Good review and totally agree with the two issues of heat and the problems with the key. Where I have a different view is on the character of the bike. I simply love it and every time I open the garage door I want to ride it.
Thanks Martyn, I guess my problem is I open the garage door and want to ride my Guzzi V7. It’s an affliction I know, but I’ve no desire to cure it! Thanks for stopping by, cheers, Phil.
Nice-looking bike but no good if it is so hot. I like the heat test. Keyless ignition is a gimmick and one more thing to go wrong. Excellent honest review.
Good morning and thanks for stopping by. Yes, it looks great and is supremely versatile which makes it such a shame that a couple of things can negatively impact it so much. Even if just one of those things could get sorted, it would change my perception of the bike completely - at the moment the key stops me from going to far a field, while the heat keeps me north of Paris. If the key got sorted , I’d take it to Scandinavia no problem. Anyway, thanks for watching, cheers, Phil.
Maybe it works in the Baja as it’s quite a fast race? For me it was only an issue when going below 30 mph or stopped at traffic lights in hot weather. However, below 30 is where I spend all my time off-road...ouch. Cheers, Phil.
Strapping a muffin to the exhaust & thus blocking any cooling air is simply a party trick. I can't help but wonder exactly why people purchase a motorcycle with a high level exhaust and then be surprised at the heat output..! The important catalytic convertor is further forward than the black heat shielding, and completely misses the leg of riders, and if you're still too hot, it's a simple matter to wrap a few turns of heatproof bandage around the pipework beneath the cover. I do however, agree entirely with the stupid impracticalities of a keyless system, especially when locks for steering and fuel are needed. Cheaper manufacturing, at a guess. And as to Ingredient X, character(istics) I think all modern bikes are the same. Unless it scares you, and then you start to respect it. The XE is a teenage boy next door that can't decide his future yet.. Good review, thank you.
Evening Stephen, yes, absolutely the muffin was a party trick / although bread as additional insulation did help enormously. Of course I’d expect a bike with an exhaust like this to be warm. What I didn’t expect (and which compromised my enjoyment of the bike while away) was unbearable heat while riding slow trails in otherwise lovely French forests. I had to ride with my right foot right on the edge of the peg which isn’t good from a control or injury perspective. I’m certainly going to put some further heat protection on it but as a stock bike, considering the cost, I’d sort of expect it to be fit for purpose out of the crate. And of course I couldn’t do anything about it when I was away. As for the keyless...yeah! There’s a great bike in it somewhere so I’m not giving up - heat wrap & higher gearing would help I think - I feel like with all the torque the first three gears are an annoyance on the road until you get to 4th. Maybe it needs a supermoto conversion...So yes, a slightly confused identity. Anyway thanks for watching and taking the time to leave an interesting comment, cheers, Phil.
Thanks so much - really good to know the work is appreciated. Bikes, filming and editing are three things I like to spend time on so it comes together quite nicely. Thanks for watching and hope all is well where you are, cheers, Phil.
Hello, good to hear from you. Well at 25 it’s OK as long as you can get some decent airflow. If you get stuck in traffic for over five minutes though or are doing slow speed trail riding it will soon get hot and the fan will cut in making it worse. It depends on your riding environment and type of riding I guess - at those temperatures above 40/50 mph it’s fine, below that it’s going to get hot. Above 30, I’d avoid it to be honest. And when it’s gets hot - it’s not minor - you have to get off the bike. Hope that helps, cheers, Phil.
The black heat guards that you attached the muffin to is not actually covering the cat , mines been de catted which runs the bike a lot cooler and better response..and that black guard was removed which splits into 2 parts..there is enough room in this sandwich to lay exhaust wrap flat and held together easily when put back on (even tho mines held in by heat resistant tape as well)....no issues now with the heat , but still warm not hot or unbearable..
Thanks Gerry / yeah I realised the black bit wasn’t the cat about 3 seconds after posting the video 😐 Oh, well it’s close! And it’s hot! Will dismantle it in the next week or so and see what I find - thanks for the advice and for stopping by, cheers, Phil.
The "muffin test"... brilliant. Should be a standard test for all moto manufacturers from this point onward. And depending on which image reveals itself on the muffin, determines if it's a pass or fail. But more importantly, what image has been revealed on the inside of your right thigh?
Good morning Mike, thanks for stopping by - I like the idea - perhaps it could be extended to ensure the form of bread used for the test was associated to the bikes country of origin, so ciabatta for Italian bikes, some sort of dark rye bread for BMW’s etc. Not sure what would work for Japanese bikes though - perhaps substitute the bread for a small bowl of miso soup balanced on the cylinder head? As for your deeply personal question - well, I’m shocked to be honest. I mean really, I hardly know you and anyway I haven’t seen the inside of my leg for years. However, in the interests of the community and sharing, here goes....Hmm...there seems to be a faint outline of
@@80eightReviews Since we all know Doctor Who rides a Triumph Scrambler, my guess is the outline resembles the Seal of Rassilon? Sorry if I got too personal.
...Frank Sidebottom as it happens. No such luck with the Seal of Rassilon I’m afraid Mike - perhaps because it was the old 900 scrambler that the good Doctor rode (I think?). It’s alright though, I’m over the invasion of personal and emotional space - just don’t ask me what’s under my armpit 😀 Cheers, Phil.
CAT is not under black shield, it is closer to front under shiny shield. Dries wet socks superbly :) After 10 000 km in 3 months heat does not bother me much but it is mildly annoying (that's after 2000 km through Italy in July). Keyless ignition never let me down too. I noticed that many people get confused by logged loss of key communication and think it is now, not "was". If you leave bike on and walk away when you come back orange "bell" does not dissappear immediately, it is reminder. Bike starts fine. I find it great - I never had key out of pocket. No usual "where is my key" or "damn those gloves" stuff. Of course I do not lock fuel tank (what's the point?). I also find it to have bags of character...
Ah! Thanks for pointing that out! Wet socks eh? How long do they need? As for the key, I was getting random multiple occurrences of out of range and low key battery warnings while riding the bike over a few hours - you might be able to see that on the forest section of the review - either one of the warnings would flash up intermittently. I’m inclined to think it was more of a diagnostic issue as opposed to a real problem but either way it’s a little disconcerting. As you suggest though it never stopped me starting the bike and even more strangely it hasn’t happened since! Go figure....Thanks watching and taking the time to comment & it’s still a great bike! Cheers, Phil.
I prefer the XC version because it doesn't have the heated grips or those flimsy handguards. I added on some Barkbusters and they're much stronger and added some barrel grips for comfort. Only thing I'd like are the nicer forks but I much prefer the black color.
Morning! Thanks for stopping by. Good call on the heated grips on the XE - they were a little hopeless to be honest. And yes, black forks are the best! Hope all is well where you are, cheers, Phil.
I don’t know why the exhaust “issues/complaints” people have annoys the shit out of me so much...but it does😁 What in the hell would anyone expect with an exhaust set up like that?!? C’mon! If you’re soft or timid to heat...then maybe a Sportster or Himalayan is more your method of moto(not speaking at you 80:8)😁 I’ve had my ScramblerXE for 8 months now and I’m at 9,850 miles...just scheduled my 10K service for next week and other than a concern about how worn my hand grips are...I don’t have anything to complain about. Tracking to have close to 14k on the clock at the 1 year mark this March. Well, one thing I didn’t care for: the stock Tourances were garbage, I’m 3,000 miles into a set of Continental TrailAttack3 tires (90/10) and the bike handles phenomenally better over the Tourances! Great video by the way!
Evening! Normally I’m quite immune to heat...I did ride an XR600 through the Sinai desert at 105 degrees once - it was so hot the fuel in the fuel filter evaporated and starved the carb so I had to stop and wait for the sun to go down. With the XE, yes, you’re absolutely right - I expected it would be warm and 99% of times it’s fine - especially in the UK. Just when riding slowly off road in humid temperatures the heat was considerable - so much that it compromised my riding (which isn’t very good anyway!). Now if I were using it for something it wasn’t designed to do, then I wouldn’t even mention it - but it’s supposed to be used off-road and it’s a premium piece of machinery. Then again it’s the first euro-5 bike I’ve had so perhaps they’re all on the toasty side? Anyway I’m not giving up on it as the bike has so much to give! Good tip about the tyres - I’m sort of OK with the Tourances but they are nothing special - so will check out the Conti’s. Next step is some exhaust bandage! Thanks for taking the time to comment& good to hear it’s working brilliantly for you, cheers, Phil.
Evening! Well, I never rode the XC but from what I’ve read and heard the XC is the better road bike. Certainly I found the XE handlebars a bit too wide and the XC bars are a more normal size I think. Watch out for the exhaust heat though! Thanks for stopping by and hope all is well where you are, cheers, Phil.
Thanks Sharif! To be honest it wasn’t my favourite bike…it ran too hot and the keyless ignition was annoying. Hence I sold mine after one long tour on it. It’s a good bike but has compromises…It looks fabulous though! Cheers, Phil.
