Scramblers You Can Buy in 2021

[Hugh Janus]

Benelli enters the scrambler category with its Leoncino Trail, now available in the US. (Benelli US/)

New bike sales this year, as recently reported by the Motorcycle Industry Council, have been off the charts, and while most of the bikes being snapped up by lockdown-weary riders are dirt models, streetbike sales are having a moment too. Included in the latter category, but also bleeding ever so slightly into the first, are scramblers. The custom scrambler craze, reignited several years back, sees no signs of abating and manufacturers have continued to respond by rolling out production models.

The formula isn’t rigid; it’s usually a retro-styled or standard streetbike with minimal bodywork, given a variety of add-ons to make the transition to dirt a bit easier. Think high-mounted pipes, wider handlebars, and spoked wheels with knobbies along with an upright seating position and some type of engine protection. Scramblers are generally streetbikes professing to claim the middle ground between tarmac and topsoil but are really more comfortable on pavement.

This year’s crop of production models bring most of those qualities, but also vary wildly in terms of off-road capability. Weight, suspension travel, and protection all come into play, but sometimes aesthetics nudge out specs; lots of riders simply like the rugged good looks of a scrambler, which is a big reason for their popularity.

1. Benelli Leoncino Trail: $6,499

Related model: Benelli Leoncino: $6,199

Benelli’s new-for-2021 500cc Leoncino Trail plays up the off-road aesthetic but is more suitable for tarmac travels. (Benelli US/)

This year Benelli added the 2021 Leoncino Trail to its middleweight lineup, joining the closely related but more street-focused Leoncino in the brand’s scrambler category. Both bikes are based around the same sharp-looking steel trellis frame supporting an all-new twin-cylinder liquid-cooled 500cc engine outputting a claimed 47 hp, with a peak torque figure of 33.2 pound-feet. That might not sound like much, but it feels appropriate for the bike’s stated weight of 375 pounds (dry). The Trail builds on the base Leoncino 500 by adding a taller handlebar, increased suspension travel, and a taller 19-inch wheel up front, with both spoked hoops wrapped in Metzeler Tourance tires that can add confidence once the tarmac ends.

Still, don’t think you’ll be ripping up the whoops; suspension travel only goes from 4.9 inches on the base model to 5.3 inches on the Trail, with a 5.7 inches available from the rear monoshock. Couple that with a lowish 32.1-inch seat, a low hanging pipe, and no engine protection, and it’s pretty clear Benelli’s little lion is all about the aesthetics of the genre. But it’s an appealing machine, with triple disc brakes, ABS, and an attractive buy-in of just $6,500. You can snag a Leoncino Trail at SSR Motorsports dealers in the US.

2. 2021 BMW R NineT Urban G/S: $16,490

Related: BMW R nineT Scrambler: $13,495

Out of the box, the R nineT Urban G/S is the most scramblerish of BMW’s offerings, and the new 40 Years GS “bumblebee” package riffs on its enduro heritage. (BMW Motorrad/)

High pipes, 19-inch front wheel, flat seat—the R nineT Scrambler looks the part, but the ironically named R nineT Urban G/S goes a bit further, bringing more aggressive tires on cross-spoked wheels (rather than cast), a tall front fender, hand guards, and a steering damper to sell its off-road bona fides. The caveat here is that those goodies come only with the “40 Years GS Edition” option, which adds $1,000 to the Urban G/S base price.

You’ll still be pushing around 492 pounds of mass (fully fueled) on either trim but the R nineT’s boxer engine should make quick work of that, with 109 hp and 85 pound-feet of claimed torque at the ready along with double discs and ABS Pro to slow your roll. To be clear, suspension travel on either the Scrambler or Urban G/S—which both have 19-inch front and 17-inch rear wheels—is an unimpressive 4.9 inches up front, with a more reasonable 5.5 inches available from the preload- and rebound-adjustable paralever rear. There’s no engine protection on either bike; a deep dive into the pricey Motorrad accessory catalog is the only remedy for that. The special-edition Urban G/S’ cool bumblebee livery (a curious nod to the 1988 R 100 GS, which is definitely not 40 years old) is definitely an eye catcher, but either way, your scrambling is probably best left to gravel roads.

