Triumphrat

triumphmeister

OK, guys, Does this mean that I should feel "real" good about trading my '12 Bonne for the new Graphite '13 Scrambler ? I mean, I am making the "right" decision, right ? 500 miles down the road I'm not going to want my Bonne back.....you know what I mean ??? Right ??? The Meister

Birch

Ronson, I'm 6'3" and didn't like the feel of sitting on a Bonneville at all.

The pegs are really lower? I thought it was just a taller seat difference. This has me really interested in a scram. Thing is, I'd never run it's to it's fun dirt potential due to where I live north of Chicago.

Picking a bike is hard!!


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epynt1050

Look at the T100 rather than the std Bonneville. It suits taller riders.

norton74

I am 6'4" and feel fairly comfortable on my T100. A little more legroom would be nice.

ClimberClint

I currently have a Thruxton, but I'm considering adding a 2013 Scrambler to the stable to handle some dirt road adventures and longer road trips where the Thruxton wouldn't be as comfortable. Although on longer road trips we generally try to avoid boring stretches of freeway/interstate (as opposed to the more interesting highways and back roads throughout AZ and surrounding areas), how is the Scrambler at typical West Coast Interstate cruising speeds of 85 - 90mph? I consider my Thruxton and my girlfriends' Bonnie to be awesome at 85 - 90 ....I'm just not as sure that the Scrambler would be as comfortable at that speed.


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Ronson

Birch - yes the pegs are definitely lower on the Scrambler, by approximately an inch. And you're right, the flat "slab" shape of the seat on the Scram also increases legroom. I would say that these two things add up to at least 1-1/2" in extra legroom compared to the Bonneville/T100.

Of course the other factor with the Scrambler is the overall taller stance of the bike due to the longer rear shocks and front forks. While I can still easily flat-foot when the bike is stationary, the raised seating position feels much more appropriate for my height and my legs are straighter than they were on the Bonneville.

Since you're 6'-3" tall, didn't feel comfortable on the Bonneville but like the Modern Classic style, I think a Scrambler should definitely be near the top of your next bike list.

Oh, and as far as missing out on "dirt potential", don't worry - the Scrambler really isn't an off-road or even dual-purpose bike (unless you count the occasional fireroad excursion). Its simply too heavy and has too little ground clearance...

Ronson

Clint - I don't think Scambler is really suitable for long high-speed runs on the freeway. The upright seating position and wide-ish bars are far from aerodynamic and mean a lot of wind pressure on your chest and helmet at speeds any higher than say 70 or 75 mph. Gets kind of tiring after a while... For that kind of riding, I think you'd be better off sticking with your Thruxton.

meloman

I have lusted over a Scrambler since it was introduced in 2006. I loved it both conceptually and esthetically. But for whatever reason I never bought one. In 2009 I was in the market for a new bike and I got a screaming deal on a new Bonneville SE. I had ridden all the classics many times but the quick handling of the SE with its 17" wheels sold me. I custom painted it and added all the trick aftermarket goodies to make it my style and have enjoyed the 12,000 miles I've put on it.

BUT !!! I still kept looking at the Scrambler. Then Peter Egan from Cycle World wrote an article about first buying a Bonneville and then adding a Scrambler. He loved both but found the Scrambler to be more fun and could get it dirty without stress whereas the Bonnie, he was paranoid just strapping on a tank bag for fear of scratching the beautiful factory paint. End result, he kept the Scrambler and sold the Bonnie. That stirred my interest in the Scrambler again.

I have since moved from Colorado to Oregon and a few weeks ago I bit the bullet and bought a low mileage 2009 Scrambler with the Arrow exhaust and many other goodies on it. So now I have both and like Peter, I enjoy not being so paranoid about getting the Scrambler dirty or scratched. I just ride it and enjoy it.

The comparisons of the two models have been written many times and they are very accurate. Different riding positions, more leg room, more torque down low, the thumpety thump of the 270 crank and the option to do mild off road exploring etc etc.

The truth is you can do just about any type of riding on either model but certain aspects of riding can be done better on one over the other. I can ride down the fire roads on the Bonnie and I can blast down the freeway on the Scrambler. It comes down to your style of riding. If your goal is to cruise at 80+ mph most of the time and occasionally want to explore that dirt road you just rode by, then keep your Bonnie and put some Distanzia's on it. If you're itchin' to get off the beaten path as often as possible but still want to be able to do some occasional canyon carving then the Scrambler is the better choice. I'm fortunate to have the luxury of both. The jury is still out as to which I would keep if I could only have one. By next summer I'll have a better handle on which I ride more often. Right now I'm REALLY enjoying the Scrammie and my pretty Bonnie is tucked away in the garage looking very jealous.

BTW Peter Egan just wrote that he missed his Bonnie and bought another one, so he has both again. Go figure. We are a fickle bunch.

Birch

Reviving this one, cause I'm just so torn.

And I know it doesn't mean a crap bit of difference until it's not 5 degrees out with ice/snow on the road.

In short, love the T100 looks. But I like the leg room on a scram. But add a Zard low cross and... Ugh. Need to ride, need to ride!!!

Gonzo 61

Don't worry about a scram on the highway just add a fly screen and Bob's your uncle! It takes enough of the wind off your chest. I even have the western bars which are wider than stock with no problems.