The fact that Triumph is developing a higher-capacity scrambler motorcycle is one of the worst kept secrets in the two-wheeler industry. And now, the British brand has shared a teaser video on its social media channel and stated that the new Triumph Scrambler 1200 will be officially unveiled on October 24, with a global debut at the 2018 EICMA motorcycle show. The new motorcycle will be part of the ‘Modern Classics’ family in Triumph’s portfolio and will be the second scrambler offering in its range after the Street Scrambler, which retails for Rs 8.60 lakh (ex-showroom, India).
It’s also speculated that the new Scrambler 1200 will be offered in two variants – standard and the ‘S’ variant that has higher-spec cycle parts. Going by the teaser video, the production bike is likely to carry forward the minimalistic styling as seen on the test mule. It features a small LED headlight, single-pod instrument console and, unlike the Bonneville Bobber, the flat, quilted leather seats can accommodate a pillion.
To endow the motorcycle with good off-road prowess, the Scrambler 1200 will ride on spoked wheels, with a larger front wheel (the smaller Street Scrambler runs 19-inch front) and a 17-inch wheel at the back. Also, the wheels have been wrapped with off-road tyres. The test mule was spotted with long-travel Showa USD forks up front and Ohlins twin shock absorbers at the back. It also featured a longer and stiffer swingarm and was equipped with twin disc brakes at the front with Brembo monoblocs.
Powering the new motorcycle will be the Triumph Bonneville Bobber-sourced 1,200cc, liquid-cooled parallel-twin motor. It delivers 77hp and 106Nm of torque, which is a lot of grunt for a Scrambler. However, we suspect that it could be tuned differently for this application. Its arch rival, the soon-to-be launched Ducati Scrambler 1100 (https://www.autocarindia.com/bike-news/ducati-scrambler-1100-to-be-priced-from-rs-1150-lakh-409245), produces 86hp and 88Nm from its 1,079cc, L-twin powerplant. In terms of electronics, the Scrambler 1200 is likely to get ride-by-wire, traction control and ride modes, including an off-road mode as seen on the new Tiger range.
Going by Triumph’s strategy for India, the new Scrambler 1200 should make its way to our market via the CKD route, with a launch by the first-half of 2019.
Azaman Chothia
Vishal Venugopal
