Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE Urban Review: 10 Things I Loved, 6 I Didn't

Scrambler XE vs. XC:
• 2019 Triumph Scrambler...
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[@oso_nomada]

7 months - 9,000 miles and no plans to stop with winter coming (citing Ice and Snow) I don’t plan on stopping. Although I appreciate someone’s opinion that has ridden one for a few miles, days or weeks...but owning one, and smashing mile after mile...you won’t hear me complain about squat. Off-Road...here in the PacNW, my XE sees a heavy dose of fire roads, power line roads and alike. I read comments on a lot of videos saying they wouldn’t/couldn’t take it off road due to its price...well kick off with your street bike then! 😆 I Love my XE...new Continental TrailAttack3 tires are a huuuuuge pro over the stock garbage Tourance tires. The Contis work well with the Brembo M50s too, especially in heavy rain. Finally...your cons list was more of a “Why I wouldn’t own this bike” rather than the Moto itself. The heat from the exhaust...I roll my eyes every time I read or hear about it. It’s fine. Even in the summer traffic, you just deal with it. What would one expect with such a set up?!?👌🏾 Cheers! Ride’em...don’t Hide’em!

[@kinkong1961]

as an xe owner your comments were spot on I love it when they say I would never go on a long journey on one it makes me laugh and automatically think what pussy's and the exhaust comment wah wah my legs getting hot again pussy's I have always ridden motor x bikes off-road or enduro bikes on road with high exhausts they are all the same they will not burn you but these pussy's think it will. I had mine in mud up to the seat and it still road fine a good power wash when I got home and a spray of protective oil and she is like new again and mine is six months old. the problem is with these testers they are all road bike riders and have never been off-road which again makes me laugh I have been riding these types of bikes for a while now I am 58 and still going strong I love my triumph.

[@oso_nomada]

john kindon Fk yeah! The reviews for the XE/XC have got to be some of the worst😆 I’m 10,500 now and just had the 10K service...the suspension is still perfect in my opinion, the exhaust doesn’t bother me at all, the seat is comfortable as hell, and I’ve done nearly 550 miles in one day...no. Fkn. Problem. Ride on brother! Dirt, Mud, Street, whatever! I about to put my third set of tires on mine...hoping the new Dunlop Trailmission Max will be the ideal tire for more aggressive off roading. The Continental TrailAttack3 I have now are amazing in shit loads of rain and cold. I highly recommend them.

[@votsvs]

sounds like you should give us a video review Mondo!

[@stevesteve1965]

That's how we ride in London.👍 looks much faster through the GoPro so keep calm everyone. Interesting comment about 'why don't you get a scooter' my reasoning is,its not the speed you need its the grunt. Scooters just don't have the grunt to exploit the gaps in traffic. Yes we could all take our time and sit behind cars,vans ect until the traffic dissipates but it ain't going to happen so you might as well be in a car. Great video👍

[@Huskmini]

i agree with you, i got a moped first so i can get my year no claims to lower the insurance on a bigger bike. The 1 thing i hate about riding in Hereford is that i cannot exploit any gaps at all, so im just sat behind cars all the time

[@stevesteve1965]

@@Huskmini, time, confidence, experience.. Come to London and do your apprenticeship training, 👍😀 best ride at your own pace. 👌😉

[@jirislavicek9954]

Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE, one of the coolest bikes ever built! ❤👍

[@FarmerTorque]

Very fair comments - Couldn’t agree more with your enthusiasm! I have thoroughly enjoyed owning an XE for the last 4/5 months. Such a happy bike. May be a ‘keeper’

[@motobob]

Cheers FT. Honestly loved it, but try to keep the reviews balanced! Positives farrrr outweigh the negatives with this bike.

[@ichristianrodriguez]

This bike brought me into the triumph dealer here in NYC. Took one look at it and knew I wouldn’t be able to ride it due to height, made me quite sad cause it seems amazing. Ended up riding out on a Street Scrambler. Love it but still have that lustful gaze for this thing.

[@michaelj.kastner5165]

Christian Rodriguez must suck to be short!!

[@mojosdad68]

Great review. 5000 kms on my XE, and I have to say it’s my favourite bike to date. I’ve had more powerful motors and more wind protection, but no bike has made me smile like this one. I have the optional rack and bags, as well as the tall windscreen and have zero issues with touring. I think it really depends on the speeds one is allowed or is comfortable carrying.

