5 Scrambler Bikes that Are Secretly Adventure Bikes & Dirt Worthy

If you are one of those riders who question the practicality of adventure bikes, this article is for you. You are most likely a scrambler bike guy. Scramblers were initially designed and built for off-roading. They were the off-road versions of street motorbikes. Initially, riders used to make certain mods on their street bikes to make them off-road capable.

It required replacing street tires with off-road, knobby tires and making the bike lightweight by removing the unnecessary parts and bulk. This is how scramblers were made. However, the trend shifted, and owing to their popularity, many notable bike makers started producing scramblers in their factories.

Scrambler bikes are now factory-made with:

• Off-road-biased, knobby tires.

• Large front wheel.

• Greater ground clearance.

• Narrow and lightweight build.

• Long wheel travel soft suspensions.

• Rally-style seat.

• High-mounted, elevated exhaust pipes.

However, being an altered version of the street bikes, scrambler bikes are not meant for extreme off-roading. This is why they are not as good as ADV motorcycles or dual sport bikes. However, they are lighter than ADV bikes.

Scrambler bikes have their own unique style that attracts many riders. Also, they are much cheaper than specialized ADV bikes. They are good on paved roads as well. If you don’t want to compromise on the off-roading ability and still want a scrambler bike, this article presents you with the top 5 best scrambler bikes that are secretly adventure bikes and are dirt worthy.

Some of the best scrambler bikes may require a little modification, while some are good off-roaders even in their stock form. Continue to read this article if you want to save money and still want to enjoy both on- and off-roading on a dirt-worthy scrambler bike that is secretly an ADV bike.

Triumph is one of those major motorbike brands that considers Scramblers as a potential bike category. The company willingly took the risk to produce a dedicated scrambler lineup without giving up on its iconic brand styling and persona. Turned out, Triumph succeeded in building one of the best scrambler bikes that is totally dirt worthy.

On top of Triumph’s scrambler lineup, there is the Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE, which is the most powerful scrambler bike on this list. Considering its class and engine, the Scrambler 1200 XE is still the most capable dirt-worthy scrambler as it tries to maintain low weight.

Being made by Triumph and with such a noteworthy big engine, the Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE is the most expensive in the list. It is quite a premium scrambler bike with superb fit and finish and attention to detail. It is also quite a beautiful-looking bike with the iconic Triumph’s class, heritage, and character.

The Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE is more expensive than most of the basic, beginner-friendly ADV bikes. But it is still expensive than most high-end adventure bikes, available at a price of $15,295.

The premium Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE justifies this price tag as it features a strong 1200 cc liquid-cooled, 270° crank angle parallel-twin engine. This motor not only sounds perfect, but produces 89 hp of horsepower at 7,000 rpm and a massive torque of 110 Nm at 4,250 rpm. Such figures enable this beautiful Triumph Scrambler to get the job done easily, whether you choose to go off-road or on road.

The Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE performs quite well on unpaved terrain. It is also fantastic for long-distance on-road travel. This bike can comfortably catch up with the big ADV bikes on both paved and unpaved roads.

In the suspension department, the Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE is equipped with the finest, fully-adjustable Marzocchi™ 45mm 1 1 forks. This premium fork offers a commendable 250 mm (9.84 inches) of front wheel travel. On the rear, riders have the fully-adjustable, Marzocchi twin RSU’s with piggyback reservoirs, offering 250 mm (9.84 inches) of rear wheel travel. Those who want the best dirt-worthy, scrambler that competes with a big adventure bike, this is the best suspension setup you can get on a scrambler.

Other solid off-road features in the Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE are:

• High-mounted brushed two-into-two exhaust system with brushed high-level silencers.

• An overall low wet weight of 230 kg (507 lbs) in its class.

• A decent fuel tank capacity of 15L/3.96 US gals.

• Solid hand guards to protect your hands while off-roading.

• Lightweight, tubeless, wire-spoked wheels.

• Though not officially mentioned, the ground clearance is almost 7.2 inches.

The Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE also features loads of top-of-the-line tech package, including:

• Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU).

• Cornering Optimized ABS

• Traction Control

• 5 Riding Modes (Road, Sport, Rain, Roff-Road & Off-Road Pro)

• Full-Color TFT Display With Bluetooth and Navigation Functions.