3. 2021 Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled: $11,995

Related: Ducati Fasthouse Desert Sled: $12,295

With a nice list of up-spec components, the Desert Sled actually lives up to its name. (Ducati Motor Holding/)

With 7.9 inches of travel up front and 5.9 inches out back, the Sled is the most capable of all Ducati’s Scrambler-branded bikes if the job is about scooting around in the backcountry; it can hightail onto gnarlier trails more confidently than most other scramblers here. A thoroughly modern rig with a hint of retro-styling, the 800cc DS also brings decent off-road ergos, more than enough power (73 hp), a manageable 460-pound wet weight, and the requisite MX bars, spoked wheels, and knobby Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tires riding below a high front fender.

The Desert Sled further shows its willingness to get into the rougher stuff via a reinforced frame, 46mm upside-down fork with adjustable suspension, and an LED DRL (Daytime Running Light), and yeah, even a skid plate and headlight grille. Recent model additions include an Off-Road riding mode that allows ABS to be disengaged, and all Scramblers now come with Bosch Cornering ABS as standard. Although there is some engine protection on the DS, that curved header is still daring the next sharp rock on the trail to give it a whack. If you’re looking for a bit more attitude (but not necessarily better components), the new limited-edition Fasthouse Desert Sled sports the same graphics package as Jordan Graham’s winning race bike from last year’s Mint 400 and brings different finishes to the table.

4. 2022 Husqvarna Svartpilen 401: $5,299

Related: Svartpilen 701: $9,499

The Swedish approach to scrambling means a sleek silhouette, a lively engine, and chunky tires. (Husqvarna Motorcycles/ R Shedl /)

Husky’s scrambler-like approach to its small-displacement bikes resulted in this amalgam of urban and chunky. But being that it’s based on KTM’s tried-and-true 390 platform, the Svartpilen 401 is a thoroughly competent streetbike, even if some consider it to be entry-level.

The slim yet ruggedized profile rides on a pair of 17-inch spoked wheels bracketing a liquid-cooled 373cc single-cylinder engine (like the one on the KTM 390 Duke). An off-road-style handlebar and risers gives the Svart an upright riding position, and the nonadjustable suspension consists of a 43mm USD cartridge fork with a monoshock out back. While 43 peak hp doesn’t sound like a lot, the punchy single makes the bike’s 333-pound dry weight feel like almost an afterthought and the smaller Svart also brings a raft of modern features, especially for the price—ride-by-wire, a Power Assist and Slipper Clutch (PASC), and Easy Shift, which allows you to row through the gears without touching the clutch. ByBre dual disc brakes are also paired with switchable ABS and there’s a supermoto mode, which lets you lock and slide the rear wheel.

But despite the Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tires, make no mistake about this bike’s intended playground. 5.5 inches of suspension travel on either end isn’t terrible, but it also means you won’t venture too far off the asphalt-sealed path.

5. 2022 Indian FTR Rally: $13,999

The Rally is the sole model in Indian’s FTR series to keep the taller front tire for 2022; it’s also the only one with knobbies. (Jeff Allen/)

Another scrambler-style bike in name only, the rorty FTR Rally builds on a street-biased chassis and adds a hint of off-road functionality. Indian says the Rally is “scrambler inspired,” which meant adding a bit more chunkiness to the original’s retro flat-track look. The Rally also keeps its 19-inch front and 18-inch rear spoked wheels to make the case for better off-road adaptability, while the other FTRs finally confessed to their street biases and adopted 17-inchers all around this year.

The Rally continues the scrambler formula via aluminum wire-spoked wheels and knobby Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tires, buttressed by higher ProTaper handlebars for more upright ergos. There are 5.9 inches of travel on both ends of the nonadjustable suspension to soak up some of the smaller stuff, but this is a bike that weighs 527 pounds fully fueled, so keep that in mind if/when you venture off the boulevard. The 1,203cc V-twin is an otherwise willing accomplice though, especially on the street, where its 120 hp and 87 pound-feet of torque on tap will move the mass easily. Be aware though: If you do intend to scramble, the equipped ABS isn’t switchable and is tuned for street use.

6. 2021 Janus Gryffin 250: $7,895

Handmade to order in Goshen, Indiana, the Janus Gryffin Scrambler brings simple lightweight design, but at a price. (Janus Motorcycles/)

If you’re looking for something scrambler-styled that’s uniquely vintage-y yet semi-custom all at once, Janus’ made-to-order Gryffin 250 might fit the bill. The light, small-displacement thumper is the most dirt-oriented of the Janus models, outfitted with a high pipe with heat shield, aluminum skid plate, and aluminum wire wheels with stainless spokes and aggressive dual sport tires. The 266-pound (dry) weight makes it easy to manage the bike, even with just 14 hp emanating from the air-cooled 229cc OHV Chinese-made single.

