent amount of lever pressure.

When pavement turns to dirt, the Street Scrambler is not as composed as it is on tarmac. That isn’t to say you can’t venture onto rough roads, but it pays to remember that this is first and foremost a pavement dweller. Both ABS and traction control are switchable when your inner McQueen needs his fix of brake steering and drifting. All of the Scrambler’s components work in unison to create a really fun package. It looks the part of vintage adventurer and is easy to get along with on the road and to a lesser degree, in the dirt.