[@Shamistyle]

is the windscreen worth it ?

[@HolysMoly]

@@Shamistyle went 180km/hr for 3 hours with mine (Stopping for gas fairly often) My neck and upper body were sore as shit but it was totally doable lol

[@Porschemovies]

I just rode one and I can totally see how awesome this would be in a city like NYC, taking broken up roads and the low end tq get ahead of cabs. Very impressed.

[@splodge5714]

The great advantage of tubeless tires, slow deflation. Just carry a puncture repair kit with you. And why in such a rush? I'd slow down filtering through the traffic.

[@paulharrison8155]

I thought about de-catting my XC but I must say I find the heat rather pleasant this time of year so that might be a job for next spring … Great vid as ever !

[@stevenwalsh6632]

Got mine in March 2019. Riding bikes for 42 years now. Best bike ever.

[@planetpeckham1]

Embankment, Vauxhall Bridge, Camberwell New Road, that used to be my route home after watching Fulham lose at home. Now, being on that big ol' Scrambler may have helped sweeten the pill.... Thanks for such a comprehensive and considered review, subscribed.

[@motobob]

Cheers PP! Used to live in Peckham until a couple of years back, loved it. Welcome to the channel!

[@user-qm9oo2fd2o]

Holy cow...lane splitting with opposing traffic??? You guys are crazy! Great review though.

[@redmille1000]

It certainly gets the heart pumping!

[@FroggyCrimes]

That was some pretty aggressive lane filtering hahah.

[@AbdurrahmanZedSaeed]

You born to be british.. you need that skill

[@grvlmaml9043]

@@AbdurrahmanZedSaeed That would make sense. I'm from Kansas USA and it has me hyperventilating. ;-)

[@AbdurrahmanZedSaeed]

@@grvlmaml9043 hahahaha, at least US has very wide and humongous road and the road has not so much of traffic jam...

[@bobmizen1]

Great review. Even in my riding days I never really rode that much in city traffic so London riding looks a bit scary to me. My son drives me there four times a year for treatment but that’s enough. Thanks again. Regards, Bob M.

[@motobob]

You get used to it! I think it's more about reading the traffic and what people are doing than looking at signs and lane markings etc.

[@Yozzer72]

Jesus wept!! My heart was in my mouth through all of this!! You have balls of steel my friend

[@rocketrollsvlogs7625]

Great bike. Urban riding is an art form. I commute through Washington DC and would love to learn to filter through London.

[@doc650adventures]

Thank you for this excellent review of the Scrambler! I am really tempted to add this to my garage. There is just something special that draws you to this bike. Thanks again Mate! Cheers!

[@strokenumber3]

Better videos, thank you, happy to watch this channel again.

[@ginoasci2876]

In 2023 I purchased a new left over 2022 Triumph Scrambler 1200XC. I love this bike BUT the engine developed a knocking noise after an oil change and many other triumph bonneville motorcycle owners have complained about this same engine noise. Has anyone else experienced this engine noise ?

[@barryroberts2474]

Good review, one of the best I've seen. Apparently decatting the bike is easy and for those who don't find it a problem it definitely helps reduce the heat considerably. I might go and try one at the dealers, always a dodgy thing to do as I could end up buying one! T&Cs do some good vids on their parts which help decide on owning one! Cheers from Oz.

[@alliride1741]

Still the best, made 8000km on it, can say anything bad, suspention/brakes are top top top only smile inside the helmet everytime i ride it 😊

[@michaelj.kastner5165]

At 6-2 , finally a bike for me !!!

[@GG-ub4ej]

KLR... 690 Duke, there are some options but this looks very nice.

[@sigberetta72]

This or the KTM 690 SMCR, which has 35” seat height . But this bike probably won’t have the vibrations quite as bad as the KTM single .

[@karlosh9286]

Triumph must love you currently, all the loans and hob nobbing at launches. Congratulations :) Your filtering looks like it is getting more extreme, ride safe :) (I still haven't watched TheRoyalJordanian) Nice bike, although I prefer lower suspension, low down pipes, and smaller wheels. I like being able to flat foot with a wide stance, especially when my wife is getting on ! Slightly bigger tank looks useful. I like the colour scheme. Speed Twins can warm legs when the fan kicks in, although I only seem to notice this in the summer.

