Certainly you and your bride should go for test ride to check that you are both OK with any heat given off by the high-level pipes. If not, then you are straight into doing a de-cat.

I note that the 1200 has a higher seat then the 900 and you might want to consider this.

 

I really dig the high pipes and picked the 900 Street Scrambler for the lower seat height and friendly ergos. I was originally concerned about my passengers right leg, but she said it wasn't bad while riding. Gets hot in stop and go heavy traffic and she is extra careful getting on/off the passenger seat. Cat delete and ceramic coating cured heat issues entirely.

The 900 is a great commuter bike. Very nimble handling and performance that exceeds the spec sheet. More fun than I thought it would be. I spend a lot of time in the twisties and bombing gravel roads. For this kind of riding I feel the taller 1200 is too much.

I have a 1200 ADV bike and it rarely gets driven now. The girlfriend doesn't like climbing on board the super tall back seat. If you actually go off road, the 900 suspension is lacking somewhat. Only time I wish for more power is high speed passing maneuvers with a passenger. Simple solution, I wad told to resist the urge when she comes with.

 

I've been looking at the 900 as well to add to my stable. I have a 2018 ATAS and it's an amazing machine, but it's like riding a really fast horse and it's the highest seat height of all the Africa Twins. I just wanted something more relaxed and fun.

 

I wanted to follow up and share my thoughts and let everyone know I test drove both and took a 2024 Scrambler 900 in Cosmic Yellow home. I absolutely love the look of the Yellow Scrambler 900.

On the 1200 I noticed the heat was substantially more and immediately noticeable compared to the 900 which was very tolerable. The engine on the 1200 sounds and feels different. The 1200 feels like it wants to run where the 900 felt more relaxed for cruising around the local back roads. I prefer the sound and power delivery on the 900 more. The 900 feels like you can crack open the throttle through first and second while still maintaining reasonable street legal speeds having a worry free good time and also wander about at 1800 rpm enjoying the scenery.

I agree with the comment that the 900 exceeds its spec sheet. On paper the 1200 is a superior bike in almost every box and I'm happy they offer that option for people who are looking for that extra level of performance. However for an everyday bike I really feel like the 900 is a special and different experience. I'm glad this bike exists for us to enjoy.

I am on the heavier side and I did experience the rear suspension being a bit light for two up riding over rough rods. I think the only thing I'm interested in adding would be some rear shocks with an appropriate spring rate for my weight and to accommodate two up riding and adding a top box. I wish the stock pipes were a bit louder, however I love the look and I'm unsure if I want to go through the process of getting the ECU retuned after changing the pipes out.

If anyone else wants to share their Scrambler 900 thoughts and feelings I'm excited to discuss as a fresh owner. This is my first Triumph and my first Scrambler. I had nothing but Japanese inline 4 sport bikes and one KTM previously and I'm very happy I discovered this gem.

 

I loved my old 900 Scrambler and always regretted getting rid of it. When the 1200 came out, I figured it'd be like an updated, more powerful version of the old bike (I'm far too tall for the Street Scrambler, so it was never on my radar, although I love it's looks). It was certainly more powerful, but I never found myself being particularly slow on the 55hp 900. I also miss the way the 900 was just much more chill to ride and never failed to make me smile in a way that the 1200 just doesn't.
Don't get me wrong, the 1200 is a great bike and I really like it, just not in the way I did my 900.
And then there's the heat - never a problem on the 900, so bad on the 1200 that I ended up getting a low exhaust for it.
I reckon you've made the right choice. Like you say, beef up the suspension and farkle it for you and you'll be a very happy chicken

 

I replaced the rear shocks the first week, stockers were barely acceptable. Most of my fleet are sport bikes with fully adjustable suspension, so I'm spoiled and have high expectations on how a bike could work.

I did the cat delete 2nd week. Noticeable increase in pep and sounds really nice with the stock mufflers. I went on to pulling the airbox snorkel and cutting out the sound baffles with a holesaw. Now it's kinda loud. My friends say it sounds glorious, but I kinda wish I left the mufflers alone..

I'd say cat delete with stock mufflers, or debaffle/slip-on mufflers with cat left intact. Pulling the airbox snorkel out creates some noticeable intake noise, but I don't feel it helped the powerband any. Easy to try and put back if you don't like the effect.

I wouldn't worry about a ECU tune to much. My bike easily accommodated for de-cat, de-baffle, DNA air filter and snorkel removal. I did buy Tune-ECU to do remapping, but just because I like to tinker not as it needs it.

 

Happy Chicken here. First ride to work on the Yellow Scrambler. I love listening to that twin on a brisk spring morning. This bike definitely brightens my day.

The first thing I'm going to do is order the center stand. Next I'm looking to upgrade the rear shocks. It looks like A&J cycles is local to me and offers all the popular options for rear shocks. I'm leaning towards the Nitron R3's with the proper spring rates setup for my weight and use case. Reading through the older posts people talk about the Wilbers being good as well however they're more money than the Nitrons and I'm not sure if the value is there.

Also MN Twin you mentioned you replaced your rear shocks, what brand did you go with? Did you do anything to the front fork? My plan is to swap the rear shocks first and reevaluate

Does anyone have any recommendations on which rear shocks are best?

 

I have some experience with the carb'd 900. I put 87,000 miles on mine. I've owned the 1200 for a little while.

I think Triumph was listening to all of us give "feedback" on our old 900s and tried to give us everything we asked for or complained about on the old bikes when they came up with the 1200.

When I test rode the 1200 it felt very familiar. But the two bikes handle differently.

The difference in the rake and trail combined with the jump from a 19" front wheel to a 21" front wheel makes for a completely different turn-in and tougher slow speed maneuvering on the 1200. Add to that the simple fact that the 1200 is a tall bike with a higher center of gravity.

I was happy with the way the 900 handled but unhappy on group rides when I had to ring its neck to keep up with the guys on the Tigers. I pushed it way beyond what most used it for and I loved that bike. It was special.

My 2019 1200XC showcase model is far superior to my old 2006 Scrambler 900. They are not in the same category. They are not in the same league. One feels like the evolution of the other.

That being said, it's not a good idea to compare these two bikes. They are more like siblings than rivals.

I'd recommend the 900 to everyone who thinks it looks cool. It's easy to ride and eventually doesn't have enough power. After they ride that one for 10 years or so, I'd recommend they hop aboard a 1200 - if they've got the inseam. The bigger brother pulls like a train and actually is a good-looking dual sport ADV bike.