Source: Motorcycle Cruiser –
Minimal, rugged good looks and off-road capability make scrambler machines a still-popular choice for riders in 2022. (Joshua Shipps/Royal Enfield/)In a world of high-powered, increasingly electronically enhanced motorcycles, it’s kind of reassuring to hear that scramblers are still cool. The retro-styled off-road look continues to be a popular choice in the custom world, and for big manufacturers that means scrambler-styled bikes are still making their way into many of the 2022/2023 lineups.One of the main benefits of a scrambler is the implied ability to navigate twisties on the way to a dirt trail, scramble around on that trail for a bit, then get back on pavement to ride home in comfort. Modern scramblers tend to sport minimal styling, but many also throw in high pipes, dual-purpose tires, extra suspension travel, and flat-track bars—though there are those that aren’t all that proficient once they hit the dirt. In reality, most scramblers are streetbikes looking to toe the middle ground between tarmac and topsoil but are really more comfortable on pavement.A peek at the latest range of available production models shows Ducati and Triumph still dominating the segment in 2022, though Royal Enfield has recently entered the fray with its new Scram 411, a more stylish and street-focused version of its Himalayan adventure bike. We’re listing our updated inventory of scramblers and scrambler-styled machines in order of price; feel free to drop us a line below if you think we missed any.2023 Royal Enfield Scram 411: $5,099Take the Himalayan, strip it down, and give it a 19-inch wheel with dual-purpose rubber and more playful handling, and you have the new Scram 411. (Joshua Shipps/Royal Enfield/)First up is the Scram 411 from Royal Enfield, the newest and least expensive machine on our list. Looking at its stripped-down, modern style, you might not guess this new scrambler is heavily based on RE’s Himalayan adventure bike, but with just a few tweaks, the brand has managed to create what feels like a separate, stand-alone model. The Scram ditches the Himalayan’s adventure-y bits, like the rack, windscreen, and seat, but the main swap is up front, where a 19-inch wheel rolls in place of the Himmy’s 21-incher. That gives the Scram a more street-going bias, sitting the bike lower and steepening its geometry for quicker steering and a more nimble feel.Other than that, things are mostly status quo on the new model, which, if you’re familiar with the Himalayan, is both good and bad. On the positive side, because it shares many parts, the Scram is very nicely priced. On the other hand, the Scram also inherits a 411cc single outputting just 24 hp as well a basic suspension setup and limp brakes, so performance isn’t a big selling point. But you do get more than 7 inches of travel front and rear, almost 8 inches of ground clearance, a 4-gallon fuel tank, and an extremely user-friendly powerband that’s a heck of a lot of fun and extremely user-friendly off-road.2023 Husqvarna Svartpilen 401: $5,399Although it’s really a chunky-looking streetbike, its premium components and a spirited engine still make the Svartpilen 401 a blast to ride. (Husqvarna/)Related: Scramblers You Can Buy in 2021Slipper clutch, ride-by-wire throttle, and respectable WP Apex suspension, all for close to $5K? You’ll find them all on Husky’s wee Svartpilen, which is based on KTM’s 390 platform. The slim yet rugged profile sorta looks scrambler-y if you squint your eyes, and the trellis frame rides on a pair of 17-inch spoked wheels bracketing a liquid-cooled 373cc single-cylinder engine (see: KTM 390 Duke). Unlike the Duke, however, the Svart’s power comes on softer and later in the rev range, and don’t let those rally tires fool you; this bike is more street than tracker.An off-road-style handlebar gives the Svart an upright riding position, and for suspension there’s a 43mm USD cartridge fork and a monoshock, both nonadjustable. While 43 hp doesn’t sound like a lot, the punchy single makes the bike’s 333-pound weight positively fly, and the menu of modern features is pretty nice for the price—ride-by-wire, a Power Assist and Slipper Clutch (PASC), and Easy Shift (so you can shift without the clutch). The ByBre dual disc brakes are enhanced with switchable ABS, and there’s a supermoto mode, which lets you easily slide the rear wheel. Now for the caveats: You get just 5.5 inches of suspension travel on either end, and ground clearance is less than 6 inches; best to choose your intended surface wisely.2022 Benelli Leoncino Trail (500): $7,199Attractive styling, good build quality, and solid components make Benelli’s Leoncino Trail an affordable scrambler option. (Benelli/)By the looks of it, Benelli’s scramblerized 500cc Leoncino subvariant, the Leoncino Trail, is unchanged for 2022, and we can confirm that it’s available in the States this year. The affordable, midsize Trail shares most of its components with the base-model Leoncino, so you’ll see the same attractive steel trellis frame, a massive (and