The transmission proved the most precise, allowing for smooth movement through the 5-speed gearbox. The Triumph reaches 60 mph nearly as quick as the Duc, coming just 0.1 seconds short of the top spot. Its quarter-mile stats were impressive as well, hitting 92.7 mph in 14.33 seconds, a little less than two seconds slower than the Ducati.
All this and the Triumph hasn’t received any major updates, aside from FI in 2009, since its debut eight years ago. But if it ain’t broke don’t fix it…
The Triumph Scramblers seat was by far the most comfortable of the three bikes tested in the shootout.
The 865cc Parallel Twin provided plenty of power and pull through a wide portion of the rev range.
The cockpit of the Triumph Scrambler was neutral and very comfortable.
(Above) The Triumph Scrambler’s seat was by far the most comfortable of the three bikes tested in the shootout. (Middle) The 865cc Parallel Twin provided plenty of power and pull through a wide portion of the rev range. (Below) Testers found the neutral feel of the cockpit the best of the bunch.
Thumb the electric start and the Parallel Twin rumbles to life with an exceedingly pleasing note that only grows more compelling as rpms rise. In our sound test, the Triumph was the quietest at idle at 77 dB but grew by 13 dB as it reaches 4000 rpm, giving off an enjoyable cadence that all the testers deemed best overall.
The mill pulls consistently above 40 lb-ft from 2200 rpm through 6600, with 44.92 lb-ft peak torque reached at 5000 rpm. Power output tops at just over 51 horses at 6500 rpm. Even down low in the 2000 rpm range, the Triumph is putting out more power than the Guzzi reaches at its peak. But the British bike is eclipsed by the Ducati further on in the rev range.
“I thought that it was going to be a piggy, overweight motorcycle that was going to be a handful but as soon as I started riding it I was really, really happy,” says Colton. “The power delivery is incredibly smooth and really enjoyable to ride and actually gets after it pretty well.”
The 41mm Kayaba forks and twin Kayaba preload-adjustable shocks impressed testers as well, earning the Triumph perfect scores in the subjective handling/suspension category. It has a similarly configured double-cradle tubular frame as the Guzzi, but the Triumph chassis was much more settled through turns, allowing for better mid-corner refinements and a more connected feeling to the pavement despite running on knobby tires.
“The suspension has enough feeling that if you want to slide the back end a little bit or make adjustments in the corner, you’re pretty connected to the asphalt and can make it do what you want to do,” continues Colton. “It really impressed me.”
“The suspension was on point, I was pretty pumped with the way it handled,” adds Abbott.
Like its handling and engine performance, the Triumph’s braking abilities were a surprise as well. The two-piston Nissin calipers grip a 310mm disc, the smallest of the group, at the front while a single 255mm disc is paired with a two-piston Nissin caliper at the rear. It did take third-place in the 60-0 mph braking assessment, falling short of the Guzzi by a few feet, but the lever response and feel throughout the pull inspired enough confidence to give it second-place in the rider’s subjective braking scores.
The Triumph also won top marks in terms of comfort thanks to the high quality of the seat and neutral, relaxed riding position.
“The comfort level of that thing, the Triumph was by far the most comfortable bike out of the three,” explains Abbott.
During the jaunt off-road, the British bike exceeded expectations once again.
“The Triumph weighs like 500 pounds but still, off-road, just the way the chassis is and the dynamic of the engine, it’s a real playful motorcycle to ride,” said Waheed. “It’s not something you’re going to want to take to the motocross track, but for fooling around off-road it works just fine.”