Reinforced for off-road duty, Scramblers of today hark back at the South-West California and the Mexico’s Baja scenes in the ’60s and ’70s. They were fitted with engines displacing upwards of 500cc and stripped off anything that is nonsensical to run on roads or no roads. Featured on these were off-road tires, wheels, and spokes and were given modified suspension systems and engine skid plates; a trademark indispensable in shielding the bike from rocks, stones, and the unforgiving desert terrain.

Here is our list of Scrambleresque motorcycles of 2018 that promise to churn out rugged, stripped down, vintage fun resurrected from its heyday during the 1960’s and earlier. Aiding it will be a torquey motor with high mounted exhaust pipes and knobby tires to take it on terrains otherwise not possible.

Ducati Scrambler Classic

There are very few motorcycles which have witnessed the procedure of evolution for decades. And then, there is Ducati Scrambler. Till now, Ducati has been selling six major different versions of the 803cc Scrambler and one version of the 400cc Scrambler. Out of all these versions, the Scrambler Classic happens to be the most retro looking version, which evokes the old school charm the most, with its appeal hailing from the motorcycles of the bygone eras.

The motorcycle gets a chopped front fender, which gets a premium looking aluminum finish. When viewed from the sideways, the body panels of the Scrambler Classic looks exactly the same as the other versions. It is a simple looking unit which does get aluminum covers on both the sides, thus adding some character to its design. At the rear, the Scrambler Classic gets a full-fledged aluminum finished rear fender, which looks curvaceous and houses the number plate holder at the end of it.

The design of the Scrambler Classic is evocative of the original Scramblers of the ’60s, but under the skin, it is a twenty-first century Ducati by every bit. It is powered by an L-twin Desmodromic fuel-injected 803cc engine, which pumps out 75 bhp of power and 50 lb-ft of torque. This is the same engine which used to thrust the Ducati Monster 796 as well, though, for the Scrambler Classic, the cams are slightly redesigned in order to achieve a more usable top-end power. The engine channels the power produced to the rear wheel through a six-speed gearbox.

Like all other Ducatis, the Scrambler Classic too sits atop a tubular Trellis frame. Ducati has provided the Scrambler Classic with 41mm upside down forks at the front, and pre-load adjustable side mounted monoshock - both sourced from Kayaba. A 330mm single disc brake at front and a 245mm disc brake at rear, coupled with ABS, are employed to bring the motorcycle to rest from motion. Except for the ABS, there is no other electrical wizardry, which makes the Scrambler Classic an unadulterated motorcycle to ride.

Currently, the Scrambler Classic is being retailed by Ducati at a starting price of $ 9,995, making it more expensive than the Scrambler Icon, equally expensive as the Scrambler Full Throttle and less expensive than the Scrambler Urban Enduro. Like in other countries, the motorcycle will be available in the single paint shade of yellow with aluminum inserts and a dark brown colored seat as standard.

BMW R NineT Urban G/S

Paying homage to the original 1980 BMW R80G/S, this urban combines the classic motorcycle with modern technology and sophisticated craftsmanship that can transport anyone back to the days when the GS abbreviation meant a sense of freedom and the passion for adventure on two wheels, both on-road and off-road. But this time they’re for looks and not for bashing your way across unpaved expanses of Africa.

Channeling the lines and look of the original R80 GS, the bike that essentially created the adventure-touring class, BMW has given the Urban with fork gaiters, "bear claw" pegs, MX style mudguard, and that throwback paint job and flat red seat. All that said, this Urban is basically an aesthetic only exercise to the R NineT which is designed to make us remember of its ancestor.

The Urban might be a homage to the yesteryears but has a heart made of a modern and a sophisticated package. Similar to the R NineT, the Urban makes use of an air/oil-cooled, flat twin 1170cc boxer engine that is endowed with a lovely long spread of power that produces 110bhp at 7550rpm and maximum torque of 85.5 lb-ft at 6000rpm. It is paired with a new fuel map and new, larger controlled 3-way catalytic converter making it up to date with the Euro4 emission standards.

