New Triumph Scrambler 1200
Triumph’s hot new Scrambler 1200 XE retro packs serious performance on and off-road
‘It’s as easy to manage as a smaller enduro’
Triumph’s new Scrambler 1200 isn’t just another ’60s-inspired retro. Sure, it has enough style to look cool lounging outside a café, but it also has the guts to be ridden hard, especially on the loose stuff. After a day slip-sliding on fast gravel roads, rocky climbs and Marsred dirt tracks at its world launch in Portugal, it’s clear the new Triumph more than lives up to its scrambling pretentions.
It comes in two forms. The £11,500 Scrambler 1200 XC (see page 6), will happily cruise, scratch and get mud in its turn-ups. But the £12,300 XE (available in late February) with its beefier, longer-travel suspension, stretched wheelbase, wider bars and more sophisticated electronics, is blessed with an extra layer of offroad ability and is more than capable of rivalling all but the most serious of adventure bikes.
Thruxton power
The XE has the same tubular steel frame as the XC (unique to the new Scrambler 1200) with off-road biased steering geometry and a thinner waist to accommodate its distinctive high-level pipes. It cradles a liquid-cooled 1200cc, High Power Bonneville motor, pinched from the Thruxton and tweaked for more oomph at lower revs.
With a magnesium cam cover, revised clutch assembly, a low inertia crank, lighter alternator and massoptimised balance shafts and engine covers, the burbling parallel-twin is lighter, more delicate and more responsive. Off-road that first touch of the throttle needs to be smooth but with a steady hand the Triumph delivers its power in a predictable and controllable way. It’s easy to feel for grip, play with the rear and roost your mates. A 1.2-litre engined, 204kg (dry) machine may sound like a brute away from the tarmac, but the torque-assist clutch is light and the ride-by-wire throttle response is so polished, the Scrambler 1200 XE is as easy to manage as a smaller-capacity enduro. We spent most of our day in second, third and fourth gear, surfing the torque and splashing around in the Triumph’s deep midrange.
Those stainless-steel pipes look as good as they sound, with brushedfinished silencers, aluminium number boards and a cat’ that is cleverly hidden from view. But those pipes can roast your inner knee at low speed, when you’re not standing up on the pegs.
Bang for your buck
Like with the XC you get superbikespec Brembo M50 monobloc brakes, fully-adjustable twin Öhlins rear shocks and Showa forks. Side-laced wheels (21in front) are shod with Metzeler Tourance dual-purpose rubber (but we’re on Triumph’s recommended Pirelli Scorpion Rally tyres today for even more off-road grip), while you also get a crisp new TFT dash, riding modes, LED lights, illuminated switchgear, keyless ignition, cruise control and even a USB charger.
But there’s more
Triumph spoil you even more with the XE spec Scrambler 1200. It’s equipped with gyro-controlled ABS and traction control, an extra riding mode (Off-Road Pro, bringing the total to six), Brembo dual-ratio brake lever and 65mm wider (reversible and adjustable) bars. Front and rear wheel travel is increased 50mm to 250mm (that’s 30mm longer than a KTM 1290 Super Adventure R’s), fork diameter is up 2mm to 47mm and the anodised aluminium swingarm is 32mm longer.
Adventure cool
These major chassis mods show just how serious Triumph are about the 1200 XE’s off-road pretentions. It glides over bumps, digs into corners, wheelies off crests and, as you bat it between your legs, weighting the (adjustable, fold-up) pegs, it generally flatters you.
Guiding you serenely through the countryside with a mischievous grin on your face, the XE feels like an adventure bike with all its plastics ripped off; more nimble and less clumsy, but oh-so capable.
Old style, new tech
As if the XE wasn’t special enough out of the box, you can, of course, throw even more toys at it. There’s an option to operate your GoPro from the switchgear, or link to Google Maps via the dash. There are over 80 new style, comfort, luggage and security accessories available and two Inspiration Kits: a touring-based Escape (£1200) option and a stripped-down Extreme (£1466) package.