• Cruise Control

The Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled appears to be a fashion statement. It takes its inspiration from the retro-style, 1960s desert racers. Under its glossy paint job, golden rims, and minimal bodywork, riders can find a bike that is much more than just a cafe poser. The Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled is the most capable scrambler in the Ducati lineup. It qualifies to be among the bikes that can be taken on an off-road adventure without raising eyebrows.

Unfortunately, this capable Ducati Scrambler was discontinued by the company in 2022. However, it is still cherished as the most dirt-worthy bike in the Ducati Scrambler lineup.

The name ‘Desert Dled’ is a reference to the late 1960s and early 1970s, when riders in the American Southwest began to strip their street bikes and install knobby tires. They also used to reinforce their bikes’ frames to ensure they could withstand the brutal desert races. The modern interpretation of Ducati in the form of the Scrambler Desert Sled pays tribute to that period. Meanwhile, it maintains the reliability and refinement of a modern machine.

In contrast to the usual Scrambler models, the Ducati Desert Sled receives some serious hardware improvements directed at dirt-worthy performance. The Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled features a rigid and robust frame and an extended swingarm to withstand rough riding conditions.

The Ducati Desert Sled lies somewhere between the top-end, heavy scramblers, like the Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE. However, it is decently bigger than the Fantic Cabarello 500 Rally or Benelli Leoncino 500 Trail. Being in the middleground provides the Ducati Desert Sled several benefits as a scrambler. It lies in the perfect range, offering the ideal wet weight and power for off-road adventures.

Ducati has confidently listed down its wet weight, reaching around 209 kgs, which makes it quite ideal in its class. Other notable figures include the engine horsepower, reaching up to 73 hp at 8250 rpm. Meanwhile, the 803 cc air-cooled, Desmodromic L-Twin engine delivers 66.2 Nm of torque at 5750 rpm. These figures are not as big as the Triumph Scrambler 1200, but they are moderate enough, considering its weight and purpose.

Being air-cooled, the engine may not be the most suitable in hot weather. However, it gives an advantage when it comes to riding off-road, as riders have to worry less about damaging the radiator while dropping the bike in challenging off-road conditions.

Being built by Ducati, the company has made sure to use the best-quality parts for the class-best performance on dirt and paved roads. The 46 mm upside-down KYB front forks are fully-adjustable. Meanwhile, towards the rear, we have the Kayaba rear shock that is preload adjustable. Both the front and rear suspensions offer dirt-capable wheel travel of 200 mm. Such a genuine suspension setup makes the Ducati Desert Sled a very capable off-road scrambler bike.

The Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled is quite a compact bike with a bend-style saddle so riders can move to-and-fro freely. Riders can confidently take this scrambler bike for off-roading. If you are a capable off-road rider, this Ducati Scrambler will complement you.

Can you take a Scrambler bike for a challenging off-road terrain? Scramblers are usually not such capable dirt machines. However, there is an exception. The Fantic Cabarello 500 Rally is the most capable, dirt-worthy scrambler bike on this list. Above all, it looks premium and beautiful. It is a true scrambler bike.

For a slightly unfamiliar motorcycle brand to appear on the list of top 5 scrambler bikes that are secretly adventure bikes and dirt worthy, the Fantic Cabarello 500 Rally must be special. Without a doubt, this bike is special if you want both good looks and dirt-worthy performance.

The Fantic Cabarello 500 Rally looks like a pure enduro bike from the 1970s. However, the retro lines may mislead you, as this Italian-made scrambler has every hardware making it more than just a light off-roader. This bike may have an old-school appeal, but its off-road potential is unquestionable. The green and yellow color combinations make it stand out.

You must not question the Fantic Cabarello 500 Rally’s engine and its performance. The 463 cc liquid-cooled, single-cylinder, four-stroke engine is a Euro5+ technology. It may sound small compared to the above-mentioned scramblers, but it is quite a popular size and type for dirt-capable two-wheel machines.

The 463 cc single-cylinder engine delivers a decent 44 hp of horsepower at 8000 rpm and 42 Nm of torque at 7000 rpm. It may look and sound like a pretty minimal bike with a 450 cc engine and compact build. However, it is a tall bike as a dirt-worthy bike should be. It features:

• Off-road-biased knobby tires

• Good ground clearance

• Bench-style seat

• High-mounted exhaust system with dual silencers.

