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The Triumph Scrambler has finally arrived, rekindling teenage memories of similar-styled dirt bikes that Steve McQueen rode in the 1960s documentary On Any Sunday.
The Scrambler features the Bonneville T100 and Thruxton 865cc parallel twin engine and harks back to a time when speedway sliding was more important that Crusty Demons-style mega-jumps.
Unlike fiery modern motocross single-cylinder machines that burn out valves in hours, the old Scramblers were robust twin-cylinder racers that thumped along for eternity.
This one just aches to do doughnuts on the beach like McQueen and his buddies in the closing credits of On Any Sunday.
Its styling most closely resembles the Triumph TR6C, which was produced by the old Meriden works for about a decade from the mid-1960s and used in long-distance desert races, particularly in the US and Europe.
Among the accessories for the modern-day version is a number 278 race plate, which is the tag allotted to McQueen when he raced a TR6SC in the 1964 International Six-Day Trials in East Germany.
On a 600km trip last weekend through southeast Queensland, I was held up every time I stopped by people getting all misty-eyed about the bike. None was under the age of 30.
Most of the demand for this 205kg machine with 41kW of power will come from older riders more interested in going back in time, rather than advancing rapidly through time and space . . . a non-intimidating ride through almost all types of terrain except gnarly trails.
Some, like Brisbane school teacher and classic motorcycle racing enthusiast Rory Macdonald, who owns a Rickman 650cc Triumph Scrambler, may even be tempted. With a bit of tweaking, there is some great racing potential in that engine. And with plenty of comfort in that fat bench seat, it is also in for the long jaunt.
Its dirt road credentials are aided by spoked wheels, more bias to the rear than front brake, high and wide bars, moderate clearance, longer-travel suspension and instruments that face upward so you can see them easily in the standing position. Limitations off the beaten track are the gorgeous but highly scratchable chrome bits, rubber footpegs, twin rear shocks and mirrors which don't tilt upwards high enough to give you a rear view when standing.
It rides well on tarmac, with a low centre of gravity for high-speed stability, but light tip-in and left-right flickability that belies its weight.
You won't be doing power wheelies on this. Parallel twin power comes on with a creamy and addictive momentum, rather than a ferocious squirt.
Anyway, the Scrambler is about motorcycling, about a lifestyle, rather than about the motorcycle itself. Forget about kilowatt and kilogram equations, just get out and see the countryside.
Parallel twins have a unique character with a gentle vibration, a muted flat bark from the twin pipes and a torquey power delivery. The on-off throttle is smooth, thanks to the twin carburettors with throttle position sensors.
Typically, there is minimal engine braking, so use the strong brakes wisely coming into a corner.
The Scrambler is simple to ride as you don't need to flick through the gears to get momentum. First and second gear are too high for gnarly off-road use, but fine for commuting, while the fifth gear is long for touring.
Those pipes which run amidships down the bike — like the first dirt bikes — get warm under your thigh, but the heat shields prevent any burns or discomfort, as long as you wear long pants.
Today's Triumphs are built tough. The Scrambler will not only iron out the bumps but will even handle small jumps without any jarring or the fear that chromed bits will fall off.
However, it would be a shame to drop it as the hand-painted duco and lustrous chrome could scuff up. I dug the foot brake into the ground while riding slowly through a rut and was unceremoniously dumped. However, bike and I came up smiling; no scratches or dings, just a bent brake pedal warning me to stay out of the deeper ruts.
If you do plan to give it some off-road caning or flat track racing, check out the range of Triumph Factory accessories available.
They include an engine bash plate and crash bars, headlamp grille, flyscreen, black mirrors, tachometer, handlebar brace and cover, and a single seat and rack. It comes in two retro colour schemes — Caspian Blue/White or Tornado Red/White.
