Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE - Quick Ride #10

Some first impressions of the new 2019 Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE.

[@stepheneldridge6998]

Good review....I only hear good things about the bike and am looking forward to a test ride! Cheers, Steve

[@RedfordBaron]

Nice review i can not wait to try one

[@DeGroove]

BMC here I come!

[@Speedytrip]

The XC and XE both get Ohlins. The XE has more travel (nearly 10" vs about 8" on the XC) and has bigger forks (45mm vs 43mm). My question is, how do you like the suspensions on rough bits of road? :)

[@DaHitch]

First off I should probably make a correction. I stated that it comes with Öhlins front and rear, but the front suspension is Showa (both XC and XE) with Öhlins at the back. And as an aside the dealer mentioned to me it has the same suspension travel as a Tiger 800 Xr, so I think that should answer your question. ;-) Apart from that little gravel lay-by I didn't really take it off road, but it felt fine riding on our wonderful Belgian roads. I daily a Tiger 1200 and the Scrambler didn't feel particularly bumpy to me as opposed to, say a Street Triple.

[@Speedytrip]

@@DaHitch Your dealer was misinformed about the suspension travel hehe The Tiger 800 XR has 180mm of travel, the XCa has 220mm (and it's a WP fork). The Scrambler XC has 200mm, and the XE (the one you tried) has 250mm (28% more travel than the Tiger XR). It actually has more travel than on my Africa Twin...And indeed the forks are Showa (as opposed to the WP on the Tiger). If you get a chance to try it again in the rough let us know ;)

[@DaHitch]

​@@Speedytrip I may have misremembered, but I do remember him saying is has the same/more travel than the Tiger 800, which seems to be correct. :-) It's unlikely I'll be taking it offroad though, after having had a few unfortunate incidents I've decided that it's just not for me and I don't want to subject myself (I cracked a rib) and my bike (repairing damage adds up quickly) to that anymore, apart from the odd gravel road that is. I simply lack the experience. So I'm certainly not going to that with a bike that's not mine. ;-)

[@imopn]

Great vid and awesome bike. Something I am keen to know is the RPM at cruising speed? Lets say RPM at top gear at 100km/h? I have a pet hate of these high revving engines

[@DaHitch]

Thanks! I didn't really pay attention to it at the time, but going over some unused footage it seems to sit a shade below 4k rpm at 100kph in 5th gear. It has 6 gears, so probably around 3000 rpm perhaps? Seems quite laid back for cruising. :)

[@fleurymanful]

Please Triumph make all your gas tanks seamless like this bike !

[@stepheneldridge6998]

Forgot to ask...how was the low speed handling....with that 21inch front wheel....? Any wandering or vagueness....? Many thanks, Steve

[@DaHitch]

In spite of the large front wheel and longer wheelbase than the XC it has excellent low speed handling, it feels like it turns on a dime.

[@danmac0]

All I want to know: can that exaust burn your legs and the passenger legs and hands?

[@DaHitch]

There are plenty of heat shields so you'd need to go quite out of your way to burn yourself I would think. On the Streetscrambler/Scrambler 900 I have noticed that with a similar exhaust your leg can get a bit hot when riding a hot summers day, but certainly not to the level of fearing getting burned.

[@stopper90004]

@@DaHitch thanks. This is a critical matter for probably over half the potential buyers. I'm in California and half the year it is over 85 degrees. I'd love this bike over a KTM/BMW etc, but the fear of too much heat while standing for long periods off-road can't be overstated.

[@maxwellportlock2119]

Graphics flashed up too quick to read em. Not like you mate.

[@slamboy66]

I understand you are riding , but too much camera movement .

[@YA-ee9zf]

still dont understand why these companies put these ugly over sized mirrors for the money you pay at least get proper ones

[@DaHitch]

I'm not a fan of these mirrors either. They stick out like a sore thumb, don't offer great visibility and are very sensitive to vibration making them useless most of the time. I'd prefer a set of bar end mirrors, as on the Speed Twin, but those can't be fitted due to the hand guard brackets.