Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE Review: Why I bought one

Owners review of the Triumph Bonneville Scrambler 1200 XE.
I bought this bike a few months ago as my new touring bike. In this video I explain why I chose this bike over other adventure bikes available, and what I like about it.

[@sidweazel2883]

I’m late to the show, only just discovered your channel but hit subscribe as soon as I saw the decat video. I’m on the verge of buying a 1200xe and you’ve been a really useful source of information. Thanks 🙏.

[@adorable_deplorable-u.k.877]

Loving the channel, this is the bike that got me back into riding after being off them for about 20 years!! Love every minute of riding it

[@SongsFromTheSaddle]

Great to hear!

[@markplatt2297]

I have recently done the same as a lot of folks by ditching my GS and now riding a Scrambler XE, great bike for urban riding and blasting down the country lanes and it also looks the dogs . Good vids mate keep it up…

[@SongsFromTheSaddle]

Since posting this video, lots of people have told me that they have made the same move. It's nice to know I'm not alone. Thanks for your comment.

[@elietarazi8401]

Cheers from OZ. Been watching your channel for a while and enjoy the content. Big Triumph fan and had a similar experience where I bought a Bonneville Speedmaster over the bigger Harley cruisers. Technology and weight was the major difference. Great bike like your Scrambler.

[@johnmartin7158]

Hi Oz ! I just bought a T120 2022 model. Awesome bike. NZ

[@CCitis]

I had a BMW RS. Could not find comfort. I also prefer a motorcycles that looks like a motorcycles if that makes sense. I keep some old bikes in my garage. So, scrambler ticked a lot of boxes for me. I have a 2019 as my do all bike… and it has not disappointed me. Great bike.

[@johnmartin7158]

Got my bike end of December 2021. Got the T120 Matt Black / Graphite gold line. Glad you love your bike as well. Cruise control is very handy. The new T120 is lighter than my 2019 T120, but yes the scrambler has more versatility. NZ

[@stemcatpup7472]

Cheers from Canada. Picking up my bike next week! Love the winter riding scenes up North. I lived at Linton on Ouse for 3 years and always wanted to ride over the moors and across the Penines.

[@SongsFromTheSaddle]

I hope you can get out on the new bike when you pick it up. I bet it's colder in Canada than it is here.

[@stemcatpup7472]

@@SongsFromTheSaddle The beauty of Vancouver Island: 10C and sunny tomorrow when I pick up the bike!

[@maxi5784]

Great review, pretty much the same reasons when I switched from the bulky oil cooled R12GSA…besides, the Scrambler is much more handsome and manly bike…

[@Mr950se]

Thank you for the informative information on servicing the Scrambler 1200xe.

[@zak_7354]

Good to know! Thanks from your comments...love my 1050 Tiger, but your reasons for buying are compelling ;)

[@arifffirman3529]

Great review, magnificient view. Wish i could ride my XC on those roads.

[@thinknumbers7718]

I also fell for the scrambler for similar reasons. Watching your video makes me want to get out for a ride.

[@alexandrefernandesribeirod9935]

Trully understand your updated perception of looking, feeling and breathing your brand new toy. Perhaps less is more. And in this case you got a trully revival of your chilhood, teenager times. Perhaps this specific toy is the lost missing link that is connecting you between the past and the still to come, future. Endurance, endeavouring, shall prevail after all and pay back easily all our hungry demands. Just bought one XE. One month to go before driving floating on land...

[@SongsFromTheSaddle]

Thank you. You explain it very well!

[@jjnewman65]

I’m using SWMotech dry bag system (350 &180) Fits very well on the OEM tail rack. Still struggling with the tft but I need to do more homework with the user manual!

[@stepheneldridge6998]

Great insight into ownership of the Scrambler!..enjoyed that 👌. Cheers, Steve

[@SongsFromTheSaddle]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@kennethcooley3445]

Nice job. I have the Steve McQueen. 850 miles so far. Mid U.S.A. 2.5 hours south of Chicago

[@baz5806]

Alston down to Haydon bridge looking good for a winters day! And Castleside over to stanhope.. We must be neighbors! 😁 I'm thinking of getting the xc model, being a short arse..

[@RobertFullStop]

I'm surprised you haven't mentioned the new Africa Twin. Nice bike 👍🏼

[@johnthompson9896]

Nice bike..................... but sadly for use here in Australia the fuel tank is probably about 5 litres too small? Come on Triumph offer a larger one as an option please. Cheers!

[@roadtramppaul1981]

Great informative video's, thinking of changing my electra glide for a 1200 xc, have arthritis in shoulders , glide v heavy , have a fatboy and a pan America. Like the easy to use aspect of the triumph. Have a 68 tr6c also

[@roadsweride_pt]

Same here… came from a gs1200 to scram1200xc and so far so good 👌🏼

[@SongsFromTheSaddle]

Good to hear!

[@davidstorm2563]

Thanks for the vid. My heart wants to buy the Scrambler 1200 XC. But sometimes my head says the Tiger 850 with luggage would be better 2 up riding (and 5k cheaper). Your vid has convinced me to go with the Scrambler & just make it work if we go away 2 up.

[@SongsFromTheSaddle]

Sorry David, but I can't offer any advice regarding 2-up riding on the Scrambler. I've not taken a passenger on it yet.

