Triumph Scrambler 1200 X vs Scrambler 1200 XC // Two-Minute Test Rides

2024 Triumph Scrambler 1200 X
MSRP: $13,595 US (black, before options & fees)
Motor: 1200cc parallel twin, liquid-cooled, 270° crank
Transmission: 6-speed, wet slip-assist clutch, chain final drive
Power: 89hp @ 7,000rpm
Torque: 81ft-lb @ 4,250rpm
Front Suspension: Marzocchi non-adjustable inverted forks, 6.7" travel
Rear Suspension: Marzocchi reservoir shocks, preload-adjustable, 6.7" travel
Front Brake: Twin axial-mount 2-piston Nissin calipers, 310mm discs, ABS
Rear Brake: Single-piston Nissin caliper, 255mm disc, ABS
Wheels: 21" spoked aluminum front, 17" spoked aluminum rear
Seat Height: 32.3"
Wet Weight: 503lb
Fuel Tank Volume: 3.96 gallons

[@hagnbike]

I'm even more happy with my '21 XC now. Thanks for the video!

[@Clint_the_Audio-Photo_Guy]

A slightly used XC is the move. I just picked one up with only 750 miles on it. The first service had just been done, and I got $2500 worth of free mods/accessories already installed. If you live where it snows, buy before Winter if you can, when the stores are dead. Then when you sell, sell in Spring.

[@VanBlamm]

Heckuva deal!

[@bertrandleguillou4028]

I’m a very happy guy as I own a Speed Twin 1200 since nearly 5 years and this bike makes me everyday happy. Last year, I bought a used Scrambler XC (model 2020). Even if it’s a little crazy to own 2 bikes, this combination is just a dream😊😊😊. Many thanks for your videos and best greetings from Germany✌️✌️✌️

[@VanBlamm]

You are a man who knows what he likes, and I respect it

[@phils2180]

Nothing crazy about owning 2 bikes!👍 I bought the 1200X as a "general runaround" bike as I also have a much lighter Enduro bike for off road use and a ZZR1400 for long distance, high speed jaunts. 😀

[@bertrandleguillou4028]

✌️✌️✌️

[@TheOriginalCoda]

I’m glad I got the XC right before they replaced it with the X. Good to see you’re back.

[@VanBlamm]

Thanks! Nicely timed.

[@Numbie9527]

Same, got an XC, Curise control was best feature for touring setup, regrettable X dont comes with it.

[@christopherwilliams6854]

Great channel and content, Van Blamm. I too have an XC and find it to be best of several worlds. It really feels like a premium bike, with cruise, lit buttons in the dark, fit and finish, and engine/ride quality. I’m quite smitten. I had the speed twin on my short list, but found the motorcycle just a little too small. This one fits perfectly. Is it fun at 85 on the freeway? No. But it’s amazing from 0-75, on my roads here in Northern California and in the garage.

[@VanBlamm]

Glad to hear it! Thanks for watching!

[@pierrebremond4578]

Glad you’re back ! Nice video ! It’s such a shame they discontinued the XC and replaced it with a lower specs bike for almost as much money. Switching from fully adjustable Showa and Ohlins to lower specs Marzocchi is sad. And don’t get me started on the trident brakes and dash on a bike costing twice as much. Same for the XE, worse brakes and worst suspension for almost as much as the 2023 model. This is getting ridiculous coming from Triumph, asking premium prices for bikes not even fitted with proper parts anymore is absurd.

[@phils2180]

So, have you actually ridden one of the 2024 bikes with "lesser" components? It's what the bikes deliver that counts, not what badges they're carrying.

[@LinhNguyen-im4uu]

Worse brakes? 2024 XE has better brakes than 2023 one.

[@megaderk]

You're channels the one that peaked my interest in the Speed Twins, and i can never get enough. I really like the Scramblers and its been on my next bike short list for some time but the 3 primary reasons I had to remove it were the numerous reports of the left lower frame rail cracking/splitting at the pegs or stand. The keyless ignition being problematic. And all the nice when new aluminum finishes that don't sound like they were sealed, leading to pitting in short time. Otherwise I adore it, excellent engine, great character aestheticly over a Tiger. I was a fan of the Trident dash when it came out, it achieves a modern & clean digital look in a classic round form factor. I think its the proportion to the round mirrors but it does feel weird on the Scrambler. And yet the Rocket3 dash looks chunky and out of place too, guess I'm hard to please 😅. But either is better than just getting a tablet display like so many though. To your comment of a LCD that doesn't fill out the whole space, the Honda Rebel 300/500 are the worst offenders.

[@VanBlamm]

I hadn't heard about the frame issues! Good to know. The X has a traditional keyed ignition, so I guess that's a plus. The Scrambler 1200s are, in my opinion, the closest we've gotten to a true full-size retro adventure bike. Check out Motoscout if you haven't before, he has a 1200 XC with the Unit Garage front fairing. Really completes the ADV look.

