TRIUMPH SCRAMBLER 1200 XC
158 http://www.evoIndia.com | July 2019
mounted exhaust. That’s the only design feature that spells
‘form over function’, but let’s talk about that later.All show, no go?
Absolutely not! The engine is tuned for low-down grunt and
the 1200 delivers on almost all fronts, be it on the road or
even off-road. The dry weight is a healthy 205kg but once
on the move, you’ll barely feel the mass. The light clutch
action adds to the joy as well. The engine is definitely its
pièce de résistance. Just like the Speed Twin, the fuelling
is slightly twitchy in Sport mode, a very unlikely trait for a
Triumph. Light throttle input and she goes like a bullet (no
pun intended). The low-down torque literally catapulting
you into the horizon, building up from as low as 2500rpm.
The engine has a redline of 7500 but the torque delivery is so
addictive that you’ll end up shifting sooner rather than later.
Of course, there’s a lot of fun to be had in the top-end too,
but the bottom-end is where the fun lies, making the 1200 a
potent weapon, not only on black top but even over the rough
stuff. There’s ample pull in almost every gear and you’ll never
be left wanting for more grunt.
However, things are not so rosy as they seem. The high-
mounted exhaust looks fabulous but isn’t too good at doing
its job, constantly throwing heat at your calves and thighs,
especially at slow speeds. And if you are to traverse through
cities, it is almost impossible to live with this motorcycle on a
day-to-day basis, especially in our metros.
The ride and handling too is simply mind blowing. The
1200 basically behaves like a classic motorcycle on the roads
but when given the stick on rough roads, suddenly changes
her demeanour. The feedback from the Showa at the front
is precise and you always know what the front end is doing,
despite the long-stroke forks. The ride quality is perfect for
a motorcycle of its kind and unlike the soft and cushy ADVs,the 1200 is agile too. Well, you never expect a scrambler to
handle well on roads, do you? Thankfully, the 1200 brings
out the best of both worlds, delivering a setup that is just
about perfect for our conditions. I’ll say it again: the 1200
really shows the genes of Thruxton when ridden hard around
the twisties.Made by Victorinox?
It’s a different story when it comes to scramblers. Scrambling
found its roots in the American deserts but has caught the
fancy of mainstream European bikemakers. And when
it comes to utility, the Scrambler 1200 is one of the best
motorcycles out there, especially for our conditions. It’s a
capable off-roader and can do almost everything a Tiger
would without the additional bulk. The handling is definitely
close to other modern classic motorcycles from Triumph’s
range. It even looks badass and would help you score not
only at the snazzy bars but even in the dirt. And then there’s
the brilliant sticker. At just `10.73 lakh, it undercuts the
base Ducati Scrambler 1100 by almost `20,000 and offers a
lot more. In fact, it even makes the recently-launched 2019
Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled feel overpriced. Triumph is
killing several birds with one stone then. That’s how you
make a perfect Swiss army knife! LTHE SCRAMBLER 1200 REALLY
SHOWS ITS THRUXTON GENES
WHEN RIDDEN HARD AROUND
THE TWISTIES
To p : Exhaust looks uber cool but throws hot air on your legs. Right: Ohlins
dual shocks are fully adjustable. Facing page, bottom: Second-gen
cluster gets two themes; aluminium swingarm for added flexibility