Scrambler bikes may have started out as an off-road motorcycle, but these days many of the latest models have deviated from their heritage and perform best on tarmac whilst keeping their off-road aesthetic.
Born out of nostalgia, scramblers historically were road bikes from the 1950s and 1960s that have been adapted to become all round bikes. Scramblers often feature unique specifications to help with off-roading, such as chopped down mudguards, raised exhaust and handlebars, along with the addition of knobbly tyres and beefed up suspension.
Here the custom motorcycle insurance experts at Bikesure tell us about their favourite scramblers to buy in 2023.
Ducati Desert Sled
When it comes to bikes there aren’t many names more infamous than Ducati and when it comes to scramblers the Desert Sled is no different. The Italian brand’s first scrambler lineup was revealed six decades ago and they have now revived the scrambler moniker for their new range of modern retro bikes.
But the model most true to scramblers of the past is the Desert Sled. Thanks to its extra suspension, headlight guard, knobby tyres and skid plate, it’s one of the few modern day scramblers that are still just as capable off-road as it is on tarmac.
Yamaha SCR950
This Japanese V-Twin-powered bike can originally be traced back to being a custom bike. During Yamaha’s Yard Built programme, Greg Hageman was tasked with designing a Bolt; they were so pleased with his work that they only made a couple of tweaks before production began on creating the SCR950.
The SCR950 has quintessential elements from both the cruiser and scrambler genres. Despite its “SCR” branding, this bike’s nearly 550lb curb weight, tight front fender, low-hanging exhaust, and meagre 5.5” of ground clearance mean that it’s best left on the roads for the most part.
BMW RnineT Urban G/S
Like all of the 40th anniversary bikes in BMW’s GS range, the Urban G/S has been given the black and yellow treatment in its aesthetic to make it stand out from the crowd, but most riders won’t realise the real reason is because it harks back to the R100GS from the late 1980s, which earned the moniker ‘Bumblebee’.
But it’s not just the paintwork that makes this bike stand out. The special edition has been given spoked wheels, gold rims and – in true scrambler tradition – a twin exhaust.
Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE
Triumph’s latest scrambler is the magnificent 1200 XE. They haven’t just reinvented what a scrambler looks like, but they have built this new mode from the ground up that would look just as good on the road as it does tearing up terrain while off-roading.
The 1200 XE is the top-shelf model of the two they’ve released, with the XC being the more affordable option, and by all accounts, Triumph absolutely nailed it, delivering a machine worthy of the scrambler title, visually evoking the spirit of old McQueen-era British scramblers while simultaneously affording true scrambling capabilities off-road.
Fantic Caballero 500
The Fantic Caballero 500 is an ode to the Fantic Motor Caballero from the 1970s. From its shiny red tank and yellow number plate to its wide handlebar with an off-road bend and twin pipe exhaust, it has the look of a timeless machine. This unique design comes fully equipped with an easy to ride bike as Fantic went back to basics when creating a scrambler to ensure it could tear it up on any terrain.
The single-cylinder 4-valve liquid cooled electronic fuel injection engine has now become Euro 5 compliant and will deliver terrific performance on asphalt or any other terrain the rider wishes to ride on.
Bullit Hero Gulf Edition
The Bullit Hero is one of the most aesthetically pleasing 125 bikes you will ever see. Throw in its accessible price tag and it’s no wonder this is one of the most popular 125s on the market. This model comes with a tubular steel chassis that houses a fuel-injected, air-cooled, single cylinder engine which is protected by a skid plate.
Equipped with an eight litre engine, this model is available in a host of different varieties, including special editions with bespoke liveries.
An insurance quote to please
Whichever scrambler takes your fancy, whether it’s the Triumph motorcycle or the Bullit, the custom motorcycle insurance experts at Bikesure will have an equally pleasing quote for your machine. Call 0808 588 1010 to find out how much you could save.
