SECOND OPINION
Not having ridden any previous incarnations of the Triumph 900 Street Scrambler I was keen to put some mileage on the latest version of this popular adaptation of the Bonneville platform . I ’ ve always liked the heritage look of the 900 Scrambler that first hit the market back in 2006 . This new 2022 model is now Euro 5 compliant , but still provides the same 65hp and has a few styling updates , including aluminium finish side panels , heel guards , headlight brackets , new throttle body finishes and new suede-style seat cover tops . The test bike was finished in one of the new colour options for 2022 , two-tone Matt Khaki . It looks the part and with the high-mounted exhausts , high front fender , headlight mesh guard and single instrument gauge does a great job of invoking the 60s scrambler , desert racer look . The engine adds to this feel and provides a very nice 270-deg crank rumble . It ’ ll even provide a few crackles on fuelled downshifts . The five-speed gearbox shifts positively , but is quite clunky , particularly on downshifts . It ’ s no biggie and , I guess , adds to the machine ’ s classic persona . Other standard features include a Brembo four-piston front and Nissin two-piston rear brake , 41mm cartridge forks and twin rear shocks , 19-inch
front wheel and Metzeler Tourance adventure touring tyres . There ’ s three ride modes – Road , Rain and Off-road . My 230km ride was on a fantastic hot and dry day , north of Auckland , so I was predominantly in Road mode . However , I just had to add some gravel to the mix so a flick to Off-road mode and off for a skid we went . This mode disables TC and rear ABS , but drops the power a tad . Great fun though , and , although the suspension isn ’ t top-shelf long travel enduro kit , it handles even rutted gravel roads surprisingly well . For those who like to standup when riding gravel roads , they will find the high-mount exhausts a bit restrictive to their right leg . Wider aftermarket footpegs might help with this though . For the weight of the bike , 64hp isn ’ t exactly blistering , but it feels enough on a bike of this style . The Street Scrambler is very well balanced and feels very planted when pushing-on on all road surfaces . It ’ s a comfortable and fun bike to ride that makes a great sound and attracts positive attention at any fuel or refreshment stop . I ’ d suggest a look and a test-ride if you ’ re after a fun , heritage style , all-purpose bike , capable of commuting , weekend cruising and even mid and long-haul back-road touring with some aftermarket luggage attached . NOEL PRIESTLEY
KIWI RIDER 53