Bought one this spring and sold it within 3 months (probably the shortest I've kept any bike). Had issues with the electronics, rear shocks were bad, and when touring, though I've ridden naked bikes most of my life, this is one of the most tiring bikes I've ridden on 500km trips. Wouldnt take much to make this bike a 10 out of 10 but they missed the mark in some crucial areas. I still prefered my 2015 Scrambler (which I kept for 3 years) over the XE. Even if on paper the XE should be better in every single way. Best piece of advice I give to people researching this bike, is try before you buy, and not just 5 minutes.
Good evening / unfortunately I have to agree...there’s something a little bit underwhelming about it and that’s after test riding it for an hour! I feel it’s sort of designed for the spec sheet and yes, I fell for the lovely looks - but at the end of the day you’ve gotta have a conversation also. Not sure what I’m doing with it to be honest! You’re so right about longer trips - I find I need to keep the speed well within legal limits for it to comfortable for any distance. It’s such a shame...anyway thanks for watching, cheers, Phil.
I need an around the world bike, and was primarily looking at 1290 superadventure but I'm missing the retro look and chartacter. Was really hoping this could be an alternative
Hello! Well, I’ve done lots of trips to various interesting places - not just Europe, but Morocco, Syria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and...no way would I take the Triumph. It’s too complicated, too hot, too nice, too heavy and not great for luggage. If it’s a true RTW bike I’d go for something light, simple and pokey. In terms of new bikes then a Tenere 700 or a jacked up CB500X. I went to Jordan on a DR350 and I always took the view I’d be happy to set it on fire in the desert if things got bad 😀 Still, you can go RTW on tarmac and the scrambler would be ok but I’d suggest there’s better bikes...again you’d have to get the engine / exhaust heat sorted out though! Great bike though but as I said in the review it’s more niche than might be expected. Thanks for watching, cheers, Phil.
Ooops / the Triumph is still a fabulous bike but I will admit the V85 was on my shortlist....and might be again...Thanks for watching Mikael and as it sounds like you come from a cold country (apologies for surname stereotyping here) the heat thing might be a good thing! Cheers, Phil.
Evening Fabio, thanks very much! Glad you enjoyed it! The jacket is fabulous - it’s made by a UK company called Merlin and that particular jacket is called the “Yoxall” not sure why but it’s warm, looks good, very well made and a great price. Hope that helps & thanks for stopping by, cheers, Phil.
Good morning! Well, obviously it was a spoof but that exhaust is a definite leg griller, that and the key always playing up meant it was probably the most expensive bike I’ve owned and the quickest I got rid of! Thanks for watching, cheers, Phil.
@@80eightReviews I love love scramblers I think they are the coolest bikes ever, unfortunately with the exhaust up like that they do get heat, and often unpleasant one at that. I have not tried the Ducati Scrambler 1100 range, especially the Pro Sport with the black on black lettering looks bad ass, hoping that one has less heat, and also feels easier on the handling (seems a bit smaller).
Hmmm...I've not heard of heat issues with 1100 Scrambler so fingers crossed it's better & agree - the black on black version looks totally cool! Cheers, Phil.
Great Video !! I own a V7 III Stone for couple of years and did 7000 miles of amazing trips here in the USA, the Guzzi weak spots is long stints on highway and no ability to take any trails, I was looking at the 1200 Xe and happy to see that you own a Guzzi too :) I was also looking at the 85TT but don't want to do tube tires on a bike with drive shaft, that will be a real pain in the rear end if you get a flat... If you had to have only one bike would it be the Guzzi with some limitation of avoiding trails and very long highway rides, or the 1200 XE which can do it all but lacks the Guzzi smile ?
Good morning & thanks for stopping by - great know you enjoyed the video. Well, I’ve sold the Triumph so that might tell you something! Back to the question though - if I could only have one bike? Yes, it would be the Guzzi - it’s just so versatile, charming and fun to ride. And I’d still take it on dry gravel roads 😀 I sold the Triumph for 3 reasons in the main 1-The exhaust and engine were unbearably hot, especially when going slow over rough terrain, 2-The keyless ignition kept throwing up errors and 3-Personally I found the engine characteristics not to my taste as basically it’s all about short shifting and leaving it in a high gear all day. Still a great bike though. Guzzi all the way 😀 Hope all is ok where you are, cheers, Phil.
Morning! Yes, I’ve heard that - I do like to keep things stock though and I’m not sure if that would sort out the intrinsic hotness of the engine itself. Possibly it does as I don’t know what I’m talking about 😀 Thanks for stopping by, cheers, Phil.
Reminds me of the Ducati monster, where the exhaust juts out to right. While operating the monster through heavy downtown traffic I covered the rear brake with my right foot. After about 30-40 minutes of commuting the inside of my right knee/thigh started to itch and by the time I got home and took off my jeans I saw that it had actually burnt my leg, not unlike a patchy sunburn. Great review. Have you considered de-catting the exhaust in this case? Should also shave some weight off the bike and improve breathing.
Blimey...I was thinking of a monster at one point...perhaps not! As for the de-cat, being tight, northern and afraid of Greta Thunberg, while it would most probably help, I can’t see me doing it to be honest. Perhaps I can build up a patch of oven baked skin and become immune to it....Thanks for stopping by, cheers, Phil.
Nice review, I had a high exhaust bike many years ago. It's really unbeareble after a while, it was a constant struggle. As far as keyless concerns, one of the first things I paid attengion too, was changing the battery of the key and have spare batteries with me always under the seat. I liked your Guzzi more by the way. What rollbag are you using by the way?
Morning! The rollbag is an Oxford Aqua 50 litre bag - first time I’ve used and it was the only solution that I could make work for the Triumph. It worked well - I can’t comment on the waterproofing though as it didn’t rain! Hope that helps, cheers, Phil.
Hi there. I also have an XE... if you took the cat convertor out would that help with the heat from the exhaust ?? also agree with the key.. what a waste if time
Evening! Yes, a few people have suggested removing the cat - however as I’m both a cheapskate and scared of Greta Thunberg, I’m going to wrap the pipe under the black heat shield with some exhaust bandage and see what happens. As for the key...yeah....but weirdly it’s been fine back in the UK - still don’t like it though! Thanks for stopping by, cheers, Phil.
I have the xc here in Australia, have bought a pair of forma full length adventure boots, no more heat issue. My keyless ignition has the same intermittent fault as well. Maybe a glitch Triumph? My main concern on longer rides is the seat, bloody uncomfortable after a couple of hours! How did you find it? I do however love my bike. Character and positives far outweigh negatives for me. I'm considering a corbin aftermarket seat and cat removal. I will discuss key problem with dealer.
Hey Neil, thanks for stopping by. Personally, the seat was ok for me, however the wide bars I found a little exhausting at speed - so much so that below 80 mph was all I could handle if doing any distance. The key has been fine since I got back. I’ve taken to ‘turning it off’ when not using the bike so I don’t know if that helps. Forgot to say in the review but at French toll stations - the auto-recognition cameras never seem to identify it as a bike - meaning I’d struggle to get a ticket. No idea what that’s about! For the exhaust I’m going to try some bandage - although it’s below freezing now in the UK so I probably need all the heat I can get. Thanks for watching, cheers, Phil.
Good evening, thanks for stopping by and the jacket is a Merlin Yoxall…Brilliant jacket, well made, warm and waterproof and all for a very reasonable price. Hope that helps, cheers, Phil.
The heat issue is easily solved, I have forma boots,yes it gets warm but never unbearable,your sitting on an engine and exhaust pipe. Great review by the way,anymore videos in the pipeline??
Hello! With respect to the heat, I think I hit a particular bad set of circumstances - highish ambient temperature, no wind and slow speed through through close, dense forest roads and off road tracks. The fan was on all the time and it was a bit of cooker! Most of the time, no problem though. As for more videos - not of the Triumph I’m afraid as I’ve sold it (and not because of the heat) and as I only review what I own it might be a while for the next one. Sorry! Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment, cheers, Phil.
Thanks Andre, that’s really good to know! As for the speed info and things, you can get that on GoPro 6 and up using the GoPro editing app - just add gauges and export, it’s a little fiddly but works well. Hope that helps, cheers, Phil.
Morning Alex - the seat is OK for long distance - it's quite thin but doesn't sag or anything over time. The seating position in terms of legs is great - where I found an issue is upper body; it's very tiring to ride at speed for any distance and I found the best speed over long distance was less than 80 mph - otherwise it's quite exhausting. By comparison I'd be perfectly happy sitting on my Guzzi V7 at 85 mph plus (where conditions allow!). Ultimately it's a combination of extremely wide handlebars and the upright position which cause this and in many ways is to be expected. I think that's where my view differs to reviews of the bike in the press where it was given the tag of a "retro adventure bike" - in my book an adventure bike is about touring long distances, whereas for me at least the Triumph isn't cut out for that or rather it's not making the most of it's undoubted best points. Hope that helps & thanks for watching, cheers, Phil.
Morning Grant, Vegemite? I’ve never tried it to be honest, but then again I don’t wear corks around my hat or drink VB - Love Kylie though 😀 The helmet is a Bell RS-2 - it’s not the best helmet I’ve owned, however, it’s super lightweight and has an integral sun visor which is handy for specs wearers. The fit was a little odd to begin with but it’s now adapted to my head (or vice-versa) so I find it pretty comfortable. It’s not exactly a premium helmet but it’s a good balance of cost, quality, safety and looks. Noisy though - so earplugs are pretty much mandatory. Hope that helps and thanks for watching, cheers, Phil.
