Triumph Scrambler EFI 865cc (2008-2016) Maintenance Schedule
This is the maintenance schedule with associated service intervals for the Triumph Scrambler motorcycle made with the previous generation air-cooled 865cc fuel-injected engine.
It’s commonly known as the Triumph Scrambler EFI, to distinguish it from the former carburettor-fed Triumph Scrambler (2006-2007). Or the Triumph Scrambler 865 to differentiate it from the later Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC/XE.
The maintenance schedule for this generation Scrambler is very similar to those for other motorcycles with similar engines, like the Triumph Speedmaster of the time.
Triumph first launched its Scrambler in 2006, with the 865cc parallel twin engine with a 270-degree crank. They improved it by adding fuel injection in 2008, and then added a tachometer to the original single-gauge design in 2010.
Since 2010, there were other incremental upgrades to fuelling and style, but the Scrambler didn’t change fundamentally until 2017, when Triumph released the Triumph Street Scrambler with the 900cc water-cooled engine.
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What you need to service a Triumph Scrambler EFI 865
When servicing the Triumph Scrambler EFI, you need a similar set of reusable parts/components to the earlier generation air-cooled 865cc motorcycles. They all share the same basic platform of an 865cc air/oil-cooled fuel-injected engine.
However, some parts (like air filters) change.
| Part | Triumph Scrambler 865 EFI |
|---|---|
| Oil | Triumph recommends 10W/40 or 10W/50 semi or fully synthetic motorcycle engine oil that meets specification API SH (or higher) and JASO MA, such as Castrol Power 1 Racing 4T 10W-40 (fully synthetic) engine oil, sold as Castrol Power RS Racing 4T 10W-40 (fully synthetic) in some countries. You can also use any high-grade synthetic, like Motul 7100 which has thousands of positive reviews. |
| Oil filter | Replace the oil filter every time you change the oil. Use Triumph part number T1218001, which fits a lot of motorcycles. You can also use Hiflofiltro HF204RC which has a neat nut on the end. |
| Brake fluid | Triumph motorcycles need DOT 4 brake fluid (the 865cc range has a clutch cable, so you don’t need fluid for the clutch). |
| Front brake pads | Standard brake pads code is T2020543. The equivalent part number for EBC brakes is FA142HH. |
| Rear brake pads | Use original part number T2020555. The equivalent part number for EBC brakes is FA214/2HH. |
| Spark plugs | NGK code DPR8EA-9. Note they’re sold individually. Make sure they’re gapped to 0.8-0.9 with an appropriate spark plug gap tool. |
| Air filter | The part number for the air filter is T2201548. You can use K&N part TB-9004. |
| Chain | Maintain your chain with a Motul chain care kit or just lube it with Motul chain paste. |
| Grease | Lubricate external pivot points (bearings, kickstand etc.) with lithium soap-based grease |
| Clutch cable | Lube your clutch cable with Protect all cable life. |
Maintenance Schedule for the Triumph Scrambler EFI 865
Servicing your Triumph Scrambler EFI is not complicated. It is an air-cooled motorcycle with a chain drive. It’s fully exposed, which means you can see everything — if there’s a pinched wire, it takes less time to track down.
One of the only downsides of the Scrambler design is how the fuel tank is connected to the rest of the motorcycle. Unlike early bikes, you can’t just “lift” the tank — you have to kind of twist it to one side. So it’s not a doddle to work on like UJMs of the early 80s, but it’s not difficult, either.
Daily / Pre-ride maintenance
Below is a table of the pre-ride (or daily) maintenance items to do on your Triumph Scrambler 865 EFI.
