The Coolest Motorcycle for Desert Riding

[@ashtonmarrero7932]

love the footage and the music footage - free of enjoyment of dirt riding!

[@ScramblerStories]

Thank you!

[@jeffhammer2406]

Awesome seeing someone else enjoy those trails and roads on the scrambler! The bike loves Reddington once you make it past the rough first 10 miles or so. Great content as always!

[@ScramblerStories]

Thanks Jeff. Yeah it's definitely great for those areas!

[@enriquejaimes3368]

I want that triumph so bad! At least I feel great having a DR650 in my garage.

[@ScramblerStories]

Yeah Marek would say you have the right bike. I on the other hand, would like to own a DR650 for a custom project, but I like having the Triumph!!

[@bryrickshillam3403]

Great video, the passion you have comes through. Thanks for sharing! I was so close to purchasing one of these but ended up with the Rally Pro, would like to do more touring. The Scrambler has so much character though!

[@ScramblerStories]

But that Rally Pro is a super cool bike too! I really wanted one but I had to get the Scrambler. It's too cool. Hopefully a Rally Pro one day when we're not living off the bikes!

[@franckbeillard]

Greeting from Canada, thanks for sharing that! Can't wait to ride mine (Scrambler XE) in Baja California this May! Mine is equipped with Mitas E10 Dakar for this trip.

[@ScramblerStories]

Nice! We just got back from riding 4+ months in Baja. I didn't ride too much off-road though.

[@Fertube0218]

Love ❤ The DR650

[@ScramblerStories]

Yeah, one day I want to get one to do a custom build out of it.

[@martyn_g]

@@ScramblerStories I have one. I’m getting rid of it for the Scrambler 1200;)

[@ScramblerStories]

@@martyn_g Nice!

[@jdub750]

“Bikes fall over easily when you can’t touch the ground” - tell me about it 😂 Glad to see you guys tearing it up and having fun in the desert- I hope to ride the desert someday

[@ScramblerStories]

I hope you do as well! The desert is great.

[@masterseven4499]

Awesome! THIS is, what Scramblers are made for... I sold my Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC and bought a Ducati Scrambler 1100 Sport - what a mistake. Now I am going to sell the Duc and I'll find back to the Triumph. I hope to ride the desert one day. Epic video, congrats 🙂

[@ScramblerStories]

Yeah nice! I hope you find yourself riding out in the desert one day as well. Just got back from 4+ months in Mexico, and the Scrambler was perfect for Baja.

[@ai1een876]

Ouch! Beautiful vistas.

[@ScramblerStories]

It certainly is. These are the areas that would be great to have a ranch on out in the desert.

[@supratimdutta5813]

awesome video !!!!!!!!! i know its hard to ride so a heavy bike on sand, but u did exceptionally great !

[@ScramblerStories]

Thank you! Luckily the sandy spots weren't too deep.

[@marneedearman2947]

Lolz I have a Street Scrambler and a DR and I do kinda agree with Marek. What an awesome trip!

[@ScramblerStories]

Nooooo, I need to hide this comment or Marek will never let me live it down! haha 🤣

[@BackDraftBikes]

Love the XC/XE. Your videos are really good too!

[@ScramblerStories]

Thank you and same to you. I've watch a bunch of your videos!

[@allistairneil8968]

No great surprise trying to ride a street bike off road! I had a little go on one a few days ago. I think Triumph has hoodwinked loads of people into thinking that by using the name scrambler and having long suspension they can convince you to ride a 1200cc monster off road. Wait till the frame cracks! Seriously, if its power you want, get a KTM 1290, at least they are designed to go off road. I bet it's a hoot on smooth surfaces though. The bike seems very popular. I had a test recently but I certainly didn't go off road, only in town round a few blocks. I like the retro looks but it's expensive and ultimately misleading; you'll need to spend a ton to get it bash proof. Check out Life of a Scrambler channel if you haven't already, poor bloke cracked his frame! Some other guy said that he cracked his while jumping on the pegs while the bike was parked! I'm glad that they fixed the exhaust with the new model. Interesting you say it's good in sand compared to the other triumph, possibly it's the wheelbase? It's really long when you sit on it. I love the front forks too, I think they are snazzier than the other model and match the eye catching rear set up.

[@ScramblerStories]

I think it would surprise you off-road. Better than most of the other 21" front wheel ADV bikes on the market, minus say KTMs and the Tenere 700. It's certainly prettier, and that makes some nervous to damage it. But I've dropped mine quite a few times, crashed it a couple, and haven't broken a single thing yet. I know about Josh and his frame, and it happening to one or two other people as well. Hasn't happened to me. In fact I have had zero issues so far, 30,000+ miles later. For the sand, yeah it's the wheelbase and the rank angle I believe that making the bike more stable in sand. And that 21" front wheel. But Caitlyn's rebel is surprisingly good in sand, and I think that comes down to the balloon like tires it has.

[@lastsonofkrypton36]

Yeah, so stoked to see the 400X Scrambler make it to market! Maybe more manufacturers will get back in the midsize market instead of the cc's arms race. Big bikes do not equal more fun. They equal more profit, apparently.

