Triumph Street Scrambler vs Bonneville T100 vs Street Triple S: Sibling Rivalry

Triumph widened its range of modern classics with the launch of the Street Scrambler last week. Based on the Street Twin’s platform, the Street Scrambler retails at Rs 8.1 lakhs (ex-showroom). However, a customer walking into a Triumph showroom with this kind of a budget also has two more options from the same brand – the Bonneville T100 and the Street Triple S. 

The Bonneville T100 is also a modern classic, drawing inspiration from the classic Triumph motorcycles from the late 1950s. It uses a retro recipe with a host of technological upgrades. The twin-pod console reads out the traction control settings, gear position and a range-to-empty apart from the basic functionalities.

On the other hand, if you prefer going for a modern streetfighter, there is the Street Triple S. Even though it’s a big step up over its predecessor, the Street Triple S carries over the iconic design with its angular bug-eye headlamp and muscular bodywork. It gets a five-inch coloured TFT instrument console which can be controlled through a five-way joystick on the switchgear. 

Since the Street Scrambler and the Bonneville T100 share the same platform, they also get similar powertrain. At the heart of these bikes is a 900cc parallel twin engine, which delivers 54bhp and 80Nm of torque. Despite being liquid-cooled, the engine gets cooling fins which boost its retro appeal, apart from aiding cooling. The engine is mated to a five-speed transmission. However, this engine is best suited for laid-back riding. The Street Triple S, despite the displacement deficit, is more powerful than the Street Scrambler and the Bonneville T100. The 765cc inline-three engine delivers 111bhp and 73Nm of torque. The engine is mated to a six-speed transmission.

The modern classics have to make do with ABS and traction control, while the list of rider aids on the Street Triple S is longer. It gets ABS, riding modes, traction control, quick shifter and slipper clutch. However, unlike the Bonneville T100, the traction control on Street Triple S cannot be switched off. The Street Scrambler even gets the option of turning off the ABS. 

Even the cycle parts on the Street Triple S are sportier with the Showa front forks and a preload-adjustable monoshock at the rear. Braking hardware consists of dual discs with Nissin two-piston callipers up front and a single disc with single-piston Brembo at the rear. Both the Scrambler Street and the Bonneville T100 get conventional telescopic forks and dual springs at the rear. Both of them get single disc brake setup at the front and at the rear.

As for the price, the Street Scrambler is the most affordable of the lot. The Bonneville T100 retails at Rs 8.28 lakhs while the Street Triple S costs Rs 8.84 lakhs (both ex-showroom). The Street Triple S is ideal for those looking for a performance-oriented bike. For the ones inclined towards treading off the beaten path should look at the Street Scrambler, while those planning to stick to the tarmac are better off opting for the Bonneville T100.