Review | Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE - All Form Over Function?

The Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE is a bike designed for the dirt while looking slick on the streets. But with an XL size, considerable weight and a £14k+ price tag, is it all form over function?

3 PROS | 3 CONS

Pros: Stunning Styling | Superb Engine | Great Fun
Cons: Height/Weight Will Exclude Some | Big Price Tag | Challenging Off-Road.

Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE Review

For the past 2 weeks, I've been on two wheels with Triumph testing out the latest 'do it all' option in the form of the Scrambler 1200 XE. The 'XE' signifies the top trim and best bits added as standard, which are all easily identifiable just by looking. Glance at the brakes, and you'll see Brembo radial monoblock callipers with twin floating 320mm discs up front and a single-piston Nissin calliper on the rear. Marzocchi branding can be found on the front 45mm upside-down forks and 'twin-spring' RSUs with piggyback reservoirs at the rear, allowing for 250mm wheel travel (front and rear) and fully adjustable settings, which grants the ability to set the bike up according to personal riding styles and rider weight.

Beyond the branded shiny parts, the 1200 XE's overall fit and finish are very good. The bike looks fantastic and achieves what Triumph does best: combining classic styling with modern-day performance.

As you would expect, a comprehensive list of optional extras and styling choices is available at the point of configuration, which can very easily increase the model's already punchy entry price of £13,295. The 1200XE is currently only available with 3 colourway options; Saphire Black is the standard option, or for an additional £350, buyers can choose either Baja Orange with Phantom Black or Phantom Black with Storm Grey (as tested). A strong selection of optional extras can see the model's retail price shoot up beyond £18,000, making it a serious contender for the most expensive scrambler - But does it warrant the price tag?

Triumph is marketing the 1200XE as a 'real deal capable scrambler' and a 'full-on adventure motorcycle.' Whilst I can't deny the bike's capabilities, I predict that only a relatively small number of buyers will take their potentially £18,000 bike through anything more challenging than a gravel car park. With a full fuel tank (15 litres), the 1200XE weighs a hefty 230kg. Add on another 80-100kg of rider, and that's a challenging amount of mass to balance through mud ruts and over rocky passes. The additional challenge comes from the 1200XE's height.

Height and Weight Challenges

The bike's sump sits 30cm from the ground, which is great for ground clearance but means you, as the rider, are also relatively high up. As standard, the seat is 870mm from the ground, meaning anyone shorter than 6 feet / 182 cm will likely struggle to place their feet flat on the floor. An optional lower seat is available for £250 but only drops the height by 25mm. Factor in the 230kg weight, and balancing the bike when stationary, even on the firmest surfaces, can be challenging. On gravel, the mass feels especially present underfoot.

Once rolling, the bike feels delightfully agile and dynamic. The weight can certainly be felt through the brakes and suspension travel, but not to the point where it's unwieldy and the 905mm wide handlebars aid slow manoeuvrability and balance. The bars also sit relatively high at 1250 mm, allowing easy riding when seated or standing on the footpegs. The Mazocchi suspension system complements the chassis brilliantly with plenty of soft travel at slow speeds and just enough firm absorption on the sharper bumps and corners at speed. The 1200XE has a 21-inch front wheel and 17-inch rear engineered for the off-road environment, but it is also complimentary to road handling.

On-Road Performance

The majority of buyers are most likely to stick to the tarmac, and fortunately, the 1200XE feels very much at home on Terrafirma. It's an effortless bike to enjoy at all speeds, but the 50-60 mph roads are the sweet spot. Beyond 60, the lack of aero can get tiresome, but up to that point, throwing the bike into the tight and twisties and thundering out of turns up to speed will not fail to raise a smile. If regular motorway stints are likely to be part of your ride, an optional Tall Flyscreen (a £310 option) may help but is unlikely to offer the level of protection found on bikes designed for regular fast road use.

Engine and Performance

The 1200XE utilises Triumph's 1200cc Liquid cooled, 8 valve, SOHC, 270° crank angle parallel twin engine, which pushes out an impressive 89 bhp (66.2 kW) @ 7,000 rpm and 110 Nm (81.1 ft lb) @ 4,250 rpm. It's hard to find fault with the powertrain as it rewards excellent power and a superb soundtrack. The low-end torque is exceptionally rewarding without being overbearing for slow movements. The multi-plate assist clutch feels reassuringly light, too, and easy to balance, considering the size of the engine.

Five rider modes are available, each offering individual dedicated throttle response and specific ABS and traction control settings. The options are 'Sport', 'Road', 'Rain', 'Off-Road', and a custom setting, as well as 'Off-Road Pro,' which allows uninterrupted control for the most challenging off-road riding environments.

The rider modes and settings are all managed via an integrated and customisable full-colour TFT instrument cluster, which also monitors speed, temperature settings and on-the-fly adjustments via the switchgear within reach of fingers and thumbs. As standard, one-touch cruise control is included to aid longer stints at constant speeds.

Exhaust Heat Issue

The one and only negative in terms of powertrain I discovered became apparent while riding through a congested London city centre. The culprit: the high exhaust on the right side. Without airflow, the underside of your right thigh will quickly start to cook, so if stationary traffic is likely to be a regular occurrence on your ride, the Scrambler range might not be the optimum choice for you.

Lack of Quick-Shifter Option

One thing I would have liked to have seen on the XE is the option for a quick-shifter. The six-speed gearbox requires manual clutch operation at all times. Given the bike's impressive performance capabilities, the addition of a seamless quick-shift system, which is present on other Triumph 1200 models, would have been and should have been a very welcome feature - even as an optional extra.

Conclusion: Form Over Function?

So, is it form over function? Well, yes and no. If you’re looking for a scrambler to take down the green lanes and trails, there are easier and cheaper options available to you. That said, the Triumph Scrambler 1200XE is a stylish, fun, and very competent bike off-road (in the right hands), and as a result, it's tricky to pick out many reasons not to give it a shot. The sticking point for many will be the price. However, less expensive options are available, including the Scrambler 1200X priced at £11,895 and the Scrambler 900 priced at £9,795.00 (both prices before options).

The 1200XE is a very rewarding bike to ride quickly and an equally simple bike at leisure. It is guaranteed to turn heads and spark conversations in all environments.

words: John Marcar
pictures: Henry Faulkner-Smith