Triumph Street Scrambler (DC01) 2017–2018: Specs & Facts

The Machine's Character

Triumph's Street Scrambler sells on looks first, and the hardware backs them up. A 900 cc liquid-cooled parallel twin makes its 59 lb-ft at just 3,230 rpm, and the 54 hp peak arrives at 6,000 rpm: this engine is tuned to pull low in the revs, not to chase the redline. It sits in a steel double-cradle frame on a 19-inch front wheel and a 17-inch rear. ABS, traction control and a USB charging port come standard. In a class that lives on image, that's a credible package. Classic scrambler, done properly.

Read the chassis numbers and the brief is clear. A 31.1 in (790 mm) seat, 4.7 in (120 mm) of travel at each end and 5.9 in (150 mm) of ground clearance point to paved back roads and the odd gravel lane, not rough trails. The rear shock takes preload adjustment for a passenger or luggage, while the fork has no adjustment. Add a 3.2 gal (12 L) tank and you're looking at a bike built for day rides and town duty. If you want classic style, a low seat and a twin that does its work low down, it's your kind of motorcycle. Style with substance.

Hard Numbers

Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.

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Key specifications
Power	54 hp (40 kW) @ 6,000 rpm
Torque	59 lb-ft (80 Nm) @ 3,230 rpm
Displacement	900 cc
Engine	Parallel twin
Cooling	Liquid-cooled
Gearbox	5-speed
Final drive	Chain
Fork	Telescopic
Front brake	310 mm
Front tire	100/90-19
Rear tire	150/70-17
Wheelbase	56.7 in (1440 mm)
Ground clearance	5.9 in (150 mm)
Front travel	4.7 in (120 mm)
Rear travel	4.7 in (120 mm)
Seat height	31.1 in (790 mm)
Fuel capacity	3.2 gal (12 L)

Equipment check

Chassis

Rear Suspension Adjustable Standard

Comfort

Heated Grips Optional

Connectivity

USB Charging Port Standard

Safety

ABS Standard
Traction Control Standard

The Truth on the Street

What follows isn't my verdict. It's what I've heard from riders over the years, in owner discussions I keep tabs on, in conversations that start next to a parked bike, and in the messages that arrive from people who put real miles on one. For the Street Scrambler the chatter settles into a clear shape: warm agreement about the bike's character, and a narrower set of reservations that surface once riders ask more of it.

The three things owners agree on

The 900cc twin dominates the conversation. Riders talk about the pull available right off the bottom and the sound that comes with it, and they say it makes town riding and twisty roads entertaining rather than merely competent. The look draws the same near-unanimous response. High pipes, wire wheels, a shape that people describe as classic and well finished, and plenty of owners mention the attention it collects. The riding position closes the circle: a low seat, upright bars and a seat riders call properly padded, which is why people of very different builds report feeling at ease on it straight away.

Where the agreement thins out

The reservations are fewer voices, and they cluster around pace and distance. A handful of owners find the bike heavy for what the engine gives back, enough to blunt a quick ride or make loose surfaces harder work. Some say wind gets to them on longer highway stretches. Others want more adjustment than the suspension offers when they load the bike up or ride it harder.

Known issues

Wiring harness chafing

electrics occasional

Reports of wiring harness abrasion near the steering head leading to electrical gremlins, stalling, or instrument failure. Multiple owners on forums describe repeated repairs.
Unstable idle after service

engine rare

One report of fluctuating idle (950–1450 RPM) following a dealer service, possibly due to adaptation reset or vacuum leak.

The Expert Benchmark

Where this Triumph Street Scrambler pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.

What kind of bike this is — character vs. the class

Retro-Offroad Style

Real Suspension Advantage

Gravel-Road Confidence

Rugged Finish Quality

Characterful Everyday Engine

This bike Class average

Head-to-head: Triumph Street Scrambler vs. its rivals

Power

54 hp This bike 73 hp Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled

Torque

59 lb-ft This bike 50 lb-ft Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled

Displacement

900 cc This bike 803 cc Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled

Seat height

31.1 in This bike 33.9 in Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled

The 'Should I Buy It?' Score

Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the Street Scrambler is actually built for.

A scenic view of Angeles Crest Highway winding through rugged Southern California canyon terrain. Rocky mountainsides with golden earth tones frame the asphalt road with tight sweeping curves. Double yellow center line visible, sparse vegetation along the shoulders, clear blue sky with white clouds. Daylight, dry conditions. Iconic location for canyon-road enthusiasts. — Josh Sorenson / Pexels

Best retro motorcycle for road trips?

Of these three riders, you're the best fit: genuine scrambler style, a low-revving twin and a 31.1 in seat suit a calm small-town rhythm. The 3.2 gal tank sets a day-ride pace between stops.

Made for Acadia National Park · Austin / Handbuilt Motorcycle Show · Blue Ridge Parkway

Best cruiser for Sturgis?

A solid match if heritage and identity drive your riding: this Triumph carries real retro credibility. It's a scrambler, though, so you get a lean, upright motorcycle rather than a cruiser's stance.

Made for Black Hills / Sturgis Rally Hub · A1A — Florida Atlantic Coast · Daytona Main Street / Bike Week

Alternatives to the Triumph Street Scrambler

If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.

Any price note compares both bikes at the same age — the youngest age both have on the used market — against this Triumph Street Scrambler. “cheaper/pricier” is what that bike costs second-hand, not how worn it is.