Great video, as usual. The crack with the key would really push me over the edge so, I can certainly understand your nervousness. My Ducati Scrambler gets pretty hot too, I wonder how it will cope with a crumpet? Very best wishes.
Thanks Steve...yes, there’s something vaguely unnerving about a mysterious key issue - I mean I can sort of handle a thrown rod or a dodgy big-end as I can sort of understand it. The key though? Hmmm...it’s a bit like Tinder, what do you do swipe up, left, right or down? As for your Ducati, I think a crumpet would fare badly - they always seem to take ages in my toaster - so you might need a lap of the M25 to get a nice golden brown. My suggestion would be a panini - although Nigella has a recipe for panettone toast, however it contains egg and mascarpone which could get messy / sticky...let me know how you get on. Thanks for stopping by (again) cheers, Phil.
I've seen lot's of test rides on this bike and it takes a real world ride and owner on this bike to get real about the high exhaust and the heat. Probably why I see brand new 2019 models left over in 2021 in Florida. Too hot to ride in a hot climate. It looks cool but it's form over function. Both my bikes are reliable regular keyed bikes thankfully.
Morning…Yes, it’s a shame really as the fundamentals of the bike are very good, even if the engine is a bit to short-shift-centric for my liking. Even in the UK on a normal summer day when I was trail riding it was just too hot to ride - not just the exhaust but the fan would kick in so quickly when riding at low speed (as you do on trails) and engulf me in super-heated air. It would be impossible in Florida. And as for the key! Anyway, all behind me now 😀 Hope all is well where you are and thanks for stopping by, cheers, Phil.
Hello! Glad you enjoyed the review - the overlay is from the GoProQuik app - which I think works with the Hero 6 and upwards. Basically in the App you enable 'gauges' then export the resulting video file. It's a little fiddly but adds a nice touch. I'm using the MacOS version...Hope that helps, cheers, Phil.
Hey Damian, well, I sold the scrambler after just 7 months of ownership as it grilled my leg and the keyless ignition was forever playing up, plus, i found the low down / short shifting nature of the engine just didn’t do it for me. I bought the wrong bike (for me) basically! Other reviews of other stuff, including more breakfast treats, coming soon! Thanks for stopping by, cheers, Phil.
Hello Paulo - thanks for stopping by! To be completely honest, it doesn’t do very much - it perhaps allows a few extra KP/H for cruising but it does make the wind roar louder. Main benefit is that it keeps the flies off the back of the Speedo and cables, it looks good and is easy to fit! Hope that helps, cheers, Phil.
Seriously the heat is not a problem. 40 degrees centigrade is not unusual here in Australia...just move your leg half an inch away and all's good. I feel the heat more on my '95 Thunderbird !!
Hey Alan - I think it probably comes down to certain use cases. Mine is low speed, dirt riding in dense airless French forests - here it becomes a problem because there’s no wind, not enough speed to get the radiator working, so the pipe gets super hot and then the fan comes on. That’s a bit niche though - so I accept that! And of course, I’m a moaning Pom used to damp foggy days in England 😄 And that’s sort of the point - for you it’s great, for me, it’s not. It’s still a great bike! Anyway thanks for stopping by, cheers, Phil.
G'day Phil, I love single track riding too, I certainly notice the heat more than on my trials bike but then I'm not able to ride out of the bush onto the freeway and sit on 120 kph so I'm happy with the compromise. Bottom line is I sold an XT600 and a 1290 Superduke to get the XE1200 and it's the best thing I ever did !! Cheers.
Apparently it is a lot cooler if you de-cat it. Now how loud that makes it is up to investigation. What vids I have heard and seen, it seems a reasonable compromise and is a fairly easy job.
Evening Barry, yes, that’s what I’m hearing too. I’m going to try a bit of exhaust wrap first as I’m a cheapskate and see what happens. Thanks for taking the time to stop by, cheers, Phil.
Nice Review! But i dont get the exhaust thing, i rode the bike like 2 hours out of the cities, and after that i Was insecure about the exhaust too, but i could hold my hand directly at the Spot where you put the Muffin and it wasnt really hot hot, it was hot, but nut painful i could hold the hand really long at this Part of the exhaust. Otherwise i would put exhaust bandage under it, it works well against heat. But i really liked your Video, what program/device is it that you can the the speed, and the heigh und the way you are heading? That looked awesome :))
Evening! Maybe it’s all about ambient temperature - when I first test rode it (in the city) it was fine, but that was April in the UK. What really did it for me was slow speed trail riding in the UK and France during a normal summer. Such trail riding is usually below 35 mph so not much air circulating, the fan would kick in and the metal work became scorching. Once I had to stop off road and step away from the bike it was that hot. I reckon for road riding only it’s probably ok depending on your local climate. As for the dials and gauges - it’s part of the GoPro App and works with any GoPro from 6 and above. You have to edit first in the app “add gauges” then export it. Hope that helps, thanks for watching, cheers, Phil.
Hi Phil, I fully agree with you concerning the 3 items, high exhaust, keyless ..., clinical feeling. All bikes with high exhaust are senseless unless you would like to drive through 2 feet deep water. Who does this ? The guzzy 85 TT with high exhaust has made it a bit better, as the catalyser is at the bottom. But the top silencer still it is bad for baggage or uncomfortable for the co-rider. Again, nice video !
Morning! Hmmm...it sounds a bit like a total indictment of the bike, which is a shame as it’s got a lot going for it. Fit, finish and fuel injection are all sublime for instance and it handles really well. There’s just something that makes me feel it’s been designed to tick a spec sheet and guess what? I fell for it - though I did test ride back in March when it was cold here and I had no key problems. Oh well....A yeah, thanks for stopping by, cheers, Phil.
My god....NO! When I finally leave this place for good, they will have to prise my cold, dead and arthritic hands away from the V7 handlebars. The Guzzi is going nowhere. Bike for life. And I mean it this time. On the other hand I have got rid of the Triumph - it just wasn’t doing it for me, for reasons I will attempt to explain whenever I do a review of it’s replacement! Thanks for watching - check back in, in say 10 years and I’ll give an update on the V7! Cheers, Phil.
80:8 Photography & Design ....Ha!...loving the descriptive prose!...I did wonder!....I’ve seen the V7 vids and can tell of your love affair with the little guzzi!.. ..I take it she’s not the consummate “all rounder” then?....I’m desperate to find the “one bikes fits all”....holding my breath for either a new updated Suzuki SV 1000 twin or even a Moto Guzzi V8...a larger V7 but using the engine from the new V85TT....!!....
Well, in reality the V7 does everything I actually need (aside from trail riding) - it tours, commutes, is great on country roads etc. It will be my one/only bike in the future - however, at the moment I’m fortunate enough to be able to have other bikes - hence while I can do that, I will. If someone said I could only have one bike - the Guzzi would be it! Like you though I’m really keen to see the V85 engine in a road bike - like a modern take on the LeMans (with higher bars) or a Spada V85 or something - now that would really do it! Fingers crossed, cheers, Phil.
I would really like to purchase this motorcycle but if the heat is unbearable at low speeds and in traffic why would anyone spend $16,000 dollars? There must me some solutions, replacement exhaust or wrapping the pipes with some sort of heat tape?
Hello - the general consensus is that removing the cat and/or some additional heat shielding (exhaust wrap as you say) makes it much more bearable. After buying a premium bike and liking to keep things stock I wouldn’t normally expect to have to made mods just to make a bike rideable - so that and the keyless ignition just put me off so I sold mine. Which is such a shame as it’s a great bike and so versatile. Oh well. Thanks for watching, cheers, Phil.
Thanks Javier - the Camera is the Insta360 OneX while the mount is a cheap generic articulating arm bought from eBay. What’s great thing about the Insta is that it takes a standard mount thread so pretty much anything will work. Hope that helps and thanks for watching, cheers, Phil.
Phil i love your videos! They're so creative and i love all the effort you put into the editing. May i please ask though, how did you manage to add the mph and altitude into the riding videos? Is that a new feature on gopros/360 cameras?
Thank Ezza, editing / grading is a big hobby - most of the time I’m not sure what I’m doing but I keep at it - glad you like the output! As for the overlay on the GoPro footage - anything from a Hero 6 can do it. You need to use the desktop GoPro App (Qwik) to open your footage up, edit a clip, add ‘gauges’ then export the footage as a new clip - it’s a little clunky but it does add some useful detail I think. Hope that helps and thanks for watching, cheers, Phil.
Afternoon Chris, I've heard it does and several folk have suggested as such elsewhere in the comments. If so, I'm sure it would help - I would say that the engine itself chucks out a ton of heat - i.e. you feel it from the L/H side also, though of course it's not a leg burner. I found the fan would come on after a few minutes slow/urban riding also, which doesn't help matters - and it's not exactly warm where I live. Still, I bought a bike with a high-level exhaust and it's gonna be hot. I just didn't expect it to detract from the riding experience so much, which is a shame as it's a cracking bike really. Anyway, thanks for stopping by, cheers, Phil.