adjustable) 50mm inverted fork, and a liquid-cooled 47 hp parallel-twin engine.To boost its off-road chops, the Trail gets increased suspension travel, spoked wheels with more aggressive rubber (and a 19-inch wheel up front), and a taller handlebar. Stout dual 320mm discs with four-piston calipers are mounted at the front, and ABS is standard. The Trail’s 48 hp (claimed) is respectable, but with a less-than-ideal 5.7 inches of ground clearance and 4.9 inches of front suspension travel, you’re still uncomfortably close to the ground, and there’s not much by way of engine protection. Negotiating the odd gravel road should be fine, but the Trail looks to be more street-biased than not.2022 Ducati Scrambler Icon Dark: $9,195Ducati’s stand-alone Scrambler brand features no fewer than seven models in both 800cc and 1,100cc displacements. Pictured is the Icon Dark. (Ducati/)Seven years after its debut, Ducati’s Scrambler sub-brand is still going strong, with no fewer than seven distinctive models in the series for 2022. That includes five 800cc variants and two 1,100cc models, with any one of them qualified to do light scrambler duty. With their light weight, an air-cooled L-twin making 70 hp and 48 lb.-ft. of torque along with a decent 5.9 inches of front suspension and Pirelli MT 60 RS tires, those entry-level 800s mean a guaranteed hoot on pavement as well as the occasional fire road (provided it’s not too pulverized). You get an upside-down 41mm fork and 18-inch wheels on most of the 800 models; Brembo brakes and Bosch Cornering ABS is also standard on all Scrambler 800s, making them the only bikes in the class with that kind of safety tech. On the other hand, none of the 800s come with any kind of engine protection, so consider them rugged streetbikes more than true trail-munchers.Our pick is the Icon Dark, which packs on the same equipment as the other 800s but goes for a grand less due to its monochromatic color scheme.2023 Triumph Scrambler 900: $11,295Triumph rechristened its classic Street Scrambler the Scrambler 900 for the 2023 model year. (Triumph/)Triumph was ahead of the pack when it brought out a factory scrambler first back in 2007 which then evolved into the Street Scrambler in 2016. Based on the 900cc Street Twin, that bike oozed retro authenticity, and like almost every other Bonneville-based bike in Triumph’s lineup, the Street Scrambler was also given refinements to its engine last year. But for 2023, the only changes are to the name and the colors; it’s now called the Scrambler 900.Refined retro is what this bike’s all about, boasting a respectable 64 hp with a healthy 59 lb.-ft. of torque from the vertical twin, with a comfortable bench seat, upright ergos, and gobs of classic Brit-bike style. You get a 19/17-inch wheel combo, both spoked and both shod with pavement-biased Metzeler Tourance tires, but suspension travel is just 4.7 inches at both ends, so any planned journeys into the dirt should be short and sweet, especially when you factor in the bike’s nearly 500-pound wet weight. All in all, the Scrambler 900 is a thoroughly modern ride, bringing a high level of detailing, loads of torque available down low, ABS as standard, and three ride modes as well—Rain, Road, and Off-Road—but really it’s better suited to the street than the trail.2023 Ducati Desert Sled: $12,595The more robust and off-road-capable Desert Sled stands out from the rest of the Scrambler 800 models. (Ducati/)Related: 10 New Production Scramblers Available NowAlthough it’s listed among Ducati’s other Scrambler 800 models, we’re calling out the Desert Sled separately because so much of it is different. For one, it’s the model most true to the scrambler ethos with a higher level of capability off-road and a spec sheet that’s less friendly to beginning riders (it’s taller, for one). That’s evidenced by a heavily reinforced frame with a longer aluminum double-sided swingarm, a fully adjustable 46mm upside-down fork with 7.9 inches of travel, a preload- and rebound-adjustable shock out back, and spoke aluminum wheels with Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tires (a 19-inch front) to start.It shares the same peppy 70 hp air-cooled L-twin engine with its stablemates, but the Sled’s extra suspension travel, reinforced MX bars, and high fenders are just a few of the things that take it to the next level. Last year it got the Euro 5 updates all the other 800s did, along with LED lighting with DRL, thereby expanding its versatility even more. And the styling, you’ve got to admit, is just top-notch—especially in the new blue livery.2023 BMW R nineT Scrambler / Urban G/S: $12,995The scrambler style is strong with BMW’s R nineT Scrambler, though performance-wise, it’s better suited to the street. (BMW/)If nothing else, BMW’s nailed the styling on its R nineT Scrambler model, upping the ante by giving it the same 1,170cc air-and-oil-cooled flat-twin engine found in G/S, R, and RT models, with an identical output of 109 hp and 85 lb.