10 Awesome Scramblers We’d Buy Instead Of An Adventure Motorcycle

A scrambler might not have the value-for-money quotient as good as a sports bike or an adventure tourer, but they can be much more practical and fun.

In a world where most riders, especially the more grown-up and mature ones, battle their minds in comparing modern and retro roadsters, scramblers make a lot of sense as fine middle-grounds. With the tautness of a naked roadster and the off-road riding worthiness of an adventure tourer, a scrambler is the best balance if you want something that goes fast and easy over off-road surfaces.

Scramblers are underrated, for they do not offer the gizmos, electronics, and features of equally-priced sports bikes, or even adventure tourers, for that matter. However, the purist and functional appeal of the scramblers makes them a favorite among those who value the thrill of riding over anything else. Several scramblers are available in the market right now, all of which share the same emotion of offering you the added zing of going over rougher surfaces, where a similarly-sized roadster might not dare to go. Following are the best scramblers that one can buy today :

Related: This Custom Triumph Scrambler 1200 Takes Adventure To A New Level

Do you want the authentic Triumph Bonneville feel with the essence of a true-blue Scrambler? Triumph offers one with the Scrambler 900. Based on the Bonneville T100, the Triumph Scrambler 900, formerly known as Street Scrambler, is the most rugged form of the 900cc classic motorcycle platform from Triumph, with minimal bodywork and elements like an aluminum number board and high-running exhaust pipes. While the motorcycle is pretty basic, it has the Bonneville spirit with the same 900cc engine, thus making it old-school but highly desirable and thrilling to ride.

Manufacturer

Triumph

Production Years

2016-Present

Configuration

Liquid-cooled, parallel-twin

Displacement

900cc

Power

64.1 hp

Torque

59 lb-ft

Fuel

Gasoline

Noteworthy Applications

Triumph Bonneville T100, Speed Twin 900

It is one Ducati motorcycle with which you will love doing maniacal stuff like mud-slinging and sliding sideways. The Scrambler Desert Sled looks nothing like the other exotic sports bikes from Ducati – it is lean, tall, and relatively basic in its appearance with fewer features. Like an authentic scrambler, the Scrambler Desert Sled hits the sweet spot with elements like high ground clearance, headlamp grille, rugged wheels, off-road-spec tires, and high-raised fenders. The almost-flat handlebar and aluminum bash plate below the engine further assure confidence while riding the Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled over the less explored terrains.

Manufacturer

Ducati

Production Years

2015-Present

Configuration

Air-cooled, L-twin

Displacement

803cc

Power

73 hp

Torque

48.8 lb-ft

Fuel

Gasoline

Noteworthy Applications

Ducati Scrambler Icon, Scrambler Full Throttle, Scrambler Nightshift, Scrambler Urban Motard

The Royal Enfield Scram 411 might be the smallest-sized and least powerful in this company of scramblers listed here. But make no mistake, as it shares its platform with the Himalayan, which has already proven worth as one of the most potent entry-level adventure tourers. The overall appearance of the Scram 411 looks basic, though the cool-looking color combinations in which it is available try to make it an attention-grabbing motorcycle. It shares much of the panels, engine, and suspension combination with the Himalayan but gets a smaller front wheel, making it comparatively easier to handle and do adventurous stuff.

Manufacturer

Royal Enfield

Production Years

2017-Present

Configuration

Air-cooled, single-cylinder

Displacement

411cc

Power

24.3 hp

Torque

23.6 lb-ft

Fuel

Gasoline

Noteworthy Applications

Royal Enfield Himalayan

Triumph has already swept many of their feet by unveiling the 400cc twins, the Speed 400 and the Scrambler 400 X, with off-road riding enthusiasts keenly interested and waiting for the latter. The Triumph Scrambler 400 X shares its 400cc single-cylinder engine with the Speed 400, the smallest-sized powertrain from the brand. While it gets its styling and stance inspired by the larger Scrambler, it does look less rugged with the absence of spoke wheels and high-running exhaust pipes like the more powerful Bonneville-based Scramblers. However, the high stance and knobby tires of Scrambler 400 X look good enough to appeal to younger off-road riding enthusiasts.

Manufacturer

Triumph

Production Years

2023-Present

Configuration

Liquid-cooled, single-cylinder

Displacement

411cc

Power

39.5 hp

Torque

27.7 lb-ft

Fuel

Gasoline

Noteworthy Applications

Triumph Speed 400

The parallel-twin 500cc engine from Honda is one of the most versatile platforms in the middleweight motorcycle segment, which has already been plonked in a roadster, sports tourer, cruiser, and adventure tourer. With the SCL500, Honda has represented this capable platform in a scrambler.

The Honda SCL500 is the most rugged-looking middleweight motorcycle in the sub-500cc space, thanks to its minimal bodywork, high seat height, and iconic high-running exhaust pipes, much like the larger Triumph Scramblers. While the bodywork and chassis of the SCL500 are distinctive compared to other motorcycles sharing its engine, it has the same tried-and-tested, reliable engine, with which one can’t go wrong.

