Triumph’s Scrambler 1200 is less of a neo-classic scrambler than it is a viable low-weight alternative to the over-litre, top-heavy adventure bikes.
The British company has loaded the bike with all the latest hi-tech mod cons and given it true all-road credentials, while still remaining a stunning neo-classic in design.
And unlike most hideously ugly utilitarian adventure bikes, this is classy with exemplary quality finish and some beautiful touches. So nice you will be reticent to take it off road and get it dirty! 
More power and torque
It is also the brawniest of the 1200 water-cooled Bonneville models with the high-torque engine from the Bobber, but using a single throttle body that gives it 14Nm more torque and almost as much power as the high-power engine from the Thruxton R.
The Scrambler 1200 XE and XC are far more than just a 900cc Street Scrambler with more cubic capacity.
This is now a multi-purpose bike: an adventurer, a stylish retro, a sports tourer, a capable commuter and a naked streetfighter.
It will tour tarmac and dirt roads in comfort and ease all day long with long gaps between refills thanks to the super-efficient engine and bigger 16-litre tank.
It’s also a lot more expensive at $21,700 (plus on-road costs) for the off-road-oriented XE and $20,300 for the more road-tame XC version at $20,300.
Scrambler 1200 XC and XE
The XC has five riding modes and the XE adds Off-Road Pro that turns off traction control and ABS to use a special off-road engine mapping.
XE also has cornering traction control and cornering ABS, plus 50mm longer suspension (250mm).
Despite all the tech on board, I love the fact that you can customise the digital instruments so that only the centre screen shows minimal info in digital or analogue format until you press a control button on the left switchblock that reveals all the other comprehensive data on side screens.
It makes you focus your attention on the important things such as revs and speed!
However, you can upgrade with a USB connection under the seat that plugs in your smartphone in a padded cell and allows access on the instrument screen to various apps and Google Maps.
The connector is coming in the next few months for an extra $400.
Manners
What I love about the Scrambler 1200 is the good manners this brawny 1200cc engine displays even around slow-moving traffic.
Fuelling is smooth, reliable and more refined than the other 1200s I have ridden.
This makes it great in traffic, together with the slick-cut gears and wide spread of ratios.
Braking is also much improved with dual Brembo M50 radial Monoblock calipers on 320mm front discs with a 255mm rear disc and twin-piston caliper.
Riding position is upright and neutral with a commanding view of the traffic for safe filtering.
However, the XC has a dizzyingly high 840mm seat height and the XE its stratospheric at 870mm.
I stand 183cm tall and my toes only just touch the ground on the XE.
Out on the highway it gallops along with plenty in reserve in sixth gear and an unstressed feel to engine and riding position.
The seat is comfortable enough for rolling down highways all day.
Dirty business
Once you get your tyres dirty and stand up on dirt roads, this has a much more natural feel than the Street Scrambler which makes you ride bandy-legged.
Here it also feels less top heavy than other adventure bikes and gives you more control as you flick it around.
Those Ohlins rear shocks provide plenty of traction, control as well as a comfortable ride over the roughest of terrain.
Up front is a Showa unit that also feels good on rough corrugations as well as pushing into tight tarmac corners.
If you can only afford one bike, but don’t want an ugly utilitarian adventure model, the stylish neo-classic Scrambler 1200 is just what you’ve been looking for.
Oliver’s Motorcycles in Brisbane will hold a public launch on Wednesday at 5.30pm.
