Designed by renowned cartoonist and cartoonist John Mockett, the Triumph Scrambler made its debut in 2004 with a reputation for being a bike that combined retro styling with 21st century technology. Its manufacturer, Britain-based Triumph Motorcycles, didn""t tinker much with the Scrambler""s winning formula, and its third model year (2008) is no exception. The manufacturer""s suggested retail price for the 2008 Triumph Scrambler is $7,999.
The 2008 Triumph Scrambler is classified as an on-off road motorcycle. That means that riders can use it for paved and unpaved roads alike. The latter includes terrain that ranges from snow and grass to rougher surfaces like rock-laden ones.
Each 2008 Triumph Scrambler is powered by a four-stroke two-cylinder engine with a parallel-twin design, which means that its two cylinders arranged side by side. With eight intake valves in total, the engine displaces at 865 cubic centimeters and generates 56 horsepower at 7,000 revolutions per minute (RPM) and 51 pound-feet of torque at 4,500 RPM. Its bore and stroke is measured at 3.55 by 2.68 inches (90 by 68 millimeters), and it has a 9.2-to-1 compression ratio.
Paired with a five-speed manual transmission, the 2008 Triumph Scrambler engine relies on a carburetor for fueling it. Triumph provides an electric starter for engine ignition. For fuel, Triumph adds a gas tank that can hold up to 4.4 gallons (16.7 liters).
For the 2008 Scrambler, Triumph replaced the Caspian Blue/Fusion White color scheme with an Aluminum Silver/Tangerine one to join the other two: Aluminum Silver/Roulette Green and Tornado Red/Fusion White. The bike relies on a steel frame for its sturdiness. The frame is covered with the standard front and rear fenders, as well as exhaust guard, chain guard and side covers. A one-piece vinyl seat on the bike is big enough for two occupants: the driver and a passenger. The standard digital instrumentation on each 2008 Scrambler consists of a trip odometer and speedometer. Also included are a halogen headlight and a pair of rearview mirrors for enhanced visual perception on the road.
For its stopping power, the 2008 Triumph Scrambler has a 12.2-inch (310-mm) disc at the front; and a smaller, 10-inch (255-mm) disc at the back. This layout is superior to the front-disc-brake rear-drum-brake one on some motorcycles. For absorbing bumps and thus providing a smooth ride, the 2008 Scrambler has a suspension comprising a 1.6-inch (41-mm) telescopic fork at the front and twin-sided swing arm at the rear. The bike rides on front 19-inch and rear 17-inch aluminum wheels.
Each 2008 Triumph Scrambler has a length of 87.1 inches (2,212.3 mm), width of 34.1 inches (866.1 mm), height of 47.3 inches (1,201.4 mm) and wheelbase of 59.1 inches (1,501.1 mm). The height of the bike""s seat is set at 32.5 inches (825.5 mm), and the bike""s dry weight is 451 lbs. (204.6 kilograms).
The 2008 Triumph Scrambler contains no mechanical changes over the previous two model years. That isn""t necessarily a bad thing, as the 2008 model merely maintained the nameplate""s reputation: as an exciting on-off road bike with up-to-date technology and an aesthetic link to Triumph""s past.