Thanks Ian, the de-cat seems to be the consensus here and as for the key battery will get that done and see what happens - although oddly, since I got back to the UK it’s been fine! Anyway now the weather is getting colder, the heat is most welcome. Perhaps it’s the artic circle next year instead of Southern Europe! Anyway thanks for watching and taking the time to comment, cheers, Phil.
Good afternoon, glad you enjoyed the review...I’m 5ft 10” which I believe in new money is 177cm and I have a 32” (81 cm) inside leg. So if you’re thinking of getting one I think you’ll be just fine from a height perspective. Thanks for stopping by, cheers, Phil.
Nice review. The keyfob seems rubbish and unnecessary. I worry about spending coin on Zard upgrade and redoing the rear springs with something like hyperpro. Otherwise this would be an upgrade from my Triumph 1050 Sprint. Cheers!
Hello! Thanks for stopping by & taking the time to comment. Yes, the fob is / was a right faff. I say 'was' because I've traded the Scrambler in for something else. I'm just not quite sure for what though (yet) ! It's a great bike - but in the end, I think it was the engine characteristics that made me get rid of it. Sure it's super-torquey and it can pull fifth all the way between 30 and 100 MPH...However, it feels both low and 'close' geared - in that 1st to 4th is all about short shifting + there are no revs to chase. Sort of unsatisfying (for me at least) + I like using the clutch to get the best out of a bike - on the Triumph any gear / any place is fine. Still. Live and learn and it's just a personal opinion so could be very different for other folk. Cheers & thanks for watching, Phil.
Hmmmm....ah....well....The V7 - for me there’s something about doing distance on a small simple bike, which makes a trip much more of an experience and adventure. Plus the Guzzi has great range, shaft drive and is strangely faster! Also I’ve just sold the Triumph, so that’s currently my only option. Anyway thanks for stopping by, cheers, Phil.
Absolutely / but for a premium bike I don’t really expect to have to spend more money to stop it burning my leg off + the cat is there for a (good) reason. Still a great bike though! Cheers, Phil.
Not pc.. but lotta people been taking cat off....george at tec parts doz a kit I THINK!!!!!!..ps you still got old dommie? & did you film your trip for utube..cheers from dave
Good evening - I’m sure removing the cat would help, but then I might get one those hard stares from Greta Thunberg 😀 As for the Dominator, yes, I’ve still got it and it’s still fabulous. Had a change of plan this year so no trip to film as yet. Hopefully next year! Thanks for stopping by, cheers, Phil.
Why don't you just junk the standard exhaust system and fit the 'Farmer Torque' shorty version of the V&H exhaust. Solve the heat problem and save about 15 lbs of weight while you are doing it? You will soon find that 'character' you are looking for too, believe me, because it totally transforms the bike sound wise and feeling wise!
Hello! Well, the review is about the stock bike, but if I decide to keep it I’ll definitely need to do something about the heat - thanks for the advice. As per the video, I don’t subscribe to bikes having character - it’s about characteristics - and I was actually thinking about upping the gearing so I can hang on to gears a bit more. Dunno, I’ll have a think about it on the run up to Christmas - maybe I’ll leave a note out for Santa. Either way, it’s still a great bike. Anyway thanks for watching and taking the time to comment, cheers, Phil.
@@80eightReviews OK pal, another option for touring is made by Mass, an underslung system. Could just put it on for touring rather than buy a second bike. www.massmoto.it/prodotto/impianto-completo-2in1-passaggio-basso-tromb-inox-retro-triumph-scrambler-1200-xc-xe/
@@80eightReviews Phil, before you order one, moan a bit about the fact that the header swings a bit too low, if you look carefully it loops low and then rises whereas it ought to be in parallel with the frame. I am a bit fussy about stuff like that because when I build something it has to be spot on. They have admitted to me that they could have made it an inch higher citing the low rear brake as an excuse. I have checked the brake pedal movement and don't buy that story at all. Ask them if they can make you one slightly more parallel. They can do it if they try. Worst case.if they won't and it worries you (it may not!) it's not hard to get it modified as there is already a cut point on the header to "cut and shut" to raise the lower pipe run. I hate "lazy design" although quality wise it looks good and would transform the bike into a really practical all round tourer. Good luck!
Hey Deniz, good to hear from you. I guess the thing about what constitutes 'character' is very personal and I did try to explain that in the video - from a purely personal perspective I found the flat torque curve / short-shifting nature of the bike made for a rather uninteresting ride - but then I like revving an engine to find the power and perhaps feel more of a pronounced step. To be honest, I probably bought the wrong bike (for me) and when it grilled my leg and the keyless kept failing I'd had enough! Still a great bike though. all the best, cheers. Phil.
It's pronounced Vo-shay.... I made the same error.... to much Gallic mirth. Don't worry, I got them with Leicester, Worcester and Squirrel. The triple whammy. Right, as you were.
Good evening Christian, thanks for keeping me straight - as you know I have form in this area 😀 Have you tried Bicester, that should be worth a snigger I’d imagine? Still, I enjoyed my time in the Vosges very much - it’s small, but perfectly formed and it’s made me want to watch “Jean de Foret” again. Anyway thanks for stopping by (again and again) cheers, Phil.
I rode the bike a year ago and loved it. I never noticed the heat but the next time I test rode it - it noticed it. I think both these issues can be modified - a guy calling himself "Farmer Torque" on youtube did a mod which addressed the problem. I understand that you don't want to spend money on mods after you have spent so much already but personally if it made the bike that much more enjoyable I would happily pay and get it done. The keyless nonsense could also be changed I'm sure. ua-cam.com/video/PQUQ5XjMNCY/v-deo.html
Hello! Well, to be honest it was more than just the exhaust heat, it was the overall engine heat when trail riding in warm conditions. I hit a trail in France, single track with max speed of say around 20mph and within seconds the fan came on and roasted me. It would even happen in the UK summer and just made it uncomfortable to ride. That and the (for me) rather dull power delivery just didn’t add up to a special or premium bike. However I do like slightly ropey bikes so maybe the Scrambler was just too good! Anyway, thanks for stopping by, cheers, Phil.
You just don't understand who this motorcycle is for. I love everything about this bike. i wear motorcycle pants and boots. the key works. i just keep it in my pocket. #mansbike
Hey Charles, thanks for stopping by. You’re probably totally right - which as I said in either this video or the other one, it’s a personal opinion, but I bought the wrong bike for what I wanted to do with it. I wanted a long distance bike that could also do slow, tight trails. So when I tried to do that, the key genuinely kept freaking out - not fun when 900 miles from home and deep within a muddy French forest, plus it fried my legs. Maybe I’m simply not tough enough for inner thigh grilling - which is odd as I managed a trip across the Sinai in 100 degree heat on an XR600 so normally I’m quite good with heat. Again, my personal opinion only was that the engine / power delivery was a bit boring on the road. Short shift, leave it in 4th/5th for the rest of the day. So, yeah, I bought the wrong bike, that’s fine - it’s doesn’t change yours or anyone else’s opinion of the bike. Good to know you enjoy it. Cheers, Phil. #bikesforall
Muffin test. Unarguable. Genius. 👍😀
Soon to become part of the Euro 6 test regulations 😀
Brilliant
Good review and totally agree with the two issues of heat and the problems with the key. Where I have a different view is on the character of the bike. I simply love it and every time I open the garage door I want to ride it.
Thanks Martyn, I guess my problem is I open the garage door and want to ride my Guzzi V7. It’s an affliction I know, but I’ve no desire to cure it! Thanks for stopping by, cheers, Phil.
Nice-looking bike but no good if it is so hot. I like the heat test. Keyless ignition is a gimmick and one more thing to go wrong.
Excellent honest review.
Good morning and thanks for stopping by. Yes, it looks great and is supremely versatile which makes it such a shame that a couple of things can negatively impact it so much. Even if just one of those things could get sorted, it would change my perception of the bike completely - at the moment the key stops me from going to far a field, while the heat keeps me north of Paris. If the key got sorted , I’d take it to Scandinavia no problem. Anyway, thanks for watching, cheers, Phil.
@@80eightReviews ironic, since triumph went through all the effort to market it as some sort of Baja racer
Maybe it works in the Baja as it’s quite a fast race? For me it was only an issue when going below 30 mph or stopped at traffic lights in hot weather. However, below 30 is where I spend all my time off-road...ouch. Cheers, Phil.
@@80eightReviews found an article where it states that one of the few mods on Ernie Vigil's bike was a decat and a tune.
Strapping a muffin to the exhaust & thus blocking any cooling air is simply a party trick. I can't help but wonder exactly why people purchase a motorcycle with a high level exhaust and then be surprised at the heat output..! The important catalytic convertor is further forward than the black heat shielding, and completely misses the leg of riders, and if you're still too hot, it's a simple matter to wrap a few turns of heatproof bandage around the pipework beneath the cover. I do however, agree entirely with the stupid impracticalities of a keyless system, especially when locks for steering and fuel are needed. Cheaper manufacturing, at a guess. And as to Ingredient X, character(istics) I think all modern bikes are the same. Unless it scares you, and then you start to respect it. The XE is a teenage boy next door that can't decide his future yet.. Good review, thank you.