[@ScramblerStories]

@@lastsonofkrypton36 I'd love to see a Scrambler with the 400cc engine, but with more off-road capability geometry/suspension. The 400x has a very steep rake angle, but I bet it'll be a real nice bike on the street. I've wanted to build a classic looking scrambler out of something really capable like a DRZ400 for awhile now. Maybe one day!

[@lastsonofkrypton36]

@@ScramblerStories no doubt. I think the Desert Sled is the closest we've seen in the States, giving that 70s look with some actual capability. The best looking into I've seen is that Fantic Caballero. They nailed it. But hey, baby steps. Manufacturers take a while to actually listen to what riders are wanting it seems.

[@madstoppie]

I'd love to ride that trail with you next time you are in Tucson!

[@ScramblerStories]

For sure, it's a good ride!

[@monstergear49]

Man what mirrors are those? Great video by the way!! Can’t wait to rip mine around the desert of El Paso

[@ScramblerStories]

They are bar end mirrors from Rizoma, with a blue tint to help combat with bright headlights behind you. They have held up well, never braking with drops or a few crashes. That's a great area to be in for the Scrambler!

[@bluemaomao1]

great bike!! Based on the way you ride, I do think you should go take some off road classes, it protects you in the long run.

[@ScramblerStories]

Definitely! I took a class with Heavy Enduro back in September. Just uploaded that video actually. I will be taking more classes, and do think so time on a dirt bike will be a good idea.

[@maxi5784]

great ride I am jealous

[@ScramblerStories]

I absolutely love riding in the desert!

[@rodelpadua9779]

I’m lucky enough to have both. For any real dual sport/off-road riding I gotta say I much prefer the DR650. That said my Triumph is much much better on the highway and has that awesome classic look to it.

[@ScramblerStories]

Nice, I'd love to get a DRZ400 and do a classic looking scrambler build out of it. You could end up with a bike that looks a little more please but still weighs just over 300lbs and is pretty capable off-road. You could do the same with the DR650, since both can take a classic style gas tank. One day, when hopefully I have money!

[@Scritch_]

Hi man thank you for this nice video. My I ask you where you bought the bag racks? Unit Garage? Thanks!

[@ScramblerStories]

Thank you. They are from Metal Mule. Got a video going live next Sunday on all my accessories/mods.

[@MrAvishal]

Love your video... love this bike. One question though. How tall are you ? I dont know you mentioned it in the video i missed it.

[@ScramblerStories]

I'm just shy of 5'11". But inseam is really what's important. My inseam is about 33". I have no issues with the bike on level ground, but as you could see in the video, there are a few times when stopping on sloped hills I have to be careful.

[@tobparker]

I can tell some of the roads and trails by sight. In fact I know exactly where you dumped the SS. I'd love to know where else around Tucson you're riding. I'd love to try them out on mine.

[@SteelJM1]

The group ride was in the Empire Ranch area, in Sonoita

[@ScramblerStories]

What he said! Make sure you join Tucson Adventure Riders and/or Tucson Trail Riders. The later part of the video was with TTR.

[@fasstimes9122]

Do you have a video on your luggage setup?

[@ScramblerStories]

A little bit in this one kzbin.info/www/bejne/apK4lJWqfdaNers. Will be doing a greater detail video on the Lone Rider stuff one day when I have time.

[@juniorphoenixterrier9116]

Hey, great video, which rack system do you have?

[@ScramblerStories]

Those are Metal Mule racks.

[@johnnymaccool9828]

Is that MT. Lemmon in the background

[@ScramblerStories]

It is. Reddington road goes around it, and there's a cool road you can do up the backside too.

[@johnnymaccool9828]

@@ScramblerStories I’ve been over the reddington road in my pickup, I’ve been up and down MT.Lemmon on my Harley , looking at a lighter bike for the dirt

[@muhammadizwan1076]

if you don't mind mate may i know the exhaust heat on 1200xe or 900 scrambler on a hot weather. Im a south asian and the weather here is hot and planning to get one of the scrambler.

[@ScramblerStories]

For me it's definitely hotter on the 1200. Both are fine when you're moving, but if you're in traffic on a summer day, you'll feel it. For some it's a deal break, not for me. And I keep my leg generally hugged up against it. Not a bike for shorts though!

[@muhammadizwan1076]

@@ScramblerStories Thanks for the reply mate, so when it's moving you wont feel the heat much.

[@ScramblerStories]

@@muhammadizwan1076 No it's fine when moving, and there's ways to take care of the heat. Decat for starters helps.

[@dylano7242]

You can get a ktm adventurer for a fraction of a triumph and the frane won't crack. Engine stall.

[@ScramblerStories]

Neither of my two Triumphs have cracked frames and both have been abused. It's unfortunate it's happen to a few people, but it's not every bike. I did test ride a KTM 890, I liked it, but not over the Scrambler 1200. I got a friend who has a 990, totally rips on it to. Fun to watch.

[@modshiftmotion]

Killer bike.