-ft. of torque (though BMW says it noticeably increased both in the 4,000–6,000 rpm range this year). That’s a lot of power to control, especially off-pavement, yet the Scrambler does sport a revised fuel map as well as a unique high-mount exhaust to differentiate it from the other R nineTs, and you’ll also find slightly more suspension travel front and rear (4.9 and 5.5 inches, respectively), more rugged finishes, a more relaxed seating position, and a large 19-inch front wheel (a cast wheel is stock; wire spoked costs extra). ABS, stability control, two ride modes, and LED lighting are all standard, but we’d still consider the Scrambler more of a scrambler-styled roadster than a true trail conqueror.For almost the same price, BMW also offers the R nineT Urban G/S, which is essentially identical to the Scrambler but with slightly different aesthetics (unique headlight cowl, different exhaust, and high-mount front fender) and equally suited to backroad blasts.The R nineT Urban G/S switches up the style a bit, but underneath it’s essentially the same bike as the Scrambler. (BMW/)2022 Indian FTR Rally: $13,999Different wheels, more suspension travel, and some unique styling cues differentiate Indian’s FTR Rally from the other FTRs. (Indian/)Within Indian’s street-focused FTR range, the FTR Rally is pretty much an anomaly. While it still rocks the same impressive 1,203cc liquid-cooled V-twin packed in a street-biased chassis as its stablemates, it also adds a hint of off-road functionality and a bit more scrambler style.That means larger wheels than its siblings, with the Rally getting 19-inch front and 18-inch rear spoked wheels shod with Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tires to ostensibly ease the transition to off-road scenarios. Better suspension also helps that cause; you get 5.9 inches of travel from either end of the nonadjustable bumpers and a decent 7.2 inches of ground clearance, but also keep the FTR’s 529-pound wet weight (as well as the non-switchable ABS) in mind before you venture off-road.For pavement pleasure, the 120 hp and 87 lb.-ft. of torque on tap will move the Rally’s mass easily enough on your favorite backroads with standard dual disc Brembos up front to slow your roll when the time comes.2023 Triumph Scrambler XC/XE: $14,445/$15,845Triumph’s powerful and versatile Scrambler 1200 XE and XC models (pictured) are both top picks for the category. (Triumph/)Although Triumph launched the modern-day production scrambler resurgence with its original Scrambler back in 2007, its more recent 1200 variants showed the brand was really serious about the segment. Enter the Scrambler 1200 XC and XE, both built on the same tube steel frame and boasting 1,200cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin motors designed to power over backroads as well as dirty forest trails in classic British style. Both offer great power, adjustable long-travel suspension, and high-end braking setups, but the XC is the softer, more street-oriented of the two. You still get 89 hp, 7.8 inches of suspension travel, dual Brembo discs with ABS, five riding modes, a 21-inch spoked front wheel with tubeless tires, and traction control on the XC, which sounds like more than enough for most weekend warriors.But if you really want to take it to the dirt, the top-of-the-range and taller XE goes all in, with an 47mm upside-down fork and longer-travel fully adjustable suspension with 9.8 inches of travel front and rear, switchable and lean-sensitive ABS, an Off-Road mode, illuminated switches, and more. Add a decently sized fuel tank, high-mount exhaust pipes, ride-by-wire throttle, and plenty of engine protection as standard, and it’s clear either Triumph is a fine choice for true scrambling—or even adventure—duty.2023 Ducati Scrambler 1100 Tribute Pro: $14,495Heavier and more road biased than their 800cc cousins, the Scrambler 1100s are nevertheless a fine choice for canyon duty. (Ducati/)The debut of Ducati’s 800cc Scrambler brand in 2015 was such a success that the Italians followed it up with larger 1,100cc versions a few years later, but designed to appeal to more experienced riders. There are two models in the series, but we especially dug the throwback cues given off by the Scrambler 1100 Tribute Pro Ducati rolled out last year. That cool Giallo Ocra livery was used on Ducati’s twin-cylinder 450 Desmo Mono and 750 Sport back in 1972 and it still holds our eyeballs to this day.Beyond that is the 1100′s premium component list, with Öhlins inverted fork and shock, quasi race-spec Brembo radial brakes, and sophisticated electronics, all of which means it’ll be far more comfortable on high-speed roadways than dusty paths. Inside the steel trellis frame sits a 1,079cc L-twin engine, pumping out 86 hp at 7,500 rpm and 65 lb.-ft. at 4,750 rpm, with a fully adjustable 45mm upside-down fork and adjustable monoshock paired to a double-sided swingarm. Suspension travel is 5.9 inches front and rear, and the 18/17-inch wire wheel combo is shod with Pirelli MT60 RS rubber, so any off-road forays won’t exactly be comfortable, but they are an option.
