Triumph are best known for delivering the complete riding experience and that is the main reason why its popularity is so infectious among millennials.
Triumph launched its new hardcore Scrambler 1200 XC in India at Rs 10.73 lakhs, to give chance to the bike enthusiasts to ride the new and more off road-focused Scrambler and here is a clear picture of Triumph through our eyes.
While every other bike manufacturer seems to be coming up with its own vision of what a neo-retro Scrambler should look like, the Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC has stuck to its guns by staying as close to the original British Scramblers.
The 1200cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin motor impressed by just how easy it is to have fun with as little revs as possible. With 100Nm produced at as low as 2000rpm, you have an abundance of torque at any point in the rev range. Given that it is a modern motor, the electronic aids further enhance the fun quotient.
The minimalist design means there is a little or no bodywork to damage. Off-road crash protection is limited to just an aluminum bash-plate, so you might want to invest in engine guards, knuckle protectors and the usual protection kit.
Modern bits come in the form of Triumph’s second-generation colour TFT screen. It has two themes and relays a whole lot of information on the go. Triumph has also thrown Bluetooth connectivity with turn-by-turn navigation into the mix.
Triumph will be accompanied with a windshield as well as other touring accessories. It has a 16-litre fuel tank and with a claimed fuel efficiency figure of slightly over 20kmpl, you are looking at a range of approximately 300 km if the tank is full. The upswept scrambler-style exhaust has a deep, bassy rumble, but can get quite hot at slow speeds and at standstill.
The Scrambler 1200 XC gets top-spec Brembo M50 monoblocs, though they have a slightly dialed down bite, considering the intended off-road use. They still offer more than enough progression and you can trust them with your life to keep you the right side up.
Suspension setup includes fully adjustable Showa upside-down forks and twin Ohlins piggyback shock absorbers. Both sides get a massive 200mm of wheel travel. Under stock setting, the front suspension is set on the firmer side causing the front end to bounce around. While the rear Ohlins RSUs too were set on the firmer side, it did not upset the riding dynamics.
Despite its dual-purpose nature, the Metzeler Tourance tyres have a huge grip and prevent from sliding around on dirt. This makes the bike perfect for off-roading. The dedicated ‘Off-Road’ rider mode changes the throttle map to help you make the most of the low-down torque surge while dumbing down TC intrusion just enough for small slides and turning off ABS intervention on the rear wheel. In case, you are serious about off-roading, you will thoroughly appreciate the fact that you can switch off traction control altogether.
On the tarmac, the Scrambler 1200 XC feels like a Thruxton R on stilts. Due to the neutral suspension setup, the Scrambler 1200 feels so easy in the corners. You can carry seriously high lean angles and at most times end up scraping the peg feelers on the ridiculously high footpegs.
The motor's ‘Sport’ mode gives you the instant boost that you need to enjoy your one-wheel shenanigans. But there is so much more to it than that. There is just so much enjoyment with a simple twist of the wrist that you forget you are riding a parallel-twin scrambler and not an exotic supermoto. This high power motor gets its own dedicated tune. Peak figures of 90PS and 110Nm are more than enough to get the bike to triple-digit speeds or cruise calmly at 3000-4000rpm in top gear, clocking more than 100kmph.
Off the road, the Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC can take on anything in its path with a grin. The Scrambler 1200's centre of gravity is heavily concentrated at the middle and the motor is not even that wide, making it compact enough to easily grip the bike. Compared to the Tiger 800, the Scrambler 1200 is way more responsive and communicative in the trails. Even when it comes to managing that bulk of just a little over 200kg around, the Scrambler 1200 feels easy to handle, thanks to the better positioning of rider touchpoints. The tall seat and high mounted exhaust will surely steal your heart and convince you to take it on your next off-roading.
