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Should I update Street Scrambler to T120

2K views 13 replies 11 participants last post by  Casper 
#1 ·
So Ive been riding the SS for a year now and been pretty happy with the bike. However Ive noticed that I do a lot of touring between cities and I spend hours upon hours going 120kmh where the SS is a bit lacking in power and comfort for my taste.

I have been contemplating on changing to T120. I would like to have both but I live in the city and I dont have the opportunity of keeping 2 bikes on the street, so if I go the T120 way I will have to let go of the SS. Basically I want more power and I imagine the 1200cc engine would do the trick but I am unsure as I really do enjoy the SS a lot so Im indecisive at the moment. Also Ive never tried or seen the T120 up close and I dont have the opportunity of taking one for a test ride for 4-5 months because its winter.

How do these bikes compare against eachother on the motorway and what are the pros and cons between em?

Any input will be appreciated.
 
#3 ·
I did look at the 1200 Scrambler before buying the SS last year. Its way too high and gigantic for my taste. Too much adventure type. Also the 1200 Scrambler has too much aluminium coloured parts here and there. If I go the T120 route, Id be getting the T120 black anyways. The SS was easily blacked out using Triumph spare parts and at the time felt like the best option, as I just returned to motorcycling after over a decade long break. Now Im longing for more power but wondering if the T120 is actually that much more better for me than the SS.
 
#4 · (Edited)
Could you simply regear (sprockets) and have something pretty close to a T120? Save a bundle of $ and maybe get closer to what you use the bike for. Just checked the Triumph website, your bike is a 900cc model...so regearing just wouldn't do much I am thinking. Yes, if you are spending hours and hours on the highway, bigger just might be better for how you are riding your bike.
 
#5 ·
I went back and forth between the T100 & T120 and the Scramblers. Didn't like the hot pipe under my leg or my passenger's, I like the extra power, 6 speeds and center stand. So it was the T120.

Having seen all the speed cameras between Turco and Helsinki, and some other spots.
Don't know if the black T120 would help with that.:wink2:
Change the rear sprocket to the Thruxton's 42 tooth for better acceleration, fuel usage is about the same, and cruising rpm only goes up about 400 rpm. The bike just seems to like that change. Change the tires to similar to the scramblers so riding the roads without cameras are more fun.
 
#10 ·
Thank you gentlemen for the input



Thing is, Ive never tried the Triumph 1200cc engine so Im not aware of the cruising RPMs. Would be interested to know how the RPMs of the 1200cc compare to my 900cc SS at 120 kmh for example. Turku - Helsinki aint my favorite route ;-) and I dont go there a lot.

We all make mistakes in our life and getting the wrong bike for your use is one of them but I had no problems when I rode my old AC Thruxton on the highways and by ways and I know heaps of people who ride their old 900 Scramblers on long haul trips on the highways without problems and will happily cruise above the speed limits all day.
Just look at what riding you do now to justafide going up in bikes, where you ride it the most and why have a scrambler if you don't take it off road, each bike is design for its own thing so you just got to get what's right for you or improve what you have to do what you want it to do.

Ashley
Back in the day I rode 600cc enduros and took em to dirt all the time and I used to ride through all the heavy snow winters too and on the ice aswell. Not planning to do that, but IF I do get the T120, I will get the tyres to be Metzelers ala SS, because I do like the dirt roads.

What about adding a new cam by TEC? Supposedly that brings the power up pretty close to a 1200. Doesnt help with comfort by may give you the additional power you're looking for.
Ive tried the 2019 SS which has this added horse power and new CAM but I did not find it to be ground breaking. I did test ride the new 1200cc Harley Iron, and the 1200cc engine on that seemed to deliver what Im after. Not a Harley guy tho, Im a Triumph guy.

What is it you find lacking with your SS? If it works well for you why not keep it and use the $$$ saved to buy more gas.

Paul
This is where I am completely undecided and the reason why Im seeking input and oppinions of more experienced people here. The modern classic look is my thing, and I do enjoy the SS a lot. Ive done lots of modifications to make it look more like oldschool army type (Nothing irreversible). I like the bike size, the seat height, riding position and most of all I love the look. What I dont like is the feel of lacking power on motorways, I simply feel as if something is missing. I really dont mind the wind blast, but Id imagine the T120 and 1200cc engine would have much lower RPMs at cruising speeds compared to my SS. Meaby the SS would be holy grail for me, if it had a 1200cc engine.

