THE ‘UMPH: GO FAST DON’T DIE’S TRIUMPH SCRAMBLER 1200XE

 

“Ride ‘em don’t hide ‘em” has always been the motto when it comes to GFDD and motorcycles - but we’ve realized the “Hide ‘em” part of that motto means maybe we could show some love to bikes we ride and not just the roads they take us on.  We don’t have a lot of shiny scoots in our stable, so we figured we’d start with the newest addition before we ruin it’s resplendence. Without further ado, ladies and gentlemen; The ‘UMPH.

 

 

All the show; all the GO. We tore the word “compromise” out of our dream dictionary when we decided to add Triumph’s Scrambler 1200XE to the GFDD moto stable. Often we see folks choosing their respective motorcycles based heavily on one of three camps: performance, style and/or practicality. Fast or far, show or go, tarmac or trails… our answer was all of the above and nothing less - and before we would publish this article we’d make sure we had it all. (Spoiler: we got it all.) 

 

 

We’ll start with a hats-off to Triumph Motorcycles-- this bike had it all right off the floor. High performance output, hi-torque, Showa front suspension, Ohlins rear suspension, brembo brakes, classic minimalist styling matched with modern tech. ABS, ride modes … We’ll hand it to them, we had a great canvas to start with.

 

Here’s the write-up straight from Triumph’s site and a link to the stock particulars for those of you who wanna nerd out on factory spec’s. No shame, we did too. 

 

“The Scrambler 1200 XE has been fine-tuned to deliver thrilling ‘any road’ all-day comfort with genuine adventure and scrambling capability.  This incredible level of dual-purpose dynamic riding capability is achieved with a high spec combination of motorcycle engineering that includes longer wheel travel Öhlins rear suspension unit, longer travel Showa upside-down forks, Brembo brakes, and side-laced wheels with adventure-focused tubeless Metzeler Tourance tires.” - Triumph

 

 

The blank canvas - not bad. 

 

The finished product - better :) 

  

The goal for us on The ‘Umph was to preserve and serve the functionality off the bike while making it our own with added performance, style and functionality. Part of the joy to us in having any bike is making it yours - the ol’ rifleman’s creed - “there are many like it, but this one is mine” kinda vibe. Our weapon of choice is the motorcycle. Here’s how we made it “ours”. 

 

Matisse gets it. The fastest way to change a motorcycle’s look and feel from stock options and limited aftermarket availability is to pick a new color. For the ‘Umph we wanted something subtle but different—Blue just wasn’t the vibe. When you think trails, trees, mountain roads and black T-shirts - blue just isn’t the color. We tore off the tins and got ‘em in the booth for a custom dark grey metallic color and GFDD graphic made just for her. For a sharp and super durable finish, we custom Cerakoted the fenders and other aluminum parts. 

 

Next up was to swap the stock scrambler hi-pipes for a low mounted stainless steel and carbon fiber exhaust system from our Italian friends at Zard. They haven’t posted dyno results yet but this exhaust paired with a high performance DNA air filter got her breathin’, woke her up and sounds UH-mazing. Reports of cooked thighs in the summer heat and traffic from the hi-pipes and the additional luggage options available (See DrySpec D106 Waterproof Bags) were enough to put us over the edge on a low mount approach. We like to go fast, we like to go far, and showing up to a date with pre-sweated thighs just ain’t our bag, baby. Again - totally changed the look of the bike from the standard hi-pipe. Some folks call a low mount exhaust on a scrambler sacrilege - and we get it - get your own, rock hi-pipes and come ride with us. ;) We like this one the way she is. 

 

 

An aluminum side panel and leather pouch was included from Zard for additional storage. Perfect spot to put your GFDD Wallet, chapstick and some slap stickers ;) #TheTribeGrows

 

Badges? We don’t need no stinking badges… but Zard’s attention to detail made us keep theirs. Killer company, great products. Check ‘em out here.

  

Now here’s a little something about us - we’re always looking for the lit-est roads to ride and the dopest puns to make, but we spent 15 minutes trying to make a headlight pun and we’re over it - so just imagine we dropped a real knee slapper straight from dads sandal paired sock and we’ll show you a picture of Motodemic’s Adaptive LED Headlight paired with a rad Hepco & Becker Headlight Guard. Lit. 

 

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that.” - MLK and Motodemic 

 

 

Now more than ever - we’re choosing trees and trails and mountain magic over pandemic city life (or lack thereof). Trading in sneeze-guards and masks for hand guards and helmets. The ‘Umph got top treatment with Barkbusters Handgaurds’ Carbon Fiber Hand Guards. They don’t mention it in their product description, but they also double as hand warmers ‘cus these bad boys are HOT….

 

Dad would be proud. Dear Pops - we hope you’re reading this. Love you. Now check out these sweet friggin’ hand guards. 

 

 

 

 

We relocated the stock front fender to a hi-mount setup.  We used a tail tidy kit from Iconic Parts to clean up that butt and added a killer luggage rack from Hepco & Becker to really set the party in the back of the ‘Umph club. Seriously - if you’re not tryna party - don’t go back there. It’s lit as a motodemic adaptive headlight…

 

…anyway, check out that butt. Thanks Iconic Parts and H&B for making some rad stuff. We dig it. 

 

 

MMM… scramble booty. We see you lookin’. 

 

 You may have noticed we stole a page out of the 1998 volleyball shorts handbook by adding words to the backside of our operation… don’t pretend you didn’t look - we don’t mind a bit. That’s a Custom Luimoto GripTec Seat cover we got from the gang at Luimoto. “Risk Happy” is another motto of ours and the driving force for us to do what we do. We love this. Thank you for being a part of it. If you’re reading this - you’re showing support and that means a lot :) Thank you. #RiskHappy #ButtStuff

 

“Regrets in the rearview”

Motogadget m.View Classic Glassless Mirror XL to replace those buggy stockers. We’ll stay safe’ish and legal but let’s not over do it. Too much reflection can be a negative thing. We don’t have reverse and we’re just not goin’ that way. Forward motion, folks - forward motion. 

 

We added a Puig Aluminum Windscreen to keep the the wind off the ol' chest. Street tested, game approved.

 

Dad jokes aside, when the fog doesn't lift over Los Angeles, u can still C LA on the 'Umph because we outfitted this bad boy with Denali D2 Fog lights with amber lenses and Dual Density Kit. This bike would light up Edgar Allan Poe's poetry. Good thing we didn't have it put together in the early 1800's or you sappy types would be straight outta luck. 

 

The ‘Umph, ladies and gentlemen. Stay tuned for more bikes and junk from us on this site - we’re doin’ out best to tell the whole story, we just like riding more than typing. ;)  

 

Questions, comments, complaints, concerns? Hit us up on the gram or at hello@gofastdontdie.com. Now, we’re gonna go ride motorcycles. You should too. Go Fast,Don’t Die.  We love you.