[@johnclarke3197]

Thanks for this, found it very interesting

[@spodokomoto5020]

Fab mini review👍. I can definitely recommend the Scrambler 1200xc. I used to have a Speed Twin 1200 and a Tiger 800 xca - I loved the good looks of the Speed Twin but the comfort and commanding presence of the Tiger. I swapped them both for a Scrambler XC - which is kind of a combination of the two! I’ve had my Scrambler XC for nearly 3 years and I seriously can’t think of another bike I’d rather have. I think you’re right, if you were going to go for a Scrambler 1200 then a used XC is a better bet than the X.

[@VanBlamm]

Glad to have some input from an XC owner!

[@logangodofcandy]

XC is both the best and only bike I've ever owned

[@logangodofcandy]

I'm having a hard time picking my second bike. The XC is my first and I want a dedicated street bike. The X is considered, as is the XE, speed twin 1200, and the bobber. Love this engine.

[@VanBlamm]

Are you adding a second motorcycle or replacing the XC? The X would be a good choice for your street-only bike if you have to deal with a lot of potholes and speed bumps, otherwise I'd steer you towards the Speed Twin 1200 or Bobber.

[@AirplaneDetective]

How do the mod demo days work? Is there a lot of waiting around?

[@VanBlamm]

You show up, sign a form or two, and put your name on the waiting list. Once it's your turn they give you a quick rundown of the bike and then turn you loose; the recommended route is a loop around the business park plus a half mile or so of divided highway. You do have to wait for a little bit, usually about half an hour (maybe less if you get there early). They typically have multiple bikes in play, which helps keep the crowd moving.

[@lesterarellano6563]

being an asian guy I really like what triumph did to this scrambler, i'd prefer this over the t120 any day because of our road condition, with the tubeless tire, more power & a go to anywhere aesthetic, this more approacheable scrambler is a nice addition for triumph 😊 in our country the X is 3k usd cheaper compared to the XC and just 1k usd more expensive than the t120...cant wait to get one of these soon!

[@VanBlamm]

Sounds like a great fit!

[@shubhromu]

Is that the Triumph dealership in NVA?

[@VanBlamm]

Yep!

[@projectswithjw]

Your back! 😎😎

[@chr11sf]

👍

[@aditya.ishan27]

I happy to loose out on 3 panel TFT and on wireless keyfob. I am ok to loose out on brembo braking department. But I am not happy to loose out on suspension travel and tall seat height from XC as thats what makes a scrambler a tall commanding stance motorcycle. But yeah great bike anyways for someone who wants to stick to tarmac but yeah anything more than that one needs to now get the XE.

[@johnnylong2049]

Xc should’ve came standard with imu leaning traction control. And x model should have came standard with cruise control.

[@VanBlamm]

Agreed on both

[@phils2180]

This is my 2p worth. Triumph is obviously trading on the "vintage scrambler" look of the bikes of yesteryear, raced by a certain Mr S McQueen and a Mr B Ekins, among others but the bikes are like chalk and cheese. I don't know what the 50's/60's "scramblers" weighed but I'll bet it's nowhere near the kerbweight of the new bikes. I get that dual sport machines will always be a compromise but the XE/XC bikes always struck me as a bit of a contradiction. They don't have the touring capability of full on adventure bikes, they have tall suspension for "off road" use but carry way too much weight. They have sports bike level stoppers but you can't ride them like one on the road thanks to the limitations the tall suspension brings and what you don't need or want off road is that level of braking performance. Component badging and other tweaks aside, the new X model has moved further away from off road and become a better road bike for it IMO. Seat height is not an issue for me but for shorter riders/potential owners, the lower ride height is a bonus.

[@logangodofcandy]

The old bikes were like 400# and had like 50 horses. This is 500# and 89 horses. The new 900s are about 500# and 60 horses.

[@spodokomoto5020]

Thanks - an interesting post. I love my XC it has a lot of the characteristics of an ADV bike with a much better aesthetic. Comfortable, upright, with road presence. I’ve done long 2000 miles plus tours on it too. It is also capable off road - but I agree if you’re serious about hitting the dirt and this is what you’ll do mostly, then the Scramblers are too heavy and too expensive. The XC is the better bike compared to the XE imho. The XE is even more capable off road but for that sort of terrain you’d be better off on something lighter, cheaper and easier to fix. So that extra capability seems pointless. The XC is more set up for the road and looks better, given this is what most people will do with it, I think this makes it the better choice. I’m sorry to see the XC dropped from the line up - but it probably helps keep up the residual value of mine. The XC is certainly the best of all the Triumph Scramblers. 👍

[@phils2180]

@@spodokomoto5020 Prior to the 1200 I had a Street Scrambler, arguably much closer in form to the original 60's scramblers and really loved that bike, the only thing I wished for on occasion was a bit more oomph from the engine so here I am with the 1200X which is much closer to a Street Scrambler than it is to the XE IMO. I'm fortunate in owning other bikes for full on road or off road use but the 1200X just ticks my boxes for a general use machine. 👍