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/1514840
RIDE REVIEW I 2024 TRIUMPH SCRAMBLER 1200 X & 1200 XE P92 2024 TRIUMPH SCRAMBLER 1200 X ($13,595) / 1200 XE ($15,295) ENGINE: 270° parallel-twin, 4-stroke VALVETRAIN: 8-valve, SOHC DISPLACEMENT: 1200cc COOLING SYSTEM: Liquid BORE X STROKE: 97.6 x 80mm COMPRESSION RATIO: 11:1 MAX HORSEPOWER (CLAIMED): 89 bhp at 7000 rpm MAX TORQUE (CLAIMED): 81.1 ft-lbs at 4250 rpm FUELING SYSTEM: Ride-by-wire, multipoint sequential electronic fuel injection EXHAUST: 2 into 2 FINAL DRIVE: X-ring chain TRANSMISSION: 6-speed FRAME: Tubular steel FRONT WHEEL: Tubeless 36-spoke 21 x 2.15 in., aluminum rim REAR WHEEL: Tubeless 32-spoke 17 x 4.25 in., aluminum rim SWINGARM: Twin-sided, aluminum fabrication FRONT TIRE: 90/90x21 in. REAR TIRE: 150/70x17 in. FRONT SUSPENSION: Marzocchi non-adjustable USD forks / Marzocchi 45mm 1 1 forks, fully adjustable REAR SUSPENSION: Marzocchi twin RSU's with piggyback reservoir, preload adjustable / Marzocchi twin RSU's with piggyback reservoir, fully adjustable FRONT-WHEEL TRAVEL: 6.7 in. / 9.8 in. REAR-WHEEL TRAVEL: 6.7 in. / 9.8 in. FRONT BRAKE: Twin 310mm discs, 2-piston Nissin axial caliper, ABS / Twin 320mm discs, Brembo 4-piston M4.30 radial caliper, ABS REAR BRAKE: Single 255mm disc, single piston floating Nissin caliper, ABS HANDLEBAR WIDTH: 32.8 in. / 35.6 in. SEAT HEIGHT: 32.28 in. / 34.25 in. WHEELBASE: 60.03 in. / 61.8 in. RAKE-TRAIL: 26.2° / 26.9° TRAIL: 4.9 in. / 5.08 in. FUEL CAPACITY: 3.96 gal. WEIGHT (CLAIMED, WET): 502.65 lbs. / 507 lbs. SERVICE INTERVAL: 10,000 miles or 12 months S P E C I F I C AT I O N S After two days of good, solid riding, both on and off the road, I realized that both bikes are excep- tionally fun either way, but they have their niches. Suppose you want a Triumph Scrambler 1200 but do not intend to get it dirty. In that case, the X is the way to go, thanks to its low seat height, confidence-inspiring smaller size and softer suspension. It's clearly a great street bike that, if the urge strikes, can handle some light- duty dirt riding on well-maintained county roads just fine. Anything more and the suspension will start to complain. The XE, on the other hand, is not only an excellent on-road bike but also a solid off-road per - former for, again, a large 1200cc twin Scrambler motorcycle with dual-shock suspension that weighs over 500 pounds and delivers approximately 80-plus horsepower, which is something I never thought I would ever say. So, in a nutshell, if you like that look of a scrambler, more specifi - cally the Triumph Scrambler, but off-roading isn't your thing, and seat height is an issue, the X might be the one for you. If you crave a mix of both street and dirt—even a little rough dirt—then the XE has your name written all over it. CN