Featured Scrambler Triple To Twin - My Scrambler 1200xe

Of course you've seen a 1200xe before, but new ownership is an exciting thing that needs to be shared

I took advantage of Triumph's £750 discount (plus £100 voucher) and managed 10% off accessories, which I fitted myself (all except for one engine mounting bolt that refused to come out and required dealer intervention).

I wanted to do a Bond/Baja tank design, but now the bike's here, that's dropped down the priority list.

There are several slash-cut exhausts out there but I think this one, fabricated by Total Triumph in Taunton, is absolutely spot on. It's a good length, bends out in the right place, the offset slash cuts look perfect...and the stainless pipe matches the headers to give a straight-through look (with cat still in place)

I have a TEC tail tidy that I'll be fitting very shortly - that just needs a modification to cut off the indicator brackets, and they are helpfully swapping the mudguard under-tray for one without bracket cut-outs, for a more waterproof fit.

Feels like the start of a very happy relationship

 

Thank you - I felt obliged to cut the brackets off...I'm kind of obsessive about stuff like that. Weirdly, the swapped out under tray arrived today, and it's the same as the original one they sent. Once I removed the one on the bike, I realised that the angled cuts are simply where the tail piece fits - TEC got their wires crossed, but all ends well.

The exhaust is undoubtedly loud, but it sounds 'proper scrambler'. The cat stifles the sound I guess...there's no way I'd want to remove that - and it runs fine. I did stall it within the first five minutes of riding, but I don't think it's a running issue - when I set the revs to pull away, the extra noise caused me to throttle back. Just a case of getting used to it.

It saves near on 6kg - not noticeably different, but it does feel more agile.

 

Thank you...and it's good to know I have that option

 

The 'Great Escape' version that Triumph did is similar, but looks strangely unfinished. There's another from SP Engineering that retains the number board, but has a strange kick in the way the tips bend out (imho). This version from British Customs is about a mile in length, and arrives in a different time zone to the front of the bike. I guess you choose what you like!

Thanks Sandi - although I felt like a kid before I got it

I still have my S3 RS and wondered whether this might see me thinking of selling, but it's too special (for now). Such different riding styles...I love the laziness and go anywhere feel of the Scrambler vs the precision and thrill of the RS.

 

It is definitely loud - actually very agreeable when idling or gentle cruising, but it SHOUTS as soon as opened up. I do like it, but will wear earplugs on a longer run (more than 10 minutes ).

That's a nice piece of kit too Martin. Is that a Street Scrambler version (with slightly reduced header diameter) but fits the 1200 OK? Have you done anything in terms of Booster Plug...or does it run fine?

Mine runs well – I have a theory that the increased noise promotes less throttle on pull away, which is misconstrued as a fuelling/stalling issue. I'm tempted to buy a Booster Plug to see what it does, but I'm already on my second wallet transplant and need to stop spending

 

I've done about 150 miles with the new exhaust (with earplugs which makes it completely bearable) and there's definitely a tendency to stalling at very low revs and particularly at pull away. That's obviously the time when you're most likely to stall, but it just seems to be 'a thing' with this bike. It's cut out in third a couple of times too...again when I'm too mean with the throttle.

Yesterday, I did a ford crossing and with the bike absolutely spotless, I was trying to keep my speed to dead slow, to avoid the water splash of course (yes, I know it's a Scrambler). I stalled it and had to put my foot in the river .

When I got home, I ordered a Booster Plug, which will be an interesting experiment.

 

I agree with those folks on the clutch adjustment - it's very on/off with the biting point falling within the last centimetre of travel.

The lever was tight against the bracket/body, so I slackened it off to leave a 3mm gap – and I turned the adjuster for a shorter throw too. That did help...but I still got a wet boot.

The chain tension is spot on...but I'll have another look at the clutch adjustment.

 

I really like that - looks to be a faithful representation with some nice upgrades. Who did the paintwork...is it a Total Triumph bike (they said they had done a few of these)? Is the tank pure gloss black?

I got a close-up look at the Bond version (picture below) which is black metallic with a blue fleck (Sapphire Black). The all-black theme is stunning, but some of the finer details blend in (if you get what I mean) - I think yours is more striking