Discussion
Idle thoughts today, bit bored at work so... was watching the motorbike show last night and Henry was wandering across Portugal on a Triumph Scrambler and it looked pretty relaxing. I rarely just go out for a bimble to be honest, I'm either enjoying myself too much to be relaxed on the fireblade or getting somewhere on the ktm. It's never occurred to me just to go for a wander down the smaller lanes at relatively slow speeds... I'm not that fast but I don't take time to look around and "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."
What are good bikes to do this kind of riding? Not something massive and powerful like my ktm or focussed like my fireblade but relaxed and chilled so you can sling a leg over it in a pair of jeans and go for a wander.
What are good bikes to do this kind of riding? Not something massive and powerful like my ktm or focussed like my fireblade but relaxed and chilled so you can sling a leg over it in a pair of jeans and go for a wander.
Think you might have the answer in your question...I reckon a Triumph Scrambler is ideal for that sort of ride. Torquey, good-sounding motor, relatively long-travel suspension (especially on the new ones) looks good parked up but enough power and weight to handle motorways should you run out of time or the weather turns...
I have been using Mrs 215's Ducati Scrambler 800 a bit recently for gentle country bimbles and I have been really enjoying it.
My head has been a bit f
ked over the last few years and I've barely ridden anywhere.
I bought myself a speed triple for Christmas and, while I sort of love it, I also sort of hate it.
Mrs 215 on the other hand prefers her bandit 650, so it looks like I might have to become a hipster and inherit the Ducati...
My head has been a bit f
ked over the last few years and I've barely ridden anywhere.I bought myself a speed triple for Christmas and, while I sort of love it, I also sort of hate it.
Mrs 215 on the other hand prefers her bandit 650, so it looks like I might have to become a hipster and inherit the Ducati...
One of the new twin Enfield's might be good value if you're buying new. If secondhand one of the Bonneville's before the current model (2000-2015). There's loads of aftermarket parts for them. The T100 is probably where you want to be if bimbling is what you're after.
A pre-2016 Scrambler is a good call as well.
A pre-2016 Scrambler is a good call as well.
Edited by ash reynolds on Tuesday 21st May 22:55
dern said:
Idle thoughts today, bit bored at work so... was watching the motorbike show last night and Henry was wandering across Portugal on a Triumph Scrambler and it looked pretty relaxing. I rarely just go out for a bimble to be honest, I'm either enjoying myself too much to be relaxed on the fireblade or getting somewhere on the ktm. It's never occurred to me just to go for a wander down the smaller lanes at relatively slow speeds... I'm not that fast but I don't take time to look around and "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."
What are good bikes to do this kind of riding? Not something massive and powerful like my ktm or focussed like my fireblade but relaxed and chilled so you can sling a leg over it in a pair of jeans and go for a wander.
Saw the thread title and, as a Triumph Scrambler owner, thought I’d have the perfect answer for you and lo and behold! How spooky is that!What are good bikes to do this kind of riding? Not something massive and powerful like my ktm or focussed like my fireblade but relaxed and chilled so you can sling a leg over it in a pair of jeans and go for a wander.
Had mine 9 years from new. Could have changed it every year for something else but have found nothing to draw me away. I’ve looked at lots, sat on lots, riden a fair few, including the newer Scramblers from Triumph and now everyone else, but nothing yet to pull me away. And being the Mk1, in khaki green and unmodified, it seems it could still be worth neigh on what I paid for it!
On a warm sunny day with an open face helmet, it just hits the bimble spot perfectly. And when parked in the pub for the half way coke, it gets more admiring glances than many more bits of exotic machinery.
Good luck with whatever you choose!
a bimble is probably my sort of ride.
I have a Harley XR1200 which does the job whilst having enough for a fairly spirited ride, but i would say if you're talking small country lanes with uneven camber and a broken surface the sportsters are just too heavy. It might be an XR1200 thing but at low speeds the weight is very noticeable, other Sportsters are lower, softer and run conventional forks with more rake so might be better on these roads
I have a Harley XR1200 which does the job whilst having enough for a fairly spirited ride, but i would say if you're talking small country lanes with uneven camber and a broken surface the sportsters are just too heavy. It might be an XR1200 thing but at low speeds the weight is very noticeable, other Sportsters are lower, softer and run conventional forks with more rake so might be better on these roads
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