Suspension setups are not exactly sophisticated to be precise. BMW has chosen to give it a decent package rather than an expensive one with the conventional telescopic fork at the front while the BMW Paralever having rebound damping is applied in conjunction with a central spring strut at the rear which is fully adjustable. Braking is handled by Brembo 4-piston brake calipers, steel-wrapped brake lines and twin-brake discs measuring of 320 millimeters at the front and single disc brake measuring 265 mm at the rear with a double-piston floating caliper. BMW Motorrad ABS is a standard feature ensuring effective and stable deceleration on road or gravel.

The Urban G/S, which pays tribute to the original adventure bike, the iconic 1980 R 80 G/S, will retail for $12,995 (plus a $495 destination fee). The R nineT Urban G/S will be featured in one color tone: Light white non-metallic combined with fuel tank decor in two blue tones with a bright red seat.

Triumph Street Scrambler

Bringing in a significant update in capability and style to the iconic British company, the Scrambler builds on the Street Twin’s position as the fun and accessible machine and vies for top honors at the crowded segment which every motorcycle manufacturer is going collectively mad over. Luckily for Triumph, they have a history with the Scramblers that dates back to the legend Steve McQueen.

When it comes to a scrambler, you would expect it to be the barest of the bare minimum. But even though Triumph has pushed their Scrambler further into the dirt , this version seems to focus much more on looking stylish on the street. Cleaner lines and contemporary finishes outline the unmistakable silhouette of the Bonneville with its iconic styling cues. The stripped back custom styling includes distinctive Scrambler features such as interchangeable pillion seat, aluminum rear rack, removable pillion pegs, ‘Bear Trap’ adventure style front pegs and bash plate.

The mill remains similar to the Street Twin models including the Street Cup that boasts a ‘high torque’ 900cc motor capable of 54bhp @5900 rpm. Not much one would say but is enough to wind around in the urban city more comfortably. The torque figures are in the range of 60 lb-ft at 3230 rpm which is significantly higher compared to other scramblers around. The firing interval with this charismatic 270° is optimized for smooth and linear power delivery and is specifically tuned to provide the rider with a better power band to play with.

This scrambler gets its dedicated chassis and suspension setup giving it a more dynamic Scrambler poise. Specific front fork and shocks with additional travel raise the back end for additional ride height. Braking will be handled by the high-value 2-piston sliding axial Nissin caliper with machined branding and switchable ABS accessible through a toggle in the instrument panel.

Featured on this bike are ride-by-wire tech that enhances throttle response, switchable traction control, and engine immobilizer. The Jet Black Scrambler will set you back $10,700, but the Matte Khaki Green fetches $10,950 and the two-tone, Korosi Red / Frozen Silver commands the premium price at $11,200.

Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled

Till today, Ducati has been making Scramblers which could have been abused, but it pleased the urban way and masses, and hence they became glorified street bikes. With five models in the lineup, this Desert Sled is finally the machine that is ready to get its feet properly dirty.

Giving away the off-roader style is the marauding frame and suspension along with the 19-inch spoked wheels. Evidently, the bike is surrounded with features that highlight the bike’s capability such as type-approved headlight mesh guard, the high mudguards, chain guard and, of course, the engine skid plate. The groundbreaking body trim is basically just the teal teardrop fuel tank with interchangeable side panels sporting the Urban Enduro inherited logo. The fact that the engine, exhaust with dual tail pipe and the suspension is totally exposed is why this Scrambler gets the raw factor from the design team. Kudos to them.

It is really a commendable job done by Ducati to have managed to spin the same engine and create that many Scramblers each having their own character. The loveable air-cooled 803cc motor is bolted to the steel trellis frame, and the Euro 4 compliant engine develops 75bhp at 8,250 rpm and 50 lb-ft of peak torque at 5,750 rpm. Although it is the same motor, riders can expect this Desmodue engine to deliver simple and accessible bands of power on any terrain. It promises smoother delivery of power and faster throttle response, especially at lower rpm than ever before.

Worthy of its attributes, the Desert Sled gets a tough 46 mm upside-down Kayaba fork that is fully adjustable with an increased travel of 200mm with preload and rebound damping. The rear also gets Kayaba shock with fully adjustable preload. Braking system mounted on this bike is the promising 4-piston Brembo M4.32B monoblock caliper with a radial attachment that bites the single 330mm disc at the front and a 245 mm at the rear.

Bosch 9.1 MP ABS system with pressure sensor will provide you with enough punch and tech to keep you safe. You can get your hands on this Scramblers for a price tag of $11,595.The Desert Sled is available in two colors, Red Dusk, and White Mirage.