I returned to motorcycles earlier this year and was put off by the 1200 Scrambler due its gigantic size (Im not a small man) but at the time it felt way too intimidating and I found a nice used Khaki green 2017 SS so pulling the trigger was not hard. Now that Im back on the track and I got back my riding skills of old, I think I could get used to the size. My gripe with the 1200 Scrambler is all the different finish variations across the bike. If I got it, Id have to black out murder the rear fork, front and rear mudguards, headlight holders, engine guard / engine protectors, rear grip and all that. With the T120 Id just repaint the tank, side covers, headlight/holders, front/rear mudguards.

In the end its only the motorways where the SS feels lesser than what I want and it turned out that I like to do a lot of touring around the country. The summer here is very short and I really want to get back on the two feels ASAP so Ill have to order all the accessories/paintjob in good time, so I can blast away right away. That is, IF I go the new bike way.

Whichever way I go, I will definetly do the decat and add louder pipes or baffle removal. (I do love the good old rumble and hate the sewing machine).

Hi straighter maybe look a triumph tiger if your doing a lot of high way miles
Thats an adventure bike, Im more into the oldschool looking classics.
 
#6 ·
We all make mistakes in our life and getting the wrong bike for your use is one of them but I had no problems when I rode my old AC Thruxton on the highways and by ways and I know heaps of people who ride their old 900 Scramblers on long haul trips on the highways without problems and will happily cruise above the speed limits all day.
Just look at what riding you do now to justafide going up in bikes, where you ride it the most and why have a scrambler if you don't take it off road, each bike is design for its own thing so you just got to get what's right for you or improve what you have to do what you want it to do.

Ashley
 
#8 ·
What is it you find lacking with your SS? If it works well for you why not keep it and use the $$$ saved to buy more gas.

Paul
 
#11 ·
Three day ago I purchased Street Twin after doing a few test rides on both the T100 and T120. I found the street twin to be the best bike for me. It's got more power them I need, seems to accelerate as quickly as the T120. I'm certain I could tour on either and be perfectly happy. Seems the T120 make a bit more heat. My 1st new Triumph was a 1969 500cc Scrambler and even with very little hp. it too was great fun.

We all seem to have the mentality in this culture that bigger is better, I don't believe that. Sometimes less is more. I've owned over 50 different bikes in the 65 years I've been riding bikes. Curranty I ride a HD Softtail, a Vespa 300, a MotoGuzzi V7 Special, and now a Triumph T100. In 2013 I road a Vespa 300nacross country, in 2017 I rode the V7 from CT. to Florida, my home. For me it's about the journey, not the tool. I've ridden across country many times on full size bikes the Vespa 300 trip is by far the most memorable.

Paul
 
#12 ·
Just a thought - from a fellow scrambler rider: 120 km/h is a lot for a naked bike. Just wondering if having more power would make the impact you desire?

Even a tiny bit of wind protection/ improve in aerodynamics would make much bigger impact in those speeds than just adding horse power to what is basically "a brick" from aerodynamical viewpoint.

As a fellow street scrambler rider I can for sure say that this would not be my bike of choise if I would spend most of my time doing 120. Nor would be a T120. Not that there are too many roads in Finland favouring this anyway, legally ?... I don't have any windshield on, so 100 km/h is OK, but windy for a longer period. Typically I seek out those roads that have 80 km/h limit - takes longer, but those are also nicer, curvier roads to ride... and SS is just the perfect tool for those, typically with a bit rougher road surface and potholes here and there.
 
#13 ·
Is this a trick question? We all upgrade at one time or another. If you are satisfied with the Scrambler keep it. If you have the itch then wait till next year, these liquid cooled bikes have been out long enough to see some very good buys of second hand ones. In general they won't be abused and are built like tanks anyway. In a few weeks they will be 1 year older so they may be slightly cheaper and you can find a great deal on any left overs that didn't sell. In the end a bike must suit your needs. To me the 1200 exceeds what I wanted in a bike.
 
#14 ·
What do you use the bike for? Will the Street scrambler suit that type of riding you mainly do?

The T120 is a big puppy and it has some weight to it but it is manageable. It's low down seat height means you can move it fairly easily, but if you're small or less strong the T120 can be a bit too much maybe?

I see it as a big loping puppy (the T120) lollops along and it will take you sedately where you need to be. I often find that the T120 never really gets opened up as I live in a series of urban sprawl towns. The SS when I had it as a loan bike seems to be a bike that just rocks up and says ''have fun on me''.:):):)

Apples and pears really.

Just make sure you know what your type of riding is. Then make your choices.

How about the T100 ?

Dave
 
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