Motorcycles

​Triumph debuts two dirty new Scrambler flavors: the 1200 XC and the 1200 XE

​Triumph debuts two dirty new Scrambler flavors: the 1200 XC and the 1200 XE
Triumph seems to expect buyers of its new Scrambler 1200s to get out into the dirt and give them a hiding
Triumph seems to expect buyers of its new Scrambler 1200s to get out into the dirt and give them a hiding
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Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC: high-rise twin pipes are a signature of this design
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Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC: high-rise twin pipes are a signature of this design
Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC: 17-inch rear wheel is fitted with dual sport tires
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Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC: 17-inch rear wheel is fitted with dual sport tires
Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC: impressively compact from behind
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Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC: impressively compact from behind
Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC: metallic tank strap
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Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC: metallic tank strap
Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC: tell me that bench seat doesn't look comfy
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Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC: tell me that bench seat doesn't look comfy
Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC: the more road-focused of the two, but still should be capable on dirt
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Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC: the more road-focused of the two, but still should be capable on dirt
Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC: all-LED lighting
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Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC: all-LED lighting
Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC: flat seat will mean passengers see a ton of shoulder
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Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC: flat seat will mean passengers see a ton of shoulder
Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC: maintains a 21-inch front wheel for off-road action
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Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC: maintains a 21-inch front wheel for off-road action
Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC: should be a comfy and fun road bike
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Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC: should be a comfy and fun road bike
Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC: sexy slim tank
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Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC: sexy slim tank 
Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC: that new dash looks classy as hell
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Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC: that new dash looks classy as hell
Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC: big twin pipes dominate the look
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Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC: big twin pipes dominate the look
Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC: gets the look just right
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Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC: gets the look just right
Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC: big ol' shotguns, baby!
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Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC: big ol' shotguns, baby!
Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC: the XC gets a slightly shorter swingarm than the XE
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Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC: the XC gets a slightly shorter swingarm than the XE
Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC: upgraded digital dash looks terrific
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Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC: upgraded digital dash looks terrific
Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC: uses the same tactile fuel cap as the Thruxton R. There's a lock underneath
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Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC: uses the same tactile fuel cap as the Thruxton R. There's a lock underneath
Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC: LED lighting
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Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC: LED lighting
Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC: standard bash plate
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Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC: standard bash plate
Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC: Brembo M50 monoblocs
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Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC: Brembo M50 monoblocs
Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC: single-button cruise control and keyless ignition
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Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC: single-button cruise control and keyless ignition
Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC: 21-inch front wheel
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Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC: 21-inch front wheel
Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC: 17-inch rear wheel
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Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC: 17-inch rear wheel
Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC: LED taillights
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Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC: LED taillights
Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC: 1200cc high-power version of the Bonneville engine
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Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC: 1200cc high-power version of the Bonneville engine
Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC and XE: two versions of the new retro big-bore dirt squirter
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Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC and XE: two versions of the new retro big-bore dirt squirter
Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC and XE: both have the chops to go off-road, with 21"/17" spoked wheels
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Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC and XE: both have the chops to go off-road, with 21"/17" spoked wheels
Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC: Ohlins twin shocks with 200mm of travel
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Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC: Ohlins twin shocks with 200mm of travel
Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC and XE: gold forks denote the XE, with its higher ground clearance and suspension travel, and extra electronic goodies
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Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC and XE: gold forks denote the XE, with its higher ground clearance and suspension travel, and extra electronic goodies
Triumph seems to expect buyers of its new Scrambler 1200s to get out into the dirt and give them a hiding
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Triumph seems to expect buyers of its new Scrambler 1200s to get out into the dirt and give them a hiding
Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE: 50mm more suspension travel at either end than the XC
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Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE: 50mm more suspension travel at either end than the XC
Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE: a handsome off-roader
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Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE: a handsome off-roader
Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE: pretty in blue
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Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE: pretty in blue
Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE: white color scheme with black stripe
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Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE: white color scheme with black stripe
Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE: longer-travel Ohlins rear monoshocks with a longer swingarm
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Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE: longer-travel Ohlins rear monoshocks with a longer swingarm
Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE: longer-travel Ohlins rear monoshocks
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Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE: longer-travel Ohlins rear monoshocks 
Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE: dark stripe on the tank and gold forks are the key visual indicators that this is the higher-spec version
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Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE: dark stripe on the tank and gold forks are the key visual indicators that this is the higher-spec version
Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE: gets adjustable foot controls
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Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE: gets adjustable foot controls
Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE: heat shields will be very necessary on those pipes
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Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE: heat shields will be very necessary on those pipes
Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE: barkbusters
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Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE: barkbusters
Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE: in-built IMU takes traction control and ABS to the next level
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Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE: in-built IMU takes traction control and ABS to the next level
View gallery - 42 images

The new big-bore British bush bashers are here, a pair of tastefully retro soft-roaders with snarling 1200cc parallel twins, high twin pipes, long-travel suspension and a surprisingly comprehensive list of high-tech luxuries.