The Gryffin’s unique front end includes a leading link fork designed in-house and stuffed with dual progressive Ikon shocks, working with a set of dual Ikon shocks out back. But the suspension is fairly short stroke and both wheels are 18 inchers, making the Gryffin primarily a pavement-friendly around-towner. The Gryffin’s charm comes from its simplicity and light weight, a pairing of size and power that gives riders the confidence to coax it around easily. Everything is analog too, which definitely taps into the original spirit of scrambling.

Because it’s hand-produced in Goshen, Indiana, the Gryffin isn’t exactly a bargain, but Janus says its bikes are meant to evoke the memories of a simpler time populated by simpler machines, and for some people, that’s enough. You can choose paint and a number of other options (each of which add to the $7,895 base price) and order directly from the factory.

7. 2021 Moto Morini Super Scrambler: $16,000 (est)

The refined Super Scrambler runs with Pirelli Scorpion Rally dual sport tires, but this bike is made more for road duty, not the trail work. (Moto Morini/)

Built mainly for the street but with a scrambler’s design language in mind, the Super Scrambler nonetheless looks like it’ll be a fun ride when (hopefully) it comes out later this summer. The road-biased design is anchored by a liquid-cooled 1,187cc twin-cam V-twin with aluminum alloy heads known as the Bialbero 1200 CorsaCorta in Moto Morini-speak, which claims to output a healthy 116 hp, and is slowed by a triple disc Brembo brake system supported by Bosch ABS.

Suspension is handled by a 46mm fully adjustable inverted fork up front, with a single shock (also fully adjustable) at the rear, both attached to 17-inch spoked wheels. Those wheels won’t travel too far vertically either, with only 4.7 inches on tap up front and 4.3 inches out back, despite being shod with Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR on-off tires. It’s a great-looking bike, but the Super Scrambler is all about the scrambler aesthetic rather than offering much off-road capability, and as a streetbike, it’ll probably crush it—if it ever arrives in this country. (Moto Morini was purchased by the Zhongneng Vehicle Group in 2018 and hoped to expand into new markets, but at press time we could find no dealers in the US).

8. 2021 Royal Enfield Himalayan: $4,999

Related: Royal Enfield Bullet Trials: $5,299

The Himalayan: light adventure or heavy scrambling? Yes. (Royal Enfield/)

Although the Himalayan has been roundly acknowledged and reviewed by the ADV crowd (OK, and others too), its spartan looks and retro roots are undeniable. Just strip off the bags and shield and you may as well be looking at a scrambler.

Wait a minute—in stock form, the Himalayan doesn’t come with luggage, so you’re halfway to a scrambler right off the bat. Well, more like a chunkier dual sport, especially when you consider that with a 21-inch spoked front wheel and 19-incher out back, supported by a healthy 7.9 inches of travel from the 41mm fork, and an equally impressive 7.1 inches on the back monoshock, the Himalayan is already set up for success on the off-roady bits of your journey. Throw in the fact that seat height is just shy of 32 inches and the bike weighs just 440 pounds and change wet, and you can see why the Himalayan is one of Enfield’s best-selling models.

There are some downsides though, mainly owing to the fact that the 411cc single is not exactly a rocket, but all things considered the Himalayan could very well make for a cool scrambler project, especially given the low buy-in. If you’re still not convinced the Himalyan fits the scrambler ethic, there’s the company’s more focused 499cc Bullet Trials 500 model—which unfortunately isn’t available in North America this year.

Enfield’s Bullet Trials 500 model brings a more focused scrambler vibe, but it’s not available in the US for 2021. (Royal Enfield/)

9. 2021 Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE: $15,400

Related: Triumph Scrambler XC: $14,000 / Triumph Scrambler XE Steve McQueen Edition: $16,400

Triumph’s Scrambler 1200 XE has one of the best spec sheets in the class. The Steve McQueen Edition (pictured) is built on the same base. (Triumph Motorcycles/)

Triumph boasts no fewer than five separate scrambler models for 2022 (though most are just trim variants), each one with classic silhouettes and a retro design. The Scrambler 1200 XE, though, is the top of the line, and it’s even been called a naked adventure bike by some—for good reason.

