I just read a review of the the new Scrambler 1200XE. Why is it they always come out with the exact bike I would like after I already bought a bike? The Scrambler 1200 XE takes care of all the complaints I have with my T120. It has spoked rims that accept tubeless tires, tire sizes that you actually have a choice of decent dual sport tires, various modes of both ABS and traction control (to me a really big deal as I do a lot of riding off the pavement), LED lighting, about 50 lb less weight, lower stock gearing. What a nice bike!
My only complaints : the high pipes & cat converter. After owning several street machines with high pipes over the years, I have always found them to be uncomfortable warm on a hot summer day while cruising down the road. The tests I have read confirm that is still the case on this bike. And secondly, it seems a bit expensive at $15,400. So I don't think I will trade my T120 in yet, but what a nice bike!
It’s more than I’m spending on a bike this round. But you do seem to get a lot of capability. It’s also a bit taller than I’d like, but it’s unreasonable to expect a bike with any off road pretensions to be as short as I’d like. There’s no hideous tank seam! That needs to spread across the Bonneville line pronto. Argree about the high pipes but it’s practically a requirement on a Triumph Scrambler.
I have a 900 scrambler and its not an issue. It gets a bit warm but the heat coming off these water cooled models on the opposite side is just as bad.
This bike is a beast. When I looked at it on the weekend my first reaction was "whooaah' after sitting on it and moving it around it actually carries the size and weight pretty well.
I'm 6 foot tall with short legs and both feet can touch on the balls only. The static sag wasn't set and it was taller than my Husky 300 enduro!!
All you shorties out there, good luck not feeling intimidated by this beast. I know one of the salesman at the shop can't go near it. But if your a good rider, you don't need 2 feet on the ground anyway.
On the converse the speed twin feels too small for me. It's a little bike in feel and visual.
Well, I rode the XE a few days ago and it's a great and easy bike to ride.
Tried to get as much varied road types as I could, short of taking the demo off road.
To disclose, I'm 5'8" with a 30" inseam, so can barely get tip toes down. But with duck disease (@rse low to the ground) and having ridden tall bikes all my life and I own a GSA, that does not worry me one iota.
I found the balance about perfect, anything above standstill and it feels poised; none of the tip over feeling you get sitting on the big Tex at near standstill, for example.
This bike has fantastic and well sorted suspension, that's without any fine tuning at all. High speed and low speed cornering was too easy, threw the thing at every pothole and rut I could find to unsettle it and no ways...
Did not get any noticeable turbulence off the had guards, a fly screen to lessen the load on the chest above 80mph would be a definite nicety.
The seat was hard, but comfy enough over the couple of hours test ride. I did briefly try the low seat option and found it cutting into my thighs, so can't say I'll get that option.
Bearing in mind it was February in Scotland, I can't say there was any heat off the exhaust. I made a point of touching the heat shields front and rear and were cool enough to touch easily. The exhaust tucks into the frame nicely, so standing up is easy, when needed. A pillion will have a slightly wider than normal stance on the right, but not so bad I didn't think.
Biggest disappointment? The Arrows option only comes in EU homologated version and the bigger header bores mean I wont be able to carry over my high level catless pipes from the SS.
Anyway after a long tale, I pulled the trigger and pick up a new on sometime in March.
Second biggest disappointment, the part exchange on the SS is an eye wateringly paltry sum...
Now to explain to the missus where the holiday fund went!
Onya Dave.! I got offered a pretty ordinary trade as well
The main issue I'm having trouble with is it's such a big bike, it would probably not scream out to me from the garage to just take it for a quick spin to the shops. While it does push around easier than the 900 it just has a whole big bike big ride feel about it.
I hear you, mate, that is true. Ideal world I'd simply add this to the stable and keep the SS, which I still love as that real fun ride it like you stole machine. Which I guess confirms you don't need the big HP to really enjoy a great ride.
So, did the deed and took delivery today, first XE delivered in Glasgow, I believe...
I can honestly say this is one of the nicest rides I’ve had and that’s not just the honeymoon phase talking.
Feast your eyes folks, couple of pictures on collection today. I will add some more farkles in time, but this is a good start. All Triumph parts apart from the bag on the seat, which is a bag I’ve had for about 10 years. Almost looks like I’m off on an adventure, wish it was true...
Dave - not sure how I missed this thread back when it started. I think I might have started reading on page 2 or something. Anyway, I am taking delivery of an almost identical version Thursday or Friday this week (waiting for call from bike freight company to confirm delivery time). Got a steal on a lightly used one with all the off-road and touring options added. Question - what is the model of the BMW tail bag you have on the bike? And do you like it? I have been looking for something similar to augment the cargo capacity. Thanks!
Nice Dave, now go and get some mud on it!
I was all set to do the swap but i don't have much work unfortunately, only 6 days this month so that puts me back 3 months.