The retro wave in the motorcycling world is showing no signs of dying down – indeed, we may just be reaching its peak with bikes like the Indian FTR1200. And Triumph, which was one of the first companies to really run with the whole old-school thing, has just released pretty much the perfect British corollary to Indian's American flat tracker.

It's got a cradle frame instead of a trellis, a bulbous rounded tank instead of a flat teardrop, a flat, friendly-looking bench seat where the Indian's is more shaped, twin shocks instead of a hidden monoshock, and a big, fat parallel twin instead of the Indian's V-Twin. That's not to mention the Triumph's pair of signature high-rise pipes, the likes of which you'll have to get from the aftermarket if you go for the Indian.

Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC: 17-inch rear wheel is fitted with dual sport tires
Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC: 17-inch rear wheel is fitted with dual sport tires

The motor is the same 1200cc "high power" unit we enjoyed so much in Triumph's Thruxton R – a wonderfully grunty, thundery thing with a fun top end, albeit detuned a bit, from 96 horsepower and 112 Nm down to 89 horses and 110 Nm. The 120-horse FTR1200 and the 110-horse BMW NineT Scrambler will beat it in a drag race, but the Triumph has the edge on its Italian competition, handily beating the 86-horsepower, 88 Nm Ducati Scrambler 1100 on the spec sheet, as much as that matters for this style of bike.

The frame is new, as are the foot controls and adjustable handlebars. The dash is a huge step forward from previous Triumph Scramblers, and allows riders control over five different riding modes: rain, road, sport, off-road and a custom setting. These affect power, power delivery, traction control and ABS settings.

Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC: that new dash looks classy as hell
Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC: that new dash looks classy as hell

As well as the adjustable handlebar position, there are some nice little touches of luxury, too: single-button cruise control for one, as well as keyless ignition, USB charge points, and the ability to option up with tire pressure monitors and a Bluetooth module for navigation, phone, media and even GoPro control – that's a new one.

Up until this point, we've been speaking about both the XC and XE models, but they're differentiated in a fun way. The XC is the standard and lower cost model, targeted mainly at road and gravel riding, while the XE version aims to bump up the Scrambler's off-road chops and entice riders to throw it at some properly gnarly terrain.

Thus, while the XC and XE both use Sachs forks and Ohlins shocks, the XC gets 200mm of travel at either end and the XE gets 250mm. This raises the seat height, but also the ground clearance.

Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC and XE: gold forks denote the XE, with its higher ground clearance and suspension travel, and extra electronic goodies
Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC and XE: gold forks denote the XE, with its higher ground clearance and suspension travel, and extra electronic goodies

While both bikes run Brembo M50 Monobloc brakes at the front, on 320mm discs, the XC gets standard ABS and traction control, while the XE is optioned up with an inertial measurement unit (IMU) that gives it cornering ABS and lean angle-sensitive TC. The XE also gets a bonus "off-road pro" mode that switches ABS and TC off altogether so you can slide the thing around if you've got the chops.

The XE also gets adjustable foot controls and heated grips for a touch of extra comfort, as well as a few shiny farkles. The easiest way to differentiate the two bikes visually is probably by the XE's gold forks, where the XC runs black ones. Oddly, from these photos I think I prefer the look of the black ones. The XE also gets a dark stripe across the tank. Interestingly, both bikes run the same 21"/17" spoked wheel combo, so it'd be unfair to call the XC a tarted-up road bike despite its lower clearance.

Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE: 50mm more suspension travel at either end than the XC
Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE: 50mm more suspension travel at either end than the XC

Triumph has provided a pretty comprehensive specification sheet on these machines, but any mention of the new Scramblers' weight is conspicuous in its absence. On the other hand, look what you're buying: a big, comfy, 1200cc dirt squirter. The other bikes in this class mentioned above sit around the 210-220 kg (465-485 lb) range wet, and it's reasonable to expect the new Triumphs to fit in around the same. If you want something lighter, you're going to have to sacrifice some grunt or some old-school style. Buyers of these bikes know what they're getting themselves into.

All in all, there's never been a better time to be shopping for big-bore retro scramblers, and the new Triumph Scrambler 1200s look like a terrific addition to the category, even if we feel a little strange about the lack of fork gaiters. There's every reason to suspect these bikes will be extremely popular, and we'd love to take one for a spin!

Source: Triumph

View gallery - 42 images
2 comments
2 comments
chidrbmt
No weight means it's just another fat porker. Moto Guzzi seems to be the "lightweight" model at 500lbs. wet. Imagine such a model at 450lbs. and kept simple with a affordable price. Like the "old" days. Five hundred fifty lbs. & up with $15/20 thousand price is a expensive "adventure" poseur. Just try picking one up.
Martin Hone
Agree. For bikes that are supposed to be designed for a level of off-roadability their weights are too high. Good idea to trade some HP for more torque too. Unless it is really only just a styling exercise........