[@ScramblerStories]

Thank you!

[@SteelJM1]

9:30 Incorrect. DR is still coolest, still runs even with a broken piston!🤣

[@jdub750]

😆

[@ScramblerStories]

It's ok to be wrong!

[@anthonyeverett1391]

Hello sir, i have a X 500 aventura honda, i only have one year experience on normal city road and back roads, my friends have endurance motorcycle, they are planning to go to Morocco, Morocco has back roads and ruff road's as we tracks maybe as well ruff tracks, is my motorcycle as it's a X500 adventure capable for this journey? I'm not to sure to ride from Tangiers to the south of Morocco. Will the suspension handle it all these tracks?

[@ScramblerStories]

Should be capable! Depends on your ability and how the suspension is dialed in. It would be worth taking an off-road class. I just took one and it was great (after this video unfortunately).

[@anthonyeverett1391]

Ok

[@iangoodman4658]

SW Motech Fly Screen? I love that look!

[@ScramblerStories]

Actually it's a Triumph flyscreen for the Street Scrambler.

[@iangoodman4658]

@@ScramblerStories NICE! What brackets did you end up using? The ones that came with the screen?

[@ScramblerStories]

@@iangoodman4658 No you order them separately. The brackets are from Triumph for the Scrambler 1200. How they mount to the bikes are bike specific, but the flyscreens fit all of the brackets.

[@SmokinZen]

What tires?

[@ScramblerStories]

At that time I had TK80s on the front and rear. About to replace that front tire, it has like 15,000-17,000 miles on it. Rear lasts 5-6k miles.

[@charlesbrown9863]

The fuel tank is too small

[@ScramblerStories]

Nah it's no problem. The only place in North America where I need more fuel is the Dalton Highway, where it's 240 miles without fuel. Even then if I'm at the right speed, it'll make it. But we travel with a 3 gallon fuel bladder for large distances between fuel, on top of 1 liter fuel canisters with both have just in case.

[@CEEPMDEE]

Triumph bikes have CRAPPY WEAK FRAMES that are PRONE TO CRACKING by the kickstand.

[@ScramblerStories]

Neither one of my Triumphs has a cracked frame. There has definitely been some Scrambler 1200s that have cracked, I have seen that. But not mine.

[@CEEPMDEE]

@@ScramblerStories Not only the Triumph Scrambler 1200 bikes. All Triumph motorcycles have an issue with the frames cracking and breaking. This upsets me because I was about to purchase a Scrambler 1200 XE

[@ScramblerStories]

I have a Scrambler 1200 with 50,000 miles and a Street Scrambler with 54,000 miles. Neither have cracked frames. Both abused pretty well. @@CEEPMDEE

[@chriswild2458]

I have never had one crack nor heard of this

[@KeepItSimpleSailor]

This is NOT an off road bike. Look how slow they have to take any roughness in the surface. It’s way too big, way too heavy, way too powerful. Nice bike - but it’s really just a cruiser that can do smooth gravel roads.

[@ScramblerStories]

Nah I disagree. If you're on the 340 and lower argument, then sure. Definitely in comparison it's not a dirt bike or a dual sport. But this bike does better than most adventure bikes off-road. Don't judge it by my lack of skills. @Steve_Kamrad races one on some very difficult tracks. It's not for everyone, but it can more than smooth gravel roads.

[@c.g.c2067]

you're better off with a honda crf300

[@ScramblerStories]

Nah, although I do like those bikes. I wouldn't mind a CRF300 Rally.

[@c.g.c2067]

@@ScramblerStories I mean, despite it's weight it's the beauty of the Triumph that puts me off as an off road bike.

[@jaegermeister1968]

Honestly, I don't understand the point of a scrambler these days. a scrambler is clearly inferior to an adventure motorcycle off-road and it doesn't handle any better on the road either.

[@ScramblerStories]

This Scrambler specifically is more capable that quite a few adventure bikes off-road. Not the Tenere 700 or the KTM 890, but most of the lot of ADV bikes aren't as good off-road, certainly better for on road touring though. But the style is through the roof in comparison.

[@jaegermeister1968]

@@ScramblerStories I get it, ride a KTM 790 and don't think a scrambler would be any better off-road.

[@ScramblerStories]

@@jaegermeister1968 No, definitely not on par with the 790/890/T7 off-road, but I think closer than you would think. If you get a chance to ride one, see what you think. I test rode both the T7 and the 890 and was happy I went with the Scrambler. Though the 890 was definitely nice. But I do believe the scrambler is way better off-road than the AT, GS, Pan Am etc.

[@jaegermeister1968]

@@ScramblerStories you're right. For me the biggest advantage of a scrambler in off-road is the lower center of gravity of the bike. even if e.g. the 790's only weigh 200kg, if the bike tips over to the side it's very difficult to catch it again. Due to the high structure and the high seat height, the weight load on the leg is far more uncomfortable when the bike is in an inclined position. the Harley Davidson drives like a furniture cabinet anyway. I don't want to go off-road with it at all. I'm probably too bad as a driver for that.😆