Evening Stephen, yes, absolutely the muffin was a party trick / although bread as additional insulation did help enormously. Of course I’d expect a bike with an exhaust like this to be warm. What I didn’t expect (and which compromised my enjoyment of the bike while away) was unbearable heat while riding slow trails in otherwise lovely French forests. I had to ride with my right foot right on the edge of the peg which isn’t good from a control or injury perspective. I’m certainly going to put some further heat protection on it but as a stock bike, considering the cost, I’d sort of expect it to be fit for purpose out of the crate. And of course I couldn’t do anything about it when I was away. As for the keyless...yeah! There’s a great bike in it somewhere so I’m not giving up - heat wrap & higher gearing would help I think - I feel like with all the torque the first three gears are an annoyance on the road until you get to 4th. Maybe it needs a supermoto conversion...So yes, a slightly confused identity. Anyway thanks for watching and taking the time to leave an interesting comment, cheers, Phil.
I’ve watched a couple of your bike reviews. They’re art. Eloquent. Down to earth. But art. Lovely.
Thanks so much - really good to know the work is appreciated. Bikes, filming and editing are three things I like to spend time on so it comes together quite nicely. Thanks for watching and hope all is well where you are, cheers, Phil.
3:12 If you're still reading comments, what about when riding in mild weather (Say 20-25). Where I live it's rarely over 30.
Hello, good to hear from you. Well at 25 it’s OK as long as you can get some decent airflow. If you get stuck in traffic for over five minutes though or are doing slow speed trail riding it will soon get hot and the fan will cut in making it worse. It depends on your riding environment and type of riding I guess - at those temperatures above 40/50 mph it’s fine, below that it’s going to get hot.
Above 30, I’d avoid it to be honest. And when it’s gets hot - it’s not minor - you have to get off the bike.
Hope that helps, cheers, Phil.
Genius heat test! Hello from Texas
Hello and thanks! Yeah, it worked quite well :-) Not a bike for Texas I'd suggest! Hope all is well in the Lone Star State, cheers, Phil.
Loving the muffin test. 👍🏻😀
Thanks Ian, lovely with butter and marmite 😀 Thanks for stopping by, cheers, Phil.
The black heat guards that you attached the muffin to is not actually covering the cat , mines been de catted which runs the bike a lot cooler and better response..and that black guard was removed which splits into 2 parts..there is enough room in this sandwich to lay exhaust wrap flat and held together easily when put back on (even tho mines held in by heat resistant tape as well)....no issues now with the heat , but still warm not hot or unbearable..
Thanks Gerry / yeah I realised the black bit wasn’t the cat about 3 seconds after posting the video 😐 Oh, well it’s close! And it’s hot! Will dismantle it in the next week or so and see what I find - thanks for the advice and for stopping by, cheers, Phil.
The "muffin test"... brilliant. Should be a standard test for all moto manufacturers from this point onward. And depending on which image reveals itself on the muffin, determines if it's a pass or fail. But more importantly, what image has been revealed on the inside of your right thigh?
Good morning Mike, thanks for stopping by - I like the idea - perhaps it could be extended to ensure the form of bread used for the test was associated to the bikes country of origin, so ciabatta for Italian bikes, some sort of dark rye bread for BMW’s etc. Not sure what would work for Japanese bikes though - perhaps substitute the bread for a small bowl of miso soup balanced on the cylinder head? As for your deeply personal question - well, I’m shocked to be honest. I mean really, I hardly know you and anyway I haven’t seen the inside of my leg for years. However, in the interests of the community and sharing, here goes....Hmm...there seems to be a faint outline of
@@80eightReviews Since we all know Doctor Who rides a Triumph Scrambler, my guess is the outline resembles the Seal of Rassilon? Sorry if I got too personal.
...Frank Sidebottom as it happens. No such luck with the Seal of Rassilon I’m afraid Mike - perhaps because it was the old 900 scrambler that the good Doctor rode (I think?). It’s alright though, I’m over the invasion of personal and emotional space - just don’t ask me what’s under my armpit 😀 Cheers, Phil.
CAT is not under black shield, it is closer to front under shiny shield. Dries wet socks superbly :) After 10 000 km in 3 months heat does not bother me much but it is mildly annoying (that's after 2000 km through Italy in July). Keyless ignition never let me down too. I noticed that many people get confused by logged loss of key communication and think it is now, not "was". If you leave bike on and walk away when you come back orange "bell" does not dissappear immediately, it is reminder. Bike starts fine. I find it great - I never had key out of pocket. No usual "where is my key" or "damn those gloves" stuff. Of course I do not lock fuel tank (what's the point?).
I also find it to have bags of character...
Ah! Thanks for pointing that out! Wet socks eh? How long do they need? As for the key, I was getting random multiple occurrences of out of range and low key battery warnings while riding the bike over a few hours - you might be able to see that on the forest section of the review - either one of the warnings would flash up intermittently. I’m inclined to think it was more of a diagnostic issue as opposed to a real problem but either way it’s a little disconcerting. As you suggest though it never stopped me starting the bike and even more strangely it hasn’t happened since! Go figure....Thanks watching and taking the time to comment & it’s still a great bike! Cheers, Phil.
I prefer the XC version because it doesn't have the heated grips or those flimsy handguards. I added on some Barkbusters and they're much stronger and added some barrel grips for comfort. Only thing I'd like are the nicer forks but I much prefer the black color.
Morning! Thanks for stopping by. Good call on the heated grips on the XE - they were a little hopeless to be honest. And yes, black forks are the best! Hope all is well where you are, cheers, Phil.
@@80eightReviews thanks for the reply, bro.
I don’t know why the exhaust “issues/complaints” people have annoys the shit out of me so much...but it does😁 What in the hell would anyone expect with an exhaust set up like that?!? C’mon! If you’re soft or timid to heat...then maybe a Sportster or Himalayan is more your method of moto(not speaking at you 80:8)😁 I’ve had my ScramblerXE for 8 months now and I’m at 9,850 miles...just scheduled my 10K service for next week and other than a concern about how worn my hand grips are...I don’t have anything to complain about. Tracking to have close to 14k on the clock at the 1 year mark this March. Well, one thing I didn’t care for: the stock Tourances were garbage, I’m 3,000 miles into a set of Continental TrailAttack3 tires (90/10) and the bike handles phenomenally better over the Tourances! Great video by the way!
Evening! Normally I’m quite immune to heat...I did ride an XR600 through the Sinai desert at 105 degrees once - it was so hot the fuel in the fuel filter evaporated and starved the carb so I had to stop and wait for the sun to go down. With the XE, yes, you’re absolutely right - I expected it would be warm and 99% of times it’s fine - especially in the UK. Just when riding slowly off road in humid temperatures the heat was considerable - so much that it compromised my riding (which isn’t very good anyway!). Now if I were using it for something it wasn’t designed to do, then I wouldn’t even mention it - but it’s supposed to be used off-road and it’s a premium piece of machinery. Then again it’s the first euro-5 bike I’ve had so perhaps they’re all on the toasty side? Anyway I’m not giving up on it as the bike has so much to give! Good tip about the tyres - I’m sort of OK with the Tourances but they are nothing special - so will check out the Conti’s. Next step is some exhaust bandage! Thanks for taking the time to comment& good to hear it’s working brilliantly for you, cheers, Phil.
I love the look of this bike but for road use which is better the XE or XC?
Evening! Well, I never rode the XC but from what I’ve read and heard the XC is the better road bike. Certainly I found the XE handlebars a bit too wide and the XC bars are a more normal size I think. Watch out for the exhaust heat though!
Thanks for stopping by and hope all is well where you are, cheers, Phil.
@@80eightReviews well overall would you recommend the bike! Just subbed
Thanks Sharif! To be honest it wasn’t my favourite bike…it ran too hot and the keyless ignition was annoying. Hence I sold mine after one long tour on it. It’s a good bike but has compromises…It looks fabulous though! Cheers, Phil.
I switched to high ankle boots and exhaust pipe is not an issue anymore on my 1200XC
Hmm I might have to go with chaps for the XE ; not a good look 😀 Thanks for watching, cheers, Phil.
Good to hear an honest review
Thanks Norrie! Cheers, Phil.
Bought one this spring and sold it within 3 months (probably the shortest I've kept any bike). Had issues with the electronics, rear shocks were bad, and when touring, though I've ridden naked bikes most of my life, this is one of the most tiring bikes I've ridden on 500km trips. Wouldnt take much to make this bike a 10 out of 10 but they missed the mark in some crucial areas. I still prefered my 2015 Scrambler (which I kept for 3 years) over the XE. Even if on paper the XE should be better in every single way. Best piece of advice I give to people researching this bike, is try before you buy, and not just 5 minutes.
Good evening / unfortunately I have to agree...there’s something a little bit underwhelming about it and that’s after test riding it for an hour! I feel it’s sort of designed for the spec sheet and yes, I fell for the lovely looks - but at the end of the day you’ve gotta have a conversation also. Not sure what I’m doing with it to be honest! You’re so right about longer trips - I find I need to keep the speed well within legal limits for it to comfortable for any distance. It’s such a shame...anyway thanks for watching, cheers, Phil.
