2019 Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC First Ride Review

Gallery Introduction The Visuals The Package The Ride Our Take

Introduction

Over the last five to six years, there has been a sudden surge of motorcycles being introduced in the modern classic and adventure segments. Each and every motorcycle maker wants to mark presence in these segments. Triumph, one of the early adopters, has taken it one step further and decided to bring the best of the two worlds together by developing the Scrambler 1200. So, in order to experience this new world, we were asked to keep two days free to explore the twisties and trails around Shimla on the new 1200 Scrambler XC.

The Visuals

Triumph has managed to pull off a great job in terms of styling. The Scrambler 1200 XC looks purposeful, and thanks to the inclusion of some retro lines, it also looks like a motorcycle that can be ogled for a whole day. The bare front combined with a large 21-inch front wheel and high-level side exhaust gives the bike a mean stance. Plus, the presence of 200mm long travel suspension and good ground clearance gives it a strong road presence.

Then there’s the LED setup, which enhances the overall appeal of this Scrambler. The level of detailing is on another level altogether. The fit and finish too, is top notch. The quality of cycle parts like aluminium mudguards, bash plate and side panels shout outstanding work.

The Package

The Triumph 1200 Scrambler XC is loaded with a good amount of gadgetries. It is equipped with torque-assist clutch, ride-by-wire system, keyless ignition, USB charging socket, cruise control and illuminated backlight switches. The main highlight of this 1200 Scrambler XC is the new TFT instrument cluster, which is adjustable. This new equipment gets two themes that can be easily personalised. The fonts sizes, and the way they are displayed are outstanding. This makes this cluster one of the best in the motorcycling world. This cluster is also home to two big and new additions –Google’s turn-by-turn navigation and GoPro integration. While the former allows you to get through a city with its friendly turn-by-turn navigation, the latter helps you capture images and videos without lifting your hands off the bar.

This bike is loaded with ABS, traction control system and five riding modes - road, rain, sport, off-road and rider mode. It misses out on the off-road pro mode, but this mode can be experienced by customising the rider model, which is an easy task, thanks to the availability of user-friendly switchgear.

The Ride

The Scrambler 1200 XC gets its power from a 1200c parallel-twin engine that makes 90bhp at 7400rpm and 110Nm at 3950rpm. This motor is mated to a six-speed gearbox that transfers power to the rear wheel via a chain drive. This motor is known for its great torque experience, and the same can be seen with the 1200 Scrambler. It sports a flat torque curve. That means, one can feel the torque gushing around most of the time. The grunt at the mid-range leads to a fantastic cruising experience. The throttle response is smooth and refreshing. Just like in the rest of the bike, the refinement level is quite good.

The trails around Shimla were quite narrow, and fast changing ones. While usually it takes a little extra time to get used to such terrain, it was pretty quick this time around, thanks to the Scrambler 1200 XC. The wider handlebar, a neutral riding stance and the generous inclusion of safety tech made life easier. Plus, the accessible seat height and slim waist make it easy to put your feet down. The weight is well balanced, and not for a single moment did it feel uncomfortable, especially on trails that were rocky and slushy. And yes, it isn't difficult to pick up the bike in case it falls.

The Metzeler Tourance rubber offers outstanding grip – off-road as well as on-road. Unfortunately, the Scrambler 1200 XC doesn’t offer any windscreen. So out on the highway, one tends to experience a bit of fatigue near the neck area. But before you head out to the highway, you will have to wade through city traffic, and that reveals the Scrambler 1200 XC’s probably only major problem – heating. The high-running exhaust looks outstanding, but the heating takes a big toll on the right leg. That’s a big turn off.

This Triumph outshines on the tarmac as well. Even with a 21-inch wheel at the front, the 1200 Scrambler XC felt quite at home on the corners. The bike wasn’t bothered about Shimla’s twisting fast corners. It reached a point where the foot peg feelers made plenty of contact with the road. The ride too, is surprisingly impressive in stock settings. The spec-sheet reveals another fancy aspect – the brakes. The Brembo M50s perform incredibly well on the Scrambler. The feel of the brakes and its progressive power makes it a lovely affair. In off-road conditions too, the feel is good and quite reactive too.

Our Take

The Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC has been priced at Rs 10.73 lakhs (ex-showroom India), and that surely is a fantastic price. Because for that much, you get a motorcycle that isn’t just great off-road, but also a superb road machine. Plus, the purposeful look will make you feel special, and could make you the coolest guy in town. To top it all, it has some incredible features like keyless ignition, TFT instrument cluster and top-spec brakes. The only aspect that doesn’t work in this Triumph’s favour is the high-running exhaust. If you think, you will be able to live with that heating issue or maybe find some workaround, then you should definitely buy this bike. The Scrambler 1200 XC is one fantastic motorcycle.