Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC: What To Expect

Triumph is all set to launch the larger and more capable Scrambler 1200 XC on May 23. It will sit above the Street Scrambler in Triumph’s Scrambler lineup. Here are the most interesting details about the upcoming bike.

First off, what is a scrambler?

Scramblers essentially were your regular motorcycles modified to work well off the beaten path. That means off-road tuned suspension, off-road tyres and in some cases a high side-mounted exhaust system. These dual-purpose motorcycles are lightweight alternatives to tall and heavy ADV bikes. Taking cues from these yard-built bikes Ducati also came up with its own scrambler in the 60’s. A typical scrambler will have a narrow frame, wide handlebars, small headlamp and tail lamp, small fenders, flat seat, a large front off-road wheel with off-road oriented tyres and long-travel suspension. Know more about scramblers here.

The Scrambler 1200 XC is a serious scrambler.

It is a purpose-built bike with a dedicated scrambler frame and proper long-travel suspension that offers 200mm of wheel travel at both ends. The frame is tubular steel and aluminium cradle unit for lighter weight, and suspension setup consists of Showa fully adjustable forks and twin Ohlins fully adjustable shock absorbers. Its 840mm seat height is more than that of the India-spec Tiger 800. You also have a large 21-inch front (17-inch rear) wheel for better off-road capability. The wheels have cross spokes, which allows for the fitment of tubeless tyres. It runs on dual-purpose Metzeler Tourance tyres. The Scrambler 1200 gets top-spec braking in the form of twin 320mm brakes with four-piston Brembo M50 monobloc calipers and a 255mm rear disc with Brembo two-piston calipers. Switchable dual-channel ABS comes as standard fitment.

That motor looks familiar:

It does. The 1200cc liquid-cooled parallel twin motor is from Triumph’s Bonneville family. This ‘High Power’ motor gets a ‘scrambler’ tune to perform better in off-road conditions. It makes 90PS at 7400rpm and 110Nm at 3950rpm. The Scrambler 1200 XC gets a six-speed gearbox.

Feature Rich

The Scrambler 1200 gets all-LED lighting and a new-generation colour TFT screen with menu accessed via a joycube on the new switchgear. Options include a Bluetooth connection module which allows you to remotely access GoPro controls. A Tyre Pressure Monitoring System is also offered as standard. Rider aids include five rider modes (Rain/ Road/ Sport/ Off-­road/ Rider-Customisable), switchable traction control and even cruise control.

Competition:

We expect the Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC to be priced at around Rs 12 lakh (ex-showroom). Other similar scramblers you can buy are the Ducati Scrambler 1100 range (Rs 10.91 lakh -11.42 lakh, ex-India) and the BMW RnineT Scrambler (Rs 15.55 lakh ex-India). The Triumph Tiger 800 XR retails for Rs 12 lakh.

 Image courtesy Kingdom Creative