Triumph 1200 X Is the New Hot Entry in the World of British Scramblers

Triumph introduced the first Scrambler… scrambler back in 2006, and has been selling incredible bikes named so ever since. The range has been quite rich over the years, but it doesn't even come close to what the Brits have prepared for the 2024 model year.

At the time of writing, the family has just two main members, namely the Scrambler 1200 XE (plus the Chrome Edition variant), and the 1200 XC. Whereas the former will be carried over into the new model year (as you'll see below, with extensive upgrades), the latter will be replaced altogether by a new bike called Scrambler 1200 X.

Before going into what makes each of them unique, I'll tell you what they have in common. And that would be, obviously, the most important bits, namely the frame and the engine.

In the case of the frame we're still talking about one made of tubular steel, backed at the rear by a twin-sided aluminum swingarm.

Holding the frame upright on the ground are the same wheels, sized 21 inches at the front and 17 inches at the rear. On both models the wheels wear Metzeler tires, but of a different variety, and for both there is the choice of Michelin Anakee Wild rubber.

The engine that powers the bikes is the 1200cc Bonneville powerplant, controlled by means of a six-speed transmission. Although technically the same as before, it has been revised to provide both peak horsepower and torque earlier than before. That means the 89 hp mark is reached at 7,000 rpm, while the top 110 Nm of torque arrives at 4,250 rpm.

Both bikes come with revised cornering ABS and traction control, a twin-exhaust system, and will be offered in three color schemes.

Triumph Scrambler 1200 X

Pushing the 1200 XC out of the lot, the 1200 X now becomes the entry-level bike in the world of Triumph Scramblers. As per its maker, this one was meant to be more accessible than before, both in terms of handling and price.

The bike adds to the commonalities with the XE a Marzocchi suspension system with 45 mm USD forks. Thanks to the hardware, the bike offers 170 mm of wheel travel, which is just right for a ride that comes with a seat height of 820 mm (that can be reduced to 795 mm thanks to an aftermarket low seat).

The bike moves on Metzeler Karoo Street tires and can be configured in one of five riding modes: Sport, Road, Rain, Off-Road and Rider Configurable.

The Triumph Scrambler 1200 X has been fitted with LED lights all around, a hybrid LCD TFT display, USB charging and, dependent on a smartphone connectivity, turn-by-turn navigation, Bluetooth phone, and music control.

Triumph makes this Scrambler available to riders for £11,895 ($14,370 at today's exchange rates), and in three colors: Carnival Red, Ash Grey, and Sapphire Black.

Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE

The more spec-rich 1200 XE version of the Scrambler carries over many of the fittings of the current iteration, but improves in some of the key aspects. That includes, for instance, the fitting of Marzocchi 45 mm USD forks that allow for 250 mm of wheel travel, or the installation of Brembo braking components.

Whereas the engine is the same as before, the intake and exhaust headers have been overhauled. The way the bike is controlled has changed too, thanks to the freshly designed handlebar (65 mm wider than on the 1200 X) and the fitting of a removable spacer that allows for up to 10 mm height adjustment.

Compared to the X, the XE offers a 32 mm longer swingarm, holding in place a wheel that's wrapped in Metzeler Tourance tires. They're capable enough to support the bike even when fully loaded with bags, something this model can easily do.

This version of the Scrambler comes with the same five riding modes as seen on the X, plus one that's exclusive to it, the Off-Road Pro.

Three color combinations are on the table for the Scrambler 1200 XE as well, but in this case we're talking about Phantom Black & Storm Grey, Baja Orange & Phantom Black (this one is new), and of course the Sapphire Black.

Pricing for the ride starts at £13,295 ($16,000), but with over 70 accessories to choose from for the bike (including stuff like heated grips or a luggage system capable of holding 102 liters/3.6 cubic feet of cargo), that number is just the beginning.

Triumph says orders for both bikes can already be placed, but deliveries are not expected to begin earlier than January 2024.