Our Triumph 1200 XE Scrambler - The Dirt Monster!

With the first round of mods complete, it’s time to start playing in the dirt. Oh the exhaust sounds stellar. Now, if we could just get those crash bars in hand and installed!

[@CCitis]

It is such a sweet machine!

[@JS-ny8sn]

Sounds soooo good 🤙. I want one just to hear it sing!!!

[@giovannicolligc]

have had this bike for more than a year now. can’t get enough of driving it, such a cool machine. will put some scorpion rally to go off road

[@DirtChimps]

Agreed, especially after today! Video editing commencing shortly!

[@mototrini]

Great riding, have a scrambler myself and just getting into off-road riding. Looking forward to more scrambler content. I also have a TEC 2-1 Flank exhaust but I changed mine up a little.

[@DirtChimps]

Thanks! Hey, we rode yesterday and today. Filmed today. We've got Winston dialled in suspension wise, and what a difference!

[@mototrini]

@@DirtChimps can't wait!

[@claycarley9201]

Love this bike and your style of riding and video!

[@flyingmulerider7166]

I have the same bike. Although I have it more set up for adventure riding and camping. Love the bike!

[@DirtChimps]

Oh wow, can you tell me a bit more about what you have done? I feel like it would be tough to do a lot of KMs on this and packing camping gear could be a challenge. I would love to know what you have figured out!

[@ctjanney]

What tires do you have on yours? I still have the stock tires, but I'm thinking of hitting some trails, and seeing how it does. Motoz?

[@yorkchris10]

It reminds me of my Transalp sound. I'd try radials as my first set and then some of the new gummy knobbies. You've run it through smoke... maybe try a railway tunnel next. I'd be interested in a clay hill climb scene.

[@LondonSteveLee]

You REALLY need to add the lower engine protector bars or you will break the gear selector mech when you drop it on the left. This is how Triumph run all their off road centre bikes, lower protection guards and rad guard - otherwise stock.

[@DirtChimps]

Done! :)

[@adventure1887]

Love it. I might have to plan a trip to come to one of your rides. I've been seriously contemplating trading my tiger in for one of those scrambler xe.

[@pgodman]

Hi. Curious if you did. I’m contemplating doing the same before summer. Thanks!

[@timothydippenaar8340]

@@pgodman Went from a tiger 800xc to the scrambler and the scrambler is so much better offroad that it's almost impossible to imagine!

[@mickr357]

If you're interested in more Scrambler off-road content check out Steve Kamrad's channel. How does it compare to the 1090's?

[@DirtChimps]

Thanks for the note! Steve is the reason we decided to make the purchase. He rips the Scrambler. He does ride very different terrain than us though. I was out last night repeating one segment of D3/6 trail. Back and forth. I was trying to get the front suspension to feel good. I ended up going more firm. The #1 problem, and it is HUGE, is the short foot pegs. This is a problem on the right hand side. If you want to stand (and you must offroad - especially on this bike) you need your leg to clear the exhaust and still be on the peg, which is super tricky. We have longer foot pegs on order. Other thoughts. The geometry is weird for off road, but it does feel amazing on the street. As for the engine, there may actually be too much torque to finesse this bike around. Normally, I would get into a tricky spot, grab a higher gear to improve traction at low revs, and get long. With this engine, there is no way to mechanically disadvantage the engine without going way too fast. It is stupid strong. Gearing down may help, and parts have been ordered. I rode my 1090 on Saturday. It is still such a stunning bike. Completely different. We need to get out and ride a 1090 next to the Scrambler so we can properly explain. More to come. Thanks for the exciting question!

[@LondonSteveLee]

@@DirtChimps Longer Tiger footpegs bolt straight on. Get the lower bars fitted or you WILL break the gear selector mechanism when you drop the bike on the left. The rad guard is essential too. The engines are otherwise indestructible. Rad guard and lower engine guards is how mine was - and that's how Triumph run their offroad bikes at their adventure centre.

[@d.Cog420]

@@DirtChimps Agreed on the foot pegs, the stock also needed filing rougher, I was slipping off. What longer ones did you get? Can recommend the TEC booster plug and Ducatispacers throttle spacer too, they do one for the XE. Throttle was too sloppy before, for me at least..

[@DirtChimps]

@@LondonSteveLee We got some badass pivot pegs and they are lovely! They stick way out, which is essential, and they are very grippy. Lower crash bars installed. Thanks for the heads up! Still trying to buy upper crash bars. We love our Winston, but won't necessarily be nice to him!

[@DirtChimps]

@@d.Cog420 We got to huge pivot pegs. Got to ride them the last two days and they make all of the difference. I have never stoop so wide on a bike (wider than shoulders) but that it the only way to go on this sort of steed. The guys at Riders Edge Suspension were able to relocate our exhaust a bit and moved it in 15 to 20 mm. It is definitely noticeable. Can you tell me more about the TEC booster plug and Ducatispacers throttle spacer? Heck, sorry, I should just make a note and look it up for myself! Any personal insights are great though. Thanks!

[@elderrider9298]

Bike looks so fun

[@ginoasci2876]

I’m not a video maker, nor do I need views, or subscribers. Just two very short helpful videos. One is for key fobs. You should take 30 seconds to watch it to save your battery life.

