Hi guys, first post, be gentle I've had various types of bikes in the past from sports to classics and currently ride a ktm 950 adv and GG 2 stroke. While I wouldn't sell the 950 as it's been with me on various travels I've got the very strong urge to buy a Bonneville Scrambler. Why? Well I love the look of it especially the ones with some mods, also just wanting to chill a bit more and enjoy a different type of riding that what I've done in the past. I will need to test one first but will sort that from a dealer to make sure I get on with it etc. I would be using the bike around town, café stops, and the odd weekend camping mostly in the UK and a few trips to Europe thrown in. Nothing off road really just a few gravel type of tracks. I'm experienced off road but it wont really be used for that sort of thing. So I'm hopeful the bike will ride as I want as I am already sold on the looks, will probably change the exhaust for arrow and do a few mods etc. Price wise, well looking to spend as little as possible but help is needed. Can anyone recommend where to start. Are there any model/years that would be best, what sort of mileage is good etc. I don't mind spending a bit more and getting something reliable. Anything to watch out for? Also if I wanted to just blow the savings where are good places to buy? Is good custom shops I can if I wanted buy the dream bike? Sorry for all the questions. I'm hoping to stick around when/if I buy my first Triumph. All the best
Welcome nibby The scrambler is a fine bike. I've had a couple as loaners and really enjoyed tyem. They'll certainly do what you need. In terms of reliability those engines are pretty good and I've not heard anything particularly bad about them. As always, go for the best you can afford. I don't think you'll find too many high mileage ones (the 2 used ones I borrowed had very low mileage and were a couple of years old). Good luck with your search
Hi and welcome in. Agree with half ton (I took the pic of the black one and had a long chat with the bloke from Bonnification about it). I had Scrambler mudguards and shocks on my Bonnie - got them off ebay for £65.00.
Thanks for the replies and advice guys. I like the sound of the bonnie then modding although currently thinking of just biting the bullet and buying new so with benefits of warranty etc, then doing a few tweaks (changing exhaust, front and rear fenders and seat) although all of those obviously don't need doing straight away so I can save maybe getting some later. I love the look of a few I've seen browsing the web and as this will be my "cool bike" I want it looking the dogs! I'll keep the KTM for the rough stuff and salt roads Any advice on what I should be looking at re new prices? Not bought new for a while so not sure if room to haggle etc? When do the new models come out etc? Any dealers that are highly thought of? I've had my fair share of bad dealers in the past. Again thanks for input. I'm going to try and sort out a test ride sometime soon and make sure I will like it. I'm sure I will. All the best
Hi Nibby and welcome in. The Scrambler is an excellent all round bike and will suit your purpose aesthetically as well as practically. As you are off-road experienced I suspect you might end up doing some forest trails with it so the fact that as std. it has longer travel suspension and stronger footpegs will be of more use to you than most. I would go for a post 2010 bike as the engine will be fuel injected and is very easy and cheap to fiddle with. Re the exhaust I would recommend the TEC 'Tracker' full SS system - it's an exact copy of the Arrows one but at 1/3 the price. http://shop.tecbikeparts.com/products/tec-2-1-tracker-full-stainless-exhaust-system. The air injection system will need removing and if you decide to go further and mod. the airbox then a conversation with Triumph Twin Power would interest you muchly : http://www.triumphtwinpower.com/scrambler-efi-tunes.php Cheers Dave
Great advice Dave. I'm in agreement with doing a few forest trails. You can see in the link below I like to take the 950 places I sometimes shouldn't so the extra travel and stronger footpegs will come in handy http://1drv.ms/1iHl4c0 Will hopefully be taking one for a test ride on Friday so will report back with findings. thanks again.
When you try the Scrambler, try not to be to concerned if it feels a little stuffy and lacking in grunt. With the mods I mentioned they feel loads better. Also bare in mind mind they are a parallel twin with a 270° crank, so has a nice off-beat character to it.
