Triumph Scrambler 1200: 4 months of ownership (the honeymoon is over)

[@rogergr5019]

Will get one next spring, Test drive this saturday. Thanks for the review

[@SongsFromTheSaddle]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@elithegreat6463]

I’m looking at a new 2023 XE, to keep my 2021 R9T-719 company, I just found your channel. Keep it up, Cheers from New Jersey 👍🇺🇸🇬🇧

[@SongsFromTheSaddle]

Thanks for watching!

[@Chewwy1973]

Buddy I’ve got the XC model and like you I love it. My negatives are only 2 fold. The pipes run very hot on the right. And I’m 6ft2 and feel very pitched forward so I’m going to get some mods done to resolve that. The engine and looks are incredible - I get so many people pointing out how cool it is. I fitted a Corbin leather seat and it’s top class. I’m from Newcastle so I love that ride your on. Alas no trips like like here in Ohio.

[@NobilityandLoyalty]

We have much in common. Triumph owners and my family is from Newcastle as well.

[@timfrancis3315]

Bang on. Fitted a Zard, Brill. My only complaint is the rock hard Ohlins. No matter how much I soften them my fillings with lose!

[@davidstorm2563]

Thanks for the vid & info. Am sure that will be my next bike. Great to see Bamburgh castle again. visited from 🇦🇺 in 2018.

[@timfrancis3315]

Bang on. Love mine too

[@charlesbozonier5713]

thank you, from a fellow 1200xe owner.

[@SongsFromTheSaddle]

No problem 👍

[@whizz61]

Thanks for the videos ! I love the content and the style. Happy new owner of the Scrambler 1200 XE here. I bought it in replacement of my R1200 GS Adventure and looked for accessories to convert it for touring. I ordered the only sidepannier mount I found for both sides from Unit Garage, plus the rear luggage rack and windscreen. All part are great quality and where received in 3 days (Italy to Switzerland). The frame for the side pannier required some pulling and pushing to mount, but in the end all was solidly in place without any modifications. The windscreen is not to big and very effective, but I have still to test it on the motorway. I ordered and mounted 2 LOMO 'Motorcycle Adventure Pannier Dry Bags' (30 litters) on the side panniers frame. Also received it from UK in 3 days. The quality of the bags is incredible for the price (71£). Because of the shape of the frame on the right side (exhaust) the bag need a simple aluminium plate to protect it from the exhaust heat but it was not a problem to build. Blue sky and happy touring

[@SongsFromTheSaddle]

Thanks for sharing. We are all experimenting with the best set-up for touring, so it's always useful to learn what others are trying and what they think of it. One of the best aspects of social media!

[@bigchiponmyshoulder7573]

Excellent review mate

[@jsagazio]

Thanks for the videos ! I love the content and the style. Well done sir.

[@SongsFromTheSaddle]

Glad you like them!

[@ScramblerTales]

Honestly aim still in honeymoon since i got it 3 years ago. Above 50.000 km on it now, with many offroad tours. Just a great bike. But needs care in all aspects.

[@spodokomoto5020]

Really liked your video. I’ve just traded in a Tiger 800 and a Speed Twin for a Scrambler 1200 XC. Loving it!

[@SongsFromTheSaddle]

Great to hear!

[@nickyherault1817]

Appreceate your reviews. With regards to tool storage, I was looking at installing one of those external tool boxes on the inside part of the pannier carrier frame. They are readily avaible in variable sizes in plastic or metal. I was going to mount to the pannier carrier frame CPVC Hangers. I would then have access to tool storage from the back of the bike even with the pannier in place.

[@SongsFromTheSaddle]

I also looked into putting a tool box on the inside of the pannier frame, as I have one from my old BMW GS. However, I found that there is insufficient clearance. If you work out how you can fit one, please do share with me!

[@markravenall5603]

Taking an XE out for test ride this saturday. If I like it, then will be trading in my Tiger 1200, which I find (dare I say, a bit soulless). Appreciated the review, forewarned is forearmed 😄 . Visited Bamburgh castle in April, what a fantastic place and surrounding beach!

[@Fernando90054]

Hi, nice review. I never tried this bike but I’m curious. I’m 5 ft/10” tall and I weigh 209,439 pounds. Do you think that I could easily manage this bike for road use? (as I would never get a bike of this price range on off-road adventures), so my interest is to use it mainly as a road bike. The XC model is more suitable for my eight but it doesn’t come with leaning sensitive abs and I value that safety feature, once that it only comes with the XE model, I think. In fact, the XE model has a slightly improved suspension setting, with more travel , the bars are larger too, for better leverage cornering counter steering if necessary, and all that little differences count and are relevant for, at least, comfort. Ultimately I would have to experiment e try one at the dealership but, by your experience, I would like to know your opinion on this question. Thank your for your kind reply ✌️✌️

[@SongsFromTheSaddle]

I think you need to test ride both, if possible, and see which you prefer. The seat hight on the XE puts many people off.

[@paullavery7273]

I’ve got the touring screen on my XE & although sceptical at the time I think it does make a difference at motorway speeds.

