Park the Triumph Scrambler alongside more modern-looking motorcycle offerings and it stands out like a pair of Crocs sandals at a black tie event. But unlike the rubber footwear, which might draw ridicule from certain folk, the Scrambler is likely to elicit more positive feelings, specifically those of nostalgia.
The motorbike is what is called a “modern classic” in industry parlance, or in layman’s terms, something that has the look of a vintage machine but with 21st century useability and reliability. Based loosely on the 1961 Triumph TR6 Trophy (made famous by Steve McQueen in The Great Escape), its defining feature is undoubtedly the knee-level, side-swept chrome exhausts.
At first glance, they appear to be nothing more than sinister traps to singe your thighs on, but as long as you and your pillion passenger are wearing jeans to ride (which you should be doing anyway), the pipes don’t cause too much discomfort. And even if your bare skin does happen to come into contact with them, they aren’t hot enough to leave a permanent mark.
The Scrambler is as back-to-basics as bikes get. There are no riding modes, traction control or ABS to speak of, but with just 58bhp from its 865cc parallel-twin engine (it has about the same output as your average 400cc Japanese bike), these electronic gizmos aren’t only unnecessary, they simply wouldn’t gel with the Triumph’s retro chic. It’s clear the Scrambler was built to set hearts, not the road, alight.
Thankfully, despite the lack of electronic gadgetry, it has a few modern creature comforts – for instance, an electric starter, so your knees are spared the agony of kick-starting it, and all the controls (brakes, clutch, gearshifter and throttle) are agreeably soft and well-mannered.
The engine’s relaxed nature and relatively low power output mean the Scrambler’s power delivery is rather languid, with the whirring and bubbling from the parallel-twin engine for company, though there’s an ample amount of mid-range punch between 2000 and 5000rpm. Go any higher and that only induces coarseness and vibration from the powerplant. 
Its handling and brakes are also bang up to date with modern bikes’, so the Scrambler is just as happy in the bends as it is pottering around town. Ride within the limits of its trail-spec tyres and you’re not likely to face too many surprises. But before you decide to treat it too roughly, you’ll do well to remember this is a bike made for cruising, not bruising.
And on that note, its biggest selling point is the way it looks. Triumph has loaded the Scrambler with period-accurate items such as a flat, wide seat, wire-spoke wheels, long fenders and even fuel injectors cleverly disguised as carburettors. It’s hard not to be smitten – this bike’s retro charm is natural, not forced, which is probably why it turns so many heads.
As for its off-road abilities (it’s called a Scrambler after all), it makes light work of dirt paths, thanks to its aforementioned trail-spec tyres and smooth power delivery, but venture onto more challenging terrain and its hefty 230kg weight becomes evident. Furthermore, unless you enjoy polishing mud off the generous lashings of chrome, you’d be wise to limit your adventures to asphalt.
The Triumph Scrambler is a perfect example of how a bike doesn’t require 500bhp or 27 traction control settings to make it enjoyable. Just like Steve McQueen, the man who inspired the Scrambler – he doesn’t need a loud Ed Hardy shirt or don excessive jewellery a la Mr T to stand out in a crowd. He’s cool just because. And so is this bike.
SPECIFICATIONS
ENGINE 865cc, 8-valves, parallel-twin
MAX POWER 58bhp at 6800rpm
MAX TORQUE 68Nm at 4750rpm
GEARBOX 5-speed manual
0-100KM/H 6 seconds (estimated)
TOP SPEED 180km/h (estimated)
CONSUMPTION 20km/L (combined)
PRICE INCL. COE
$25,320
