Scrambler Shootout - includes V7

[LaGrasta]

http://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/762384-cycle-news-2016-issue-49-december-13

[LaGrasta]

Let’s be honest, Scramblers are stupid. Unless you can push your bike over in the dirt and not break anything important, it’s not for off-road.

I don’t understand all the fuss over the Duc, it looks like a plastic toy.
BMW, seriously? You couldn’t design a bike with ergos that don’t require factory “dents” in the tank.
SCR950, meh.
Guzzi …ahh, if you must own one, this is THE one.

[Moto]

Let�s be honest, Scramblers are stupid. Unless you can push your bike over in the dirt and not break anything important, it�s not for off-road.

I agree with the last statement. But not all scramblers are like that. One reason I like that SSR Buccaneer so much.

Moto

[fotoguzzi]

here's what a real scrambler looks like,

[Moto]

here's what a real scrambler looks like,

Nah. That's a post-DT250 machine -- those Yamahas were real dirt bikes. Scramblers were earlier, and lightly modified street machines.
No high front fenders on the original scramblers, in particular.

That's my recollection from having lived through the period.

Moto

[LaGrasta]

scramblers are what were used before dirt bikes were invented.

I do like your DR. I have a '14 KLX250. I like it but bummed it can't do roll on wheelies.

[fotoguzzi]

Nah. That's a post-DT250 machine -- those Yamahas were real dirt bikes. Scramblers were earlier, and lightly modified street machines.
No high front fenders on the original scramblers, in particular.

That's my recollection from having lived through the period.

Moto

OK I'll call it a real Modern scrambler.

I do like your DR. I have a '14 KLX250. I like it but bummed it can't do roll on wheelies.

not mine but I've thought about changing over to the 19" wheel like he did and I like the old style headlight.

[Penderic]

In The begining ......

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bY2jvzAWR2k

and looking for sales, the major producers capitalized on the fad with modified existing models. eg. Honda, BSA, Triumph, etc.

[johnr]

Soooo... when does an adventure bike become a scrambler or a scrambler become a trail bike?
I find the entire classification series confusing.

[Demar]

My first motorcycle......

[Penderic]

 

Now everyone will want one!

[fotoguzzi]

Soooo... when does an adventure bike become a scrambler or a scrambler become a trail bike?
I find the entire classification series confusing.

dunno but I call this my trail bike,



here's my Adventure bike,

[Moto]

dunno but I call this my trail bike,

...

here's my Adventure bike,

...

I think Foto has it right. In the 60's, IIRC, a trail bike was just what he shows -- the Hondas being the class type. A scrambler was (as the very good video clip actually says) a modified street bike. I remember the Honda CL72 and CL77 250cc and 305cc scramblers as being the type for those, but my friend had one so maybe I'm biased. Norton produced a bike called a scrambler (as the above ad shows), and maybe BSA did, but I'm pretty sure that none of the contemporary Triumphs were sold as "scramblers," even though they were the premier desert sleds, along with the BSA Gold Star, another bike that was never called a scrambler, I think.

So, the scrambler was a marketing niche, a way to sell toughened-up street bikes. (Though the CL72/77 Hondas actually had purpose-built frames and were lightened by removing the electric starter.) "Scrambler" is a historical term, being revived now.

Dirt bikes, adventure bikes, and motocross bikes were all later categories, at least on the general market, as I recall it.

That SSR Buccaneer is essentially a low-powered classic scrambler, and I don't know how long I can keep myself from buying one. Call me a hipster if I do!

Moto

[WitchCityGuzzi]

The review of the Nuovo Stornello definitely mirrors my own impression of the bike. It's impossible to ride it and not smile. If you're not playing the horsepower game, and are riding for pure pleasure, I can't imagine a more satisfying bike in this niche. The fit and finish on it are light years ahead of the Thailand built Ducati.

[LaGrasta]

"If you're not playing the horsepower game, and are riding for pure pleasure…" Well stated.

This lessen I learned years ago and see things far more clearly ever since.

[Warren Rhen]

The review of the Nuovo Stornello definitely mirrors my own impression of the bike. It's impossible to ride it and not smile. If you're not playing the horsepower game, and are riding for pure pleasure, I can't imagine a more satisfying bike in this niche. The fit and finish on it are light years ahead of the Thailand built Ducati.

I couldn't agree with you more. I just sold my Duc Scrambler that I owned a shorter period of time and fewer miles than any other Duc I ever owned just because I didn't enjoy riding it. I got a new Stornello and I love it. Can't wait to ride it every day. One thing bad about either one is they all seem to be Loc Tite crazy. But somethhing must have gotten lost in the translation to Thai language because the Duc had RED loc-tite on plastic body panel screws. The Stornello also had excessive blue Loc-tite on several screws including the ones for the rear shocks which cause one of the bolts to twist off. Then came the ensuing drill easy-out, break the drill redrill etc etc. But since I got over that obstacle the bike has been a eal pleasure

[ohiorider]

BSA had the temerity to call my 1963 650cc Beezer the "Spitfire Scrambler."  And not knowing at the time (1966) it wasn't a road bike, I 'scrambled' from Charleston WV to Brownsville TX and back on this little beast.  Also didn't know a thing about riding off road, but took her up a couple of gas line right of ways that were quite steep ....... even hitting the bottom of the hill at 35-40mph wouldn't get me to the top, due to the half worn out Trials Universal rear tire losing traction.  Had to lay bike over gently on the side in the grass.  Most exciting part of the ride was turning the bike around and coming semi-out-of-control back down the hill.  Anything less than 3rd gear and the rear wheel would begin sliding.


   Photo taken late winter/early spring of 1966 across Kanawha Blvd from W Va State Capitol

[Cam3512]

Scrambler...