[@SongsFromTheSaddle]

I'm going to do a couple of longer tours with the existing screen then I'll make a decision. Unfortunately, you don't know whether you'll like it until after you've paid for & fitted a different screen. I'm a bit wary, as I've had problems with buffeting in the past.

[@laynethompson4399]

Had the touring screen on an XC and hated it. The one from Unit Garage is much better and about the same price.

[@darren4534]

Make sure you use the locking device on the inside of the Triumph bag. I lost mine with all my keys inside it!

[@dp01]

Great review. It is still nerve-wracking to me when I see incoming traffic coming on the right 🤣🤣🤣 I wonder if you guys feel the same when outside the UK

[@SongsFromTheSaddle]

I ride a lot in Europe and in the USA and have done for over 40 years, so I'm pretty ambidextrous when it comes to traffic regulations.

[@rufus1346]

I am looking at buying another bike this spring and this was one that interests me. Test rode one a few days ago. It did put a big smile on my face. Just watched a bunch of your video's this morning and found them very helpful. That's the colour I like too. There are some nice second hand one's with a lot already done to it that I would do anyway. I do have a very old Rocket with the touring screen on and it works very on long runs. Do Triumph make the touring screen? If they do buffeting shouldn't be a problem.

[@SongsFromTheSaddle]

Hi Rufus. Yes, Triumph make a taller touring screen for the Scrambler 1200. I'm going to get a couple of tours under my wheels before I decide whether or not to try one. As you probably gather from my videos, I'm falling more in love with my Scrambler the more I ride it. Like you, I took a test ride. I felt straight away it was the bike for me.

[@rufus1346]

@@SongsFromTheSaddle I have test rode quite a few different bikes across a few types. I also test rode the Speed Twin on the same day as the Scrambler. I really like that parallel twin engine! I already have the Rocket for longer journeys or if I need to to take a passenger and my XDiavel is set up for the "A" road fun and faster stuff so even though I loved the Speed Twin the Scrambler gives me a totally different option, very close by there are a lot of very nice small back roads, North Somerset. The big adventures bikes I test rode were really nice and if I didn't already have the two other bikes it would probably have to be the Multistrada 1260, I don't do proper off road stuff and that bike is more road focused. That would be a great all around bike and I love that L Twin engine too. Since the V4 has come in there are a lot of nice ones for a reasonable price right now. Hope you have fun this summer.

[@jbean530]

Is it possible to add a top case?

[@SongsFromTheSaddle]

Yes and many have, but I'm not a fan. I just don't think that high up and behind the rear axle is a great place to put weight.

[@simonlevy8833]

Hello,I recently discovered your channel as I was looking for informations about this bike before to bought it. I like your videos, and this one nice and honest review.. New owner of a 1200 XE, agree with you with pro and cons ( That being said, the negatives aspects are minor considering to the positive aspects, and not cripping ); to me, the main problem is the saddle, very uncomfortable, certainly and partly because of my weight ( 100 kg ), but also because of the "low " density of the foam wich make you seating on the bottom of the saddle after few kilometers ( sorry, I'm from France..😄Miles should I've said ?).. Did you finally upgrade it with a higher foam's density or change the saddle ?

[@SongsFromTheSaddle]

If I change or modify my saddle, I will make a video about it.

[@sharifela7993]

What difference does changing the stock tyres make? Cheers

[@SongsFromTheSaddle]

For me it made a huge difference Sharif. I've actually made a separate video about this which will be up on my channel next week.

[@jasonrichardwatts]

A HUGE difference! The stock tyres are road-biased.

[@highflyingbean]

You can select a more traditional looking “analog” speedometer readout for the gauges in the menus. And you can decide what you want displayed or what you want hidden.

[@SongsFromTheSaddle]

My comment was really about the fact that all the other bikes in the Bonneville range have analogue clocks. Why is the Scrambler digital? I've tries both the digital settings and actually prefer the digital speedo.

[@YungFusebox]

Hi mate, check out Tom Hurley custom seats for your Scrambler - I met him on tour last year and his seats look amazing, particularly on one of the scramblers who was riding with us.

[@SongsFromTheSaddle]

Yes, very nice

[@ramonfarias6203]

Thanks for te video. Today, do you change for a tiger 900? I love my tiger 800 xrx, but I want up grade, and I very confused. Tiger 900 ir scrambler? 😬

[@SongsFromTheSaddle]

Very different bikes.

[@tompritchard301]

Do you find any issue with the heat from the exhaust?

[@SongsFromTheSaddle]

Of course there is heat off the exhaust - it is right next to your leg. But I cannot understand why anyone would buy a bike with an exhaust that runs right next to their leg and then complain about the heat! You make your choice and live with it.

[@jordanbabcock9349]

Seeing whining about analog vs digital speedometer.. cya, don't care. Most irrelevant information you can give besides what color you like.

[@SongsFromTheSaddle]

Its important to some people Jordan

[@bigchiponmyshoulder7573]

When you're spending that amount of money of course it may be an important consideration. Would you buy I e if it was pink? Most stupid comment I've seen so far.

[@kenbacon292]

There’s a big difference. Do you ride?