V85 or Triumph 1200XC Scrambler?

[inditx]

Bring it on, what say you!
inditx

[Motormike]

I doubt if many here have had any experience with Triumphs 1200 Scrambler series.  Pretty new.  I love the styling of the bikes.  I always get the XC and XE mixed up, but I've sat on both, the XE(?) model is too tall for me.  I've always wanted to test ride an XC.  Then there's that whole "Thailand Triumph" thing.  It wouldn't be so bad if they didn't cover the bikes in the Union Jack.  The sticker on Triumph's used to say, "Made in England."  Now it says, "Product of England."  Sure.  Can you imagine the day when your Moto Guzzi says, "Product of Italy, made in India."  I shudder.

[blu guzz]

is the triumph able to be equipped for touring?  if not, i would say they are not really comparable.  if so, test rides are in order.  i don't know how they compare price-wise.  i feel that with the full bags, the v85 is something of a bargain at its price.

[Dave Swanson]

A good friend of mine purchased a 1200 XE earlier this year and loves it! XE has the taller suspension with rear Ohlins.   

I tried valiantly to steer him toward the V85TT but couldn't even get him to a dealer to test ride one.  He was put off by the V85 spec sheet.  He is 40 and hasn't ever come close to owning a set of red suspenders.    I was extolling the shaft drive and superior luggage of the V85 but it fell on deaf ears.  He is setting up the bike for touring and is struggling with the limitations of having a single sided high exhaust.   

I still think he should have went with the V85TT!! I think it is better suited to the type of touring he will be doing, but it just didn't stir his emotions.  Also it is not insignificant that the the TT is $12990, vs $15400 for the XE.

[hauto]

The Triumph is a tall cycle.That would be a big deciding factor for someone.

[JJ]

Silly question, really...I don't think one could go wrong with either bike, IMHO.  Give the FREE choice, however, I would choose the V85TT...just because...well, you know...

[Seventy One]

I bought one new Triumph and I'll never buy another. Bad bike, bad dealer, bad manufacturer.

[kingoffleece]

My experience with Triumph is not that.  We've purchased 9 new Triumph motorcycles and they have all been perfect.
As for choice of motorcyclre, I got nothing............ ........

[inditx]

Good comments.
As to the luggage choices, I would probably do a low single exhaust on the Triumph so I would have some options.
And I will be riding both before I decide.
inditx

[GeorgiaGuzzi]

A riding buddy has one. He has a funky looking (to me) single saddle bag on the left side of the bike. He loves the bike, but to me it just seems retro kitschy. I’ll let you know how the old Quota hangs with it next month. We’re heading out for a weekend.

[Turin]

I really like that triumph. I'm also 6'4. There's not a lot of sporty bikes made for big guys.

[Indypikes]

Bring it on, what say you!
inditx

Completely different bikes. Both great choices that give you lots of options though. Good luck with your decision.

[ohiorider]

My experience with Triumph is not that.  We've purchased 9 new Triumph motorcycles and they have all been perfect.
As for choice of motorcyclre, I got nothing............ ........

To date, my Triumph experience is closer to yours (favorable.)  In Dec of 2005, I purchased a consigned 2003 Bonneville Centennial Edition .... basically a T100.  It had approx 4400 miles when the gentleman that owned it ran into a bunch of health issues.  I put an additional 45,000 miles on the Bonneville before selling it to purchase a 2012 Griso.  The Bonnie proved to be an excellent machine.  I performed necessary maintenance on the bike during the time I rode it, including checking and changing valve shims.  I will admit, that wasn't my favorite maintenance task!

More recently, (Nov 2019) I purchased a Bonneville T120, with slightly over 1600 miles on the odometer.  No issues to date.  I've added 4600 miles this year.  Time will tell if it is as reliable as my 2003.  It came with the HT (High Torque) engine, with lots of torque down low.  In Cranberry and Silver, she is a pretty bike to look at.

Bob

[willowstreetguzziguy]

I bought one new Triumph and I'll never buy another. Bad bike, bad dealer, bad manufacturer.

What year did you buy?

[Dave Swanson]

Good comments.
As to the luggage choices, I would probably do a low single exhaust on the Triumph so I would have some options.
And I will be riding both before I decide.
inditx

I believe if you look into a low single exhaust option you wont find anything.  You would probably be looking at a custom job $$$.  Also I think a low exhaust on the XE 1200 would look out of place.   Triumph went through great pains to get the style and placement of the exhaust just right.    There are good pack/rack options for high side pipes.

