Triumph Street Scrambler [2019-2020]

Scramblers are as British as Earl Grey tea. And despite the long-standing reign, India only gets two British scramblers. These are the Street Twin and Street Scrambler by Triumph, a marquee that has its origins rooted in the English town of Hinckley. While the Street Twin is a road-going motorcycle, the Street Scrambler is its dirty, more off-road capable sibling. Introduced in India in 2017, the Street Scrambler recently underwent an update for 2019. It now comes with a host of aesthetic changes along with some major mechanical and technological upgrades. We spent a few days getting our hands dirty to know whether this juice is really worth the squeeze. 

The 2019 Street Scrambler is the outcome of Triumph’s years of expertise in making some really great motorcycles. As a result, the quality, fit and finish on this motorcycle are top-notch. Moreover, the welds on the frame, the paint finish on the tank and even the seat fabric, all exude finesse. Up close, you will notice that even the fork gaiters and wire routing have been finished well. The switchgear, too, has a nice and cushy feel to it. 

The overall ergonomics of the bike toes the lines of the previous generation. So, it continues to get the wide handlebar, slightly rear-set foot pegs and a narrow waistline for an upright and comfortable riding position, which is one of the best traits of this Triumph. Also, the seat height is accessible enough for short riders. 

The 2019 Street Scrambler now gets a better suspension setup at the front to improve its handling and stability. As a result, the overall riding experience has been enhanced with the motorcycle taking on bad roads with ease. What’s more, the bike behaves extremely well off the road too. Sure, it does not offer the same level of comfort as the big ADVs, but it does the job quite efficiently.

The Street Scrambler now gets more power, 18 per cent more to be precise. So, it now churns out 64bhp instead of the earlier figure of 54bhp. The torque, however, remains unchanged at 80Nm but it now is delivered early at 3200rpm. This means more torque at the low and mid-range, which is quite noticeable. Also, the bike feels more eager on road as well as off the road. While the low-end grunt proves useful in the city, the flat torque delivery  comes to its aid during long hauls. The motor also retains its sweetness and refinement. But, the exhaust note is now louder, turning more heads this time around. The throttle response, on the other hand, is linear and welcoming, which makes it easier to go around corners. The clutch, with its slip-assist feature, further reduces the effort. 

Additionally, the combination of wide handlebar and perfectly located footpegs offers a comfortable riding position. Plus, there’s plenty of steering leverage. And, due to its decent seat height, there’s a good view of the traffic up ahead. This Triumph also feels more planted now, and even at high speeds, it feels at home. In fact, take it to the hills, and the bike will continue to impress you with its ability to dive into corners. The brakes, too, have been updated and they perform excellently. The stopping power, feedback and bite; all sum up to a safe ride. The only downside of this bike is its weight, which is a bit on the higher side, and the side-mounted upswept exhaust. The latter results in a bit of discomfort due to the heat. Matters get worse at low-speed rides, especially in rush hour traffic. 

Triumph has now equipped the Street Scrambler with two riding modes – rain and road. The motorcycle performs best in the Road mode, however, in rain mode, things get easier, thanks to the muted throttle and engine response. The amount of power that’s churned out in rain mode is still the same. Then there are other safety bits like traction control system and ABS. There’s ride-by-wire as well, along with torque-assist clutch, USB charging and immobilizer.

The Street Scrambler returned 20kmpl in the city. And, with a fuel tank capacity of 12 litres, the bike has a riding range of approximately 240kms. 

Scramblers, in essence, were designed to offer the best of both worlds- off-road and on-road. The Triumph Street Scrambler not only does the part but also looks it, courtesy of the rugged styling and high-raise exhaust. So, it can take you to your workplace in style while also giving you a bit of adrenaline rush over the weekend. And when we are paying through the nose, isn’t that exactly what we want?

With a price tag of Rs 8.55 lakhs (ex-showroom, Delhi), the Triumph Street Scrambler definitely doesn’t come cheap. However, it justifies the premium tag by offering a wide array of features that check all the right boxes. The bike is comfortable, to begin with. It has plenty of torque to help with traction off the road besides braking and safety hardware that keep things in check at all times. The high ground clearance and dual-purpose tyres further enhances this bike’s ability to tackle off-road terrains with ease. On the downside, the heat from the exhaust could make your life a little difficult, especially in summers. Nonetheless, the Street Scrambler is a fun motorcycle to live with. 

Photography by Kapil Angane