After teasing us with a silhouetted image of a bike and rider launching into the desert air, Triumph has now pulled the covers off the anticipated new Scrambler 1200, which will be available in two variations: the XC and the more off-road oriented XE.
At first glance, it’s clear these new Scramblers represent the deepest mix of the “modern classic” styling that’s been the bedrock of Triumph sales the last few years, and the sophisticated and capable Tiger family of adventure bikes.
Read our 2019 Triumph Street Scrambler first ride review
Both Scramblers are powered by the same liquid-cooled, SOHC, 270-degree 1,200cc parallel twin that’s used in the rest of the Bonneville family, but Triumph says it’s been tweaked with a special “Scrambler” tune that bumps horsepower output by 12.5 percent over the Bonneville T120.
Triumph claims peak output of 89 horsepower at 7,400 rpm and 81 lb-ft of torque at 3,950, delivered via throttle-by-wire through a power-assist 6-speed gearbox.
The tubular steel frame, sculpted gas tank, dual rear shocks, high, straight exhaust and long bench seat are the very definition of a scrambler, but Triumph has spliced that classic DNA with features normally associated with today’s modern sport, sport touring and adventure bikes.
Both Scramblers have five riding modes, Road, Rain, Off-Road, Sport and Rider-configurable, which all adjust throttle response, ABS and traction control intervention. The Scrambler 1200 XE adds an Off-Road Pro mode, which uses a special throttle map and turns ABS and traction control off completely.
The XC’s standard ABS has three modes and traction control has five, all adjustable via the Rider-configurable riding mode. The XE has the same adjustability, but thanks to its IMU (developed in partnership with Continental), both ABS and traction control are optimized for lean angle, acceleration, pitch, roll and yaw.
Both models sport what at first glance could be mistaken for a classic round dial, but is actually a full-color TFT display with two customizable design themes. Most interesting about this is an industry-first GoPro integration, which is facilitated by an optional Bluetooth dongle that allows the rider to control their GoPro via the switchgear.
The Bluetooth dongle also allows for turn-by-turn navigation via a partnership with Google. The rider downloads the new Triumph app (currently available for iOS and Android devices), selects their route including points of interest such as gas stations, restaurants, etc., and sets off. The TFT then displays simple graphic icons indicating turns.
Lastly, the rider can select music, control the volume and take phone calls via the TFT display and switchgear.
Other convenience features include keyless ignition, cruise control and an under-seat 5-volt USB charging port, and heated grips fitted as standard on the XE, optional on the XC.
Triumph has also made it clear that these new Scramblers will be just as capable off-road as they are on, and on paper it would appear they took that claim seriously. Wheels are tubeless spoked, with a 21-inch at the front. Both Scrambler 1200s are outfitted with fully adjustable Showa USD forks and fully adjustable Öhlins dual rear shocks with piggy-back reservoirs.
The XC’s 45mm fork and rear shocks offer 7.9 inches of travel, while the up-spec XE’s 47mm fork and rear shocks step it up to 9.8 inches. The XE also gets a 1.3-inch longer swingarm to match its longer-travel suspension. Because of these differences, the XE’s wheelbase is almost two inches longer and its 32.3-inch seat is a little more than an inch higher than the XC’s.
Hauling the roughly 456-pound (1200 XE, dry, claimed) Scramblers to a halt are twin 320mm front discs with Brembo M50 monobloc calipers and a single 255mm rear disc with 2-piston floating Brembo caliper.
There will be a host of accessories available for the Scrambler 1200s, like high front fenders, engine guards, Arrow exhaust and panniers. Triumph also has two turn-key Inspiration Kits ready to go, the adventure-touring Escape and the off-road-ready Extreme.
The 2019 Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC will be available in two-tone Jet Black/Matte Black or Khaki Green/Brooklands Green and has an MSRP of $14,000. It will be in dealerships February.
The 2019 Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE will come in Fusion White/Brooklands Green or Cobalt Blue/Jet Black and has an MSRP of $15,400. It will be in dealerships February.
Check out Rider’s Guide to New/Updated Street Motorcycles for 2019
This bike has killer classic good looks. The twin upswept pipes are an effective styling exercise but I’d prefer the weight savings of a 2-into-1 exhaust . And, I’m just too practical to buy a bike that doesn’t easily accommodate luggage. Wish I could afford to have one just to look at though. ; – D
“Triumph has also made it clear that these new Scramblers will be just as capable off-road as they are on…” At over 500 lbs. wet I think not. Of course to some folks, off-road is just graded dirt which can be capably ridden on a Goldwing. They are very cool looking though.
I love my ’17 Scrambler. With the bigger engine and all the new toys it will be a sweet ride!
I’m starting to get very paranoid. Has Triumph somehow burrowed into the recesses of my brain so they can corkscrew into my wallet via my heart? I’ve been riding more than half a century – long & hard – but recently, I’ve been in a “one last bike” frame of mind. They almost got me with the Thruxton R (with a decat) but I’ve put enough time on that fine effort to know it’s just not me. The T120’s sans the R stuff didn’t do it either. But now this? Bastards! Now I really have to make a decision. For me, it would be kinda like going full circle but ending up in a better place. Hmmm, wonder where I put that old Belstaf waxed jacket?
You are so right there, Walter.
Pity they didn’t go the whole hog and put Ohlins front as well as rear or at least offer it as an option. Or alternatively put WP adjustable forks. If they copied the KTM1090 Adventure R WP fork’s specs which exactly matches this bikes weight, they would have had the most developed adventure bike front end out there.
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My V-strom is looking at at me strangely…..I think it’s wondering why I read this article twice!! I can feel my wallet shaking.
Triumph needs more dealerships, they have been losing dealers left and right, As far as I know there are only two dealers in the entire State of Illinois, both on the North side of Chicago. There are no dealers in Indiana. No matter nice looking and good their bikes are, they can’t sell them without dealers.
A great looking bike….and it seems to ride as good as it looks!. It all depends on a good long test ride.. but could this be the elusive bike that does it all !. I used to travel big distances on my XR650R and that was never meant for luggage and travel….it’s all doable if you like the bike enough! Steve