My buddy is in love with this bike.  It is a very nice looking motorcycle.  It has more pizazz than the V85 I must admit. 

[inditx]

Hey Dave,

Thanks for your comments, I found a 2 into 1 low option from Zard. It’s pricey at $800 but looks good and sounds good from a youtube video.

UPDATE: Sat on both bikes today. Actually the XC was easier on and off due to the flat seat but both had me “almost" flat footing so that would work.

Hopefully riding both tomorrow, weather permitting.
inditx

[bad Chad]

V85!  If you need to ask you already know the answer.

[Dirk_S]

Are the frame and mount points the same as other Triumphs? If so, I bet one could get racks for one of them and add spacers or do some minor welding to make a pannier rack work on the right side, similar to how Bulldog9 and I addressed ours.

[Huzo]

V85!  If you need to ask you already know the answer.

That sounds really profound bC, but what does it mean ?

[inditx]

Are the frame and mount points the same as other Triumphs? If so, I bet one could get racks for one of them and add spacers or do some minor welding to make a pannier rack work on the right side, similar to how Bulldog9 and I addressed ours.

Thanks Dirk, I’ll look into that.
inditx

[inditx]

Ok so don’t shoot me or forbid me from this great forum but the Triumph has it over the V85. Probably a better match for the V85 would’ve been the Street Scrambler but the latter was too small for me.

After riding the V85 2 up I was longing for my V9 engine. I dunno but I think it would’ve worked better in the V85.
Anyway, handling, braking and overall the V85 just didn’t have it. I wanted to like it and buy it, alas it’s not gonna happen.

The Triumph otoh was punchy, super smooth, handled better on the road than it had any right to and most importantly the balance 2 up was just superb.

So Triumph 1200XC Scrambler for the win! 
Now to make the deal.
inditx

[bad Chad]

It’s not reasonable to to compare an 850cc air cooled motor to a liquid cooled 1200cc.

[Turin]

It is not !  The BMW F800 and Triumph Tiger 800XC woul be better. And I'd probably still pick the triumph.  ( I'd probably pick the guzzi over the bmw.)

[Dave Swanson]

inditx,   congrats on choosing the XC.  It is a great bike.

As long as you don't disfigure it like this one you can stick around.   

[Huzo]

After riding the V85 2 up I was longing for my V9 engine. I dunno but I think it would’ve worked better in the V85

I’ve never felt a V9, but I would not be surprised if that was true..
As for the comparison with the Triumph.
I would love to see Long Way Together....
A circumnavigation of the world with Boorman on a Triumph 800 and Mc Gregor on a V85.
A warts and all trip, with the same crew.

[inditx]

It’s not reasonable to to compare an 850cc air cooled motor to a liquid cooled 1200cc.

Agreed, that’s why I said it would have been more fair to compare the V85 to the 900 Street Scrambler.
Still for my riding now I need a bit more suspension and oomph for 2 up.
inditx

[inditx]

inditx,   congrats on choosing the XC.  It is a great bike.

As long as you don't disfigure it like this one you can stick around.   

Hah, will do...I mean won’t do!
inditx

[inditx]

I’ve never felt a V9, but I would not be surprised if that was true..
As for the comparison with the Triumph.
I would love to see Long Way Together....
A circumnavigation of the world with Boorman on a Triumph 800 and Mc Gregor on a V85.
A warts and all trip, with the same crew.

That would be worth the price of admission Huzo!
inditx

[Seventy One]

What year did you buy?

2013. Rode it for three years and sold it for $2,200. Hot garbage from day one.

[Huzo]

That would be worth the price of admission Huzo!
inditx

If my V85 exploded in a shower of shit and corruption and I could not get a new motor under warranty, I’d heavily investigate slotting a V9 in...
I reckon the ‘9 motor if reports are accurate, is a better fit for the ‘85s intended brief. Flatter torque, flexible mid range and pleeease, no RBW if possible.
The LWT thing...?
I would go to a cinema and watch a 4 hr movie, then buy the CD series...(again).
Hey...! They could see if London Weekend Television would pick up the check...