Thinking about trading in my monster for a Scrambler

[Kev M]

I love the Scrambler! I was drawn to the full throttle for the lower handlebars and its dang comfortable for me. I just have to pinch myself every time I see her in the morning!

How you making out with it?

My wife and I stopped by a dealer the other week to get her maintenance light reset on the 696 and she spent a good amount of time checking out the Scrambler.

We're starting to consider maybe adding one to the garage as her second bike, maybe her "touring" bike. I see that Hepco and Becker maybe C-Bow bag mounts and a topcase rack for it.

Anything we should know about the Scrambler?

Compare it to your Monster?

[nheaney696]

Well..... Riding position definitely more comfy. I'm being reaaaallly good and not bringing the rpms above 5.....pesky 600 mile break in period. My throttle is a teeny bit grabby-but around town- super responsive and just a blast to be on! My 696 still kicks ass though- all of the trips my husband and I have taken up to Santa Cruz and San Jose- keeps making me put off trying to sell her and justify having 3 motorcycles. I definitely see the touring potential for the Scrambler- 

[Kev M]

Thanks for the report.

How about handling? How about powerband? Brakes?

I'm assuming it's about as nimble, at least as powerful, and still brakes very well?

I should say that Jenn has never hesitated to tour on the 696. She can strap a bag to the back and do a few 300+ mile days. Which is amazing to me on the stock seat, but hey, she weighs 100# less than me.

[Curmudgeon]

Kev, only guessing because I still haven't ridden one: Scrambler has a 796 engine detuned ~ 10 BHP but geared down to compensate, so it ought to feel much more torquey than a 696 (which is already geared lower than an M796.

On paper should have enough brakes because the front is 1/2 a SBK brake. Dual sport tire and 18" rather than 17". Might feel almost as nimble as the bar might have more leverage?

Note that the fork is a 41mm, not a 43mm. She'll have to ride it. Throttle will probably improve with break-in but will take 1,500+ miles. My M796 did. Scrambler only has one throttle body vs two on the M796, part of the detuning possibly.

[Kev M]

Kev, only guessing because I still haven't ridden one: Scrambler has a 796 engine detuned ~ 10 BHP but geared down to compensate, so it ought to feel much more torquey than a 696 (which is already geared lower than an M796.

On paper should have enough brakes because the front is 1/2 a SBK brake. Dual sport tire and 18" rather than 17". Might feel almost as nimble as the bar might have more leverage?

Note that the fork is a 41mm, not a 43mm. She'll have to ride it. Throttle will probably improve with break-in but will take 1,500+ miles. My M796 did. Scrambler only has one throttle body vs two on the M796, part of the detuning possibly.

Yeah, that's what I was thinking on paper at least (and though I hadn't noticed the fork diameter differences, I doubt it matters much at this size/weight bike - hell my nearly 600# Sportster is wearing 39mm forks).

But here are some specs (mostly from MCN, but I don't have their Scrambler test handy for the braking spec so that one is from CW which might be hard to compare to the other two from MCN, but it looks realistic):

M696 vs. Scrambler vs. M796

Wet Weight: 408# / 410# / 415#

RWHP: 67 / 70 / 76

Torque: 44 / 47 / 51

1/4 mile: 12.21 / 11.91* / 11.97

Braking 60-0: 119.5' / 123' / 117.4'

* I think you might be right on the gearing, and that probably explains the standing 1/4 mile too.

[IZ]

Only when I want something..... I'm kind of single minded in that way. Motorcycles and knives- they are my weakness!

Congrats on the new FT!  I see you're in Cottonwood. Did you go down to Scottsdale to get it? 
It must be getting close to perfect weather for riding in No. Arizona. 

[nheaney696]

I actually moved a year ago from Cottonwood AZ to Monterey CA. Got my Monster from GOAZ in Scottsdale (dealt with Chuck-great guy-also came back and got the husbands 796 there too) went to Monterey Peninsula Powersports and worked with Jim, the owner. Riding in CA is waaaay different from AZ.

[IZ]

I actually moved a year ago from Cottonwood AZ to Monterey CA. Got my Monster from GOAZ in Scottsdale (dealt with Chuck-great guy-also came back and got the husbands 796 there too) went to Monterey Peninsula Powersports and worked with Jim, the owner. Riding in CA is waaaay different from AZ.

I figured it was GoAZ. 
Better riding out here in CA.  Lane splitting is fun!
I miss my rides back in AZ though..especially in Northern part of the state, Sedona, Oak Creek Canyon and Jerome.

What kind of knife did you accessorize the Scrambler with? 

[nheaney696]

I actually moved here for work. I'm a chef. I'm quite fond of my carbon kikuichi and my misono honesuki. That last knife I mentioned looks great for shanking! I do miss riding Oak Creek Canyon- also Flagstaff along Lake Mary. I've been wanting to take the Santa Cruz mountains on my vacation in January.