Sent from my TA-1033 using Tapatalk
Actually, he may not want to get mud on it yet. According to a review I saw the other day, the group clogged up the radiator and overheated while running the high front fender. They recommended the standard fender as it is more effective at keeping crap outta the radiator.
Mirrors a funny old things, but I'm fine with mine and can see fine.
Bar end mirrors probably not compatible, unless you find something that mount on the bar end bolts as opposed to the end of the bars, if that makes sense.
Someone over at the ADV Rider forum uploaded the Scrambler Owner's Manual. Since I still can't find it on the Triumph Website or on TriTun, I thought I'd leave a link here for those who are interested.
Hello mates! I just purchased an XE and it has been an absolute BLAST to ride. I put a review video up on YouTube here : https://youtu.be/p06F6xoXNN0
I will be posting another one soon on a few more thoughts as I have been riding the bike for a bit. If you like the video please subscribe and throw a comment on the video. Hope you like it!
I am in a full Triumph Envy phase right now. Love my Speed Triple RS and love my 2017 Street Scrambler. But when the 1200XE starting coming to fruition I could not believe what I was seeing. The production bike looks like someone very talented created a one-off bike that is entirely unique and super old school looking. Then they put on an amazing electronics package and the bike is just.....RIGHT!
I was going to trade in my 2017 Street Scrambler to bring down the bottom line but as I was riding it the other evening I made the decision to keep it and still get a 1200XE Showcase version.
I have only put on around 60 miles so I don't wish to make any attempt of a realistic assessment yet. I need to break it in completely and get used to it so I can enjoy even second of riding it without messing with the display settings!!! I will say those 60 miles were delightful!! As many others have already stated: this is the nicest bike I have ever owned.
I am in a full Triumph Envy phase right now. Love my Speed Triple RS and love my 2017 Street Scrambler. But when the 1200XE starting coming to fruition I could not believe what I was seeing. The production bike looks like someone very talented created a one-off bike that is entirely unique and super old school looking. Then they put on an amazing electronics package and the bike is just.....RIGHT!
I was going to trade in my 2017 Street Scrambler to bring down the bottom line but as I was riding it the other evening I made the decision to keep it and still get a 1200XE Showcase version.
I have only put on around 60 miles so I don't wish to make any attempt of a realistic assessment yet. I need to break it in completely and get used to it so I can enjoy even second of riding it without messing with the display settings!!! I will say those 60 miles were delightful!! As many others have already stated: this is the nicest bike I have ever owned.
I’m envious of your ability to have more than one bike, as my current living situation only allows one:crying: I too am curious why you would keep the street scrambler and the XE and would love to hear more?
For me, every one of my bikes evokes a different riding experience. The 900 Street Scrambler is the quintessential basic motorcycle. Not trying to be the fastest, not trying to be the best at a certain genre. It is the perfect bike to ride locally and it makes me smile every time I ride it. The new 1200 is a whole new level of bike and will serve local rides, long rides and challenging off road rides. The 900 cannot adequately do all that.
When I decided to buy the 1200 the cost was certainly significant. My initial inclination to trade in the 900 to lessen the cost of the new bike. Then I started thinking and figured out that for a long term money stand point it was better to hang onto the 900 (I own it outright) than to trade it and take a massive penalty.
I had a 2014 Scrambler once and it was set up perfectly for me and then I got put on the layoff list at work and I was forced to sell it. In the end my job got saved but the bike was gone forever. My job is stable for now and, as such, I will not dump a bike unless I absolutely have to.
And another factor for keeping the 900 and getting the 1200 too--I am a moto ****!!!!
I have a Street Scrambler, Thruxton S and Tiger 800 XCX. On one level, the Scrambler 1200 could replace them all. On another, it would be the ideal 4th bike, but that would be complete overkill. I fully get why you’d keep a Street Scrambler and have the 1200. If I were to get a Scrambler 1200 it would most likely be the Thruxton that I let go. I think you’d really need to own a Street Scrambler or a Tiger 800 to understand why.
Well I was at a mates place today and he said have you read the review of the 1200 XE, I said no ,well read this. These are the words of the testers, When the going gets rough ,nothing touches the Triumph. Sounds like Triumph has nailed it.
I think they've nailed the whole water cooled range bar none. I'd keep any of em, even the Master which is not my taste still looks like a good bike.But I think they may have too many bikes going on here. 3 scramblers t120 100 etc etc. Be interesting to see what gets culled. I guess the sales of the new bikes vs old will tell in time.
Still haven't seen any new scrams muddied up yet...C'mon lads, roost some dirt
I see with some of the scramblers in the US, there is a physical ignition switch (underneath the intake on the left side of the bike).
I wonder if this is something that can be removed to make it work like the versions the rest of the world work (by just pushing on the rocker switch on the right handgrip).
The service manual and circuit schematics show an "ignition master switch link" for the international versions. It's a plug that replaces the switch with a permanently closed connection. So you'd just have to order the right connector and crimp a short piece of wire into it (probably 1.5 mm^2 / AWG 15). Saddly the diagrams don't say which type of connector it is and I don't have my bike yet, but if you take a photo of it I might be able to find a link.
