Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE

Built:2019-24201920202021202220232024

As a motorcycle tester, it is best to say it very clearly and immediately: There are hardly any logical reasons to opt for the Scrambler design. No matter: Good taste doesn't have to be logical. This is shown by the test of our Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE.

Scrambler and the French

Hmmm, what is that? A scrambler is kind of cool. Immediately, a Mr. Cool alias Steve McQueen comes into his head, preferably with his torso bare and tip in his neck. His Husqvarna 400 Cross was recently auctioned for a record price of 144,500 dollars. George Clooney or Marlon Brando were also spotted on similar mopeds, not uncool either. In more recent times, even a Triumph Scrambler from the 2015 film "Jurassic World" came under the hammer. The original film motorcycle was auctioned for a good cause.

So it's all about being cool here, and Triumph lets customers rise from 14,550 euros. Let us take a quick look at the history of the Scrambler, which began not in the USA, as assumed, but in France. In the 1950s and 1960s, an ever-expanding moped community thirsted for more off-road motorcycles. Unfortunately, however, the enduros for the mass market with road approval were not yet invented. Where a Frenchman, there is a way.

It is completely modern

Before the ride, triumph is a lie to its classic optics. The on-board computer has different driving modes that you can select. These are "Street", "Rain", "Sport", "Off-Road", an individually programmable mode and "Off-Road Pro". By the way, the Scrambler with TFT display, LED lighting and curve ABS is also up to date.

90 hp is not much, but for the scamblers actually quite sufficient. The maximum torque (110 Nm) is already 3,900 rpm, which ensures good pull-through. Enjoyed a few times, we come to the only major defect of the engine: Obviously, the 1200-twin produces so much heat that the protective shield on the driver's thigh capitulates. It gets quite warm on the right side below, although you have to note that the outside temperatures during the test drives were almost always below 20 degrees. In the summer, this is likely to be quite annoying. Perhaps Triumph should have been guided by the protection of the Socius, here it works.

Great praise for the chassis, on the other hand. The generous 250 millimeter travel also help on this side of the road and result in good to very good driving comfort. Without reproach the brakes, whose elaborate system (double disc-Brembo) is fully convincing in performance and dosing.

Enough of the preface, let's get to the point: Scramblers are a reminiscence of the past, beautiful, cool and iconic. Otherwise, there are few logical reasons to put one in the garage. The windscreen is just as lousy as with Naked Bikes. And the suitability for off-road? Let's put it this way: With a real enduro you are better served, for gravel paths it is enough. Otherwise, the triumph at 226 kilos is simply too heavy and too big with a length of 2.32 meters. Added to this is the high centre of gravity, which makes the machine appear tilted when the driver is standing. But this should not be a disadvantage for 90% of all customers, because the curb up to the ice cream parlour is always within the realm of possibility. The Scrambler tested by us had put on mixed tyres from Metzeler Tourance, which performs well both off-road and on the road. Optionally, there is the more coarse Pirelli STR rally.