I need an around the world bike, and was primarily looking at 1290 superadventure but I'm missing the retro look and chartacter. Was really hoping this could be an alternative
Hello! Well, I’ve done lots of trips to various interesting places - not just Europe, but Morocco, Syria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and...no way would I take the Triumph. It’s too complicated, too hot, too nice, too heavy and not great for luggage. If it’s a true RTW bike I’d go for something light, simple and pokey. In terms of new bikes then a Tenere 700 or a jacked up CB500X. I went to Jordan on a DR350 and I always took the view I’d be happy to set it on fire in the desert if things got bad 😀 Still, you can go RTW on tarmac and the scrambler would be ok but I’d suggest there’s better bikes...again you’d have to get the engine / exhaust heat sorted out though! Great bike though but as I said in the review it’s more niche than might be expected. Thanks for watching, cheers, Phil.
Nice video, Good solid information👍😊 ( now leaning towards Moto Guzzi V85)
Ooops / the Triumph is still a fabulous bike but I will admit the V85 was on my shortlist....and might be again...Thanks for watching Mikael and as it sounds like you come from a cold country (apologies for surname stereotyping here) the heat thing might be a good thing! Cheers, Phil.
indeed, solid information here... I'm beginning to lean away from the Scrambler now
Perfect review. Could you tell me what's the jacket that you're using almost all over the video? Thanks!
Evening Fabio, thanks very much! Glad you enjoyed it! The jacket is fabulous - it’s made by a UK company called Merlin and that particular jacket is called the “Yoxall” not sure why but it’s warm, looks good, very well made and a great price. Hope that helps & thanks for stopping by, cheers, Phil.
@@80eightReviews beautiful jacket! Thanks!
Love the heat test, well done.
Good morning! Well, obviously it was a spoof but that exhaust is a definite leg griller, that and the key always playing up meant it was probably the most expensive bike I’ve owned and the quickest I got rid of! Thanks for watching, cheers, Phil.
@@80eightReviews I love love scramblers I think they are the coolest bikes ever, unfortunately with the exhaust up like that they do get heat, and often unpleasant one at that. I have not tried the Ducati Scrambler 1100 range, especially the Pro Sport with the black on black lettering looks bad ass, hoping that one has less heat, and also feels easier on the handling (seems a bit smaller).
Hmmm...I've not heard of heat issues with 1100 Scrambler so fingers crossed it's better & agree - the black on black version looks totally cool! Cheers, Phil.
Great Video !! I own a V7 III Stone for couple of years and did 7000 miles of amazing trips here in the USA, the Guzzi weak spots is long stints on highway and no ability to take any trails, I was looking at the 1200 Xe and happy to see that you own a Guzzi too :) I was also looking at the 85TT but don't want to do tube tires on a bike with drive shaft, that will be a real pain in the rear end if you get a flat... If you had to have only one bike would it be the Guzzi with some limitation of avoiding trails and very long highway rides, or the 1200 XE which can do it all but lacks the Guzzi smile ?
Good morning & thanks for stopping by - great know you enjoyed the video. Well, I’ve sold the Triumph so that might tell you something! Back to the question though - if I could only have one bike? Yes, it would be the Guzzi - it’s just so versatile, charming and fun to ride. And I’d still take it on dry gravel roads 😀
I sold the Triumph for 3 reasons in the main 1-The exhaust and engine were unbearably hot, especially when going slow over rough terrain, 2-The keyless ignition kept throwing up errors and 3-Personally I found the engine characteristics not to my taste as basically it’s all about short shifting and leaving it in a high gear all day. Still a great bike though.
Guzzi all the way 😀
Hope all is ok where you are, cheers, Phil.
I’ve heard if you decat the bike it’s a lot lot better not as much heat
Morning! Yes, I’ve heard that - I do like to keep things stock though and I’m not sure if that would sort out the intrinsic hotness of the engine itself. Possibly it does as I don’t know what I’m talking about 😀 Thanks for stopping by, cheers, Phil.
Reminds me of the Ducati monster, where the exhaust juts out to right. While operating the monster through heavy downtown traffic I covered the rear brake with my right foot. After about 30-40 minutes of commuting the inside of my right knee/thigh started to itch and by the time I got home and took off my jeans I saw that it had actually burnt my leg, not unlike a patchy sunburn.
Great review. Have you considered de-catting the exhaust in this case? Should also shave some weight off the bike and improve breathing.
Blimey...I was thinking of a monster at one point...perhaps not! As for the de-cat, being tight, northern and afraid of Greta Thunberg, while it would most probably help, I can’t see me doing it to be honest. Perhaps I can build up a patch of oven baked skin and become immune to it....Thanks for stopping by, cheers, Phil.
@@80eightReviews the cheapest and easiest solution would be to beef up the insulation on the heat shield. Maybe opt for exhaust wrap?
Nice review, I had a high exhaust bike many years ago. It's really unbeareble after a while, it was a constant struggle. As far as keyless concerns, one of the first things I paid attengion too, was changing the battery of the key and have spare batteries with me always under the seat. I liked your Guzzi more by the way. What rollbag are you using by the way?
Morning! The rollbag is an Oxford Aqua 50 litre bag - first time I’ve used and it was the only solution that I could make work for the Triumph. It worked well - I can’t comment on the waterproofing though as it didn’t rain! Hope that helps, cheers, Phil.
Hi there. I also have an XE... if you took the cat convertor out would that help with the heat from the exhaust ?? also agree with the key.. what a waste if time
Evening! Yes, a few people have suggested removing the cat - however as I’m both a cheapskate and scared of Greta Thunberg, I’m going to wrap the pipe under the black heat shield with some exhaust bandage and see what happens. As for the key...yeah....but weirdly it’s been fine back in the UK - still don’t like it though! Thanks for stopping by, cheers, Phil.
I have the xc here in Australia, have bought a pair of forma full length adventure boots, no more heat issue. My keyless ignition has the same intermittent fault as well. Maybe a glitch Triumph? My main concern on longer rides is the seat, bloody uncomfortable after a couple of hours! How did you find it? I do however love my bike. Character and positives far outweigh negatives for me. I'm considering a corbin aftermarket seat and cat removal. I will discuss key problem with dealer.
Hey Neil, thanks for stopping by. Personally, the seat was ok for me, however the wide bars I found a little exhausting at speed - so much so that below 80 mph was all I could handle if doing any distance. The key has been fine since I got back. I’ve taken to ‘turning it off’ when not using the bike so I don’t know if that helps. Forgot to say in the review but at French toll stations - the auto-recognition cameras never seem to identify it as a bike - meaning I’d struggle to get a ticket. No idea what that’s about! For the exhaust I’m going to try some bandage - although it’s below freezing now in the UK so I probably need all the heat I can get. Thanks for watching, cheers, Phil.
What brand is your jacket?
Good evening, thanks for stopping by and the jacket is a Merlin Yoxall…Brilliant jacket, well made, warm and waterproof and all for a very reasonable price. Hope that helps, cheers, Phil.
The heat issue is easily solved, I have forma boots,yes it gets warm but never unbearable,your sitting on an engine and exhaust pipe.
Great review by the way,anymore videos in the pipeline??
Hello! With respect to the heat, I think I hit a particular bad set of circumstances - highish ambient temperature, no wind and slow speed through through close, dense forest roads and off road tracks. The fan was on all the time and it was a bit of cooker! Most of the time, no problem though. As for more videos - not of the Triumph I’m afraid as I’ve sold it (and not because of the heat) and as I only review what I own it might be a while for the next one. Sorry! Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment, cheers, Phil.
Great review! What app do you use to record speed and other info?
I have to say that the quality of the images on this review are awesome!
Thanks Andre, that’s really good to know! As for the speed info and things, you can get that on GoPro 6 and up using the GoPro editing app - just add gauges and export, it’s a little fiddly but works well. Hope that helps, cheers, Phil.
@@80eightReviews I see, it works very well! thanks for answering!
Good vid. How was the seat and seating position for long distance ?
Morning Alex - the seat is OK for long distance - it's quite thin but doesn't sag or anything over time. The seating position in terms of legs is great - where I found an issue is upper body; it's very tiring to ride at speed for any distance and I found the best speed over long distance was less than 80 mph - otherwise it's quite exhausting. By comparison I'd be perfectly happy sitting on my Guzzi V7 at 85 mph plus (where conditions allow!). Ultimately it's a combination of extremely wide handlebars and the upright position which cause this and in many ways is to be expected. I think that's where my view differs to reviews of the bike in the press where it was given the tag of a "retro adventure bike" - in my book an adventure bike is about touring long distances, whereas for me at least the Triumph isn't cut out for that or rather it's not making the most of it's undoubted best points. Hope that helps & thanks for watching, cheers, Phil.
Great video thanks althou I would prefer vegemite on the muffin as opposed to marmite. Can I ask what is that Bell helmet you have on?
Morning Grant, Vegemite? I’ve never tried it to be honest, but then again I don’t wear corks around my hat or drink VB - Love Kylie though 😀 The helmet is a Bell RS-2 - it’s not the best helmet I’ve owned, however, it’s super lightweight and has an integral sun visor which is handy for specs wearers. The fit was a little odd to begin with but it’s now adapted to my head (or vice-versa) so I find it pretty comfortable. It’s not exactly a premium helmet but it’s a good balance of cost, quality, safety and looks. Noisy though - so earplugs are pretty much mandatory. Hope that helps and thanks for watching, cheers, Phil.
