Scrambler 900 Idle Issue

Discussion in 'Triumph General Discussion' started by ak-steve, Aug 4, 2025.

  1. ak-steve

    ak-steve New Member

    Aug 4, 2025
    2
    3
    Alaska
    I’ve got a 2017 Triumph Street Scrambler 900 with about 13,000 miles on it. I’ve ridden it from Portland to Phoenix and then Phoenix to Seattle - beautiful bike. The idle was always perfect. No matter the weather, it would start right up and just purr. Steady, smooth, no fluctuation. It was honestly one of my favorite things about the bike.
    I recently shipped it to Alaska and had the 10K service done at the Anchorage Triumph dealer (filters, oil, spark plug, etc.). After picking it up, I immediately noticed the idle was off. The techs did a “12-minute reset” (which meant they reset the computer and let it idle for 12 minutes) and said it sounded fine. It seemed better, so I rode it 400 miles home to Fairbanks - but as soon as I stopped for an hour, and the bike cooled, the idle again fluttered and flucuated.
    The dealer says this is a normal sounding idle, but it doesn’t sound right to me. Before the service, it was rock solid. It never waivered of fluctuated - no matter the weather. Now it fluctuates between 1150-1450 RPMs, and continues to fluctuates between 950-1250 RPM as it warms up. Even after riding for five minutes, it still flutters between 950-1250RPMs. I KNOW it did not do this before the 10K service.
    I recorded a video so you can hear it for yourself. It’s time-stamped so you can skip around and hear the idle right after start-up, a few minutes and and then again after riding for 5 minutes.
    I would really appreciate if anyone could take a listen and let me know: Is this how your Scrambler sounds? Or is something not right? I know this is not how my bike sounded before the service... but the dealer tells me this is how the idle is suppose to sound.

    Here is YouTube video:

    Thanks in advance - looking forward to your thoughts.
     
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  2. RevPaul

    RevPaul Senior Member

    Apr 21, 2020
    835
    243
    Cheshire, UK
    Hi @ak-steve I've had a listen and it sounds just like my 2018 Street Cup (5,400 miles), and every water-cooled 900 I've heard. Mine too fluctuates a little on start up and eventually settles down, almost no fluctuation once warm and ridden. Last year it did develop a habit of stalling which the Triumph garage it was serviced at put down to a faulty plug cap, he replaced it and all is good.

    The more important question is does it still run and ride ok. If so enjoy it, it is a quality bike.

    Enjoy the ride. :cool:
     
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  3. joe mc donald

    Subscriber

    Dec 26, 2014
    15,071
    1,000
    slough / burnham
    @ak-steve Welcome to the family. Yes they all do similar. I just start my Bonnies with no throttle and leave them to settle down. Seems to work for me.
     
  4. ak-steve

    ak-steve New Member

    Aug 4, 2025
    2
    3
    Alaska
    Maybe, but mine NEVER did. It was so kick-ass for 10K miles. Then I got it serviced at the only Triumph Dealer in Alaska, The Motorcycle Shop, and it has not been the same since. And the dealer is basically blowing me off... not even listening to my concerns. It is frustrating and may mean the end of my relationship with the Triumph brand :( I have no other options in Alaska... sad.
     
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  5. joe mc donald

    Subscriber

    Dec 26, 2014
    15,071
    1,000
    slough / burnham
    @ak-steve Fire of a complaint to Triumph. I have found them very helpful in the past. Take it back and tell the dealer to check plugs leads and caps and the map.
     
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