10 Best Scrambler Motorcycles of 2023

Many riders do not know what scramblers are, their purpose, and how they differ from other off-road adventure motorcycles. The market for scramblers is relatively small, resulting in only a handful of factory-made scramblers being produced by major motorcycle manufacturers.

When you dive deep into motorcycling history, the term scrambler refers to stripped-down and lightweight motorcycles with tall suspensions, fat and knobby tires, high ground clearance, and slim bodywork that made them suitable for off-roading. Nowadays, there are several specialized motorcycles built for extreme off-roading and trail riding, such as adventure, dual-sport, dirt, enduros, and motocross bikes. However, scramblers are still produced and have a reasonable market share.

The scrambler craze was short-lived due to the introduction of specialized off-road motorbikes. However, they have been brought back by manufacturers like Triumph, Ducati, BMW, Honda, and Royal Enfield. Read this article to learn about the 10 best scrambler motorcycles of 2023.

In 2015, Ducati introduced its first scrambler, the Ducati Scrambler 800. The success of the Ducati Scrambler 800 lineup encouraged the company to produce more powerful scramblers.

In 2018, Ducati introduced the Scrambler 1100 Sport Pro, a sporty retro-style motorcycle with improved on-road performance. Despite being a scrambler, the Ducati Scrambler 1100 Sport Pro is only capable of light off-roading.

The 1,079 cc air-cooled, L-Twin engine with desmodromic distribution can deliver a horsepower of 86 hp @ 7,500 rpm and a torque of 88 Nm @ 4,750 rpm. The Ducati Scrambler 1100 Sport Pro is fitted with café racer-style flat handlebars to ensure an aggressive riding style. It comes with a standard cornering ABS, traction control, and three riding modes for a custom riding experience. The smooth tires are ideal for city travel and casual rides.

The Ducati Scrambler 1100 Sport Pro is lightweight, nimble, and easy to ride. Being a small motorcycle, it ensures smooth handling and cornering capabilities. You can turn a sharp corner even at moderate speeds. The Ducati Scrambler 1100 Sport Pro’s slick and slim body allows you to comfortably maneuver on busy roads and through traffic. However, it is not ideal for off-roading and adventure rides. The fully adjustable front fork and preload rebound adjustable rear mono-shock Öhlins suspensions have wheel travel of 5.9 inches, ensuring superior damping.

The Ducati Scrambler 1100 Sport Pro is the most expensive motorcycle on this list, costing $17,195 due to being fitted with a large-displacement engine, high-quality suspensions, and advanced rider aids.

The Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 is another café-racer style motorcycle. It has a unique minimalist design and a single-piece frame with a low dry weight of 152 kg. The Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 is a beginner-friendly bike suited for city travel. Due to being owned by KTM, the Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 uses the same engine that powers the KTM 390 Duke, the KTM RC 390, and the KTM 390 Adventure. However, the engine upgrades make this motorbike runs smoothly at both high and low speeds. The 373 cc liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine is capable of a horsepower of 42.91 hp and a torque of 35 Nm. The Husqvarna Svartpilen 401’s knobby tires, ground clearance of 5.7 inches, and high-performance WP APEX front and rear suspensions with a wheel travel of 142 mm make it capable of light off-roading. It is one of the most affordable scramblers on this list, with a base price of $5,649.

Fantic is a small Italian motorcycle brand that got attention during the 1970s and 1980s after winning the Trial World Championship three times. Fantic was popular for its enduros, motocross, choppers, and road motorcycles. It came back into the spotlight with the introduction of a versatile, retro-style motorcycle series known as the Fantic Cabellero.

This motorcycle also has a standard switchable continental cornering ABS and traction control. The Fantic Caballero Scrambler 700 also features VRM-Marzocchi front and rear suspensions, a 3.5-inch display screen, and a Bluetooth connectivity feature.

Fantic Caballero scramblers come in different engine sizes, including 125 cc, 250 cc, and 500 cc. In 2023, the company introduced the 700 cc version with more powerful performance and better off-roading capability. The 689 cc liquid-cooled, dual-cylinder engine delivers a horsepower of 75 hp and a torque of 67.79 Nm.

