Scrambler Long Long LONG Term Ride Review Owner Truths Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE 

3000 miles in 3 years? That's all! I put 50,000 (80,000 km's) on my sporty in 5 years and still lovin' it. Doing a 7,000 km trip next week.

I've had my Scrambler 1200XC for a little over a year and 16.5k miles (life in southern California's Mojave desert affords around 340 days/year that are suitable for riding, and my daily commute is 90 miles round trip). I haven't had a motorcycle I've loved more than this Triumph in a long, long time. Before I bought my Scrambler I did a LOT of research on the RU-vids and other parts of the interwebs (I narrowed my choices down to the Triumph and the BMW R9T). The two biggest issues I found in the reviews were the "key fob out of range" problems described by many reviewers, and the radiant heat coming off the exhaust. I solved the key fob issues by simply tuning the fob off when I'm not on the bike (hold the button until the light goes red). I assumed that the fob was constantly seeking the bike when I wasn't riding, and draining the 2032 battery with a quickness, and I was correct in that assessment. Since I've been turning the fob off while not riding I get about six months out of a fob battery, and haven't seen the "fob out of range" notice since (I did get a "fob battery low" notice, cuing me to change my battery). I mitigate the exhaust heat (we see temperatures in the "hundred and God-damn-it" range frequently here in the Mojave) by simply keeping my right foot on the peg when stopped, and "de-catting" the bike. The exhaust still manages to blanche the dye from a patch on the inside of my right calf of my jeans, but "Oh well". I have the same smoked windscreen that you're using on your XE, and I've found that it is effective at keeping dead bugs from the back of the TFT and the unsightly wiring harness coming out of it, and that's about it. I also put a "tail-tidy" on mine to rid it of the extended tail on the rear. It's a much better look, and to keep from melting my turn signals I installed a set of billet aluminum LED lights (front and rear) from AJ Cycles. They work great, were plug and play (came with correct Triumph connectors, so no hacking of any harnesses required for installation) and look like they came from Triumph. Most importantly, they keep the rear signals out of the exhaust stream. The only "downside" is that where I live and recreate the machine seems to be a magnet for douche-bag hipsters. The chicks I don't mind so much (I'm staring down the barrel of 60 years old, and many of the hipster chicks seem to have daddy issues), so it's tolerable. All in all, I'd buy the bike again in a heart-beat.

Picking up a 2019 XE on Thursday. Your videos helped me pull the trigger. Thanks for continuing to share!

Just got a 2022 two weeks ago, amazing bike. After about 2 days, I got the suspension figured out and I'm in love with this bike. It is a head turner for sure. Every time I stop for gas a conversation ensues; people love this thing! I've dropped off some 2 foot ledges and the showa fork sucks it right up. We have poor roads in eastern PA and I was going to quit riding altogether since my Harleys have crappy suspension. I now have a new love of riding and I love hitting bumps in the road because it reminds me of how I used to hate riding lol.

Great review - I have had my 2020 1200 XE now for 4 months and love it. Going on my first camping trip w/ it today. Incredible power and a blast to ride!

High, when i've seen it first time, i thought the same about the front-fender. Thank you for your work. Kindly Fiete

1st thing I did was put the Zard low slung full exhaust on, fixes several issues you discussed. Then I did Pivot Pegs, fly screen and top box. Perfect set up!

Excellent review...the Scrambler is still on my radar ! Your point about the suspension settings from the factory/dealer is good...I have often wondered how many test rides have NOT tempted people to buy bikes simply because suspension settings (and tyre pressures) aren not well sorted. Cheers, Steve

Subscribed and finding your video helpful. Thanks. Off to check out your other vids

I got the Unit Garage Windscreen and a Puig windshield extension... Perfect now....

i will get mine next week, same colour. greetigs from austria, very beautiful landscape where you ride in maine, thanks for your very good vids! ride safe!! Peter

Do some more videos. This one was great, thanks

where I live is hard to find triumph, have to auction and get from oversea. I got mine XC (wish someone brought in XE) but really happy with it.

To fix the issue with heat coming from the exhaust, and to improve the sound and performance of the bike, I did a few mods which transformed the bike completely. 1. Decat from Mototrio 2. Custom made slash cut exhaust with baffles (without baffles its way to loud and you loose too much back pressure, but with the baffles installed it’s perfect) 3. BMC Airfilter 4. Power commander from Extreme Rage Result, no more heat issues whatsoever. As a matter of fact, the right side of the engine, where the exhaust is, feels cooler now than the left side where you can feel a bit of heat radiating from the engine itself. Much better sound (at least in my opinion that is). Greatly improved throttle response. No more stalling of the engine at low speed or red lights. The engine is running richer and therefore cooler as well. Massive weight savings compared to the OEM pipe. To be able to tell if there really is an improvement of overall performance, I would have to put the bike on a Dyno, which unfortunately is a bit hard to realize where I live. But subjectively I would have to say there is an improvement. I also have to shift less and the engine is way more responsive than before. I live in Thailand and the whole project Including all the parts was about 20,000.- THB (about 600$), which is roughly half the price what I would have to pay here for an aftermarket slip on from ZARD for example. So all in all well worth it. I’m riding the bike for 14,000 miles now without any issues.