[@stuartmahoney8761]

I love the XE but I fear Triumph have created the bike version of a Land Rover Evoke with majority buying them for the look and not ever tapping its potential. ☹ Good skills on the filtering 👍

[@expatbiker6598]

I find evoke feminine. It must be just me.

[@imountainman]

an exhaust wrap costs less than 30 bucks in the states. The exhaust heat issue seems to be the easiest to cure

[@robbikebob]

Think I'd have the road biased version with narrow bars and lower seat. Agree about all you said. I personally think any scrambler/off roader could really do with being under 200 kg and 800 cc.

[@thinknumbers7718]

I'm starting to fall in love with this bike. I'm so thinking about it because of its on-road and potential off-road opportunities. Thanks for a great overview in riding conditions most of us would normally be experiencing day to day.

[@apmikalogran]

Get an xt660 r lol Value for money

[@TheSweatyYeti]

Nice review, that lane filtering looks terrifying

[@steelmilkjug]

Great review but that lane splitting had me nervous. If we do that in our city, we’d be killed or jailed. Too many drivers dart across lanes without warning

[@hagnbike]

Same here. It's also illegal here in Germany.

[@Fr99763]

Speed Twin is the best. By far!

[@TheAegisClaw]

Your best video yet, well done.

[@peetee49]

A review of the Speedmaster 1200 would be good.

[@guymathew1520]

Good review. Enjoyed that. Picked mine up a couple of weeks ago and agree on the suspension being pretty firm. That said, I've read comments elsewhere that it takes a bit of bedding in. Not sure if that's true but playing around with the settings allowed me to find a stiffness that works for me. I work just up the road from where you did the static shots and I commute on a scooter. I think the Scrambler is just too tempting for thieves to leave parked on the street every day. Shame but that's the way it is London these days. Good filtering skills btw. I'm not sure I could stand riding in the US or anywhere filtering (lane-splitting) is illegal.

[@motobob]

Glad you enjoyed it John! I’m fortunate enough to have private parking under my office, but I wouldn’t have been happy with the scrambler on the street for sure

[@kentgaisford6806]

Interesting......here in the US the switch configuration on the left grip is different. Horn for starters - below the bar. Hi-lo beam as well - a lever/switch that's flicked. This bike is definitely for the taller person - and with a 34" inseam, I can get both feet flat on the ground. Plus, a Corbin seat adds a bit more of a "secure" feel - no sliding rearwards and a bit more cush for the tush. Triumph makes a "lower" seat, but it's still a bit hard.

[@zak_7354]

Very good review; nice bike, it ticks all the important boxes; seems ideal for me...if only it had wind protection. There's the Tiger for that one might say; but I already have one. So keep the Tiger? But the Srambler looks so dope, love the modern retro design, looks like a blast to ride, seems ideal to me...if only it had wind protection...how about having two bikes?! No. So I'll keep the Tiger. The end.

[@dannydevito5729]

Surely someone makes a big screen

[@michaeldobson8859]

It’s not a cast swingarm. It’s forged. I do love all the aluminum and the lack of plastic. A better way for sure. The gas cap is deceiving and not true to form. The actual cap is a screw on under the beauty cover and you need to do something with it when you fuel, so don’t forget it when your done.

[@mattmonte2171]

A lot of people complain about the exhaust heat Hillary got understands the scrambler and he’s a high exhaust to Keep debris and water out of it when you are scrambling off road matter fact I want to get my own Scrambler 1200 when I move back to Florida so I can drive it up and down the beach and I have to worry about my exhaust getting partly clogged by sand and wet water But you are absolutely right I think the fob key is completely ridiculous that should not be a thing I think Fob keys in general should just be an extra feature for the people who want to pay for it and it kind of loses one of the main perks of a motorcycle and that is in hard times when you can’t afford things like batteries even in the key or the bike itself you can still kick started you can’t with this one. You have to make sure your key has battery and your bike has battery you can’t just put the key and turn the ignition and kickstart it till it runs that is my biggest dislike about this bike no vehicle should have to deal with a fob specially a motorcycle for not only for the battery die but you could easily lose it while riding

[@geofftheriddler]

Best all round review by far - subbed

[@motobob]

Cheers - appreciate that. And welcome!