Do these when you perform a major service, too.
| Triumph Scrambler EFI Pre-ride / daily checks |
|---|
| Engine and oil cooler – check for leaks |
| Fuel system – check for leaks, chafing etc. |
| Throttle cables – check/adjust |
| Lights, instruments and electrical systems – check |
| Steering – check for free operation |
| Forks – check for leaks/smooth operation |
| Brake fluid levels – check |
| Brake light – check operation |
| Brake pads – check wear levels |
| Fasteners – inspect visually for security |
| Wheels – inspect for damage |
| Tyre wear/tyre damage – check |
| Tyre pressures – check/adjust |
| Clutch cable – check/adjust (Protect all cable life) |
In addition, service the chain regularly.
| Item | Every |
|---|---|
| Drive chain slack – check/adjust | Day |
| Drive chain – lubricate (Motul Chain Paste) | 200 miles (300 kms) |
| Drive chain – wear check | 500 miles (300 kms) |
Regular maintenance schedule for the Triumph Scrambler 865 EFI
The following is the list of maintenance jobs to be done on this motorcycle with a distance or time interval — whichever comes earlier.
Notes:
- (T): You can only do this if you’re a Triumph mechanic with the official tools.
- Since this is for an older model, the initial 500 mile/800 km/1 month maintenance requirement is not shown.
| Mi x 1000 | 6 | 12 | 18 | 24 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Km x 1000 | 10 | 20 | 30 | 40 | |
| Years | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Every |
| Engine oil – renew (Motul 7100) | • | • | • | • | |
| Engine oil filter – renew (HF204RC) | • | • | • | • | |
| Valve clearances – check/adjust | • | • | |||
| Air cleaner element – renew (TB-9004) | • | • | |||
| Spark plugs – check | • | • | |||
| Spark plugs – renew (DPR8EA-9) | • | • | |||
| Autoscan – carry out scan (T) | • | • | |||
| Engine ECM – check for stored DTCs (T) | • | • | |||
| Fuel filter – renew | • | • | |||
| Headstock bearings – check/adjust | • | • | • | • | |
| Headstock bearings – lubricate | • | • | |||
| Fork oil – renew | • | ||||
| Brake calipers, check for fluid leaks and seized pistons | • | • | • | • | |
| Brake master cylinders – check for fluid leaks | • | • | • | • | |
| Brake fluid – renew (Castrol DOT 4) | 2 years | ||||
| Wheel bearings – check for wear/smooth operation | • | • | • | • | |
| Fuel and evaporative (if fitted) hoses – renew | • | ||||
| Secondary air injection system – check/clean | • | • |
About the Triumph Scrambler EFI 865
The Triumph Scrambler is one of the well-loved darlings of the Bonneville line.
These days, the liquid-cooled Triumph Street Scrambler is based on the same platform as the Street Twin, but back in the 2000s, the Triumph Scrambler was quite different from the Bonneville of the era.
The base of the Triumph Scrambler is technically similar to the Bonneville of the time, with one important difference — the 270-degree crank. This gives the Scrambler (and the Speedmaster, which shares the crank) a lot more character, and supposedly a lot more low-down torque.
The Scrambler had a few other design features, too. It had
- Upswept exhaust pipes
- Higher handlebars, and an even more comfortable riding position, with a commanding view over the bars
- A single gauge — just a speedometer, with a tach as an option (until 2010 when the tachometer became standard)
Other than that, the Triumph Scrambler EFI 865 is quite similar. It’s a basic fuel-injected motorcycle that puts style and fun factor ahead of outright performance (or offr-oad ability).
So the Scrambler of the time performed “adequately”. It has a 40 kW / 55 hp engine, which is not a number that screams performance — clearly this isn’t a motorcycle that’s geared toward top-end power. It’s more a competitor to motorcycles like those in the Harley Davidson 883 line, or the Yamaha Bolt. Nobody races those bikes (well other than for novelty factor), nor expects them to carve canyons.
But the Triumph Scrambler 865 EFI is nonetheless a bike you can have fun with, enjoy looking at, and own with satisfaction.
In terms of ride gear, it’s also quite basic. The Triumph Scrambler 865 EFI comes with right-side-up (i.e. “conventional”) forks and a single front brake disc.
The Scrambler 865 has relatively wide maintenance intervals given that it has an air-cooled engine. Even though it needs a minor service every 6000 miles (10000 km), you only need to change the spark plugs and check the valve clearances every 12000 miles (20000 km), which is in line with many liquid-cooled bikes.
Manual for the Triumph Scrambler EFI 865
The above maintenance schedule comes directly from the user’s manual for the Triumph Scrambler 865 EFI, which is available here.
