Off-roading with the Triumph Scrambler 400 X: Dreams vs. Reality!

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Off-Roading on the Triumph Scrambler 400 X: Style vs. Reality! I took the new Triumph Scrambler 400 X off the beaten path to see if its rugged looks are backed by real off-road performance. Spoiler: I learned some tough lessons fast. From potholes that swallowed the front wheel to deep ruts that tested my patience, this ride quickly turned into a reality check. But in the end, it reminded me why I love getting dirty on two wheels—even when the bike isn’t built for hardcore trails.  💬 Have you tried off-roading on a retro scrambler like this? Drop your thoughts in the comments!  🔔 Don’t forget to Like, Share, and Subscribe for more honest motorcycle reviews and adventures.  #TriumphScrambler400X #OffRoadTest #ScramblerLife #MotorcycleAdventure #DualSportRide

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00:00I went off-roading on a Triumph Scrambler 400X and quickly learned two things.

00:05One reason I was drawn to the Scrambler version of the new Baby Triumph is that I like to

00:10occasionally dabble off-road. I'm no Billy Bolt, and I don't pretend to be, but I love the challenge

00:17of tackling unpaved terrain because it offers a different kind of thrill to road or track riding.

00:22I like to take in my dirt riding at a gentlemanly pace, and I'm unlikely to appear on the starting

00:28line at any hard enduroes, so there's no need for me to get dressed up as Sam Sunderland and ride

00:34the sort of competition crosser that measures its service intervals in hours rather than miles.

00:39I love stylish, retro-inspired bikes like Triumph's whole Scrambler lineup.

00:45If Ducati'd build an 1100 version of the desert sled I'll have a kidney on eBay for sure.

00:51But looking at the Scrambler 400X's cast wheels,

00:54pseudo-off-road tires and 150mm front and rear suspension travel, I couldn't help but wonder

01:01if the bike's rugged pretensions were nothing more than a styling exercise.

01:06The feeling only worsened when I read in the Scrambler's manual that it is

01:10designed for on-road and light off-road use.

01:13Unpaved dirt or gravel roads but specifically not jumps or obstacles.

01:17You can't judge a motorbike on its spec sheet alone, so I headed to some green lanes near my

01:23Norfolk home to find out for sure. My plan was to make for the North Norfolk coast,

01:29then turn inland and pick up Petter's Way. I could head south until I'd had my fill then pick up a

01:34scenic route back to MCN Towers. Eager to get off the beaten track, I turned off the A148 at Heecham,

01:42knowing that a gravel track runs parallel to the beach to Hunstanton.

01:45It's a potholed stretch of unpaved road which I thought would be more fun than the main road.

01:51My heart sank as I stood on the pegs and tackled the first pothole.

01:56It swallowed the 19-inches front wheel hole and I immediately ran out of suspension travel,

02:01the impact clattering through my wrists and jarring my elbows.

02:05The last time I headed off-road was on a Yamaha Tenera 700. Its 210mm fork travel and 21-inches

02:13spoked front wheel would have skated across this terrain without even rolling off the throttle.

02:18Clearly, I was going to have to temper my expectations, plan ahead a lot more and frankly,

02:24stop riding like an idiot. If I didn't want to have to concentrate properly on the terrain ahead,

02:30I should have just stuck to the tarmac for a far easier ride.

02:34Feeling my way through the rest of the trail in a far more strategic fashion,

02:38I had just enough time to remember why I enjoy riding on the dirt in the first place.

02:44It's a constant tactical battle between you and the environment.

02:48So, on to Petter's Way where a few things happened to further stifle my mourning.

02:53First of all, piecing together unbroken sections that haven't been re-designated as footpaths

02:58quickly became a pain in the arse.

03:00Secondly, the ruts on the sections that are rideable have become so deep it's like

03:04riding a giant scale-extric set.

03:06I can see why so many sections have been given a rest from vehicular use.

03:12The experience showed that the Scrambler is capable enough to be ridden off-road provided

03:16that you plan ahead and ride to the bike's capabilities.

03:19Although that didn't stop me having an embarrassing low-speed hop-off at the intersection where my

03:24talent and ambition meet.

03:27Luckily, despite the bike's budget price and not really being built for off-road it suffered

03:32no damage whatsoever.

03:33I still think there are some changes I could make to improve things without ruining the

03:38bike's curb appeal.

03:39So watch this space.

03:40I'm going to die.

03:42I'm going to die.

03:46Because since you've ever been three years old, there is a rhind-off

03:46approach with my team along with two goals and various ports and DOWNT.

03:50So I don't know if you want to might have a twist.

03:52,

03:53You're my knack.

03:54I'm looking forward to this.

03:55I'm coming back.

03:56You got it now so much.

03:57I'm going to please and get there.

03:59You've got it now that we've been able to write prime minister to, and uhh you big

04:01дерев Philippians around, who was interested in, because you've got it when you're

04:02wanting to come back and out.

04:04I'm going to tell when you come back and seeпос Cars me

04:05or it's a manualing here.

04:05Well, it's not an breaking note here.

04:06But you can't keep playing

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