This is Triumph’s efforts to prove that they still can rule the popular scrambler category. Bringing in a significant update in capability and style to the iconic British company, the potent 1200 Scrambler prototype builds on the 900 Scrambler’s position as the fun and accessible machine and vies for top honors at the crowded segment which every motorcycle manufacturer is going collectively mad over. Luckily for Triumph, they have a history with the Scramblers that dates back to the legend Steve McQueen.

The 1200 Scrambler boasts of the new high torque engine used on the Brit’s Bonneville lineup, and to handle all that additional power, this Scrambler gets equipped with bigger wheels, bigger brakes, and bigger suspension. This machine will make it its life’s purpose to give a couple of sleepless nights to the BMW R NineTs’ and the Ducati’s 1100s’.

Till today, Triumph has been making the 900cc Scrambler which could have been abused, but it pleased the urban way and masses, and hence they became glorified street bikes. With this update coming, the 1200 Scrambler is finally the machine that is ready to get its feet properly dirty. With its tiny Speedmaster headlamp, lever protectors, Bobber tank and bash plate, it also does look the part.

Reinforced for off-road duty, this 1200 gets a fairly high saddle, the wide tapered bars of motocross style, longer Ohlins suspension with extended travel and footpegs positioned higher for clearance giving the ride a new and demanding position which one might need to get used to. The 19” on the current Scrambler will be swapped with 21” wrapped with stubbed tires seen on this prototype improving the bike’s ability off-road.

With regard to the engine, the 1200 Scrambler will carry the new high-torque mill catering to those who yearn for a more serious performer. The 1200cc parallel twin motor delivers its 78.2 pound-feet and 77 horsepower smoothly across the RPM range, and even though the torque caps out at a low 4,000 RPM, the engine likes to be wound up for short-shifting off-road fun.

It has a unique twin airbox setup, carb-styled twin throttle bodies, special intake and exhaust system, new output shaft, and elegant packaging that allows the straight-line exhausts to hide the Euro4-compliant catalytic converters. The engine is mated to a 6-speed transmission with a torque-assist clutch and chain final drive.

Similar to all Bonnevilles’, the Scrambler too will feature everything from riding modes (Road and Rain) to switchable traction control, single button cruise control, ride-by-wire throttle, ABS, and a torque-assist clutch. Suggesting it to be a serious performer, the 1200 Scrambler will get twin monoblock brakes upfront rather than the singles.

Triumph has tried very hard in making this Scrambler the only scrambler you will think of. It was surprising really for the fact it took this long for Triumph to come up with a proper Scrambler. It was the missing spark in the lineup and hopefully will give other manufacturers a serious consideration to their scrambler instincts as these bikes are reminiscent of the way motorcycling was all about – freedom.

Reference

BMW R NineT Urban G/S

Ducati Scrambler 1100