Cycle News

Cycle News 2016 Issue 43 November 1

Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles

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VOL. 53 ISSUE 43 NOVEMBER 1, 2016 P81 grips, and a basic dash computer and funky-looking analog tach. The same front and rear brakes as the R nineT are featured on the Scrambler equivalent. But does it all work? Yes, for the most part. Straddling the Scrambler, what is immediately apparent is that the riding triangle of bars/ seat/pegs is absolutely spot on for my 6'1" frame. The seat, while a touch thin, is padded really nicely and after an eight- hour epic ride on day one and a six-hour mission on day two of the test, I feel surprisingly fresh without the dreaded backache. There's a definite gruff note that comes from the muffler on start-up, one that reminds me of my old GS that had a Giannelli exhaust fitted. It's a touch lower and fatter in the aural depart- ment at idle, but to be honest, after five minutes I don't really notice the noise. The engine, I feel, if you're a regular Cycle News reader, is a known quantity. It's the same flat twin found in not just that GS I mentioned but each R nineT, and also the R 1200 R and R 1200 RS. Debuting as the final GS motor before the Wasser- Boxer (water-boxer) engine of 2014, the 1170cc motor is perhaps BMW's finest example of the air-cooled twin. Beautiful waves of thick torque come in droves. It doesn't like big revs, instead giving its best perfor- mance sub-6000 rpm and I feel it's a touch over-geared for the Scrambler. I didn't once see sixth gear during two days of Minimalist and easy to read, with all the information you need and none you don't. (Far left) Supertrapp- style exhaust sounds and looks great despite not being a real Supertrapp. (Left) Rubber gaiters give a great look. Pity about fork performance.

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