Scrambler 1200 Owners - What should I know?
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Pappy
Member
I bought the exact same bike, with the exact same package (but different color...khaki green) just three weeks ago!! My maiden voyage was a trip up the east coast...I put 1700 miles on it the first week I had it (in fact, I had to pre-arrange to have the initial service done at a Triumph shop along the route to my destination). I agree with every favorable thing everyone has said about this bike...except the seat. I, too, was attracted to the bench seat because it has no hump or "kick" in it, thereby allowing the rider to slide back and forth. However, the thing is hard as a rock. I have zero regrets at all about buying the bike...it has the utility of one of my favorite bikes ever (I had a Tiger 800 for a while) combined with the classic looks of a bonnie. The seat is the only thing I intend to change...as SOON as someone produces an aftermarket version! Neither Mustang nor Corbin nor Sargent are producing any as yet. I believe that none of the aftermarket versions of the Street Scrambler will work, because the seat pan is a different length, I believe. Before I buy some dumb-looking seat pad (or stuff my shorts with gel), does anyone have any suggestions for a good aftermarket solution? Thanks!
Hey Pappy,
I have a great friend who rides (and races) and just moved to Blowing Rock, NC. I plan to trailer a bike out to the BRP and ride with him sometime.
The green was my 1st color choice, but Baxter had put a few miles on the black one (they love riding) so he shaved a few extra bucks off the price, and then black looked great to me. They are both beautiful bikes. I have about 2500 miles on the bike now (I also have an Indian Springfield that I ride a lot), and I still love everything about it. I never notice the heat, which was my biggest fear, until I pull it into my garage to park. Then its like sitting on a blowtorch. No, I don't sit on a running bike in my garage for kicks.
Jeremy at Baxter Cycle noticed my front tire was slightly low on air at the 500 mile service, and I have noticed it a couple of times since then. I tightened the valve core, but it still has a very slow leak, but no puncture anywhere that I can see. Jeremy was fantastic and said just bring it in and he would take care of it, no cost. Any issue with your front tire pressure?
Yes, the seat is rock hard. That suits me just fine for an hour or two of rides around town running errands, or to Baxter Cycle, but its not for touring for sure. That's why I have my Indian. Big windscreen screen and comfortable as a sofa. I have a black Airhawk seat pad for my Suzuki DL650 (selling that one - Triumph replacing it), and that helped a lot, but my issue was more shape of the factory extended seat than hardness, so I can't really help you there.
Pappy
Member
Funny you should mention the tire pressure!!! The sales guys had to add some air to the fron on the day I bought it.... I kind of assumed that it was because it had sat around on the showroom floor for so long. However, this may be more than a coincidence. Also, I've noticed the heat issue only when stopped at a red light...but I find I can compensate by supporting the bike with my left leg and keeping my right foot on the peg when I'm stopped, thereby allowing me to keep my leg off the direct heat. Yeah, I also used to have several bikes in the stable: most recently a Bonnie for around town, and a Moto Guzzi Eldorado for long-distance. However, after moving into a town house with a small garage, I traded them both in for the Scrambler, which I (correctly) viewed as a potential "Swiss Army bike" that could do it all. Like you, the seat only becomes uncomfortable for me after a long day in the saddle. No problems for day trips or around town. I'm hesitant to use an Air Hawk (or other seat pad), because I don't want to detract from the LOOK of the beautiful brown classic bench seat. Interestingly, I recently found a pair of "gel shorts" on line...underwear that long-distance bicyclists use, with gel pads built in!! If I can pull that off (no pun intended) under my jeans or riding pants, that may be the best solution for now!
Has your tire pressure dropped on your bike since then? I also heard somewhere else that their Triumph Scrambler 1200 had a slow tire pressure leak, as some stickers were left on the wheel before the tires were mounted or the like. I've tried those gel under shorts on my bicycle, but the ones I bought did not fit me correctly so I didn't use them again, but maybe worth a try for you. I agree about the brown seat. A black pad would ruin the look. On my black Suzuki seat it is hardly noticeable. Good luck with your seat hunt.
Unfortunately, those seats won't work on the Scrambler 1200.
The good news is that Corbin has a seat out that that will fit Corbin Motorcycle Seats & Accessories | Triumph Scrambler 1200 | 800-538-7035. I like the look of the design, not caring a lot for the black blue and gray colors they have pictured; but they offer a ton of leather, stich, and piping options.
One bit of advice for the new scrambler 1200 owners. Verify you are able to start the bike without the keyless fob turned on. It is tricky getting it into just the right spot in the phone box under the seat, and when you hit the sweet spot you gotta leave it there for a few seconds without moving it away. I recommend getting comfortable with the process before you find yourself with a dead battery in the fob, a broken fob, or trying to start it with one of the standard keys. It is tricky, and can take some time to figure out. Much better to do that as an experiment in your garage rather than learning it out on the road somewhere.
When I bought mine the sales guy told me the steering lock up on the top of the tree was where you put the key in it to start it if there is a problem with the keyless start. Glad I read my manual when I got home or I might have been really frustrated stranded somewhere someday.
Enjoy your new ride. They are a great bike.
Pappy
Member
Thanks for the recommendation! I've had Corbin seats before...I've found them to be less comfortable than Sargent or Mustang, but I'll definitely check it out!!
Pappy
Member
Coincidentally, I checked yesterday (first time in two weeks) and it was down 6 lbs. At first, I attributed it to the cold weather...but the rear tire was just fine. So...I wonder what's up!?
Check that the valve stem insert is tight or change it for a new one to see if that helps.
You could try the soapy water trick for bubbles around where the stem meets the rim and on the open end of the stem. It's a slow leak so you will have to be patient with this trick.
Other than that, it's probably a tire to rim seating problem.
You could try the soapy water trick for bubbles around where the stem meets the rim and on the open end of the stem. It's a slow leak so you will have to be patient with this trick.
Other than that, it's probably a tire to rim seating problem.
How much different is the 1200?
The biggest difference is that the seat on the 1200 is key locked down instead of being bolted on.
Pappy
Member
It's also considerably longer, isn't it?
I tightened the valve core and mine is down 12 lbs in last 2 weeks. I am taking it in when weather permits. I heard that a sticker may have been left on the wheel causing the tire to not seat properly when mounted.
You don't have to wait for the dealers bid, just take the absolute lowest amount that you think they would possibly offer you, then cut that in half and you will have your trade amount. BTW, whatever that number is... take it. The 1200 is a great bike.
RockyDS
Well-Known Member
Good approach! I already have a deal on paper, they just need to see my trade to confirm the numbers. Unless something unexpected happens, it should work out. The dealer is a three hour drive, so it will be a long day.
Be sure to let us know.
Where is your dealer located?
My nearest Triumph dealer(the only one on the Maritimes) an hour and a half drive/ride for me.
My nearest Triumph dealer(the only one on the Maritimes) an hour and a half drive/ride for me.
RockyDS
Well-Known Member
I went to Blackfoot Motorsports in Calgary, Alberta and I live in the foothills of the Rockies near the town of Rocky Mountain House. There's also a dealer about the same distance north in Edmonton.
It turned in to a 12 hour + day, which was a tad longer than I expected but nevertheless the deal was done. Now I'm hoping for at least a couple of nice days to take it for a ride. And I also have to do the computer programmers course necessary for navigating the TFT screen!
I already knew these were beautiful bikes but wow, it really is!