This higher-spec 1200 boasts recognizable off-road elements like a 21-inch front wheel, wide handlebar, and twin high-mount pipes, all positioned around Triumph’s high-power 1,200cc parallel-twin engine putting out a claimed 81 pound-feet of peak torque at 4,500 rpm and 90 hp at 7,250 rpm. You also get higher-zoot stuff like cornering ABS and cornering traction control managed by an inertial measurement unit, Off-Road Pro mode for advanced riders, and longer-travel suspension, with the larger 47mm fully adjustable Showa USD fork offering close to 10 inches of wheel travel and the Öhlins twin spring rear shocks providing the same. If you can handle the tallish seat, top-heavy weight distribution, and that mass—close to 500 pounds here—it may be just the ticket. The XE nails the scrambler aesthetic and pairs it with an almost ADV-level of off-road capability.

If you’re on the hunt for something less laser-focused, the lower-priced, lower-to-the-ground, and more streetable XC model would be a good option. And if you’re looking to score pop culture and exclusivity points, the XE-based, also highly capable Steve McQueen Edition will empty your wallet to the tune of $16,400.

10. 2022 Triumph Street Scrambler: $11,000

Related: Triumph Street Scrambler Sandstorm: $11,750

The lower and more casual Street Scrambler has the scrambler cosmetics down pat but is a better choice for paved adventures. (Triumph Motorcycles/)

The big 1,200cc Scramblers can scratch your off-road itch if you’re serious about soil surfing, but if you spend most of your days on pavement, they might be overkill. The 900cc Street Scrambler is the obvious choice for that scenario; Triumph itself calls this model an “urban scrambler,” which you can take to mean a somewhat heavy streetbike fitted with choice accessories from the parts catalog. Although the now-Euro 5-compliant parallel twin liquid-cooled Bonneville engine spits out a comfortable 65 hp, the 4.7 inches of travel on either end of a 490-pound bike with 85 percent road-biased rubber doesn’t necessarily make for a good combination on singletrack.

The 2022 Street Scrambler Sandstorm rolls with premium add-ons - high fender, knee pads, headlight grille, etc - but is essentially the same bike with a different paint job (and a higher price). (Triumph Motorcycles/)

But credit to Triumph for doing a great job with the cosmetics, accessories, and fit and finish—the Street Scrambler certainly nails the scrambler visuals, with high-mounted twin pipes, wide bars, and wire-spoked wheels (a 19-incher up front) wrapped in Metzeler Tourance tires designed primarily for the street but good for some light off-roading, all capped by that classic Triumph profile. The bike’s fairly well-equipped as well, with four-piston Brembo brakes, three ride modes, and switchable traction control and ABS as standard. You’d be wise to keep your bomb sessions to flat gravel roads; the Street Scrambler, as its name suggests, is more at home on the asphalt. The new Sandstrom edition adds more premium accessories and graphics, but underneath is the same bike.

Source

[Pedro]

I saw one of the Benellis they have on number one here, live, a week ago. Seemed very much like shit from China, Chinese shit! Please delete these communist propaganda posting bots!

[Catteeclan]

Spot on Pedro.

[boboneleg]

The Desert Sled wins it by a mile and who would buy a bike called a Janus.  WTF is that ?  Janet's Anus or something

[Buckster]

11 hours ago, Pedro said:

I saw one of the Benellis they have on number one here, live, a week ago. Seemed very much like shit from China, Chinese shit! Please delete these communist propaganda posting bots!

The problem is the forum was started by a Chinese bike owner. The Moto Morini 1200 is still made in Italy even though the company is now owned by the Chinese, Indian is competing well in flat track but there are questions on reliability, the beemer looks wrong and the Enfields are underpowered. In this ensemble the only one I particularly like is the Duc.

[Buckster]

4 minutes ago, boboneleg said:

The Desert Sled wins it by a mile and who would buy a bike called a Janus.  WTF is that ?  Janet's Anus or something

That’s where the engine is squeezed out of.

[XTreme]

19 minutes ago, Buckster said:

The problem is the forum was started by a Chinese bike owner.

[Tym]

Word is china is going to buy HD, not on Fox news yet butt...