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Coming back to the tribe! 2014 Scrambler or 2015 T100 (details inside)

2K views 12 replies 9 participants last post by  AlexB5892 
#1 ·
Hello everyone!

Last time I was posting around here was before I sold my 2007 Speed Triple. Since then, I built a Yamaha bobber and a recent itch is bringing me back to Triumph!

I already searched and read a pile of threads on the comparison between the two options, but I thought I would ask with some specific details.

So, the bikes I am looking at are:

A) 2014 Scrambler, with 12,000 km. Arrow exhaust and tune, TKC80 tires, skid plate, rear caliper relocate, and Works Racer shocks.

B) 2015 Bonneville T100 Jet black, with 4500 km. Arrow exhaust with pretty much everything else stock.

They're both around the same price.

Here are my details:

- I'm 5' 11" ~210lbs
- The bike would primarily live in the city, with a once or twice a year 7-day solo camping trip (~2000km round trip).
- I'd like to be able to bring my wife or daughter with me on shorter rides, in the city or mountain roads.
- I'd like to be able to ride up a logging road or two if needed. Last time I tried that with the speedy, I got to 6km in and had to turn around.

My concerns/question are:

- Exhaust location on the Scrambler (is it too hot for passengers?)
- Luggage options (in the past I would just strap down a tent, sleeping bag and a Kriega bag on the back seat)
- City behaviour and highway riding (I don't go much over 110kmh anymore)
- Maintenace and reliability of either option.


Any input or feedback would be greatly appreciated!
 

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#2 ·
Right off the bat, I would probably go for the bonnie because of the exhaust. As for luggage, I believe the bonnie also has better options. I am currently in the market for a set of quick release hard bags and plan on using them with the easy access luggage mounts.

As for the logging road, I am not sure which is best. But from the sounds of it, you are leaning more bonnie. I just picked up a 2013 for practically the same reasons you are describing
 
#3 ·
I rode a good bit of dirt/gravel roads, albeit most unwillingly, on my old '04 Bonnie with Metzler Tourance tires and never had a problem. They're excellent on wet pavement and in mud, and they wear like iron.
 
#4 ·
That Bonneville looks like it's had the bars swapped, skid plate, and gaiters fitted.

The Scrambler has the pillion pegs and the chain guard removed.

Myself I would go for the Scrambler, looks better to me and the shocks have been replaced which I regard as a necessary change.


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#5 ·
That Bonneville looks like it's had the bars swapped, skid plate, and gaiters fitted.

The Scrambler has the pillion pegs and the chain guard removed.

Myself I would go for the Scrambler, looks better to me and the shocks have been replaced which I regard as a necessary change.
I'm going to check out the Scrambler tomorrow. Is it the shocks and looks that sell it to you?
 
#7 · (Edited)
I have a Scrambler of the same year, and wouldn't trade it for the world, but IMO the only box it'll easily check on your list is the logging roads. The Scrambler can do everything you need no problem, but the Bonnie will do it with less cost and much more passenger comfort.

Logging roads
The Scrambler's too heavy to be a true off-roader, but its design does hail from the old early off-roaders. Since it has the semi-knobby tires and high pipes, it does give confidence off the pavement. And the Scrambler engine is tuned for a bit more torque at low speed, so is a bit more dirt oriented. I can't tell from the pics, but the Bonnie might have a bash plate? The Scrambler comes standard with one, too, which is a nice thing to have when the rocks start kicking up. (The Scrambler OEM bash plate isn't a top of the line beast, but it's enough to deflect loose stones). If the Bonnie doesn't have one, I think you can put one on. That being said, you could put semi-knobbies on the Bonnie, and it would do just fine. I used to take dirt roads and camping trips on my little Suzuki TU250 before I had the Scrambler, and it was no problem, haha.