• Lightweight wire-spoked wheels

Above all, what makes it the best off-road capable scrambler bike is its low weight, reaching only 150 kg (Dry). Even with a full tank of gas, oil, and fluids added, the wet weight will be around 160 kg, which is still ideal for an off-road bike.

The Fantic Cabarello 500 Rally comes with a lightweight and rigid steel CrMo single-beam frame. The bike also features a 43 mm USD front fork that is fully adjustable. Towards the rear, riders have a monoshock with a separate piggy-back reservoir, and it is also fully adjustable. Both the front and rear suspensions offer 200 mm of wheel travel, which is on par with other top-end scrambler bikes on the list.

The Cabarello 500 Rally is also a fully fun bike with tons of electronics and features installed. The bike is loaded with:

• Slipped clutch

• Electronic ride-by-wire throttle

• Two Riding Modes (Street & All-Terrain)

• Switchable Cornering ABS (Full-Off and Rear-Off Modes)

One thing that riders should know is that with superb off-road capability, the on-road ability will likely be compromised. The Fantic Cabarello 500 Rally may not be so perfect on paved roads compared to other scramblers on this list.

The Triumph Scrambler 400X is evidence that you do not need to have a big wallet to own a cool, practical scrambler with the potential to be a true adventure bike. Being the lowest-priced scrambler on this list, it provides the heritage-based design and practical rideability that Triumph is known to offer.

The Triumph Scrambler 400X also provides a surprisingly capable base to light off-road adventures. Nonetheless, with a couple of adjustments and mods, the Scrambler 400X can be made a better off-road capable machine.

The Triumph Scrambler 400X draws the retro-DNA of Triumph in a small, friendly package. The bike features a round LED headlamp, a sculpted fuel tank, and a minimalist tail section. The Scrambler 400X was built side by side with its road-biased cousin, the Speed 400. However, it is built for better dirt adventures, thanks to its ADV-friendly additions, such as:

• Better suspension travel

• A bigger 19-inch front wheel

• Wider handlebars

• Upright riding stance

• Low weight

• Decently tall ground clearance

The 398 cc liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine produced approximately 39.5 hp of horsepower and 37.55 Nm of torque. The engine is coupled with a slick six-speed gearbox. The low-end torquey nature of the engine makes the bike easy to handle on loose surfaces and yet provides enough power to cruise on highways.

The suspension wheel travel of 150 mm towards both front and rear, along with the dual-purpose tires, ensures that the Scrambler 400X overcomes gravel roads, forest tracks, and mild trails without breaking a sweat.

Stopping is done by a 320 mm single front disc with a four-piston radial caliper and a single 230 mm rear disc. On top, the bike features switchable ABS, which can be turned off for the rear for better off-roading. It is a decently comfortable bike to ride for long hours because the ergos are both commanding and laid-back to an extent.

If you find all the other options expensive and don’t have much money in your wallet, don’t worry. The fifth option on this list is quite affordable. Scramblers have to be cheaper for those who can’t afford to buy adventure bikes. It is a go-to option for those riders who want to do both on- and off-roading without spending much.

One such option that will not break your bank is the Benelli Leoncino 500 Trail. Besides being a cheaper option, it is capable of taking you off-road. Also, with a lower price, you are getting a decently powerful engine with a displacement size of 500 cc. So, it is not a bad deal at all.

The Benelli Leoncino 500 Trail is the Trail or off-road sibling of the Leoncino 500, which is a street bike. This bike is being fitted with some off-road features to make it dirt-worthy.

The 500 cc parallel-twin engine may sound big, but it is a beginner-friendly motorbike. This liquid-cooled twin-cylinder engine produced 46 Nm of torque at 6000 rpm and 46.94 Nm of horsepower at 8500 rpm.

The Benelli Leoncino 500 Trail has decent off-road ability, making it a good trail bike. The off-road features include:

• Decent suspension wheel travel.

• Lightweight wire-spoked wheels.

• 19-inch front wheel.

• Dual front disc brakes with ABS

• Off-road-biased Metzeler tires.

• A low curb weight of 207 kg.

• 190 mm of ground clearance.

• 12.7 L of fuel tank capacity.

Due to being an affordable option, the Benelli Leoncino 500 Trail comes with some compromises to keep the price down. The quality of parts used in the manufacturing of this bike is not top-notch. However, it is not too bad. Another fact that may surprise you is that Benelli is no longer being built in Italy. A Chinese firm has purchased it and is now manufacturing it in China.