The Fantic Caballero Scrambler 700 has wire-spoked wheels for an enhanced retro look and knobby tires for better off-road performance. It has a minimalist, lightweight design, including a slim fuel tank, flat single-piece saddle, naked bike-style bodywork, elevated dual exhaust pipes, and oval-shaped side number plates attached below the saddle on both sides. The Fantic Caballero Scrambler 700 is a highly versatile machine with retro and modern looks.

The Royal Enfield Scram 411 is the most affordable entry-level scrambler on the list, costing only $5,099. Despite the low price, this motorbike has a high-quality retro-style look. The Royal Enfield Scram 411 has wire-spoked wheels, a chiseled fuel tank, a round headlamp, and a single-piece step-up seat. Being a scrambler, it has a high ground clearance of 7.9 inches and a fuel tank capacity of 3.9 gal. The braking is improved by the 300 mm front disc and 240 mm rear disc, along with a standard dual-channel ABS. The Royal Enfield Scram 411 has slightly better off-roading performance thanks to its tall height, high ground clearance, good low-end torque, and slightly knobby tires. The 411 cc air-cooled, single-cylinder engine delivers a horsepower of 24.3 hp @ 6,500 rpm and a torque of 32 Nm @ 4,000–4,500 rpm.

This year, Honda has introduced an all-new beginner-friendly scrambler, the Honda SCL500, to compete with the Royal Enfield Scram 411 and Himalaya. The Honda SCL500 is fitted with the same engine as the Honda Rebel 500 and other Honda models powered by 500 cc engines. It also uses the same diamond steel frame installed on the Honda Rebel 500 to ensure a comfortable upright posture. The 471 cc liquid-cooled, parallel-twin engine delivers a horsepower of 45.9 hp @ 8,500 rpm and a torque of 43.4 Nm @ 6,250 rpm. Despite its retro- and scrambler-inspired look, the Honda SCL500 is not ideal for off-roading. If you compare it to other beginner-friendly scramblers, this Honda scrambler undoubtedly has better class, reliability, and specs. The 500 cc parallel-twin engine is one of the most popular units used in Honda lineups due to being reliable and low maintenance. The Honda SCL500’s Beginner-friendly features include the standard ABS, programmed fuel injection, slipper & assist clutch, and digital instrumentation. The Honda SCL500 is available for only $6,799.

The Triumph Scrambler 900 is the most authentic-looking retro-style scrambler with superior fitment and finish. It is built with a combined old-school and modern look. The Triumph Scrambler 900’s round headlamp, bobber-style front fender, and wire-spooked wheels give it a vintage look. It also has a standard ABS, traction control, and two riding modes for a custom riding experience.

The Triumph Scrambler 900 provides low-end torque and light handling. The 900 cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine delivers a horsepower of 64.11 hp @ 7,250 rpm and a torque of 80 Nm @ 3,250 rpm. Being a scrambler, you can use the Triumph Scrambler 900 for light off-roading thanks to its elevated exhaust pipes, ground clearance of 173 mm, 19-inch front wheel, and wet weight of 223 kg. Due to its premium-quality finish, modern features, and retro-inspired look, this motorcycle costs $11,495.

The Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled is suited for navigating off-road trails and unpaved roads. Its features include a taller profile, a bigger front wheel, high ground clearance, an elevated exhaust system, and high-performance suspensions. The fully-adjustable 46 mm front forks have a wheel travel of 7.9 inches and the Kayaba rebound and preload adjustable rear shock has a wheel travel of 5.9 inches.

The Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled is powered by an 803 cc air-cooled, L-Twin engine capable of a horsepower of 73 hp @ 8,250 rpm and a torque of 66.2 Nm @ 5,750 rpm. It has a fuel tank capacity of 3.57 gal, a wet weight of 209 kg, and a standard Bosch cornering ABS to ensure smooth travel on paved roads or off-road trails. Due to being fitted with a powerful engine and high-quality parts, the Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled costs $12,595.

The Indian FTR Rally is the most powerful motorcycle of the 2023 scramblers on this list. Despite being inspired by the old Indian Scout FTR 750 (Flat Tracker), this motorcycle has a modern look and smart features. The Indian FTR Rally is one of the best-looking motorcycles on this list with a high-quality finish and premium parts. The FTR Rally has a small metal plate resting on top of the headlight, a single-piece brown leather step-up saddle, an exposed frame, and an appealing overall design.

