Triumph has launched the 2019 Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC and 1200 XE retro bikes. The Scrambler 1200 XC is designed for both on- and off-road use while the Scrambler XE is intended for heavy-duty off-roading with a road focus.

Both Scramblers carry Triumph’s 1,200 cc High Power Bonneville parallel-twin specifically tuned for off-roading, with 88.7 hp at 7,400 rpm and 110 Nm of torque at 3,950 rpm on tap. This translates to 12.5% more power than the Bonneville T120 retro street bike and 38% more torque than the 900 cc 2019 Street Scrambler.


New for the Scrambler range is full-colour TFT-LCD instruments with two user-selectable layout themes as well as the ability to be personalised with the rider’s name. New to the Scrambler 1200 is riding modes which include Road, Rain, Off-road and Sport modes with a fifth user configurable setting while the Scrambler XE adds a Off-road Pro mode which turns off ABS and traction control.

The Scrambler XE also ups the standard equipment stakes a notch with Optimised Cornering ABS and Cornering Traction Control, courtesy of the inertial measurement unit. LED lighting is used on both Triumph Scramblers, including LED DRLs and LED back-lit instrument switches on the handlebar pods.


Rider conveniences include keyless ignition, torque assist clutch for reduced lever effort, USB charging point under the seat and cruise control. Turn-by-turn navigation is provided by Google in a first for the motorcycle world, which is activated with the optional Bluetooth module and connection the rider’s smart phone via the Triumph app which also allows for integrated phone and music operation and integrated GoPro camera control, a world’s first.

Suspension for the Triumph Scramblers is a collaboration with Swedish suspension specialists Ohlins for the adjustable long-travel read shocks, while Showa provides the adjustable front forks. For the XC, the Showa forks provide 200 mm of travel, while the XE gets longer legs with 250 mm travel.


Braking uses Brembo Monobloc M50 callipers on twin 320 mm floating discs with a single Brembo two-piston calliper at the back clamping a 255 mm disc. The Monobloc M50s are Brembo’s premier road-going brakes and commonly used on top-of-the-line superbikes as well as the Triumph Street Triple 765 RS.

Seat height on the Scrambler 1200 XC is set at 840 mm while the more off-road oriented XE comes in at 870 mm, with no word on weight, but we would hazard a guess at something near the 230 kg point. Wheels are side-laced spoked affairs on the Scramblers, 36-spoke 21-inch in front and 32-spoke 17-inch in the rear and shod with Metzeler Tourance tubeless tyres.

Triumph intends for both the Scrambler 1200 XC and 1200 XE to be customised to the rider’s needs with over 80 accessories available from the official catalogue, including two inspiration kits – the ‘Escape’ for touring and ‘Extreme’ for off-road duty. Colour options for the 2019 Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC are Jet Black/Matte Black and Khaki Green/Brooklands Green while the Scrambler 1200 XE comes in Fusion White/Brooklands Green and Cobalt Blue/Jet Black.