| ENGINE & TRANSMISSION | |
|---|---|
| Type | Liquid-cooled, 8 valve, SOHC, 270° crank angle parallel-twin |
| Capacity | 1200 cc |
| Bore | 97.6 mm |
| Stroke | 80 mm |
| Compression | 11:1 |
| Max Power EC | 90PS/ 89bhp (66.2kW) @7,400rpm |
| Max Torque EC | 110 Nm @ 3950 rpm |
| System | Multipoint sequential electronic fuel injection |
| Exhaust | Brushed 2 into 2 exhaust system with brushed high level silencers |
| Final Drive | X ring chain |
| Clutch | Wet, multi-plate assist clutch |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
| CHASSIS | |
| Frame | Tubular steel with aluminium cradle |
| Swingarm | Twin-sided, aluminium |
| Front Wheel | Tubeless 36-spoke 21 x 2.15in, aluminium rims |
| Rear Wheel | Tubeless 32-spoke 17 x 4.25in, aluminium rims |
| Front Tyre | 90/90-21 |
| Rear Tyre | 150/50 R17 |
| Front Suspension | Showa 47mm fully adjustable upside down forks, 250mm travel |
| Rear Suspension | Fully adjustable Ohlins twin shocks with piggy back reservoir, 250mm rear wheel travel |
| Front Brakes | Twin 320mm Brembo discs, Brembo M50 4-piston radial monobloc calipers, ABS |
| Rear Brakes | Single 255mm disc, Brembo 2-piston floating caliper, ABS |
| Instrument Display and Functions | TFT multifunctional instrument pack with digital speedometer, trip computer, digital tachometer, gear position indicator, fuel gauge, service indicator, ambient temperature, clock and rider modes (Rain/Road/Sport/Offroad/Off-road Pro/Rider-Customisable) |
| DIMENSIONS & WEIGHTS | |
| Width Handlebars | 905 mm |
| Height Without Mirror | 1250 mm |
| Seat Height | 870 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1570 mm |
| Rake | 26.9 º |
| Trail | 129.2 mm |
| Dry Weight | 207 kg |
| Tank Capacity | 16 L |
| FUEL CONSUMPTION | |
| Fuel Consumption | 4.9 l/100km (58 MPG) |
| CO2 Figures | EURO 4 Standard: 113g/km |
Triumph Scrambler XC 1200 tech specs
| ENGINE & TRANSMISSION | |
|---|---|
| Type | Liquid-cooled, 8 valve, SOHC, 270° crank angle parallel-twin |
| Capacity | 1200 cc |
| Bore | 97.6 mm |
| Stroke | 80 mm |
| Compression | 11:1 |
| Max Power EC | 90PS/ 89bhp (66.2kW) @7,400rpm |
| Max Torque EC | 110 Nm @ 3950 rpm |
| System | Multipoint sequential electronic fuel injection |
| Exhaust | Brushed 2 into 2 exhaust system with brushed high level silencers |
| Final Drive | X ring chain |
| Clutch | Wet, multi-plate assist clutch |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
| CHASSIS | |
| Frame | Tubular steel with aluminium cradle |
| Swingarm | Twin-sided, aluminium |
| Front Wheel | Tubeless 36-spoke 21 x 2.15in, aluminium rims |
| Rear Wheel | Tubeless 32-spoke 17 x 4.25in, aluminium rims |
| Front Tyre | 90/90-21 |
| Rear Tyre | 150/50 R17 |
| Front Suspension | Showa 45mm fully adjustable upside down forks, 200mm travel |
| Rear Suspension | Fully adjustable Ohlins twin shocks with piggy back reservoir, 200mm rear wheel travel |
| Front Brakes | Twin 320mm Brembo discs, Brembo M50 4-piston radial monobloc calipers, ABS |
| Rear Brakes | Single 255mm disc, Brembo 2-piston floating caliper, ABS |
| Instrument Display and Functions | TFT multifunctional instrument pack with digital speedometer, trip computer, digital tachometer, gear position indicator, fuel gauge, service indicator, ambient temperature, clock and rider modes (Rain/Road/Sport/Off-road/Rider-Customisable) |
| DIMENSIONS & WEIGHTS | |
| Width Handlebars | 840 mm |
| Height Without Mirror | 1200 mm |
| Seat Height | 840 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1530 mm |
| Rake | 25.8 º |
| Trail | 121 mm |
| Dry Weight | 205 kg |
| Tank Capacity | 16 L |
| FUEL CONSUMPTION | |
| Fuel Consumption | 4.9 l/100km (58 MPG) |
| CO2 Figures | EURO 4 Standard: 113g/km |
Source: MotorbikeWriter.com