Manufacturer

Honda

Production Years

2013-Present

Configuration

Liquid-cooled, parallel-twin

Displacement

471cc

Power

45.9 hp

Torque

32 lb-ft

Fuel

Gasoline

Noteworthy Applications

Honda CBR500R, CB500F, CB500X

Another entry-level scrambler from Ducati, which is not as outright off-road oriented as the Desert Sled, is the Scrambler Nightshift. Compared to the Desert Sled, the Ducati Scrambler Nightshift has a slightly lesser-rugged and lowered stance. However, like a proper, authentic scrambler, the Nightshift gets spoke wheels with knobby tires and elements like chopped fenders and an almost straight handlebar with bar-end rearview mirrors. Based on the new-generation Scrambler Icon, it also gets a different-looking X-themed headlamp, tiny LED turn indicators, and a new-age full-TFT offset instrument console.

Manufacturer

Ducati

Production Years

2015-Present

Configuration

Air-cooled, L-twin

Displacement

803cc

Power

73 hp

Torque

48.1 lb-ft

Fuel

Gasoline

Noteworthy Applications

Ducati Scrambler Icon, Scrambler Full Throttle, Scrambler Desert Sled, Scrambler Urban Motard

One of the most underrated scramblers money can buy, the Moto Morini Seiemmezzo SCR is the off-road version of the STR naked roadster from the Italian brand. The Seiemmezzo SCR makes a strong case with scrambler-esque highlights like a heightened stance, off-road-spec tires and spoke wheels, ribbed seats, chopped fenders, and a slightly heightened handlebar. While Moto Morini is yet to achieve iconic status as glorious as Ducati or Triumph in the scrambler world, the Seiemmezzo SCR is a nicely executed attempt in the right direction.

Manufacturer

Moto Morini

Production Years

2022-Present

Configuration

Liquid-cooled, inline-twin

Displacement

649cc

Power

61 hp

Torque

39.8 lb-ft

Fuel

Gasoline

Noteworthy Applications

Moto Morini Seiemmezzo STR, X-Cape 650

Here it is, the full-blown scrambler from Triumph. Based on the Bonneville T120, the top-spec Triumph Scrambler 1200 is the best shot by the British brand with the traditional scrambler highlights, including the heightened twin exhaust pipes with an aluminum guard over them. What makes the Scrambler 1200 feel even more exclusive is its capability to ride over off-road terrains without sacrificing the ease of riding. The minimal bodywork and tall and lean stance of the Scrambler 1200 add to the fun of riding this big boy.

Manufacturer

Triumph

Production Years

2016-Present

Configuration

Liquid-cooled, inline-twin

Displacement

1200cc

Power

89 hp

Torque

81.1 lb-ft

Fuel

Gasoline

Noteworthy Applications

Triumph Bonneville T120, Speed Twin 1200, Bonneville Bobber, Bonneville Speedmaster, Thruxton RS

The R nineT is already one fantastic-looking and premium roadster and one of the finest in the business. BMW Motorrad took one step ahead by introducing a more hardcore and niche offering based on it – the R nineT Scrambler. Compared to the roadster, the BMW R nineT Scrambler gets significant tweaks to its rear section, with a narrower seat, minimalist tail, and dual offset exhausts. However, like the roadster, the R nineT Scrambler also gets the much-acclaimed Boxer twin engine, adding dollops of character to it.

Manufacturer

BMW Motorrad

Production Years

2013-Present

Configuration

Air-cooled, Boxer-twin

Displacement

1170cc

Power

109 hp

Torque

85 lb-ft

Fuel

Gasoline

Noteworthy Applications

BMW R nineT, R nineT Urban G/S

Related: These Custom Royal Enfield INT650 Scramblers Are Like Nothing Else

Sitting at the top of the Scrambler lineup of motorcycles from Ducati, the Scrambler 1100 Sport Pro is a full-blown attempt with a larger-sized L-twin heart powering it. Compared to the smaller 803cc Ducati Scramblers, this one gets a beefier look without compromising on the lean and tall stance of a scrambler. To make it more distinctive in appearance, Ducati has also given this motorcycle a narrower handlebar and a heightened pair of exhaust pipes. This model is for those riders who want the full-spec power and handling experience of an Italian scrambler, as it is one of the most powerful ones right now.

Manufacturer

Ducati

Production Years

2018-Present

Configuration

Air-cooled, L-twin

Displacement

1079cc

Power

86 hp

Torque

65 lb-ft

Fuel

Gasoline

Noteworthy Applications

Ducati Scrambler 1100 Dark Pro, Scrambler 1100 Tribute Pro

Hailing from India, Jeo has grown up dreaming about a red-colored Porsche 911. This fascination led him to study more about cars and their functionality in his automotive engineering days from the past. His passion for writing about cars directed him towards blogging, which he has been doing for almost a decade.