Triumphrat

Strat79

I purchased my 2007 Scrambler about a month ago and have had a blast riding it on the street and also some dirt/gravel fire roads through the state parks here in PA. With the wide bars, knobby tires and low CG, I was very pleasantly surprised at how well the bike handles loose gravel, with no major tendency of the front end to wash out. But I am curious how far "off-road" anyone has gone on a Scrambler. I know it's not a motocross bike, but beyond dirt/gravel roads, how far has anyone taken the bike without doing any serious damage? I'm not planning any Steve McQueen style jumps over barbed wire fences while being pursued by German troops, but what are the experiences of other scrambler owners with riding the bike on single track trails, etc.?

KingBear

For all practical purposes I'd say that's about as far off road as it should go.

Old Scratcher

It's not an off roader, but it will go down just about any dirt road., & is an absolute star in the sand. The main thing working against it is its weight, & you really don't want to get it out of shape, where everything works against you. However that weight can also work for you (as with sand, where it sits the front up so it can skim over the surface) & it's also got some useful power charecteristics to help you get it back into shape, if you've got the skills (& the kahunas). Skill & experience have a lot to do with how far bush you can go, & the more you familiarise yourself with the bike & these conditions, the more confident you'll become.
The bike is least capable on long, steep & slippery descents, where the combination of weight & a tall first gear, make the going tough (but not impossible). It's also not that good a mud-plugger, but I suspect that the right tyres would cure that. & there are other weight issues, like overbalancing in steep country, when trying to put a foot down. However I've found the bike will track along the edges of deep ruts perfectly, as long as you power through (so you don't need to put a foot down). & I used to jump my bike regularly before I fitted a centre stand. But it drops down & tries to pole vault the bike. So I only do it now when that's tied up, which is rarely, as I use it all the time.
I do about 80% of my riding on tar, & the 20% of dirt I do, is mainly reasonably maintained gravel roads. But I've taken the Scram down some heavily eroded goat-tracks, & while I've had my heart in my mouth on a few occasions. I've never dropped the bike, or put a scratch on it (apart from me) in 30K klms during the past 11 months. & seeing as I'd only class myself as an average rider. I'd say the bike had a big part to play in that achievment.
So get out & enjoy your Scram, & extend your boudaries a little with every ride. You'll know when you're pushing the envelope, & just stay with what you're comfortable with, until you feel confident enough to push a little fuirther. You'll be amazed how far you end up taking your Scrambler.
N.B. You'll know you're really pushing it, when all the guys on trailies start giving you the "How the .... did he get that big fat pig down this track?" look. Which is usually followed by the "He'll never get it out of here" sneer. & ends with the "Well I'l be ...." look of amazement, when you do. It makes you very happy that you chose a Scrambler for your ride, when that happens. Believe me.
Ride Safe
Scratch

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"They told me I was goin to have to work for my living, & all I wanna do is ride." Jackson Browne (the Road & The Sky)

WaltZ

Deep into the stone and gravel parking lot at the Green Dragon local farmers market off Route 72...

CAPTDON

I wouldnt go any further than I could walk back to a place where I* could get a hand @ riting it if it goes down? As I said in another thread - I have owned a lot of scramblers & off road bikes. I dont think there was 1 that didnt wind up on its side @ least once ? It can happen to anyone - sand, a bad rut?? Good thing dirt doesnt usually do much (if any) damage. Trying to right a 450+ lb bike in the dirt/ sand isnt easy!!! Stay close to home unless you are riding w/ someone! I miss the Pine Barons!! Only sand, gators & snakes here!

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CAPT D

Old Scratcher

They're not that heavy. I've lowered mine (carefully) & lifted it by myself. Just to see if I could. Because I mainly ride solo, & often miles from the nearest civilisation. I've had heavier road bikes that I've had to right by myself after an off, & I've found that I'm usually so pumped with adrenalin it's like the bike lifts itself. Provided you're not injured of course. Although I did hear of a Kiwi guy who picked up his bike & wheeled it off the road, after a crash, then promptly collapse with two broken legs, which required nine months of traction, before he walked again.
Mind you, there are a lot of tracks around here that I'd only tackle with company, no matter what bike I was riding. But then, we'd also tell the locals where we're going too, so they can call out the emergency services, if need be. That's just common sense when traveling through the outback. Like taking a first-aid kit, food & water. & common sense is all you need to take a Scrambler bush too. Get out & do it. You'll be surprised how far you can take it.
Ride Safe
Scratch

& don't forget the photo's

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"They told me I was goin to have to work for my living, & all I wanna do is ride." Jackson Browne (the Road & The Sky)

road_dog

I wouldn't go any further off road than a half-tank of gas will take you. Gotta get back... ya know.

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Phil (road dog)

Old Scratcher

You had to mention fuel range. Didn't you?
Just for that, here's a picture of Sunday Morning from my front balcony


& with all those storm clouds gathering over the Yarabah Ranges, I best get my daily 300klms in early.
See ya's.

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"They told me I was goin to have to work for my living, & all I wanna do is ride." Jackson Browne (the Road & The Sky)

CAPTDON

Beautiful poch view!! I guess you cant keep the bike there tho??

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CAPT D

Strat79

Thanks for the tips everyone. I do plan on taking it easy and learning the tendencies of the bike. And I will especially keep the "I wouldn't go any further off road than a half-tank of gas will take you" advice in mind.

What wear and tear things show up on the Scrambler with riding on dirt & gravel?

Does the paint on the underside of the rear fender get sandblasted away? (I know there is the debate of metal vs. plastic for the various bike trim parts, but this is a case where I actually wish the bike had a PLASTIC rear fender).

Disk brake problems due to grit getting wedged in the rotors/pads?

And I know the Triumph skid-plate option is mainly just for show, but it seems like it would at least help protect the painted engine casings from mud & stones thrown up from the front wheel?

Also, has anyone ever dropped the bike with the factory Triumph Scrambler "dresser bars"? I notice that they don't even call them crash bars so I was wondering if they actually provided much real protection?

Any other recommendations on prepping the bike for dirt & gravel use?

Please be patient with the "newbie".

New to this forum but definitely not new to riding.

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