Source: Bike Bound
Photo: Brandi Scarborough (@b.scarborough88)
“Rosie,” MotoADVR’s Beloved Triumph XC Racer…
In recent years, there’s been a fast-growing segment in off-road racing: Hooligan and Adventure Bike Enduro, in which riders tackle desert, woods, and cross-country racing on street-legal multi-cylinder machines instead of purpose-built enduro bikes.
The good folks at Heavy Enduro, who provide ADV training in the US Midwest, might say it best:
“The bikes we choose to ride are not typically associated with Enduro. They are built for long distance travel, with large displacement engines, monster gas tanks, seats for two, and a couple of panniers. Most often found on dirt roads, loaded with luggage, and headed for adventure. Let’s be honest, that’s what they’re designed for, and that’s what they’re good at. But here at HE, we just think they’re big dirtbikes.”
Out West, we’ve seen Hooligan Enduro Sportsters and Ducati Scramblers tackling events like the Mint 400 and Mexican 1000, while Pol Tarrés finished the infamous Red Bull Romaniacs Hard Enduro this year on a Yamaha Ténéré 700. On the East Coast, Kentucky CrossCountry Racing (KXCR) has introduced an Adventure class, as have many other regional racing series.
Today, we’re thrilled to feature the daily rider and race bike of Drew Faulkner, the mechanical engineer, blogger, podcaster, rally organizer, and woods racer behind Motoadventurer.com — aka @MotoADVR. The bike is a 2013 Triumph Scrambler (air-cooled) nicknamed “Rosie,” which has accompanied him through more than 80,000 miles of tarmac, gravel, dirt, and mud!
Drew says he caught moto fever after returning home from Iraq shortly after the 2008 recession hit, which necessitated some penny-pinching to keep the bikes on the road — but paid off in the long run:
“The bike(s) lived on the porch for a long time, which both literally and figuratively led to me becoming a shade tree mechanic — which paid off when I could afford new parts for my beloved Scrammy. The drawn-out progression of the Triumph also enhanced the overall experience — over 81,000 miles, the bike has evolved as my skills evolved. I’ve been through cruisers, dual-sports, and dirt bikes, but Rosie still rules the roost.”
Over the years, Drew has slowly transformed his Scrambler into a race-ready machine. Highlights include a +30mm fork travel kit from Free Spirit Parts, 375mm Öhlins rear shocks, a custom 3D-printed rear rimlock, Spiegler brake lines, dirt bike fenders, custom fabbed light / fender brackets, and much more. Drew says Rosie is surprisingly good in the slippery stuff:
“The air-cooled Triumph mill is an absolute tractor. The Scrambler is really stall resistant and will churn through the mud as long as you have the skills to stay in the saddle.”
Photo: Bill DeVore (@finemedic211)
Though the rear suspension travel (~5 inches) and front wheel size are limiting performance factors, the fun factor is off the charts:
“The 19” front can also be a bit twitchy, but I still giggle like an idiot in my helmet blasting around the Holler on this uncorked trumpet.”
Below, we talk to Drew for the full story on the build, along with photos from Bill DeVore, Amanda Mohr, and Brandi Scarborough. Enjoy!
Heavy Enduro: Triumph Scrambler XC Racer
Photo: Amanda Mohr (@amandascottmohr)
• Please tell us a bit about yourself, your history with motorcycles, and your workshop.
I’m a mechanical engineer from 9-5, but moonlight as a blogger, podcaster, photographer, adventure motorcycle rally organizer, and amateur woods racer. After returning home from Iraq, I legit caught moto fever after watching that gorgeous Ducati run around the streets in Tron: Legacy. Getting into motorcycles right after the ’08 recession, I was forced to pinch pennies to keep bikes roadworthy.
The bike(s) lived on the porch for a long time, which both literally and figuratively led to me becoming a shade tree mechanic — which paid off when I could afford new parts for my beloved Scrammy. The drawn-out progression of the Triumph also enhanced the overall experience — over 81,000 miles, the bike has evolved as my skills evolved. I’ve been through cruisers, dual-sports, and dirt bikes, but Rosie still rules the roost.
• What’s the make, model, and year of the donor bike?
2013 Triumph Scrambler with over 81,000 miles, still my daily rider and ADV machine.
• For what class of racing was the bike built?
Kentucky CrossCountry Racing (KXCR) Adventure Class.
• What custom work/upgrades have been done?
Custom tank graphics and race numbers
Fabricated rear number plate
Volkswagen Beetle Tapered Exhaust Mufflers
Free Spirit Parts +30mm fork travel kit
Ohlins Fork Pre-load adjusters
Ohlins TR628 Street STX36 Twin Shocks (375mm +10mm)
Rox 50mm bar Risers
Pro-taper 7/8″ CR-High bars
Oxford Heaterz heated grips
Double-take Mirrors
Tusk wrap-around hand guards
fabricated skid plate extension
Rear brake relocation
Motion Pro “Brake Snake”
Spiegler Brake lines
Triumph headlight grill & skid plate
MSR Folding Shift Lever
Fabricated front fender bracket
2015 KTM 350 XCf=F-W front fender
2004 Suzuki RM125 rear fender
Fabricated rear indicator & license plate bracket
Tusk indicators & brake light
Hand modified front sprocket cover
Custom designed and 3D printed rear rimlock
Dart flyscreen
• Does the bike have a nickname?
”Rosie.”
Photo: Bill DeVore (@finemedic211)
• Any idea of horsepower, weight, and/or performance numbers?
60 hp, 54 lb-ft of torque according to Triumph. Stripped down to race, she’s 477 pounds with 2 gallons of gas.
• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride/race this bike?
The air-cooled Triumph mill is an absolute tractor. The Scrambler is really stall resistant and will churn through the mud as long as you have the skills to stay in the saddle. On the flipside, considering the shock options available, I’m limited to about 5” of rear suspension travel — things get out of shape really fast if you hit the whoops or jumps too fast. The 19” front can also be a bit twitchy, but I still giggle like an idiot in my helmet blasting around the Holler on this uncorked trumpet.
• Anybody you’d like to thank?
KXCR for making this race opportunity possible. A & J Cycles for keeping my springy bits sorted. Triumph of Harrisonburg and Joe’s Cycle for keeping the beast roadworthy. Heavy Enduro for promoting the ADV race community. Bill, Amanda, and Brandi for making me look like I know what I’m doing in the camera lens; and a huge shout out to all the fans cheering on the big bike racers.
Follow the Builder / Racer
Web: https://motoadventurer.com
Instagram: @motoadvr
Photographers:
📸 @b.scarborough88 (Brandi Scarborough)
📸 @amandascottmohr (Amanda Mohr)
📸 @finemedic211 (Bill DeVore)
