Having owned my red Icon for 9 days now, I reckon it's high time that I posted my opinion of this bike. (For comparison purposes, this is the 8th bike that I've owned, having mainly ridden Triumphs in the past. I love 'modern classic' bikes, have a real soft spot for the Bonneville range and my other bike is an R nineT).
The first thing that shocked me about the Scrambler is how light it feels, especially comparing it to the Bonneville which is around 40kg heavier. I'm still running the Scrambler in, but can already appreciate the significant acceleration advantage over the Bonnie - this thing is properly quick off the mark and has its power coming in at very usable road-riding speeds.
In terms of comfort, the rider triangle on this bike fits me like a glove, (I'm only 5'6" with a 29" inseam). The bars are noticeably wider than its main competitors, and as they're combined with a relatively low weight it's incredible how easy it is to drop the bike into turns. I took her along the Macclesfield to Buxton road last week, with a mate of mine on his Street Triple. I was taking it easy but he was struggling to keep up! The Scrambler feels absolutely at home on the twisties - I had a seriously big grin on my boat by the time I got to the bottom of the Cat & Fiddle road...
I've done a little bit of commuting on the bike and can report that it's fantastic in and out of traffic. Nipping past cars is effortless, especially in comparison with the Bonneville due to its advantageous power-to-weight ratio and the torque peaking so low down in the rev-range.
The only real criticisms I can think of regarding this bike are the somewhat disappointing exhaust note, (my nineT's stock exhaust sounds beautiful, so I don't know why other manufacturers can't push the EU restriction envelope further towards its limit - anyway - nothing a new exhaust can't fix). My only other criticism is the number of false neutrals that I'm finding. Having said that, I think my problem may be partly to do with me not being positive enough with some of my upshifts, (the gearbox is pretty agricultural and I'm also nursing an injured left ankle so that may be contributing towards the problem).
All in all then, I can't praise this bike highly enough. For what it costs this is an absolute bargain - I can honestly say that I've never enjoyed riding any other bikes as much as this one, (that's praise indeed, as I include my amazing R nineT in that statement). I can't wait to start tweaking a few parts...(my initial priorities are going to be heated grips and a throatier exhaust).
For all of you about to take delivery of your new bikes - I promise - you are not going to be disappointed - Does the Scrambler take you to the land of joy?...well...I still haven't wiped the smile off my face... Bring on the warmer climes and the longer nights...Pass me my Davida lid and smoke me a kipper...I've got some serious riding to do...
Boost.