Are you seriously saying that US regulators have a problem with keyless ignition? I’m still trying to understand why day running lights and certain LED blinkers aren’t allowed. Can anyone explain the reasoning?
I was told by someone from Triumph that it was “regulations” that require that switch to be there. However, he also told me that leaving it in the “on” position would allow the keyless system to operate as normal (i.e. like the rest of the world).
Maybe these so called “regulators” are anti-motorcycle or they just don’t like triumph’s. The bastards!
I don’t know about the blinkers. At first they didn’t have them for the T120, now 2 years later they do (stateside). If a person really wanted to, they could always order the led’s from a dealer in the uk. As for differences, I think the ones sold in the rest of the world are a bit smaller than the us spec ones.
Don't get me wrong it's an amazingly fun bike, but still a few things here and there that could have been better. Like matresses it's rarely one size fits all. Many love the suspensions...I'm still trying to get the rear shocks at a point where I actually like them, probably the biggest disappointment for me, I was expecting an adventure bike type of comfort.
Don't get me wrong it's an amazingly fun bike, but still a few things here and there that could have been better. Like matresses it's rarely one size fits all. Many love the suspensions...I'm still trying to get the rear shocks at a point where I actually like them, probably the biggest disappointment for me, I was expecting an adventure bike type of comfort.
I saw that video on YT before you linked it here. It was actually refreshing to hear something other than "It's all amazing" in a review of the Scram.
About your criticism:
- Coolant hose and instrument cable rubbing on parts, stuck phone case: That shouldn't happen of course, but I assume they will fix that in the next revision. Though I hope we won't have to change our hoses every 1000 km until then.
- Rattling exhaust cover: I haven't heard that from anyone else. Did your dealer say anything about that? From the amount of movement you're showing in the video it doesn't seem easily fixable, as if there's egenrally too much flex in the entire cover.
- Suspension: I assume they went for a rather sporty base setup to keep such a heavy bike from being too soft and indirect on the road. My first idea would be to change the damper oil for something more lightweight. Also suspensions are known to soften a little during their break-in, so there might be some improvement over time.
Sorry to hear that your new machine doesn't meet your expectations though, I hope those problems won't keep you from enjoying it.
I must say when I saw that both models had Öhlins it was quite a turn off. The WP suspension on the Tigers is, as far as I’m concerned, about as good as it gets for adventure riding. Sure there are better handling bikes in certain situations but I doubt there are any bikes of any description that handle every road surface significantly better than a Tiger 800 with WP set up. If the Scramblers had WP I’d probably have one by now.
Amen to that sir. I've yet to try a KTM that had uncomfortable suspensions, yet they all handle amazingly well...how to they do it? WP....I even wrote WP yesterday asking if they planned on making shocks for the Scramblers..."We do not have any plans at this time. Stay in contact with Triumph as we sometimes make upgrades for the manufacturers."
I'm surprised at how many reviews there are that don't mention anything about the suspensions (a few "a tad stiff" here and there but never really mentions it as a problem)...a lot of people seem a bit biased by the sight of the golden piggy backs. I'd be very curious to see what journalists would have thought of the suspensions had they been all black and no logos on them...I'd bet 100$ many would have said "as for the rear shocks you could probably upgrade to some Ohlins" lol Also when they launched the bike I think it was in Portugal, they went from a dirt track (which Im sure the suspensions will work great on, to silky smooth roads, which they also work great on). I wish they had covered 10km of rough pavement in the mix...maybe then we would have had more accurate feedback.
Sport bikes aside, I think Ohlins is one of the most overrated companies out there. Triumph really should have collaborated with WP on this bike, they would have hit a homerun.
Personally kayaba for me. The suspension on the Japanese bikes and gas gas enduro is a lot better than WP.
With a dual spring it was never gonna be anything but stiff...until you push it. Maybe they need to be ridden harder on rougher terrain.
Thats definitely where they will work best, unfortunately, thats not where most bikes will spend most of their lives. Its gonna be a mix of paved roads, dirt/gravel roads, and occasional serious offroading. Someone planning on spending most of their time doing extreme offroading, would not choose this bike, there's much better options out there for that.
I could jump on my Africa Twin and can't recall once bottoming out the suspensions, yet on the road it offered a much plusher ride (with cheaper suspensions).
Scrambler007;2003911036
The last suspension shop I found works more on dirt bikes than sport bikes so it should help. They also have a suspension dyno which should allow them to assess the suspensions before and after the changes.[/QUOTE said:
There it is. A dyno in a suspension shop. That's where id go. A revalve will cost ya. Springs first, see how it goes. Do both and you won't know what fixed it. It might be a case of only 1 of those springs needs a soften up.
You could always stand up and use your legs haha
If I didn't often ride 5-600km in a day on weekends, standing up definitely solves the problem lol
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