2023 Triumph Scrambler 900 Review [9 Fast Facts]

The return of the scrambler genre to motorcycling was curious. Scramblers started off legitimately enough. In the 1960s, before true dual-sport motorcycles existed, manufacturers offered modified versions of their street bikes that made them more suitable for off-road use. The raised exhaust was the most noticeable change, and it was practical, no doubt. You can even get a wider, taller handlebar with a crossbar and possibly a different set of tires. Otherwise, it was still a street bike — just like the 2023 Triumph Scrambler 900. Of course, that makes the 900 a perfectly legitimate scrambler for the modern era.

1. Right off the bat, the 2023 Triumph Scrambler 900 is a rebadged version of the Street Scrambler. A couple of cosmetic changes are all you get with this “new” model. I haven’t ridden a bike since 2019 I explored the streets of Lisbon and the Portuguese hinterland. So a new name was reason enough to ride a motorcycle on my home turf and pavement.

2. At its heart, the Scrambler 900 is a stylish city bike. Giving the rider the aura of a retro companion, the Scrambler 900 is the kind of bike you love to pull up to a coffee shop or watering hole and park. It always gets appreciative looks, and it’s a great feeling to be proud to own it.

3. This is a bike that is easy to ride around town. There are many aspects that make the Scrambler 900 so fantastic around town. The 19-inch front wheel has a few advantages around town — it handles bumps better than a 17-inch, and the 100mm width adds maneuverability. Metzeler Tourance tires are street oriented. The seat is completely upright — ideal for comfort and a good view of the surroundings. The wide handlebars make the Triumph easy to steer, although it compromises stop-and-go filtering on streets with narrower lanes. The suspension is pure street, so you won’t get any extra mileage for potholes or bumps.

4. Power delivery from the 270-degree 899cc parallel-twin powerplant is superb. Its peak torque of 59 ft-lbs is available at just 3,250 rpm, but there’s plenty of over-rev allowed, with 64 horsepower peaking at 7,250 rpm. These numbers indicate a super-wide and fearless power band Triumph Bonneville 900 HT engine. The readiness of the engine for high revolutions makes it quite suitable for driving on city highways. If you’re worried about the five-speed gearbox, don’t be. Thanks to the wide power band, the five speeds are plenty – you might even find yourself unintentionally cruising down the freeway in 4th gear, as we did a few times. A quick glance at the gear indicator on the watch’s small LCD panel will remind you to upshift. Oh, and there’s no tachometer, but there is an analog speedometer.

5. You can feel the weight of the Triumph Scrambler 900 as it weaves its way through traffic. At a wet weight of 492 pounds with a relatively diminutive 3.2-gallon fuel tank filled with Triumph same weight as 1170cc BMW R nineT Scrambler and 75 pounds more than the less expensive 803cc Ducati Scrambler icon. Dieting his Scrambler should be on Triumph’s to-do list — both weight and MSRP.

6. At low speeds, that fancy exhaust system is a problem. If the catalytic converter is in the exhaust manifold, the lower half of your right leg will be fried in no time. If you’re the kind of rider who prefers shorts or Levi’s, be prepared to invest in a pair of proper technical motorcycle jeans to prevent burns – which you should do anyway. “Undocumented” solutions, depending on your location, include removing the catalytic converter or using a catless exhaust system. We trust that you will do the right thing if you find that the heat your cat is giving off is problematic. You may also not like the intrusion of the ap pipes on the ergonomics, as it makes it impossible to hug the nice tank with your knees.

7. The 2023 Triumph Scrambler 900 is a fun canyon runner. Because the scrambler tubes affect the ergonomics, you won’t want to get into cornering fights. However, for enjoyable rides on twisty stretches of road, the Scrambler 900 has a lot to offer. The handling is predictably neutral, the seating position is natural, the pulsating engine comes into its own, and it all makes for a good time. Brakes, suspension and tires are all capable of carving a canyon at a reasonable pace.

8. When you find a dirt road you want to explore, go for it. Hey, it’s a Scrambler, so you can take it where you wouldn’t want to go on a pure street machine, thanks to the Scrambler’s ground clearance and wide handlebars. Most of all, your off-road aspirations will be limited by tires. Although standing is part of off-road riding, the Scrambler 900’s risers hinder this technique because they bend your right leg and make it difficult to keep your foot on the right peg. Sit back, slouch, and you can enjoy the Scrambler 900 as you cruise down the dirt road looking like Dr. Tony Newman just stepped out of Time tunnel since 1968, just after the battle with J. By N. Roberts in the hare and hound races through the Mojave desert.

9. With riders like Steve McQueen, the legacy of the 2023 Triumph Scrambler 900 is the real deal. McQueen rode a Triumph TR6 Trophy SC in the 1964 International Six Day Trial, and the lineage from that bike to the Scrambler 900 is undeniable, if not unbroken. That era marked the last hurray for the Triumph twins as competitive off-road racers, with two-stroke engines taking the field. However, that doesn’t stop the new Scrambler 900 from letting you bask in its reflected glory as you cruise around town and on the roads in style.

Photo by Kelly Callan DRIVING STYLE 2023 Triumph Scrambler 900 SpecificationsENGINE

• Type: Vertical twin with 270 degree lever
• Bore diameter x stroke: 84.6 x 80.0 mm
• Displacement: 899cc
• Compression ratio: 11.0:1
• Maximum power: 64 horsepower @ 7250 rpm
• Peak torque: 59 ft-lbs at 3,250 rpm
• Valve mechanism: SOHC, 4 vpc
• Cooling: liquid
• Exhaust: Brushed 2-into-2 with dual mufflers in brushed stainless steel
• Transmission: 5-speed
• Clutch: Wet multi-disc with assist and slip functions
• Final drive: chain with O-ring

CHASSIS

• Frame: tubular steel double cradle
• Front suspension; travel: KYB non-adjustable 41mm cartridge forks; 4.7 inches
• Rear suspension; travel: KYB shocks with adjustable spring preload; 4.7 inches
• Wheels: steel with spokes
• Front wheel: 19 x 2.50
• Rear wheel: 17 x 4.25
• Tires: Metzeler Tourance
• Front tire: 100/90 x 19
• Rear tire: 150/70 x 17
• Front brake: 310mm floating disc with 4-piston Brembo caliper
• Rear Brake: 255mm disc with Nissin 2-piston floating caliper
• ABS: Standard

DIMENSIONS and CAPACITY

• Wheelbase: 56.8 inches
• Rake: 25.6 degrees
• Travel: 4.3 inches
• Seat height: 31.1 inches
• Tank capacity: 3.2 gallons
• Estimated fuel economy: 55 mpg
• Curb weight: 492 lbs
• Colors: Jet Black; Carnival Red & Jet Black; Matte khaki

2023 Triumph Scrambler 900 Price: Starting at $11,295 MSRP

2023 Triumph Scrambler 900 Review Photo Gallery