The Indian FTR Rally is powered by a large 1,203 cc liquid-cooled, V-Twin engine that delivers a horsepower of 120 hp and a torque of 118 Nm at 6,000 rpm. The V-Twin engine ensures powerful performance and smooth throttle response on different terrain. The Indian FTR Rally has a high ground clearance of 7.2 inches, a big front wheel, and knobby tires for light off-roading. This vehicle is better suited for flat dirt tracks and gravel roads while off-roading. The 43 mm inverted cartridge telescopic front fork and the monotube IFP rear suspension have a wheel travel of 5.9 inches. Like most V-Twin American motorcycles with a standard ABS and cruise control, the Indian FTR Rally is an expensive motorcycle costing $14,499.

The BMW R nineT series includes several models designed for different purposes. Models in this series, particularly the BMW R nineT café racer and Roadster, gained huge popularity among motorcycle enthusiasts. In 2016, BMW decided to launch the BMW R nineT Scrambler, a customizable motorcycle with a simple look, minimalist profile, and unique frame design. The horizontally-opposed boxer engine and wide fuel tank design give this motorcycle a bulky look. The BMW R nineT’s round headlight and bobber-style front fender give it an old-school vibe. However, this motorcycle has a powerful engine and advanced rider aids. The 1,170 cc air- and oil-cooled boxer-twin engine is capable of a horsepower of 109 hp @ 7,250 rpm and a torque of 115.24 Nm @ 6,000 rpm.

Despite being a scrambler, the BMW R nineT is not ideal for off-roading due to its low ground clearance and less protection on the bottom. Its wet weight of 492 lbs also makes maneuvering difficult on dirt trails. However, the suspensions provide adequate wheel travel for on-road travel. Like most scramblers, the BMW R nineT also comes with a 19-inch front wheel and a high-mounted flat saddle.

For on-road travel, the BMW R nineT Scrambler provides superior handling and feels light when turning corners. It is equipped with several ride-assist features, including the BMW Motorrad ABS Pro, Automatic Stability Control (ASC), and two ride modes (Road and Rain).

The Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC is a more powerful version of the Triumph Scrambler 900, powered by a large engine based on the Triumph Bonneville 1200. The 1,200 cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine with a 270° crank angle delivers a horsepower of 89 hp @ 7,250 rpm and a torque of 110 Nm @ 4,500 rpm. The Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC is fitted with a large front wheel, a high-mounted exhaust system, and an engine guard for off-road protection. It has a wet weight of 205 kg, a ground clearance of 7.87 inches, and a fuel tank capacity of 4.2 gal. The Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC is more powerful, aggressive, and capable of off-roading thanks to its large-displacement engine, 21-inch front wheel, tall stature, and suspensions with high damping rates. Handling is slightly more difficult due to its tall stature and large front wheel, but this helps improve the Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC’s performance when off-roading.

Due to being technologically advanced, the Triumph Scrambler 1200 SC has an expensive price of $14,745. It is equipped with Brembo switchable ABS brakes, switchable traction control, ride-by-wire throttle, and five riding modes (Sport, Rain, Road, Off-road, and Rider Configurable). The engine can switch between smooth low, mid, and high-range power and torque.

The Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC is fitted with a round headlamp, wire-spoked wheels, and a flat single-piece saddle for two-up riding. There is little difference between the Triumph Scrambler 900 and the Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC when it comes to looks.

The 10 2023 scramblers mentioned in this article offer a unique and distinct riding experience. From café-racer style motorcycles like the Ducati Scrambler 1100 Sport Pro and Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 to off-road capable options like the Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE and Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled, there is a scrambler for every rider. Despite being a relatively small market, major motorcycle manufacturers are producing some impressive scramblers, which is good news for scrambler enthusiasts. Whether you're looking for a motorcycle for casual city riding or light off-road adventures, these 10 scramblers are worth considering.

If you want to further improve the capabilities and versatility of your scrambler, Viking Bags has a variety of aftermarket parts you can install to make your motorbike better suited for long-distance rides. These aftermarket parts include fairings, sissy bars, backrests, crash bars, touring-oriented handlebars, and seats. You can also carry cargo on your motorcycle by installing high-quality leather and hard saddlebags, sissy bar bags, and tank bags.