Modern Scramblers: yay or nay?

[Frulk_imp]

When I first started on this forum I wrote about buying the CB for getting me to places that I fly fish. Usually a 150-300 miles in distance on pavement and the potential of anywhere from 5-100 miles on gravel. I took the CB on one ride and posted the pics on our site. Was a total of 5 miles one way in and out on gravel that turned to rutted forest road. Bike was filthy and covered in dust and mud. Decided I just couldn't do that repeatedly to the CB. I've been kicking around a fourth bike for a while now. My buddy buying that Scrambler has really given me the opportunity to get a lot of info on the bike from a guy that uses it off pavement. He's a VERY capable rider. Plus I've had the opportunity to give it several detailed once overs and sitting on it. He speaks VERY glowingly of how it handles gravel in particular.

It has a VERY low center of gravity and seat height. Something I really want in a bike for the purpose I quoted above. It has enough oomph to get me down the highway post haste and not be forced to plan a passing situation on a two laner because the motor is close to it's max due to the luggage, rider weight etc.

I'm about 75% there right now in regards to the purchase decision. The new for 2019 1200cc Scramblers are getting glowing reviews. If I was to walk into our local dealer in Salt Lake City and see the 1200cc version w/o the gold forks set up with two aluminum boxes I'm not sure I could leave the store without it. That's even considering I'm very unhappy with that dealership over my Guzzi experience with them.

[SportsterDoc]

When I first started on this forum I wrote about buying the CB for getting me to places that I fly fish. Usually a 150-300 miles in distance on pavement and the potential of anywhere from 5-100 miles on gravel. I took the CB on one ride and posted the pics on our site. Was a total of 5 miles one way in and out on gravel that turned to rutted forest road. Bike was filthy and covered in dust and mud. Decided I just couldn't do that repeatedly to the CB. I've been kicking around a fourth bike for a while now. My buddy buying that Scrambler has really given me the opportunity to get a lot of info on the bike from a guy that uses it off pavement. He's a VERY capable rider. Plus I've had the opportunity to give it several detailed once overs and sitting on it. He speaks VERY glowingly of how it handles gravel in particular.

It has a VERY low center of gravity and seat height. Something I really want in a bike for the purpose I quoted above. It has enough oomph to get me down the highway post haste and not be forced to plan a passing situation on a two laner because the motor is close to it's max due to the luggage, rider weight etc.

I'm about 75% there right now in regards to the purchase decision. The new for 2019 1200cc Scramblers are getting glowing reviews. If I was to walk into our local dealer in Salt Lake City and see the 1200cc version w/o the gold forks set up with two aluminum boxes I'm not sure I could leave the store without it. That's even considering I'm very unhappy with that dealership over my Guzzi experience with them.

Same with the Guzzi dealer in Las Vegas!

BTW, the CB1100 does OK in gravel, even pea gravel, with scrambler tires.

See post 9 of this thread
http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=13300
Rest area in second photo down was deep pea gravel.

However, the CB is not a bike that I would like to have clean off major mud!

[dbarkdoll_imp]

One caveat about taking the CB1100 on gravel/dirt/fireroad what have you:

I’ve done it a few times, and would do it again if I absolutely had to, but don’t plan on it. I went on a camping trip that was about 350 miles round trip, the last 16 miles in being dirt/gravel. Did fine on the way in, just had to take it real slow. On the way out however I didn’t see a good sized loose rock in the road, front tire chucked it at the underbelly of the bike, put a good sized dent in the exhaust collector. From what I can tell it just dented the guard surrounding the pipes themselves, still something that I’d rather have avoided altogether.

Something to think about on this beautiful bike. She’s pretty low slung, with some precious bits in harms way of rocks. Oil filter definitely comes to mind.

[Nortoon_imp]

I have ridden my CB 1100 EX on unpaved roads. Both times were an adventure I would not repeat. Going down sandy hills was the worst of it even in first gear. These were the times I missed my CB500XA.

This past summer I ran into a lot of extended road construction. Gravel or sand are not bad if the traffic has carved a firm track to ride in. But when they water the sand to keep the dust down things can get messy. It's almost impossible to get sand off the bottom of the motor, frame, exhaust system, and fenders once it has dried in the wind. When I removed the battery for winter storage, I found the bottom of the battery compartment full of sand. Hate to think what the air filter may look like.

[GoldOxide_imp]

They have their place for sure, however, I suspect their volumes are low. Like to see one with a shaft drive. Huh? Wha? 2019 and we can't get a modern light shaft on one?

[SportsterDoc]

They have their place for sure, however, I suspect their volumes are low. Like to see one with a shaft drive. Huh? Wha? 2019 and we can't get a modern light shaft on one?

My 2016 Moto Guzzi V7II was 417 pounds with shaft drive and would have been good on a dirt road with scrambler tires

[flat out_imp]

I've got a 2016 Moto Guzzi Stornello(scrambler)
It's a great bike, light, mellow, looks cool and handles amazing for what it is.
That's my 2cents worth.
t.

[dbarkdoll_imp]

Check out these new Nortons:

https://advrider.com/norton-shows-off-tw...as-models/

[GoldOxide_imp]

The new gen scramblers make for some great apocalypse rides, sans those other adventure bikes.

The Norton Atlas models look great. Would you take those through the mud pile (during normal non-apocalyptic times)?

[jitaylor_imp]

Here is a review of the c50t scrambler in Oz. Or maybe it is an adventure bike.

[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95LgCgzHXjw&t=2065s]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95LgCgzHXjw&t=2065s