Hip and ultra cool, with that trademark British charisma, the 2022 Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE has just the right amount of arrogance without being conceited. With undeniable street cred, both on and off road, it has a rough and tumble persona.
Whether it’s parked outside a trendy inner-city cafe, or off the beaten track, the Scrambler exudes versatility, and features modern technology and timeless style. With a truly unique stance, this range topping model doesn’t disappoint.
The Scrambler 1200 XE is a great looking motorcycle too, with our test bike layered in Cobalt Blue/Jet Black; one of three options, with the others being Matte Khaki Green/Jet Black, and Sapphire Black.
Finish and detail is very good, with a mix of brushed styling cues, aluminium componentry, including bash plates for when you take the Scrambler off road, and some gold and black highlighting, make the overall package look mint.
At the heart of the Scrambler, as suggested by it’s name, lies a Euro 5 compliant 1200cc twin engine. The liquid cooled 8-valve SOHC, 270-degree crank angle parallel twin produces a very tasty 66.2kW and 110Nm of torque.
There is a six speed gearbox, matched to a wet multi plate clutch that features torque assist. It feels nice and light and isn’t at all snatchy, and works extremely well. The ride-by-wire throttle also does the job nicely, with good response at the twist of the right wrist.
Power delivery is more than adequate on or off road and is highlighted by the gnarly sound produced by the brushed 2-into-2 exhaust system on the downshift, although like all standard exhaust systems these days, we wouldn’t mind it being a smidge louder.
To get the most out of the 2022 Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE, there are six riding modes, including Road, Rain, Sport, Rider Configurable, Off-Road and Off Road Pro. Most of our test period was spent on the tarmac, but we did see a little dirt too.
The terrain was fairly washed out and slippery, and littered with ruts due to local rain fall. Despite that, the Scrambler exhibited good ground clearance and the suspension performed well.
By no means is the off road capability of this motorcycle a gimmick, and it’s more than capable on fire trails and dirt tracks, and great way to experience off road riding.
The Scrambler 1200 XE’s chassis is constructed from tubular steel and utilises a twin-sided swingarm for maximum handling, on both bitumen and dirt. It comes fitted with a 36-spoke 21-inch rim on the front and a 32-spoke 17-inch aluminium rim on the rear.
During our on-road testing we found ourselves making use of Sport mode most of the time. It delivered all the power the 1200 twin had to offer, without any over aggressive or snatchy throttle response. All modes were tested, and influence ride characteristics.
The 1200 XE comes fitted with tubeless all-terrain tyres and increased road noise is prominent over 110km/h. For those not focused on the crossover capabilities of the Scrambler, a set of road tyres could be a better choice.
These would also deliver better handling in the twisty stuff, especially if that is where you aim to predominately ride your Scrambler. This is not a criticism of the Triumph, rather just something buyers should be aware of.
Weighing in at 230kg, with a 16-litre fuel tank, the 2022 Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE is perfect for everyday use. The bike feels balanced and isn’t overly wide, with a handlebar width of 905mm making it great for lane filtering and zipping around the city.
One notable challenge for shorter riders will be the 870mm seat height. At just on 6-foot, this rider was on his tippy toes when coming to stop. That’s one of the key trade-offs for the exceptional off road clearance the Scrambler offers.
Suspension is admirable, and the Scrambler XE comes fitted with a Showa 47mm fully adjustable upside down fork on the front, which allows 250mm of travel. At the rear are Öhlins fully adjustable shocks with piggy-back reservoir.
Here too, there’s 250mm of rear wheel travel. Braking componentry is also top of the line, with a full Brembo set up that offers good feel and bite, both on the road and on the dirt. Up front twin 320mm discs are mounted and matched to M50 monobloc callipers.
These are supported by a radial master cylinder. A single 255mm disc with 2-piston floating calliper is housed on the rear of the Scrambler, with the braking package featuring Triumph ABS.
The tech doesn’t stop there though. The Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE also features niceties such as full LED lighting, cruise control, keyless ignition, under seat USB charging and illuminated switches.
Multi-function instruments and a customisable TFT display also feature, with the My Triumph connectivity system also available as an optional extra. It’s priced from $24,890 ride away in Sapphire Black, or $25,490 in the other colours.
The 2022 Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE is backed by a 2-year unlimited kilometre warranty and sets the benchmark for crossover adventure motorcycles. Offering a premium finish and ride experience, this bike is undeniable hip, cool, and modern.
Our test bike was provided by Triumph Australia. To find out more about the 2022 Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE, contact your local Triumph dealer.