@@80eightReviews Thank you
Great video, as usual. The crack with the key would really push me over the edge so, I can certainly understand your nervousness. My Ducati Scrambler gets pretty hot too, I wonder how it will cope with a crumpet? Very best wishes.
Thanks Steve...yes, there’s something vaguely unnerving about a mysterious key issue - I mean I can sort of handle a thrown rod or a dodgy big-end as I can sort of understand it. The key though? Hmmm...it’s a bit like Tinder, what do you do swipe up, left, right or down? As for your Ducati, I think a crumpet would fare badly - they always seem to take ages in my toaster - so you might need a lap of the M25 to get a nice golden brown. My suggestion would be a panini - although Nigella has a recipe for panettone toast, however it contains egg and mascarpone which could get messy / sticky...let me know how you get on. Thanks for stopping by (again) cheers, Phil.
I've seen lot's of test rides on this bike and it takes a real world ride and owner on this bike to get real about the high exhaust and the heat. Probably why I see brand new 2019 models left over in 2021 in Florida. Too hot to ride in a hot climate. It looks cool but it's form over function. Both my bikes are reliable regular keyed bikes thankfully.
Morning…Yes, it’s a shame really as the fundamentals of the bike are very good, even if the engine is a bit to short-shift-centric for my liking. Even in the UK on a normal summer day when I was trail riding it was just too hot to ride - not just the exhaust but the fan would kick in so quickly when riding at low speed (as you do on trails) and engulf me in super-heated air. It would be impossible in Florida. And as for the key!
Anyway, all behind me now 😀 Hope all is well where you are and thanks for stopping by, cheers, Phil.
Great review, what are you using to show the graphics for speed, altitude etc please?
Hello! Glad you enjoyed the review - the overlay is from the GoProQuik app - which I think works with the Hero 6 and upwards. Basically in the App you enable 'gauges' then export the resulting video file. It's a little fiddly but adds a nice touch. I'm using the MacOS version...Hope that helps, cheers, Phil.
Looking forward to yer next review, possibly full English would be an interesting outcome. Cheers.
Hey Damian, well, I sold the scrambler after just 7 months of ownership as it grilled my leg and the keyless ignition was forever playing up, plus, i found the low down / short shifting nature of the engine just didn’t do it for me. I bought the wrong bike (for me) basically! Other reviews of other stuff, including more breakfast treats, coming soon!
Thanks for stopping by, cheers, Phil.
god morning Sir, hows about this windshield? does it really works at road? tnx
Hello Paulo - thanks for stopping by! To be completely honest, it doesn’t do very much - it perhaps allows a few extra KP/H for cruising but it does make the wind roar louder. Main benefit is that it keeps the flies off the back of the Speedo and cables, it looks good and is easy to fit! Hope that helps, cheers, Phil.
Seriously the heat is not a problem. 40 degrees centigrade is not unusual here in Australia...just move your leg half an inch away and all's good. I feel the heat more on my '95 Thunderbird !!
Hey Alan - I think it probably comes down to certain use cases. Mine is low speed, dirt riding in dense airless French forests - here it becomes a problem because there’s no wind, not enough speed to get the radiator working, so the pipe gets super hot and then the fan comes on. That’s a bit niche though - so I accept that! And of course, I’m a moaning Pom used to damp foggy days in England 😄 And that’s sort of the point - for you it’s great, for me, it’s not. It’s still a great bike! Anyway thanks for stopping by, cheers, Phil.
G'day Phil, I love single track riding too, I certainly notice the heat more than on my trials bike but then I'm not able to ride out of the bush onto the freeway and sit on 120 kph so I'm happy with the compromise. Bottom line is I sold an XT600 and a 1290 Superduke to get the XE1200 and it's the best thing I ever did !! Cheers.
Hey Alan - yeah, I think the Triumph is possibly the best replacement for those two rather different bikes! Cheers, Phil.
Apparently it is a lot cooler if you de-cat it. Now how loud that makes it is up to investigation. What vids I have heard and seen, it seems a reasonable compromise and is a fairly easy job.
Evening Barry, yes, that’s what I’m hearing too. I’m going to try a bit of exhaust wrap first as I’m a cheapskate and see what happens. Thanks for taking the time to stop by, cheers, Phil.
@@80eightReviews You can do the de-cat yourself or get George to do it at TEC bike parts. Your side of the water!
Nice Review!
But i dont get the exhaust thing, i rode the bike like 2 hours out of the cities, and after that i Was insecure about the exhaust too, but i could hold my hand directly at the Spot where you put the Muffin and it wasnt really hot hot, it was hot, but nut painful i could hold the hand really long at this Part of the exhaust.
Otherwise i would put exhaust bandage under it, it works well against heat.
But i really liked your Video, what program/device is it that you can the the speed, and the heigh und the way you are heading? That looked awesome :))
Evening! Maybe it’s all about ambient temperature - when I first test rode it (in the city) it was fine, but that was April in the UK. What really did it for me was slow speed trail riding in the UK and France during a normal summer. Such trail riding is usually below 35 mph so not much air circulating, the fan would kick in and the metal work became scorching. Once I had to stop off road and step away from the bike it was that hot. I reckon for road riding only it’s probably ok depending on your local climate.
As for the dials and gauges - it’s part of the GoPro App and works with any GoPro from 6 and above. You have to edit first in the app “add gauges” then export it.
Hope that helps, thanks for watching, cheers, Phil.
Hi Phil, I fully agree with you concerning the 3 items, high exhaust, keyless ..., clinical feeling.
All bikes with high exhaust are senseless unless you would like to drive through 2 feet deep water. Who does this ? The guzzy 85 TT with high exhaust has made it a bit better, as the catalyser is at the bottom. But the top silencer still it is bad for baggage or uncomfortable for the co-rider. Again, nice video !
With "guzzy" I meant the english pronunciation, as you explained it humorously in your Moto Guzzi V7 III review.
Morning! Hmmm...it sounds a bit like a total indictment of the bike, which is a shame as it’s got a lot going for it. Fit, finish and fuel injection are all sublime for instance and it handles really well. There’s just something that makes me feel it’s been designed to tick a spec sheet and guess what? I fell for it - though I did test ride back in March when it was cold here and I had no key problems. Oh well....A yeah, thanks for stopping by, cheers, Phil.
Ha ha / that mispronunciation can land a person in a bit of hot water 😄 as can littering 😄
Have you got rid of the V7?! 😮...
My god....NO! When I finally leave this place for good, they will have to prise my cold, dead and arthritic hands away from the V7 handlebars. The Guzzi is going nowhere. Bike for life. And I mean it this time. On the other hand I have got rid of the Triumph - it just wasn’t doing it for me, for reasons I will attempt to explain whenever I do a review of it’s replacement! Thanks for watching - check back in, in say 10 years and I’ll give an update on the V7! Cheers, Phil.
80:8 Photography & Design ....Ha!...loving the descriptive prose!...I did wonder!....I’ve seen the V7 vids and can tell of your love affair with the little guzzi!.. ..I take it she’s not the consummate “all rounder” then?....I’m desperate to find the “one bikes fits all”....holding my breath for either a new updated Suzuki SV 1000 twin or even a Moto Guzzi V8...a larger V7 but using the engine from the new V85TT....!!....
Well, in reality the V7 does everything I actually need (aside from trail riding) - it tours, commutes, is great on country roads etc. It will be my one/only bike in the future - however, at the moment I’m fortunate enough to be able to have other bikes - hence while I can do that, I will. If someone said I could only have one bike - the Guzzi would be it! Like you though I’m really keen to see the V85 engine in a road bike - like a modern take on the LeMans (with higher bars) or a Spada V85 or something - now that would really do it! Fingers crossed, cheers, Phil.
I would really like to purchase this motorcycle but if the heat is unbearable at low speeds and in traffic why would anyone spend $16,000 dollars? There must me some solutions, replacement exhaust or wrapping the pipes with some sort of heat tape?
Hello - the general consensus is that removing the cat and/or some additional heat shielding (exhaust wrap as you say) makes it much more bearable. After buying a premium bike and liking to keep things stock I wouldn’t normally expect to have to made mods just to make a bike rideable - so that and the keyless ignition just put me off so I sold mine. Which is such a shame as it’s a great bike and so versatile. Oh well. Thanks for watching, cheers, Phil.
Hello! Nice review! Just wondering what camera and mount are you using for the 360 handlebar and side of the bike shots?
Thanks Javier - the Camera is the Insta360 OneX while the mount is a cheap generic articulating arm bought from eBay. What’s great thing about the Insta is that it takes a standard mount thread so pretty much anything will work. Hope that helps and thanks for watching, cheers, Phil.
Phil i love your videos! They're so creative and i love all the effort you put into the editing. May i please ask though, how did you manage to add the mph and altitude into the riding videos? Is that a new feature on gopros/360 cameras?