Benelli Leoncino Trail

Leoncino is a tribute to a legend of Italian motorcycling, the original 1955 125cc Leoncino, that has made the history of Benelli. The Trail It is a sincere attempt by Benelli to enter the retro styling bandwagon with this scrambler. With knobby tires, spoked wheels and higher suspension travels, this Trail is ready to take on tough terrains across the world.

The retro – modern design language is literally in vogue now. And this Leoncino Trail has got the same treatment by the fashion gurus at CentroStile Benelli along with the standard Leoncino Lion Cub. It is an intelligent fusion of an old-school cover over modern technology that is born to live both the city and the wild life. The Leoncino Trail is designed to be on the gravel with poise reminding you of the pure emotions that Benelli was famous for.

The Trail gets the same heart seen in the Leoncino Lion Cub. It is a twin-cylinder, four-stroke engine, liquid-cooled, 500cc, with a maximum power of 48 hp at 8500 rpm and maximum torque of 33 lb-ft that comes in at a low 5000rpm. This early surge of torque will enable the Leoncino to get off the block quicker and also give the scrambler a strong mid-range power band while on the move.

Suspension duties are handled by upside down 50mm adjustable forks and at the rear, swingarm’s movement is controlled by a laterally mounted shock absorber. For some reason, the braking department sees a step down in the form of a two-piston caliper at the front instead of the 4 piston brake calipers seen on the Lion Cub. The steel disc remains the same nonetheless at 320mm at the front and a 260mm disc with a single piston floating caliper at the rear with ABS as standard.

Unfortunately, Benelli USA is not currently interested in getting this Lion onto our shores. It has been on sale in European and a few Asian markets for a couple of years now and costs around $7,000 - $8,500 depending on the market. Leoncino Trail is available in red, silver and black colors and comes with a 24-month factory warranty and 24-month Customer Care Program.

CCM Spitfire

Reminiscence of the Supermarine Spitfire, a British fighter aircraft from the times of World War II, the CCM Spitfire is the brainchild of a specialist division within the shackles of CCM called ‘the SkunkwerX team’.

The Spitfire sports a handful of modern bits while maintaining it industrial appeal. The gorgeous lines of the artisan carbon-steel frame takes over the beauty of this machine with its hand-welded blue residue left untouched to depict a raw stature onto the bike. The sculpted aluminum fuel tank is a proprietary design making it the only panel surface on the entire bike.

The powerplant on this Pitfire makes use of the Husqvarna TE630 motor. This fuel-injected, single cylinder, the four-stroke mill produces a healthy 55 hp and 43 lb-ft of max torque. This is enough to make the 297 lb bike to feel like a rocket. The high flow dual-pipe exhaust manifold gives the bike a chunky visual cue. The same 6-speed transmission engages here as well.

The monoshock mounted directly under the seat, is a springless nitrogen charged unit, while at the front, an adjustable WP suspension handles all damping duties. Brembo supplies excellent stopping power to the CCM with top-spec four piston and two piston calipers biting a 320 mm disc up front and 240 mm disc at the rear respectively.

CCM purposefully made this Spitfire a limited edition affair of just 150 units and was available with a rather steep MSRP of $11,930. If you’d like to individualize your handcrafted Spitfire, CCM have created a range of bespoke options and accessories. They include leather apparels, front brake reservoir cover, carbon hugger, fly screen, headlight grill, titanium exhaust, Brembo monobloc brakes, adjustable levers, Ohlins suspension, and others to make your Spitfire as individual as you are.

Husqvarna Svartipilen 401

Husqvarna Motorcycles, long known for its off-road prowess, takes the plunge into the sort-of street bike market with its new Svartpilen 410. Set up like an urban scrambler, Husky bills the Svartpilen as an entry-level commuter/explorer with an easy-to-ride and fun nature.

Designed to strike, these machines have pure and progressive styling cues from the future. They get sleek and aggressive bodywork forming clean lines and carries a unique single element body panel including the flat tank design, the bulge in the fuel tank which holds the logo, retro circular headlamps, small digital instrument console, integrated design with minimal side fairing, single seat and lower placed handlebars.