I've got the option of a test ride on Friday but only on a Boneville and not the scrambler. They don't have a scrambler on demo. They say that it will be very similar. What do you think? Will they be different rides or will I get a good feel for what the scrambler will be like? cheers
I would say that you need to ride the bike you are thinking about buying, if that's a Scrambler then ride a Scrammy. Bonneville : 360°crank engine; 68 PS @ 7,400rpm; 68 Nm of torque @ 5,800rpm; wet weight 225kgs; seat height 740mm Scrambler : 270° crank engine; 59ps @ 6,800rpm; 68 Nm.of torque @ 4,750rpm; wet weight 230kgs. Seat height 825mm. Your choice of course...................................................
Thanks Dave, yes you are right. I'm struggling to get a test on the scrambler though. My local and not so local dealer both don't have one. I will keep trying though. Also someone I spoke to recently told me to go to the NEC this year as they might have a new model out?? Have you heard anything?? Cheers
There is supposed to be a new range of Bonnys are their derivatives; coming out at the end of this year, with water-cooled 1,100cc motors.
I test rode both before buying a scrambler and was pleased I had...I preferred the ride/feel of the scrambler to the bonny. Before I test rode them I had pretty much made my mind up on a bonny!
Great. Yes will need to test the scrambler for sure. Might try and get to the nec to check the new stuff as well. Any good deals on the scrambler anywhere? Anyone know?
Your dealer is talking out of his arse. They are different beasts entirely. The riding position for a start. A lot taller than the Bonnie and wider bars. I found it more aggressive than the Bonnie and liked that about it. Handling is also different being higher up and with longer suspension. Like Matt I also looked at a Bonnie with the idea of buying one but found it a bit bland. The scrambler I really liked but being a short-arse it was a little too tall for me but for my money a lot more fun than the Bonnie! It'll be interesting how you find it. Try a Bonnie anyway so you can make comparisons.
Final bit of help (promise!!) I've been in touch with a local dealer about cost etc and I think if I barter hard can get a decent enough deal. From the "build your own" on the Triumph website I quite like the blue and it let's you do some mods etc to change a few things. From what I can see on the pics I've posted above and without getting too deep it looks like if I changed the back and front guards, seat and exhaust (by the way does anyone know what exhausts those are in the pics? I like the look/styling of them), maybe the bars and a few colour changes it looks like the stock build is not too far away. If that makes sense?
haha, yes very true Folkbloke. They normally do I'm very close to the dealer on Friday so might try the bonnie anyway as no harm but will defo try the scrambler first. Sorry for all the questions but it's a great help. Cheers
Hi Nibby, I'm still a complete non-biker, with eyes for a Scrambler as my first bike. I just can't seem to like any other bike as much, so I'm going my homework on this forum. So, no apology needed, this is a perfect thread for answering a lot of questions I had. Cheers and keep us posted!
Jord. Soundslike you have excellent taste. Good luck with the biking. You will love it. I love the look of the ones I've posted and it doesn't look like it would take a great deal to get the look. Really like those type of exhausts though and the navy blue colour. ...stopping off at the national motorcycle museum on the way home Friday for some inspiration
quick update, managed a quick test ride today on the scrambler Well, very impressed. It wasn't the test I wanted, only a quick 10 mins but I'm going to sort out a longer test with a bit of dirt thrown in soon. First impressions. Loved it!! - Sounded fantastic. The FI was fantastic. I've ridden KTM with FI in the past and this was night and day better, so smooth, especially low down. Sound!! - It had the Arrow on it with baffles in and it sounded perfect. It was a bit low but I'm coming from a 950 Adv so will just need to get used to that, might think about upgrading the front suspension but apart from getting it to look similar to the bikes in the pics above I think I'm going to like it A LOT!! Looking forward to a longer test with a bit of dirt thrown in soon. I've been trawling the internet and found this, which although extreme just shows you how good a bike it can be on the dirt. Now which way is the sun