[@davidstorm2563]

Pleased to report, a XC is now in the garage 👍. Such a great motorcycle. Loving your Scrambler videos. ​@@SongsFromTheSaddle

[@hensola]

So.. moving from a Moto Guzzi V85 TT to the 1200 XE Scrambler, and the biggest issue I have is the chain. Looking to use a Scott Oiler, as my bike will be kept outside (under a cover), but chain oiling is a big concern, especially when this won't have a centre stand. What systems (if any) do you use, and how do you keep your chain in good working order?

[@SongsFromTheSaddle]

I made a video a while back about my chain maintenance routine - you can find it somewhere on my channel. Basically, I apply a bit of chainsaw oil using a toothbrush! Modern X ring chains are pretty low maintenance and just require some oil to stop them from rusting. Incidentally, I'll be fitting a new chain and sprockets soon, so look out for that video.

[@Strider-zm2bd]

Look for HKS extrem chain fluid, it is really awsome

[@nikhildurge2820]

Great video.. Please also share the details about camera setup and softwares you use to edit your videos.. I absolutely love the colours tones in your videos..

[@SongsFromTheSaddle]

I use a GoPro Hero 9 and DaVinci Resolve for editing (Professional version, not the free one). I'm slowly getting better at the editing and colour grading.

[@nikhildurge2820]

@@SongsFromTheSaddle You are doing great and probably should make a video about the video editing as well 😄

[@MTJoe406]

Thanks for the great review!

[@williambreeze2659]

Thanks for the video!

[@sprucelodge]

I have to agree , I too owned a bmw gsa . And leaning toward the scrambler, love the looks of the triumph and feel what more do you need ? Great review by the way 😀

[@efeonazli]

Theres a motorcycle expo starting here and I am willing to buy a bike but I was extremely undecided on just the models you have mentioned (gs 1250 - ktm 1290 - pan america), and also thinking about bonneville 1200 xe just for the similar reasons you have shared in the video. I am a tall and a big guy with a height of 195 cm and I will see whether or not i can fit and get comfortable on XE. Nice to run into your video "before" I buy. :) Would like to have your opinion on this bike with tall riders such as me.

[@SongsFromTheSaddle]

I think you will love the Triumph Scrambler. It is very light compared to the other adventure bikes you mentioned. I was just on the new Triumph Tiger 1200 this afternoon and that felt very heavy compared to my Scrambler. However, there is less wind protection.

[@mikedall9527]

Great scenery! I always attempt to recognise landmarks around your routes throughout Northumberland. Got me guessing this time though! Near Towlaw perhaps? Got a tech question. What microphone are you using and is this linked to a GoPro or another camera system?

[@SongsFromTheSaddle]

I recorded this riding between Allendale and Alston Mike. I use different mic setups in different situations and I'm constantly experimenting. I like to get some ambient wind & engine noise in the mix, but sometimes it is a bit too much and I have to scrap the recording! For most recordings the mic is a lavalier that records into a Zoom H1. Sometimes I record directly into the GoPro, but it depends on where I have it mounted. When I'm riding off-road on my KTM I have the GoPro on my chinbar where the internal mic picks up my voice without problem.

[@mikedall9527]

@@SongsFromTheSaddle Thanks Simon. I'll take a look at what you suggest. Maybe my old GoPro mounted in front of my chin will work pretty good. I'll give it a try. 👍

[@sharifela7993]

Nice video. Would you say XE or XC for on road riding? I’m 6’2, cheers

[@SongsFromTheSaddle]

I'm 6'1 and I bought the XE because it offers more room for bigger riders.

[@sf940477]

Just the chain would be the only downside for me , suppose that help keeps the weight down..

[@SongsFromTheSaddle]

Coming from a GS1200 I thought it would be an issue, but so far, not.

[@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. Randall Arthur is the author of the bestselling novel Wisdom Hunter. On a side note, Forgotten Road is a faith-based novel.

[@SongsFromTheSaddle]

Thanks Randy

[@ginoasci2876]

is that windshield enough to deflect the wind OVER your helmet?

[@SongsFromTheSaddle]

I'm 6'1" and find it's fine.

[@JohnCarr43]

Great video, always good to hear a genuine opinion. Is that the Triumph tall touring screen?

[@SongsFromTheSaddle]

It's not the tall screen, just the standard OEM fly screen

[@bobfitzy6236]

Actually it is the touring screen. I've just fitted one to replace the fly screen which just came slightly above the tft.

[@lifeofascrambler]

Nice review! I love my scrambler and can say on and off-road it’s awesome but for longer trips I do get a bit of a sore back end! Have you found this? Did you try and tricks that solved it?

[@SongsFromTheSaddle]

Using rubbing alcohol to toughen up my rear end!

[@ThePanzer6]

Nice review

[@SongsFromTheSaddle]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@Kaegis]

How would you rate the suspension plushness compared to the BMW?

[@SongsFromTheSaddle]

It's a bit harsh. I think I need to mess around with the settings

[@P.O-gsawkr]

🤘👍

[@MattKritzstein]

Is that the OEM touring screen?

[@SongsFromTheSaddle]

Its the OEM fly screen. The touring screen is quite a bit taller.

[@huguesquesnel5704]

Je suis propriétaire d'une je suis très satisfait