[@Banditmanuk]

Great review of a great looking bike. I took one out and came very close to buying. Couple of things put me off: Comfort of the seat, it's too thin and narrow. Over firm suspension and I personally didn't like that dash.... nice style but found the info a bit small for an old bloke like me. As for keyless, don't get me started, had a nightmare with Ducati keyless, just puts me off buying. Fabulous engine mind👍

[@helenloughton2418]

Saw one and tried at Scottish motorcycle show yesterday loved it I'm 6 foot tall ad I was on my tiptoe so a big bike

[@Fernando90054]

I love the commanding position given by the height of the bike, and it’s really an asset in city Traffic and I’m tall enough not to flat foot the bike but I’m on the balIs of my feet whichever is enough to build some confidence handling this bikes on city stops or in other occasions. At the same time I have no ambition to ride this bike off road anything more than wide gravel roads, but on asphalt, knowing that this bike is equipped with cornering ABS, do you think that the thin front Tyre installed on a 21 inches rim, on the bends, can handle a more spirited riding, trail breaking with the engine break power and helping with the m-50’s approaching the corners, plus, eventually continuing trail braking through and inside the corner, is it safe to do, or would you choose to trail breaking more with the rear brake for fearing of losing the front by lack of grip with this dual purpose tyres? Thanks for your attention 👍🏻 and for the video, it concerns to a very important matter to all riders, specially referred to the role that a bike can play on the scene of to see and to be seen by other users of the road in city traffic and ultimately is an important asset in all kind of roads in general.

[@MDHenry4]

Hi please don't take this the wrong way but your videos deserve 4K.

[@miketiller8430]

You need some platform shoes from the seventies.great review.

[@12masterr]

No car side mirror was harmed in the making of this video!

[@motobob]

Haha

[@joseantoniolago5857]

Now that I'm old, can't do that filtering thing, I don't think that I have the reaction time for that.

[@crocketgsxr6]

me either, but it's illegal here anyway

[@kayakmalta2444]

Very informative. Great vid. You mentioned the seat height. Can you tell us how tall are you and do your inseam length ?

[@motobob]

I'm 5'9" and I usually wear a 30 or 32 leg jean. So I'm not exactly tall, but I found I could make this bike work

[@michaelj.kastner5165]

You ride good!! Love European people that ride motorcycles!!!

[@michaeldobson8859]

Yea Yea the high pipes are a little hot. Don’t wear your beach shorts on a scrambler. All scramblers with high pipes are hot but you need to go back to the sixties to experience it and you all are such young pups that you need to go to a museum to see one! so its part of the package, wear riding pants! Stick you leg out once in a while. The Ducati scrambler is an option to consider by the way. I think your almost correct in that the relationship between the headlight and signals is off but its not the signals that are too big, its the headlight thats too small. Remember that the instrument cluster is typically right behind the headlight. In this case the headlight is a little too low and too small to hide the cables, you were wining about. Plus a metal chrome wire stone protector is needed over the headlight for true scrambling. Your right about the seat, too thin. BMW and Triumph back in the days, always had big, long, flat hard seats. Ducati scrambler did it right with a plush seat. The ride quality would improve with a plush seat but the ride height would be much worse. Cant have both lower height and plush seat with ought a frame change. Good review, i just thought i would toss this in. Now for American market, we would want some wind protection. Why? Because we travel further, more miles on a 1200cc bike so we need an optional windscreen that actually is not just for “STYLE”. It needs to make a functional difference, keep the bugs out of our teeth! Just sayin.

[@BikesVansandThings]

Still a good review. Thank you 👍🏻👍🏻

[@maxleopoldmun]

best review without any doubt!

[@motobob]

Thanks! 🙌👍

[@numbone2945]

Seems kind of weird filtering past on the left side of traffic that is indicating an intention to turn left (at 15:51). Is that acceptable in London? My self preservation (and driving etiquette) would not allow me to do that.

[@LondonSteveLee]

I don't mind aggressive filtering - being a Londoner most of my life - been there - done it. But (15:48) stuffing it up the inside of a van (poor visability) that's been indicating left for a while - and still going for it after the gap has already cleared is just asking for it. Just stupid riding.

[@Speedytrip]

I think you nailed most of it. About the suspensions, I think you were on way too nice roads for it to be a problem :) Out of the 20+ bikes Ive owned (mostly nakeds) Id have to thing hard to find a bike that had firmer suspensions...maybe my Monster 1100...

