After 2000 miles, one thing has become clear – the Triumph Scrambler 900 has been stress-free from day one. No breakdowns, no electrical gremlins, no reluctant cold starts. Just jump on, thumb the starter and ride. You could argue that should be the minimum expectation from a motorcycle with a five-figure price tag, but if you’ve been reading my colleagues’ 2026 long-term test reports , you’ll know that’s not always the case.
That sense of ease doesn’t stop with reliability either; it’s the bike’s biggest strength. The Scrambler fills a gap in the market for riders who simply want motorcycling to be enjoyable without feeling intimidating.
Whether you’re returning to biking after years away, moving up from a smaller machine or downsizing from something bigger, it makes a compelling case. I’d even go as far as saying it’s the perfect first ‘big’ bike; it’s that easy-going.
Despite its friendly nature, it never feels like an oversized small-capacity or A2-compliant bike . The 900cc parallel twin has plenty of character and enough shove for effortless overtakes, while the upright riding position gives you a commanding view of the road. Add in the accessible 790mm seat height (lowered by 10mm from the previous generation), and it inspires confidence at every stop, making it a bike that almost anyone can jump on and feel comfortable riding.
That’s the beauty of it. Triumph haven’t chased headline power figures; instead, they’ve tuned the engine to deliver exactly what’s needed. The torque arrives low down, the throttle is smooth and predictable, and it encourages a relaxed pace rather than demanding you wring its neck.
Of course, every strength can also be seen as a weakness. As someone who’s 25 and enjoys bikes with a bit more attitude, the Scrambler’s refined nature leaves me wanting a little extra excitement on a Sunday blast. It has charm by the bucketload, but not quite enough edge to keep me wide-eyed.
Then again, that’s not its intended use, and whenever someone wanders over in a petrol station and tells me about their Honda Fireblade that’s become too uncomfortable or says they’re thinking about getting their licence, I can’t help thinking the 900 would suit them perfectly.
At 5ft 8in, I’d say I’m almost the ideal height for the Scrambler 900. The 790mm seat height makes it easy to paddle around, while still offering impressive ground clearance. However, taller riders may feel differently. At 6ft 2in, MCN’s own Adam Oldfield found it slightly cramped, although the wide bars and upright position still proved more comfortable than his foot-forward Harley Sportster S .
90s Sports bike lover and videographer armed with a brilliant Kawasaki ZXR400. I am the youngest member of the MCN team and am responsible for all the videos we post on our YouTube channel.