Triumph Scrambler 1200

Simply put, the Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC follows a properly no-nonsense scrambler design language to the T. But Triumph being Triumph have really gone out of their way and paid a lot of attention to beautiful little details. The first thing you notice as you swing your leg over the motorcycle is the simple yet elegant brushed metal strip running across the fuel tank. I got the black colour variant but it’s the British racing green colour (Triumph calls it Khaki Green & Brooklands Green) which takes the cake as far as authenticity is concerned. Both colour variants get alternating layouts of matte and gloss finish on the fuel tank separated by a pinstripe.

If that wasn’t retro enough, look around the motorcycle and you’ll find plenty of bits that will take you back in time. For starters, you get a circular headlamp with bullet-style indicators and classic-style tail light - all housing properly modern LED units. There’s also a vintage-styled off-set Monza-style fuel tank cap, chopped aluminium fenders and neat scrambler-style high-set twin exhausts.

The instrument cluster may look simple at first but take a closer look and you’ll realise it is shaped like a watch, and even the digitally-rendered ‘needle’ looks a lot like the way it is on wristwatches. Plus, you get all the information that you’ll ever need on your ride. But more on that later.

Overall, Triumph has done a stellar job of concealing contemporary features behind the facade of a tastefully-done retro theme.

Further enhancing the motorcycle’s dynamics are the top-spec underpinnings. The front end gets a 45mm Showa inverted fork and the rear features twin Ohlins shock absorbers with piggyback reservoirs. Both are fully adjustable, offering a massive 200mm of travel at both ends. The damping is ever-so-slightly on the stiffer side compared to the Triumph Tiger 800 because there is no bulky bodywork up front like the Tiger to compensate for the added weight. That said, the suspension stroke is well controlled to ensure there are no shocks transferring to the rider. This scrambler goes over sharp speed bumps and large foot-high rocks like it’s nobody’s business. And when you hustle it through some twisty roads, there is no mid-corner wallowing either, despite the long-travel suspension. Moreover, the large 21-inch front coupled with the relatively smaller 17-inch rear spoke wheel are also responsible for its composed mannerism on rough terrain. But on the flip side, the larger front wheel along with a relatively relaxed rake angle (at 25.8 degrees, it is 2.4 degrees more than the Tiger 800 XCx) do result in a bit more effort to manoeuvre the wide handlebar in the twisties.

The Metzeler Tourance tyres offer brilliant grip both on and off the road, and I was able to make use of the sidewalls as much as they permitted. For an even more leech-like grip off the road, Triumph also offers Scorpion Rally tyres approved specifically for the Scrambler 1200. Another great practicality aspect about this motorcycle are the cross-laced wheels which allow the bike to run on tubeless tyres.

As far as stopping power is concerned, the twin radial Brembo M50 calipers do a stellar job in offering powerful and progressive retardation. Even the rear brake felt communicative on the road, and in off-road mode the ABS for the rear is switched off to allow for some sideways action.