Great review 👍🏼

Beautiful moto! I am pondering one of these in the future but I am worried about the height. I am 5'8 with a 29" inseam and currently ride a 2013 V-Strom (32.9 inch seat). I feel comfortable on the Strom since I one-foot at stops and just push the bike when I have to back it in. Do you think I would have any issues with this bike? I ride 100% street but I can't get over how the XE looks over the XC. Thanks in advance!

Take it for a test ride. It is all about the low end torque! Plenty of power !

I just purchased a 2020 XC. I love it, I have had it 2 months. You are so right on everything. I can’t believe it doesn’t come stock with the tail tidy. the mirrors suck. I also don’t like the Keyless entry… I’m not sure why. It’s just something else that can go wrong…I also hate that when you go your own maintenance you have to take it in to have them clear the “service wrench”. Are you happy with the zard aftermarket exhaust? Have you done anything with rear storage? I have been looking at Metal Mule. But all in is $1300.00 thanks for the videos.

Any chance you could point me to where you got the bar end mirrors? Are those the factory hand guards? Thanks!

Any suggestions on lower rally pegs ? Or a higher seat option.

I've had my Scrambler XE for a year now. love the the bike and it gets its share of attention from other riders for sure. I've watched a few videos critiquing the bike and I agree with most of them however, living on Vancouver Island I actually like the heat coming off of the muffler it gets Chilly and damp here. I stand 5'10 so backing into a spot is awkward without a doubt. Do I regret the purchase? Nope but I do have a major pet peeve which has left me stranded and very embarrassed, the fob eats batteries like a Pez dispenser goes through Pez. After the first incident I brought a spare one which came in handy a few weeks later and yes, I do hold the fob button down until it turns red after I'm finished riding for the day. After watching a video on the subject an uploader explained that you need to bring the spare key at all times in case of just such an incident. Simply place it under the seat and let it make contact with the Bluetooth sensor and off you go. Thank you for your videos, the one about suspension was very handy keep them coming.

Hello, fellow granite stater here. Have you done much off road with the bike?

Hi, at 16:40, you mention a new map. On 2019 XE, it's map 30254, what is the new one?

Nice vid. Can I ask what mirrors are you running?

9:20 Hit me with a rock and hit me now. My NC700X has similar shortcomings - I hit a concrete stop? that was laid at an angle between parking lots at night and scrapped the crankcase cover - which doesn't even have a bash plate. Also, I added a center stand and crash bars. Also, front fender is too short and rear lacks a mini fender above the tire like most sport-bikes have.

2020 XC bought new may 2021, use a cloth to prevent your ratchet box to fall in the starter area/engine when removing the plug to fill the engine oil or you will swear like a Pirate on a windless sea. they need more cushion on that seat or are my butt cheek to skinny ? i seem to have a perticular issue on mine in that the engine cooling fan as a negative angle and rubs on the radiator on its bottom. lost the bike for 3 month last summer after 3600km after buying it new, luckily i had not sold my 40,000km suzuki (ass breaker) bobber so i got to ride some more. They changed the parts but the position of that cooling fan appears to be the same and its hard to see if there is enough space between the fan and the radiator. I will likely need to fix it myself or else that fan will drill another hole on that radiator. (stored for winter right now) They flashed the computer, the engine would stall on cold start (july 30 celcius plus, after a full night stopped or at the end of the work day). the start issue is fixed but at low speed on the 2 first gear in the city, it is not fun due to unstable RPM. questionable range on the gas tank or consumptiion and limited luggage options without being creative will make long haul funky. i put on a tail tidy, looks great but your back will get muddy as F(&?%. I also put an Amarit raised front fender, get ready to eat some dirt and lose your front light in mud etc...tinking of puttinng back the original fender painted in black cause that radiator gets clogged and i only do back country roads not even off road. its a looker first, with options, so a good bike but you need to think hard on what you need and want ... like anything else i guess. second season will start in a few weeks as we are still getting some snow and shoveling it, Will see from there but, hope it will be without issues as this is my first non Japanese brand motorcycle and i am somewhat disapointed at my choice. (but damn its a great looking bugger)

Suspension setup is part of the Dealer Prep fee, not "factory".

Question about the front fork adjustments. There is a very obvious center adjustment screw. That adjustment screw is in the center of a large bolt head, is that large bolt head made to be adjusted ? I tried turning it with a small cost and it turns forever. Not sure what to do with that or what it’s for ?

Awesome bike. Thinking of getting one myself, but 3000 miles in three years!! I wish someone would do a review of the bike after 20,000 miles for those of us who actually put miles on bikes to know how all those electronics hold up. Good review tho.

Harley snobs are nation wide, by my experience (pacific northwest) around 10% of Harley riders are not snobs.

3000 miles in 3 years?? Was that supposed to be 30,000 miles?? Great review I agree with your assessment except I am going to do long trips on mine 👍🏼

A thousand mile a year on the Scrambler XE ?… don’t you ❤️ the bike ?

How can cruise control be "Kinda" Cool ????

3,000 miles in three years = long long long term?

You kidding me? I have just over 3000 miles on mine and had it for like 4 months.

Cmon This is a short term review lmao 3k miles? Ive put double that on 1 of my bikes in one season. Good video regardless

Low miles in 3 years can’t like it that much! 😂

Not everyone wants or likes crash bars. They add uneccessary weight and bulk. I can’t stand crash bars. They look stupid. It’s not the factory’s responsibility to supply your crash bars.