[@bobberdude557]

Bought my Steve McQueen 1200 little over a month ago and after the 500 mile breakin (half off road) I love it. It’s heavy so not for the faint of heart rider but all the power and torque you will ever need and then some. Suspension is awesome and that long swing arm gives you lots of confidence, along with the fantastic brakes. Only draw back is the stand tire selection. Metzlers are great on the road but terrible in dirt and sand. Easy fix though.

[@DirtChimps]

Oh, you will have so much fun on that. Congrats! Stay tuned here if you wanna see our get modded more for offroad, and then ridden in bad places. :P

[@steelmilkjug]

Congrats, you literally got the best bike in the world at the moment that I'm personally aware of :) I have the Blue and Gold 2022 Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE. Absolutely fantastic bikes. I can't think of anything better or I'd buy it.

[@keratubes]

Sounds good !

[@davewalton2358]

Great bike, sounds awesome! Grunty beast. What are the clamps you are using for your gopros? They look pretty secure. Any issues with them at all?

[@DirtChimps]

Ah, they are called Dango Gripper Mounts! They have been really great.

[@davewalton2358]

@@DirtChimps Fantastic, I'll chase them up. Thank you!

[@steelmilkjug]

Great footage! Exactly the kinda riding and trails I love to do... on my Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE also :) Tell me about those tires onroad?

[@DirtChimps]

Can't really tell ya. We put just over 2000 km on that bike and it seldom saw the road. It was recently purchased by one of our viewers. He loves it!

[@steelmilkjug]

Can you tell me about your tire setup, front and rear, and how well they still handle fast, wet, pavement? Looks like TKC 70 Rocks on the rear of that blue Scrambly :) Am I right? What are you running up front? How's vibration on fast wet pavement? Looks perfect offroad. Still good onroad?

[@pierregrandjean5135]

Hi there What pipe do you have on the XE and did you take the Cat out ?

[@DirtChimps]

All I recall is that the exhaust is by Zard.

[@pauloalvimborges4490]

Very nice video. Congratulations on your skills. Does the exhaust gets hot? Is it Noticeable or uncomfortable near your legs or ankles when riding?

[@thatmotoapp4823]

This is a bit of a warm bike, but so is my 1090. :)

[@normblais5120]

Great looking bike. Super fun video. How was it for slow trails ? Any overheating?

[@DirtChimps]

It wants to run a bit too fast in the technical stuff where I want to slow down and practice some finesse riding. Gearing down should help. No over heating on this bike yet!

[@DirtChimps]

He got a little warm on our last ride together. Not overheated, but HOT!

[@harowerks44]

@@DirtChimps Drop one tooth down on the front and it will help you in the slower stuff a lot, plus a bit slower under engine braking down hill as well. Doesn't make too much difference in the high gear out on the road. Great video!

[@DirtChimps]

@@harowerks44 Right on. That is part of our spring plan for sure! We also have some nifty crash bars to install. As much as I love snowbiking, I can't wait to dirt moto again! Cheers!

[@advveteran4894]

Nice! What exhaust did you buy? Also what crash bars did you get too? I have the SW Motech crash bars myself. They are an adventure to install lol!

[@DirtChimps]

I forget the name of the exhaust but will cover it in an upcoming video. We have the Triumph bars here to install. I have been trying to buy the SW Motech bars, but get no response They look like that next level of protection that we want. Despite bing hard to install, how do you feel about the protection they offer your bike?

[@advveteran4894]

@@DirtChimps it's pretty good! You can actually use them with the Triumph engine dresser bars. The SW Motech bars stick out pretty far to grab the bike before it hits the deck. I do have tips for installation. I was able to install them in an hour. Are you going to install them or pay a shop? If you don't want to feel mechanically inclined to do them, maybe you should hit up a shop lol!

[@mototrini]

It's the TEC 2-1 Flank exhaust

[@d.Cog420]

@@advveteran4894 Blimey, I've got the same and took a bit more than an hour, bit of swearing too and the torching then bending of a spanner to get round the frame to the front right nut. Had to use whisky too, which made everything ok in the end.

[@advveteran4894]

@@d.Cog420 crazy fun! I used a 17mm crows foot on a 12" extension and inserted it from the opposite side to hold the nut. Then I just broke torque and removed the bolt.

[@iSim0641]

I wonder how the old school rear dual shocks compare to regular monoshock

[@DirtChimps]

They are more linear, and less progressive. I did not figure this out on my own, Ian from Rider's Edge Suspension told me. :)

[@dc10-85]

What kind of handlebar bag do you have?

[@DirtChimps]

Giant Loop bag. I forget the name right now. We put them on all of our bikes because

[@dougnash6316]

What go pro chin bar mount is that? Dango Design?

[@DirtChimps]

You betcha. Good stuff. We love these Dango chin mounts.

[@d.Cog420]

@@DirtChimps Use the same and good on an Arai XD lid. You can also clamp them to a tree or table, crash bars, hand guards. Like that you don't have to stick gopro mounts on your fancy helmet too.

[@randydodd9587]

If you’re a fan of the Triumph Scrambler, read Forgotten Road by Randall Arthur. The whole last half of the book highlights the Scrambler with numerous on-road adventures. The book is a work of fiction, but supposedly the adventures in the book are all based on Arthur’s real-life experiences.

[@DirtChimps]

Awesome. I need a book to read that is just for fun. I will make a DATS Task now to but this book!

[@d.Cog420]

@@DirtChimps Think this guy recommended it elsewhere and I checked it, the first half is really religious as an fyi.

[@elderrider9298]

Bike looks so fun