Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1073388
VOL. 56 ISSUE 3 JANUARY 22, 2019 P89 is fitted, and the camera can be accessed and controlled via the TFT display and joystick. The same goes for the optional inte- grated Google-operated turn-by- turn satnav integrated navigation system, again facilitated through an accessory fitted Bluetooth module. There's a range of over 80 dedicated Scrambler 1200 accessories available and two Inspiration Kits: a touring-based Escape and a stripped down Extreme model. The 4.2-gallon seamless fuel tank that's scalloped out up front to give clearance for the fork legs at full lock, and gives a range of about 150 miles, based on Triumph's claimed fuel consumption of 46 mpg. Dry weight is 451 pounds (XC) or 456 pounds (XE) dry weight. Seat height is a tall 33.1 inches on the XC and an even rangier 34.4 inches on the XE, but while it looks rather plank-like in appearance, the retro-looking seat proved pretty comfy after spending time actually sitting on it when we went traipsing on tarmac, as opposed to standing on the pegs off-road. However, I did get some numb bum syndrome after a 130-mile day, so maybe the padding could be thicker. There's a one- inch lower seat option, but the way the architecture of the seat has been attended to so that it narrows where it meets the fuel tank, allows all but the shortest riders to put both feet down at rest easily. Build quality looked good on all the press launch test bikes, confirming Stuart Wood's claim that, "The new Scramblers have the highest level of finish of any Triumph model so far." Despite the off-road-friendly 21-inch front wheel, there was good feedback from the front Metzeler on tarmac, and espe- cially on the slippery Portuguese roads we traversed during the morning rain when the ABS, that was now switched on, came into its own. Riding much harder that afternoon after the sun had come out to dry the roads revealed that besides looking cool, the Scramblers are both excellent tarmac tools—they're much more than just another 60s inspired retro bike that's all show and not much go. They're as refined to ride as many sport bikes, with a level of equipment and technology that's frankly surprising when you get to experience it if, as I'll admit I did at first, you approach the bikes as being more style than sub- stance. That's very definitely not the case, and the applause from the Ohlins R&D team speaks volumes for the level of excel- lence off-road that Wood & Co. have attained with these two new models. Both the new Scram- blers are serious off-road tools, making them genuine adventure bikes that just happen to have retro styling. Looks like Triumph just suc- ceeded in inventing an entire new segment in the motorcycle marketplace with these two models. Modern classics, both of them. CN 2019 TRIUMPH SCRAMBLER 1200 XC / XE ($14,000 / $15,400) ENGINE: ... Liquid-cooled, 8-valve, SOHC, 270° crank angle parallel twin DISPLACEMENT: ............................. 1198cc BORE X STROKE: .................97.6 x 80mm COMPRESSION RATIO: ...................... 11.0:1 FUEL SYSTEM: ....... Multipoint sequential electronic fuel injection POWER: .... 89 hp @ 7400 rpm (claimed) TORQUE:....81 lb-ft @ 3950 rpm (claimed) EXHAUST: .............. Brushed 2 into 2 with high-level silencers CLUTCH: ............................Wet multi-plate TRANSMISSION: ........................... 6-speed FRONT SUSPENSION: ..... Fully adjustable 45mm (XE 47mm) Showa inverted fork REAR SUSPENSION: ....... Fully adjustable Ohlins twin shocks FRONT WHEEL TRAVEL: .....7.87 in. / 9.8 in. REAR WHEEL TRAVEL: .... 7.87 in. / 9.8 in. FRONT BRAKE: ......... Twin 320mm discs, Brembo M50 4-piston monoblock calipers, radial master cylinder, switchable ABS XE / Cornering ABS REAR BRAKE: ........... Single 255mm disc, Brembo 2-piston floating caliper, switchable ABS / XE Cornering ABS FRONT TIRE: ......... 90/90-21 in. Metzeler Tourance / 90/90-21-in. Pirelli Scorpion Rally REAR TIRE: ......... 150/70 R17-in. Metzeler Tourance / 150/70 R17-in. Pirelli Scorpion Rally WHEELBASE: .................60.2 in. / 61.8 in. SEAT HEIGHT: .............. 33.0 in. / 34.2 in. FUEL CAPACITY: ............................. 4.2 gal ELECTRONICS: .............Five riding modes (Road, Rain, Off-Road, Sport, Custom) WEIGHT (CLAIMED): .....451.9 / 456.3 lbs S P E C I F I C A T I O N S