Thank Ezza, editing / grading is a big hobby - most of the time I’m not sure what I’m doing but I keep at it - glad you like the output! As for the overlay on the GoPro footage - anything from a Hero 6 can do it. You need to use the desktop GoPro App (Qwik) to open your footage up, edit a clip, add ‘gauges’ then export the footage as a new clip - it’s a little clunky but it does add some useful detail I think. Hope that helps and thanks for watching, cheers, Phil.
Does a de-cat reduce heat?
Afternoon Chris, I've heard it does and several folk have suggested as such elsewhere in the comments. If so, I'm sure it would help - I would say that the engine itself chucks out a ton of heat - i.e. you feel it from the L/H side also, though of course it's not a leg burner. I found the fan would come on after a few minutes slow/urban riding also, which doesn't help matters - and it's not exactly warm where I live. Still, I bought a bike with a high-level exhaust and it's gonna be hot. I just didn't expect it to detract from the riding experience so much, which is a shame as it's a cracking bike really. Anyway, thanks for stopping by, cheers, Phil.
Not ideal but if you remove the cat then exhaust problem is solved, I had the same key issues as well, fresh battery sorted that out perfectly
Thanks Ian, the de-cat seems to be the consensus here and as for the key battery will get that done and see what happens - although oddly, since I got back to the UK it’s been fine! Anyway now the weather is getting colder, the heat is most welcome. Perhaps it’s the artic circle next year instead of Southern Europe! Anyway thanks for watching and taking the time to comment, cheers, Phil.
De cat it ....will make huge difference
Covered review and tour in 7 min. Impressive. How tall are you Sir? Just asking for reference. I'm 180cm
Good afternoon, glad you enjoyed the review...I’m 5ft 10” which I believe in new money is 177cm and I have a 32” (81 cm) inside leg. So if you’re thinking of getting one I think you’ll be just fine from a height perspective.
Thanks for stopping by, cheers, Phil.
Nice review. The keyfob seems rubbish and unnecessary. I worry about spending coin on Zard upgrade and redoing the rear springs with something like hyperpro. Otherwise this would be an upgrade from my Triumph 1050 Sprint. Cheers!
Hello! Thanks for stopping by & taking the time to comment. Yes, the fob is / was a right faff. I say 'was' because I've traded the Scrambler in for something else. I'm just not quite sure for what though (yet) ! It's a great bike - but in the end, I think it was the engine characteristics that made me get rid of it. Sure it's super-torquey and it can pull fifth all the way between 30 and 100 MPH...However, it feels both low and 'close' geared - in that 1st to 4th is all about short shifting + there are no revs to chase. Sort of unsatisfying (for me at least) + I like using the clutch to get the best out of a bike - on the Triumph any gear / any place is fine. Still. Live and learn and it's just a personal opinion so could be very different for other folk. Cheers & thanks for watching, Phil.
The real question is - would you rather go on v7 next time?
Hmmmm....ah....well....The V7 - for me there’s something about doing distance on a small simple bike, which makes a trip much more of an experience and adventure. Plus the Guzzi has great range, shaft drive and is strangely faster! Also I’ve just sold the Triumph, so that’s currently my only option. Anyway thanks for stopping by, cheers, Phil.
Maybe I am not the first to say this but, I was sure that it Was an english muffin !😀
Great review nice and honest👍
Thanks Andy & hope all is ok in your neck of the woods, thanks for watching, cheers, Phil.
Why don't you just fit a de-cat kit? Easy to do and not that expensive.
Absolutely / but for a premium bike I don’t really expect to have to spend more money to stop it burning my leg off + the cat is there for a (good) reason. Still a great bike though! Cheers, Phil.
Not pc.. but lotta people been taking cat off....george at tec parts doz a kit I THINK!!!!!!..ps you still got old dommie? & did you film your trip for utube..cheers from dave
Good evening - I’m sure removing the cat would help, but then I might get one those hard stares from Greta Thunberg 😀 As for the Dominator, yes, I’ve still got it and it’s still fabulous. Had a change of plan this year so no trip to film as yet. Hopefully next year! Thanks for stopping by, cheers, Phil.
Your videos are amazing!
Thanks - never heard that said before - much appreciated! Cheers, Phil.
As a cordless toaster it comes with many other enjoyable features.
Exactly, comes with a cracking defrost mode and a little pop out warming shelf. I mean what’s not to like? Hope you’re well, cheers, Phil.
Why don't you just junk the standard exhaust system and fit the 'Farmer Torque' shorty version of the V&H exhaust. Solve the heat problem and save about 15 lbs of weight while you are doing it? You will soon find that 'character' you are looking for too, believe me, because it totally transforms the bike sound wise and feeling wise!
Hello! Well, the review is about the stock bike, but if I decide to keep it I’ll definitely need to do something about the heat - thanks for the advice. As per the video, I don’t subscribe to bikes having character - it’s about characteristics - and I was actually thinking about upping the gearing so I can hang on to gears a bit more. Dunno, I’ll have a think about it on the run up to Christmas - maybe I’ll leave a note out for Santa. Either way, it’s still a great bike. Anyway thanks for watching and taking the time to comment, cheers, Phil.
@@80eightReviews OK pal, another option for touring is made by Mass, an underslung system. Could just put it on for touring rather than buy a second bike. www.massmoto.it/prodotto/impianto-completo-2in1-passaggio-basso-tromb-inox-retro-triumph-scrambler-1200-xc-xe/
You know what? I quite like that for some reason! Never seen it before - thanks for finding and sharing! Cheers, Phil.
@@80eightReviews Phil, before you order one, moan a bit about the fact that the header swings a bit too low, if you look carefully it loops low and then rises whereas it ought to be in parallel with the frame. I am a bit fussy about stuff like that because when I build something it has to be spot on. They have admitted to me that they could have made it an inch higher citing the low rear brake as an excuse. I have checked the brake pedal movement and don't buy that story at all. Ask them if they can make you one slightly more parallel. They can do it if they try. Worst case.if they won't and it worries you (it may not!) it's not hard to get it modified as there is already a cut point on the header to "cut and shut" to raise the lower pipe run. I hate "lazy design" although quality wise it looks good and would transform the bike into a really practical all round tourer. Good luck!
If this bike has no character then nothing else has
Hey Deniz, good to hear from you. I guess the thing about what constitutes 'character' is very personal and I did try to explain that in the video - from a purely personal perspective I found the flat torque curve / short-shifting nature of the bike made for a rather uninteresting ride - but then I like revving an engine to find the power and perhaps feel more of a pronounced step.
To be honest, I probably bought the wrong bike (for me) and when it grilled my leg and the keyless kept failing I'd had enough!
Still a great bike though. all the best, cheers. Phil.
good video and great examples haha
Thanks! Cheers, Phil.
Great vid Phil!
Thanks Karl! Hope you’re doing well, cheers, Phil.
It's pronounced Vo-shay.... I made the same error.... to much Gallic mirth. Don't worry, I got them with Leicester, Worcester and Squirrel. The triple whammy. Right, as you were.
Good evening Christian, thanks for keeping me straight - as you know I have form in this area 😀 Have you tried Bicester, that should be worth a snigger I’d imagine? Still, I enjoyed my time in the Vosges very much - it’s small, but perfectly formed and it’s made me want to watch “Jean de Foret” again. Anyway thanks for stopping by (again and again) cheers, Phil.
I rode the bike a year ago and loved it. I never noticed the heat but the next time I test rode it - it noticed it. I think both these issues can be modified - a guy calling himself "Farmer Torque" on youtube did a mod which addressed the problem. I understand that you don't want to spend money on mods after you have spent so much already but personally if it made the bike that much more enjoyable I would happily pay and get it done. The keyless nonsense could also be changed I'm sure. ua-cam.com/video/PQUQ5XjMNCY/v-deo.html
Hello! Well, to be honest it was more than just the exhaust heat, it was the overall engine heat when trail riding in warm conditions. I hit a trail in France, single track with max speed of say around 20mph and within seconds the fan came on and roasted me. It would even happen in the UK summer and just made it uncomfortable to ride. That and the (for me) rather dull power delivery just didn’t add up to a special or premium bike. However I do like slightly ropey bikes so maybe the Scrambler was just too good!
Anyway, thanks for stopping by, cheers, Phil.
You just don't understand who this motorcycle is for. I love everything about this bike. i wear motorcycle pants and boots. the key works. i just keep it in my pocket. #mansbike
Hey Charles, thanks for stopping by. You’re probably totally right - which as I said in either this video or the other one, it’s a personal opinion, but I bought the wrong bike for what I wanted to do with it. I wanted a long distance bike that could also do slow, tight trails. So when I tried to do that, the key genuinely kept freaking out - not fun when 900 miles from home and deep within a muddy French forest, plus it fried my legs. Maybe I’m simply not tough enough for inner thigh grilling - which is odd as I managed a trip across the Sinai in 100 degree heat on an XR600 so normally I’m quite good with heat.
Again, my personal opinion only was that the engine / power delivery was a bit boring on the road. Short shift, leave it in 4th/5th for the rest of the day. So, yeah, I bought the wrong bike, that’s fine - it’s doesn’t change yours or anyone else’s opinion of the bike. Good to know you enjoy it.
Cheers, Phil.
#bikesforall
Thank you better than the bike journo bollocks they give out
Ha ha Thanks Martin and thanks for watching, cheers, Phil.