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.