[@motobob]

Thanks ST. Yeah maybe you're right... might try to get an XC for a couple of weeks, I enjoyed it so much. So that's be another chance to try the suspension.

[@Speedytrip]

MOTOBOB Really hope I can try an XC one day to compare..

[@jonlauder7815]

I've heard a few comments regarding the "waddling" issue. How tall are you? If you dont mind me asking. I'm 6ft exactly and not sure how much of an issue it would be for me. I have a Street Scrambler I'm considering trading in and I ride it on some rough tracks, so the ability to walk it out when it's stuck is a real consideration!

[@motobob]

I’m 5’9” so you might be alright especially in decent boots. Try one out I guess!

[@micheal2312]

incredible review !

[@andrewhlnojos5419]

Bad ass bike..triumph nailed it....

[@TT-lg7ip]

Pretty new rider, but still thinking of getting the XE for a commuter/medium distance adventure bike. As such, what changes or add-ons would you recommend?

[@colblimp1882]

Great review bob.

[@peterfallows6802]

Good job... Do you get a skinny penny farthing 21in wheel effect, like i remember from a new XL 250 Honda ❔+ what's under the seat ❔

[@tannenherz]

High, a lot of time is passed. Did you have used other tires on your bike until yet ? Kindly Fiete

[@alliride1741]

Love this review

[@rogergr5019]

Ducati Desert Sled

[@Holybrook77]

Great video!! One quick question though, which helmet is that?

[@motobob]

Thanks! Nexx XG100R in white with their mirror visor

[@Holybrook77]

@@motobob thanks! It's very sexy

[@raymonddauphinais5806]

What helmet is he wearing in the video? His gear link is to a Biltwell Gringo, but that is not what he's wearing.

[@georgeblumenthal7938]

How was it in the curves?

[@2wheelAdv]

Nicely done, I just bought one today!

[@hobnob15]

Hi good review, what make of helmet are you wearing?

[@motobob]

Thanks Paul. It’s a Nexx XG100R Purist in white with their mirrored visor accessory 👍

[@mylifeinthailand8751]

It is an adventure bike and is more than capable of doing the off road sections that the bike GS, KTM and others are too bulky and heavy for

[@ryangain6883]

LOOKING FOR 500CC OR 650CC FOR THIS.

[@rumo201]

Thanks for that vid....👍

[@michaeldobson8859]

It’s ok but its missing modern safety tech for $15000 US Dollars. The cruise control is a step in the right direction but the price for no dynamic suspension, is a missing element. A scrambler with hi pipes limits the usage of the bike. Ducati scrambler did it with low pipes?

[@allistairneil8968]

How can you call a 1200cc bike a scrambler?

[@dspijkers]

Great looking bike! But I can advice you, don’t come riding in Switzerland. You would get a lot of tickets with your riding style.

[@cscutler]

How tall are you?

[@whylie74]

In all the motovlogs of peeps riding in, out or around london or anyother city, I've never seen anyone filtering the other way, what is the etiquette when confronted with oncomming filterers?

[@andrewkitchenuk]

You just work it out the same as walking on the sidewalk & meeting someone coming the opposite way.

[@Moondoggy1941]

at 1:35 what do the squiggly lines mean?

[@jamiemcgrory1964]

Means you gotta slalom.

[@Moondoggy1941]

@@jamiemcgrory1964 Sorry not buying it. LOL

[@TheSweetasanut]

Love your riding

[@acherouvis]

I get nervous watching you lane split.

[@ederjesus4292]

I think you work for triumph.

[@motobob]

They’re the best to work with. Super helpful with press kits, trips and press bikes

[@ederjesus4292]

MOTOBOB happy for you! Really good quality content! Just continue like that! 💪

[@gregmatty6393]

200mm more travel than the XC? And they say Americans cannot do math. 25mm per inch so it has 8" more suspension travel huh? No. Not even close. The travel is more like 50 mm greater. You wouldn't be able to touch the ground if it had 200mm MORE Travel.

[@tuncozyurek6378]

Beautiful machine but way too big for me :))

[@MrAndrew1953]

Lovely bike but I'm 5'8 - you?.

[@MikaelLewisify]

You are nuts weaving in and out of traffic like that.

[@jjnewman65]

Filtering on the inside of vehicles. You should know better . Do IAMROADSMART course Rob.

[@hockeymann88]

Off road biased seems like a great idea for poor city streets.