2019 Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE and XC
Triumph have taken the Scrambler big-bore for 2019 with an 89 hp version of the 270-degree 1200cc Bonneville engine housed in a stripped back retro Scrambler format that seeks to marry modern technology with classic styling.
The engine seems to be tuned with big-bore thump in mind. A 7,500 rev limit cuts in only 100rpm after the claimed 89 horsepower peak, while the maximum twist of 110 Nm hits its fattest at not much more than half those revs, 3950 rpm to be exact.
Triumph mention ‘low inertia’ in the press blurb so we presume that the 97.6 mm pistons swing off a somewhat lighter 80 mm crank throw in comparison to the Bonneville. Those aforementioned power figures are 12.5 per cent more than the T120 Bonneville, and 38 per cent more than the smaller engined 900 cc Street Scrambler.
Out of the two models it is the XE that has the more serious off-road chops with a very generous 250 mm of suspension travel compared to the also quite long 200 mm travel of the XC model.
Showa provide the fully-adjustable forks on both models with the XE boasting 2 mm larger stanchions in gold compared to the 45 mm black items found on the XC.
Ohlins fully-adjustable piggyback shocks grace both bikes and it seems the team at Ohlins are impressed by the new Scramblers.
Emil Åberg – Ohlins
’The twin spring Öhlins RSU on the new Triumph Scrambler 1200 combines new technology with inspiration from 70’s motocross to deliver high performance and long suspension travel capability. Our testing team were amazed with the performance of the new 1200 Scramblers, and considered them to be actually more capable off-road than many of the adventure bikes they had tested.’’
You will need a longer inseam for the XE as at 870 mm its seat height is 30 mm taller than the XC.
Both bikes ride on a 90/90-21 front and 150/70-17 rear tyres that are wrapped around 32-spoke tubeless ready rims with optional tyre pressure monitoring.
High-spec monobloc hardware from Brembo looks after the stopping duties.
The tubular steel frame is all new for the Scrambler 1200 platform and combines with aluminium cradles. While the XC has a 547 mm long swingarm, the XE gets a much longer item at 579 mm. The longer swingarm should help the bike be more manageable in the slippery stuff, and also make it easier to slide!
The XE also scores a higher spec ABS and traction control system with lean-angle functionality thanks to an internal measurement unit (IMU).
The XE also gains an extra Off-Road Pro mode to add to the Road, Rain, Sport, Off-Road and rider customisable modes present on both bikes.
Folding and adjustable foot controls are also exclusive to the XE model as are the braced alloy hand-guards and heated grips.
Both bikes feature Triumph’s latest generation full-colour TFT screen with optional bluetooth functionality. The bluetooth system not only allows for turn-by-turn navigation to be displayed when partnered with your phone, but also music and voice controls for your intercom system.
The navigation prompts are a first for Triumph that debuts on these new Scramblers. We have seen this great new technology on a few new motorcycles now but Triumph have gone further and implemented an integrated GoPro camera control system!
LED lighting is used throughout both motorcycles along with keyless ignition, cruise control and a USB charging socket.
As we recently have noted when testing some of the latest Triumph models, the brand is definitely positioning itself further up in to the premium category of motorcycles.
Thus I would expect these new Scramblers, especially the very highly appointed XE model, to be priced north of 20k, but hey maybe Triumph will surprise us..? Both new models are expected to arrive in Australia late in the first-quarter of 2019.
Source: MCNews.com.au