[rider]

For those that ride off-road a lot, what are your thoughts and what mods/improvements would you consider ?

My off-road experiences go back as far as the early 70's and include both 2 and 4 stroke machines.
I don't expect the Scrambler to compare with the dedicated dirt bikes but would expect it to perform as well if not better than the earlier "Trail Bikes" of past.

That may be why I feel that a 21 inch front wheel and a little more height on the front end (say, 4 inches) would feel more comfortable, and of course an upgrade to chunkier tyres.
Bash/belly plate is a must.
Apart from that I'm pretty happy with the way the Scrambler blasts me through the rough.

Please share your thoughts.

 

[zswickliffe]

Foot pegs would be nice, stock ones get slippy when it's wet/muddy.

Chunkier tires would do well for the mud and loose ground but the stock ones are surprisingly good honestly. A larger front wheel is always more offroad worthy but I'd be concerned of ruining the road feel/characteristics by changing the geometry too much.

I've been in snow, mud, deep gravel, wet fields and dirt roads. My main take-away is that the bike has performed better than expected in all circumstances (okay, the snow was pretty bad but I didn't drop the bike and I only got stuck a bit so that's good enough for me).

 

[rider]

I agree that the tyres (tires) are surprisingly good, and excellent for what they were designed for.
I'll run the stock tyres out, but when it comes to replace them I'll then be looking for something that performs a little better in mud and loose / soft sand.
I think that the more experience I get with the Scrambler in the dirt the more I'll expect from the tyres.
Ha Ha,, not much chance of me having to be concerned about snow out here were I live.

 

[vincelp]

Hello

For an offroad usage, I would install a 21" front wheel, with a longer fork and I would change the rear rim to a 18" and narrower one. Doing so, you could really install offroad tyres and the bike would be certainly more agile and easy to drive on soft surfaces.

I would also install a larger tank to get more autonomy and also avoid to damage the beautiful OEM one.

 

[nuttynick]

I've used mine on some slippery and muddy green lanes with no dramas. Sure a decent off road bike would leave it for dead amd be much easier to ride, but it didn't get stuck and was fun! As has been mentioned, the stock tyres are a big surprise, and work pretty well for a road based tyre.
However, if you did get stuck, as I have many a time on enduro bikes, it'd be a pig to pull out with the extra weight. But that's not what it's designed for, so I can live with that. Changing the front rim would give a better tyre choice, changing the rear might give you clearance issues on the swingarm, and you can get a reasonable tyre already. Ground clearance could be better, but would spoil the lovely handling on the road.
I've made my own heavy duty steel bash plate, as the stock is pants. I've also changed the footpegs, as the stock ones have the same friction qualities as an icicle when wet and muddy!
I love my Scrambler!

 

[trebor01]

Yeh was thinking bout maybe going to 19 at front but if those tkc work well why bother.Starting on suspension with putting in M Shock this weekend.Got Andreani front sitting in a box..Got high exaust mainly cause couldnt see anyway to run soft panniers without them catching fire...dont want that again ;-0 Fuel...think will just carry 10 litre jerry in left pannier.Getting Hepco crashbars and will fit decent bashplater around them..tho could be issues with Quat D high exaust .Rider if you ever down this way give me shout out we can go for spin

 

[rider]

I like the Hepco crash bars myself, ordered a set the other day, they look to offer protection for the lower part of the engine on both sides,,, but like you say, a bash plate is still required for that delicate under belly stuff.

What neck of the woods are you from trebor01 ?

Cheers.

 

[trebor01]

Done updated profile ;-0 Real flatracker country out there aye. Be great for those haulpac roads around Kal ..like on way to Ora Banda.And Sandstone thru to the roadhouse on hiway

 

[nuttynick]

I've built my own sump guard, and have SW Motech crash bars fitted. They look pretty much the same as the H&B ones, and would give good protection if the bike ends up on its side ;-)

 

[trebor01]

Yeh looks like the hepco bars would protect my exhaust better and thinking could use to mount skidplate/toolbox to as well.Probably make own skid /tool box and oil cooler guard .Because the Quat D exaust pipes dont go under motor but curl around top...might need heat tape as it might get hot ;-) Decent footpegs too.Like the fact tank has panels that are replacable/disposable on side in case of fall .Need to whip up a rear racks as well.Plan is to have this done by time standard rubber wears out then onto some tkc ...think getting 10000k out of a set arent they .? ;-0

 

[zswickliffe]

I love the Hepco crash bar but pretty sure it won't work for some high mount exhausts. I'll have to take some measurements next time I see the Termi high pipe and go from there. Because a high pipe is definitely in the future.

 

[isidorosm]

Quick question, do the Hepco bars fit with the UK belly pan in place?

Sent from my MotoG3 using Tapatalk

 

[nuttynick]

The S&W Motech ones do if that helps?

 

[trebor01]

Yeh you might be right about crashbars might interfere with high pipe but will just modify them to fit.Looked at the termi/zard but cant see point of high pipe with it still running under engine.Kinda defeats the purpose .Found some nice well priced footpegs on twisted throttle .com.Anyway time to go riding enjoy your day guys

 

[Spencer]

For those that ride off-road a lot, what are your thoughts and what mods/improvements would you consider ?

My off-road experiences go back as far as the early 70's and include both 2 and 4 stroke machines.
I don't expect the Scrambler to compare with the dedicated dirt bikes but would expect it to perform as well if not better than the earlier "Trail Bikes" of past.

That may be why I feel that a 21 inch front wheel and a little more height on the front end (say, 4 inches) would feel more comfortable, and of course an upgrade to chunkier tyres.
Bash/belly plate is a must.
Apart from that I'm pretty happy with the way the Scrambler blasts me through the rough.

Please share your thoughts.

In regards to off road I took my full throttle with suitable tyres off road and after 200 k's found I had cracked the lhs engine case above the swing arm thus destroying the motor , so as far as my experience goes I don't recommend off road as they are not strong enough

 

[OceanScrambler]

@Spencer

The Desert Sled has some frame reinforcements compared to the other models (see green arrows below). There may be other reinforcements, these are just the ones I can visibly see.

I'm not faulting you for taking the Full Throttle off-road, I would have done the same. Based on what you experienced, do you think the Desert Sled frame reinforcements would have prevented the cracked left hand side engine case?

Desert Sled:

Cafe Racer without the frame reinforcements:

 

[Spencer]

That's the area the motor is cracked in just above the swingarm bolt so I would say that would have helped , potty they didn't tell me this when I purchased it.

 

[Spencer]

@Spencer

The Desert Sled has some frame reinforcements compared to the other models (see green arrows below). There may be other reinforcements, these are just the ones I can visibly see.

I'm not faulting you for taking the Full Throttle off-road, I would have done the same. Based on what you experienced, do you think the Desert Sled frame reinforcements would have prevented the cracked left hand side engine case?

Desert Sled:
View attachment 44253



Cafe Racer without the frame reinforcements:

View attachment 44254

Was wondering if you know of a kit or upgrade for the frame .

 

[OceanScrambler]

Sorry I haven't seen one before, but don't stop searching, maybe it does exist in the aftermarket. Especially with the volume of Scramblers out there that could benefit. Good luck.