Luggage
The Scrambler is pretty painful to outfit with luggage because of the pipes. Most rack manufacturers seem to make standard kits for the Bonnie/Thruxton, but not the Scrambler. They do exist, but tend to be a lot more pricey (or require some real futzing to get the fitment right). If you don't have some kind of sidebags or rack, you're pretty much SOL on strapping anything to the back of the stock seat. You can hook to a couple of places on the off-side, but the pipes side has pretty much nowhere except the rim of the stock seat, which isn't sturdy enough for it. Dunno if you intend to customize much, but other mods can be a pain for the Scrambler, too, requiring some extra head-scratching and customizing... For example, Power Commander makes a unit that fits standard into a Bonnie/Thruxton, but if you want one for the Scrambler you have to buy the unit for the Speedster and do some modding to get it to fit.

Passengers
I wouldn't count on passenger comfort with that Arrow exhaust. The stock exhaust has some baffles on it to help with heat, but honestly even for the driver it's pretty uncomfortable without proper motorcycle pants or chaps. Maybe the Arrow is a bit cooler? The fact the passenger pegs have been removed shows the current owner hasn't been carrying a passenger. I've never put someone on the back of mine, due to the exact concern that the pipes would burn their leg. I have a feeling with how flat and slippery the seat is, they're gonna shimmy around every time you speed up or slow down, too.

Riding Behaviour
I can only speak to the Scrambler, but since it and the Bonnie are part of the same trio of retro bikes, and based on reviews you can read, they're pretty similar. Either bike is heavy enough for some good highway stability, and since they're standard style, they're pretty nimble in town. The Bonnie will have more get-up-and-go on the highway, but I've never had a problem on my Scrambler either. It won't win any drag races, but I've had it up to 170km/hr and it stayed pretty stable.

Maintenance/Reliability
The parts costs for the Triumphs aren't the cheapest, but so far in my experience they're good quality. Can't speak to how the owners of those two bikes have treated them, but if they've been cared for they should both be reliable. Maintenance intervals are like 10 000 km, so pretty reasonable. If you like to do much of your own maintenance, the maintenance manual (both bikes take the same one) is a really nice one. Instructions are clear, it's well laid out, and has quality diagrams.

You'll want to take into account the condition/maintenance/history etc of the two bikes, but all things being equal, I think the Bonnie is gonna handle what you want. Imo, standard style bikes are pretty adaptable. Get the Bonnie, change the tires to something more dirt ready and don't go for rides on really rutted roads and I bet it would treat you fine.
 
#9 ·
You'll want to take into account the condition/maintenance/history etc of the two bikes, but all things being equal, I think the Bonnie is gonna handle what you want. Imo, standard style bikes are pretty adaptable. Get the Bonnie, change the tires to something more dirt ready and don't go for rides on really rutted roads and I bet it would treat you fine.
Thanks so much for the thoughtful reply.

Unfortunately... I went to check out the Scrambler today, and it just didn't feel right to me. And by the time I drove over to the dealer that had the Bonnie, they sold it (apparently yesterday).

So now it's back to keeping an eye on ads! But I think Bonnie is the right choice! Thanks again for taking the time to reply.
 
#8 ·
I have a 2014 T100 Black and a 2016 Scrambler. I thoroughly enjoy both of them.

I agree with what others have posted, so I'll try to avoid redundancy. Just a couple side notes.

~ Heat from the high pipe on the Scrambler is a consideration, but I would not make that a deciding factor. It can easily be managed.

~ As to luggage, if you want the Scrambler you can get a really solid side rack setup from Happy Trail. Their SU racks are high quality, strong and versatile. Here's a link. http://www.happy-trail.com/find-your-bike/triumph/scrambler-2006/scrambler-su-rack.html

For what you describe, I'd go with the Scrambler. But again, either bike will do well.
 
#13 ·
I ould have to go with the Bonnie as well. For any long rides with luggage, I've experienced Bonnies to just be easier to load than Scramblers. The exhaust location on the Scrambler just severely limits your luggage options. I ride a T100 with 1 quick release waxed cotton saddlebag on the left side and a luggage rack and I've taken it on plenty of camping trips, albeit normally only for a couple of days. If I were going any longer than that I would probably want dual saddlebags, but there is something really nice about popping of the waxed cotton pannier, slapping the shoulder trap on and carrying it to the tent.
 
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