Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE - Owner's Manual > Braking

1. Front brake lever

1. Rear brake pedal

The rear brake pedal on Scrambler 1200 XE is height adjustable.

For more information

Warning

WHEN BRAKING, OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING:

• Close the throttle completely, leaving the clutch engaged to allow the engine to help slow down the motorcycle.
• Change down one gear at a time such that the transmission is in first gear when the motorcycle comes to a complete stop.
• When stopping, always apply both brakes at the same time. Normally the front brake should be applied a little more than the rear.
• Change down or fully disengage the clutch as necessary to keep the engine from stalling.
• Never lock the brakes, as this may cause loss of control of the motorcycle and an accident.

Warning

For emergency braking, disregard down changing, and concentrate on applying the front and rear brakes as hard as possible without skidding.

Riders should practice emergency braking in a traffic-free area.

Triumph strongly recommends that all riders take a course of instruction, which includes advice on safe brake operation. Incorrect brake technique could result in loss of control and an accident.

Warning

For your safety, always exercise extreme caution when braking (whether or not ABS is fitted), accelerating or turning as any incautious action can cause loss of control and an accident. Independent use of the front or rear brakes reduces overall braking performance.

Extreme braking may cause either wheel to lock, reducing control of the motorcycle and causing an accident (see ABS warnings below).

When possible, reduce speed or brake before entering a turn as closing the throttle or braking in mid-turn may cause wheel slip leading to loss of control and an accident.

When riding in wet or rainy conditions, or on loose surfaces, the ability to manoeuvre and stop will be reduced.

All of your actions should be smooth under these conditions. Sudden acceleration, braking or turning may cause loss of control and an accident.

Warning

When descending a long, steep gradient or mountain pass, make use of the engine's braking effect by down changing and use both front and rear brakes intermittently.

Continuous brake application or use of the rear brake only can overheat the brakes and reduce their effectiveness leading to loss of motorcycle control and an accident.

Warning

Riding with your foot on the brake pedal or your hands on the brake lever may actuate the brake light, giving a false indication to other road users.

It may also overheat the brake, reducing braking effectiveness leading to loss of motorcycle control and an accident.

Warning

Do not coast with the engine switched off, and do not tow the motorcycle.

The transmission is pressure lubricated only when the engine is running.

Inadequate lubrication may cause damage or seizure of the transmission, which can lead to sudden loss of motorcycle control and an accident.

Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)

Warning

ABS helps prevent the wheels from locking, therefore maximising the effectiveness of the braking system in emergencies and when riding on slippery surfaces. The potentially shorter braking distances ABS allows under certain conditions are not a substitute for good riding practice.

Always ride within the legal speed limit.

Never ride without due care and attention and always reduce speed in consideration of weather, road and traffic conditions.

Take care when cornering. If the brakes are applied in a corner, ABS will not be able to counteract the weight and momentum of the motorcycle.

This can result in loss of motorcycle control and an accident.

Under some circumstances it is possible that a motorcycle equipped with ABS may require a longer stopping distance than an equivalent motorcycle without ABS.

Warning

If the ABS is not functioning or has been disabled, the brake system will continue to function as a non-ABS braking system.

Do not continue to ride for longer than is necessary with the warning light illuminated. In the event of a fault, contact an authorised Triumph dealer as soon as possible to have the fault checked and rectified.

In this situation, braking too hard will cause the wheels to lock resulting in loss of motorcycle control and an accident.

Warning

After riding off-road with ABS disabled, always make sure that the ABS is enabled when returning to ride on public roads.

Riding on public roads with the ABS disabled will, if braking too hard, cause the wheels to lock resulting in loss of motorcycle control and an accident.

Note

Normally, the rider will perceive ABS operation as a harder feel or a pulsation of the brake lever and pedal.

The ABS may be activated by sudden upward or downward changes in the road surface.

ABS Warning Light

When the ignition switch is turned to the ON position, it is normal that the ABS warning light will flash on and off. The light will continue to flash after engine start-up until the motorcycle first reaches a speed exceeding 6 mph (10 km/h) when it will go off.

The warning light will not illuminate again until the engine is restarted unless there is a fault, or the ABS is disabled by the rider.

If the ABS is disabled by the rider the warning light will illuminate until the ABS is enabled again.

If there is a fault with the ABS system the warning light will be illuminated and the general warning symbol will flash.

Warning

The ABS warning light will illuminate when the rear wheel is driven at high speed for more than 30 seconds when the motorcycle is on a stand. This reaction is normal.

When the ignition is switched off and the motorcycle is restarted, the warning light will illuminate until the motorcycle reaches a speed exceeding 19 mph (30 km/h).

Warning

The ABS computer operates by comparing the relative speed of the front and rear wheels.

Use of non-recommended tyres can affect wheel speed and cause the ABS function not to operate, potentially leading to loss of control and an accident in conditions where the ABS would normally function.

Optimised Cornering ABS

Note

Only on Scrambler 1200 XE.

The optimised cornering ABS is a system designed to give the rider increased control should the ABS be activated whilst the motorcycle is leaning in a corner.

A sensor constantly monitors the lean angle of the motorcycle. If the motorcycle is leaning in a corner and the ABS is activated, the system will use the lean angle measurement to apply the ABS in a manner most suitable to help the rider maintain motorcycle control.

Warning

The optimised cornering ABS is a system designed to help the rider in emergency braking situations.

The system is designed to give the rider increased control should the ABS be activated whilst the motorcycle is leaning in a corner.

The potential increased control that the optimised cornering braking system allows under certain conditions is not a substitute for good riding practice.

Warning

Always ride within the legal speed limit.

Never ride without due care and attention and always reduce speed in consideration of weather, surface and traffic conditions.

Take care when cornering.

If the motorcycle is leaning in a corner and the ABS is activated, the optimised cornering ABS will use the lean angle measurement from a sensor to apply the ABS in a manner most suitable to help the rider maintain motorcycle control.

The optimised cornering ABS will not however be able to fully counteract the weight and momentum of the motorcycle and braking too hard whilst cornering may result in loss of motorcycle control and an accident.

Under some circumstances it is possible that a motorcycle equipped with optimised cornering ABS may require a longer stopping distance than an equivalent motorcycle without ABS, or an equivalent motorcycle equipped with ABS but not equipped with optimised cornering ABS.

Warning

If the optimised cornering ABS is not functioning, the ABS warning light will illuminate and a warning message is shown in the display.

In this situation, the ABS will continue to operate but without the optimised cornering function, provided that:

• There are no other ABS faults.
• The ABS has not been disabled by the rider.

Do not continue to ride for longer than is necessary with the warning light illuminated. In the event of a fault, contact an authorised Triumph dealer as soon as possible to have the fault checked and rectified.

In this situation, braking too hard during cornering may result in loss of motorcycle control and an accident.

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