The "other" side of dual purpose

[Gasman]

I've been thinking along similar lines lately, and now want to ride a Triumph Scrambler.

Me too! But after 5 years on a F650GS (the one that some love to hate) the Scrambler looks exposed and small - even though its supposedly more powerful. What's so hard to forget with the GS is its comfort level, reliability and true dual purpose nature. I've taken it over some really rough stuff, and I'm no expert, so it must be good! Have you talked to anyone who has spent some time on a Scrambler?

[Ixion]

The attenutated Ozzie has, and thought highly of it. Dunno whether that was cos it went well, or cos it was 'cool', though.

[tri boy]

The Beemer is probably the better trail/Adv bike.
The Standard Scrambler shocks are pretty poor, as is the standard non adj fr forks.

Robert Taylor dialled in some rear Ohlins on the rear, and fitted springs, and cartridge emulators to mine. (add about 2k to the cost), add a Thunder Bike Bashplate, a oil cooler mesh,(made one), and a front mudguard extension,(made out of high impact grinding face shield, never split yet).
Decent tyres, TKC/Metz Sahara, etc and its pretty good.
They are heavy, (220kg), but CoG is nice and low.
Limited suspension travel compared with trail bikes, but so has the Enfield, and I rode one of those over the three highest passes in India.
HP wise, about 55hp. (i fitted the Triumph "Off road" mufflers) and it breathes a bit better.
Some Americans are getting 100hp out of the Bonneville twins, but the Scrambler don't need that, plus that involes open air boxes etc, (no good if your into dirt/gravel/dust.
Take one for a ride before you sell the Beemer.
They are fun, but not a serious Adv bike.

Oh, one more thing.

They are WAY COOL. (I'm not).

[tri boy]

Couldn't resist.

Early pic's before the mods.

[Crisis management]

Hey, you forgot to mention the optional snorkel for river crossings......

[spookytooth]

i have been toying with the idea of getting my tbird a stable mate.Was wondering how the new tigers handled gravel/easier dirt trails.I wouldn't think the tripple would be that great a motor for it.If it wasn't for the missus always wanting to be on the back i would be going for another ktm exc

[tri boy]

i have been toying with the idea of getting my tbird a stable mate.Was wondering how the new tigers handled gravel/easier dirt trails.I wouldn't think the tripple would be that great a motor for it.If it wasn't for the missus always wanting to be on the back i would be going for another ktm exc

I think the older,(not the 1050) is a much better gravel mount. PM Cary, or Oldrider. Brand new they are going out the door around the $15000 mark. Good buying. Ham M/Cycles has a couple in stock.

[Big Dave]

I've been thinking along similar lines lately, and now want to ride a Triumph Scrambler.

Have a read through the Scrambler thread on ADVrider.com

[Big Dave]

i have been toying with the idea of getting my tbird a stable mate.Was wondering how the new tigers handled gravel/easier dirt trails.I wouldn't think the tripple would be that great a motor for it.If it wasn't for the missus always wanting to be on the back i would be going for another ktm exc

07's have 17 alloy road wheels and are specified by Triumph as 'A ROAD bike Big Dave, got it? A ROAD bike'.

06's have alloy wheels but 19"s worth an accommodate knobbies.

up to 05's have wire wheels and are quite good ADV bikes if you are strong enough to muscle it where needed.

I did the Capital Coast ride on one and dug it.

[Big Dave]

The attenutated Ozzie has, and thought highly of it. Dunno whether that was cos it went well, or cos it was 'cool', though.

Both. Even grudging approval from the Publisher and he has one Kawasaki eye and one BMW eye.

[oldrider]

07's have 17 alloy road wheels and are specified by Triumph as 'A ROAD bike Big Dave, got it? A ROAD bike'.

06's have alloy wheels but 19"s worth an accommodate knobbies.

up to 05's have wire wheels and are quite good ADV bikes if you are strong enough to muscle it where needed.

I did the Capital Coast ride on one and dug it.

Triumph definitely declared they were out of the big traily bike market when they launched the 1050 Tiger as a "road orientated upright sports bike!"

The 06 Tiger was offered as a run out model at bargain prices to clear them and make way for the new 07 1050 sports Tiger, so we bought an 06!

We class and use our 06 Tiger as an "all road" touring bike, more because of our own growing age related limitations rather than the bike's.

Some of the farm tracks we have ridden it on could be regarded as the easy end of "off road" by some. (so many men so many opinions on roads, trails etc)

The bike handles it all so well, loaded, two up and with a very discerning passenger who would make severe demands if she did not feel confident and safe!

We (passenger and I) are not too sure if we could get the bloody thing up again if we should bin it......but there's only one way to find that out, damn it!

A skillful rider like Duck_01 can take a (pre-06) Tiger anywhere or even beyond where any other big traily will go. (IMHO) Cheers John.

[bart]

Seems people are rating "adventure-type" bikes for how they handle the (maybe) 10% offroading they *might* do, while overlooking how well (or not so well) they do the on-road section.

I do closer to 10% sealed road, which I find as the boring bit when travelling to the gravel and dirt.

I've owned a string of sports bikes, so accept the fact that any adventure/dual purpose bike would be a shitter on the seal. It comes down to how much of a shitter it is (mines the shittiest of them all).

[Big Dave]

I do closer to 10% sealed road, which I find as the boring bit when travelling to the gravel and dirt.

I've owned a string of sports bikes, so accept the fact that any adventure/dual purpose bike would be a shitter on the seal. It comes down to how much of a shitter it is (mines the shittiest of them all).

I don't agree.

Modern dual sports handle the current condition of the north island's 'sportsbike' roads a whole lot better than sportsbikes.

[GaZBur]

... It comes down to how much of a shitter it is (mines the shittiest of them all).

I am surprised you rate your bike so bad on the road as its probably only the tyres and gearing. Have ridden the SM version of your DRZ400 - it was awesome on the road but like most sit up type bikes is uncomfortable at much over legal speeds. Would not like to tour one but certainly have fun commuting on it. My DR650 is more than dual purpose as I use it for daily commuting on the road, touring on the road and gravel and even dirt tracks. Racing on gravel, dirt (Mini TT's NOT Motocross!), road, sealed race tracks, motard etc. While it is far from the best choice for any single one of these things the point is it still actually does them all and at a bargain price.

I really want to encourage as many of you as possible that have multi-purpose bikes to get out and race them too! I will never set the world on fire with my bike or skill level but have so much fun and almost never come last. I have even surprised a few Sport 600's and the Motard class is just so exciting. You dont need to be young and completely reckless as many people I see competing are nearer my age and have a ball. Just do it! You know deep down you want to!

[bart]

I have 2 sets of wheels (on and off road), 3 front, and 3 rear sprockets, and half a shed full of other gear. Around town it's a hell of a laugh, but will never be as capable or fun as a sports 600 or 750 on the road.

The rev range in each gear is much too narrow. Aerodynamics are crap. Riding position is wrong. Vibration rattles the shit out of you...................I take it back...........I think I just described a Harley.

My bike is capable of everything (ok, perhaps it's more offroad), but like most other dual purpose bike, is not great at any one thing. Give me a sports bike over dual purpose for road use any day.