Triumph makes some among the best adventure bikes out there — including one that, on the surface, seems like an unlikely contender. The Triumph Scrambler The 1200 is technically classified as a modern classic, but it’s really a superior all-terrain vehicle.
By combining a classic look with excellent ergonomics, large front wheels and a long, thick suspension, the British automaker has created a motorcycle that is even better than it looks. And that’s not an old opinion either; We’ve ridden the Scrambler 1200 enough to know what it’s capable of. What we are not so sure about, is what we would change if we had to customize it.
BAAK Motocyclettes have the answer. They took an original Triumph Scrambler 1200 and used a rally-style aluminum bodywork to make it more adventure-ready.
Originally opened a decade ago in France, BAAK has now grown into a strong team of 25, with headquarters in Lyon and Los Angeles. Their goal in this project was to improve the Scrambler’s long-range adventure touring cars. It’s a delightfully minimalist bike in its original form – but BAAK feels it lacks the fuel capacity, wind protection and luggage capacity of more focused steady friends.
Working from their workshop in Lyon, they spent 18 months turning the Scrambler into the machine you see here. And while it certainly looks cool, the function still works well every turn.
The company’s founder, Rémi Reguin, said: “A BAAK bike is not meant to be in the office or the living room. “We design each bike as an extension of its owner. Every bike coming to our stores in Lyon and Los Angeles is unique, exclusive, sometimes polarizing, but never mind its function. “
Starting at the front, BAAK built an aluminum crank that wraps around the neck console and extends low enough to deflect air from the rider’s feet. Illuminating the road are two premium LEDs, with a polycarbonate windshield mounted higher. The whole setup gives off a strong vintage Cagiva Elefant feel.
The entire arrangement is attached to a custom stainless steel mounting system. And fairing brackets attach to existing mounting points on the frame — so anything can be bolted in without cutting or soldering.
The rest of the user interface is mostly OEM stuff, as most of the Scrambler’s available bits work really well. Oversized bars, digital gauges, muscular armrests and 47 mm Showa forks are all standard, and the top-mounted fenders come from Triumph’s own aftermarket portfolio.
BAAK also reserved the Scrambler’s 21F/17R tubeless wheels, along with Brembo brakes and a fully adjustable Öhlins rear shock. While the car’s original gas tank was nicer, its 4.2-gallon capacity wasn’t cut, so it was boxed.
Working with aluminum again, BAAK built a new reservoir to replace it. Shame it’s business, carrying 6.6 gallons of gas for a total range of 180 miles. Like the crank, it is designed to be attached directly to the Scrambler.
One weakness on the Scrambler is that the saddle is quite thin. BAAK swapped it out for a generous replacement, covered in a luxurious suede finish. It is enclosed by a pair of handcrafted aluminum side covers.
At the rear, the Scrambler carries a pair of custom-built aluminum wheels. Each has a capacity of 18 liters and is equipped with suede handles and straps.
To mount them, BAAK used a set of SW Motech exhaust mounts specially designed for Triumph, then modified the exhaust side brackets. That’s because the Scrambler’s neck exhaust runs high, necessitating the use of a thinner muffler on the right-hand side to create space. That configuration change means the team can maximize the bike’s carrying capacity.
Replacing the OEM exhaust system is a pair of custom-made exhaust pipes that run low and exit in stiff silencers. The rear is complete with a few elegant tweaks – namely the BAAK license plate holder and slimmer LED taillights.
What you won’t find on this upgraded Scrambler is the paint. Choosing to show off their handiwork and emphasize the geometric nature of the construction, BAAK simply coated the aluminum parts unambiguously. Decorative bits are limited to a pair of badges mounted on the crankset.
Since the system is modular and doesn’t need any major fetching to fit, BAAK is planning to offer it as an accessory kit — and take orders for full builds. If you’ve been planning a long ride, it’s a tempting alternative to the mass of plastic-like-looking adventure bikes out there.
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