This Husky runs on a single-cylinder, 375 cc engine that is capable of pumping 43.5 hp and 27 lb-ft of torque. Transmission duties are carried out by a 6-speed gearbox with a slipper clutch while the bike will come with ride-by-wire throttle system. It will feature a steel-aluminum exhaust that is expected to carry a unique exhaust note.

When it comes to riding and handling, the Vitpilen has a long single seat while the motocross handlebars are hinting at an upright riding position. The bike is kitted around a lightweight steel-trellis frame. Tires for Vitpilen comes with Pirelli Scorpio Rally STR tires. Braking business is taken care by Bybre monoblock units and Bosch 9.11MB two channels ABS system comes as standard. USD Telescopic WP front forks and a rear gas charged monoshock will handle suspension for this motorcycle.

As its name suggests, the Svartpilen comes in black, black, or perhaps black if you prefer. MSRP for the U.S. is listed at $6,299, and the factory gives you plenty of opportunities to inflate the final price in the accessories catalog.

BMW R NineT Scrambler

The Scrambler embodies the form of the original scramblers while borrowing from the 1951 Beemer R 68. The result is a ride that invokes nostalgia in those old enough to remember the originals and subsequent variants but also appeals to a younger crowd who appreciates classic looks coupled with updated performance and more reliable technology than its antique predecessors.

BMW cooked up the R nineT Scrambler with plenty of classic references. Note the 19-inch front wheel and fork gaiters up front, followed by the low fuel tank complete with race-tastic knee indentions and minimal saddle. The engine dominates the overall look and seems to push all other design aspects almost into the realm of an afterthought, but since this is a Beemer, you can bet everything was calculated down to the millimeter.

The Urban might be a homage to the yesteryears but has a heart made of a modern and a sophisticated package. Similar to the R NineT, the Urban makes use of an air/oil-cooled, flat twin 1170cc boxer engine that is endowed with a lovely long spread of power that produces 110bhp at 7550rpm and maximum torque of 85.5 lb-ft at 6000rpm. It is paired with a new fuel map and new, larger controlled 3-way catalytic converter making it up to date with the Euro4 emission standards.

Suspension setups are not exactly sophisticated to be precise. BMW has chosen to give it a decent package rather than an expensive one with the conventional telescopic fork at the front while the BMW Paralever having rebound damping is applied in conjunction with a central spring strut at the rear which is fully adjustable. Braking is handled by Brembo 4-piston brake calipers, steel-wrapped brake lines and twin-brake discs measuring of 320 millimeters at the front and single disc brake measuring 265 mm at the rear with double-piston floating caliper. BMW Motorrad ABS is a standard feature ensuring effective and stable deceleration on road or gravel.

MSRP so far is $12,995. In 2018, it was available in Monolithe Metallic Matte. For MY2019, the Scrambler is available in Stereo Metallic Matte, and BMW offers a “Build Your Own” program that allows you to roll it out with some “you” on your blank canvas.

Moto Guzzi V7 III Rough

Paying tribute to their past, MG headed to a major revival plan and launched the new range of V7 platform. The brand is getting the third iteration of their most celebrated model, the V7 which is also the first model created by MG. Celebrating the 50th year of the first, the brand launched the V7 III with multiple models including the Scrambleresque Rough.

The V7 III’s minimalist design reminds us of the beauty of simple elementalism, and it manages to keep the brand’s heritage intact with the suave design bits that are both timeless and robust. The Rough edition seems to carry the most masculine silhouette with a traditional darker and sportier nemesis of the entire range. The black theme is seen everywhere including the flat handlebar mounted on a black bar, mirrors, springs, and the exhaust. The matte black paintwork gets graphic dedicated only to the ‘Stone’ that can be seen on the saddle which comes with a passenger grab strap.

The 744cc longitudinally-mounted 90-degree twin mill churns out a healthy 52 bhp at 6200 rpm, whereas maximum torque measures in at 44.25 lb-ft at 4,900 rpm. All this power is taken via a precise and smooth six-speed gearbox introduced on the V7 II with changed gear ratios for a smoother acceleration curve. Surprisingly, MG is making use of a dry single plate clutch that is said to improve sturdiness and reliability over time and also help in lighter clutch action.

Though the V7s are tuned for a soft ride, suspension setup on the bike is basic, and standard non-adjustable forks at the front and Ohlins piggyback shocks at the rear. A pair of Brembo 4-pot 320mm disc and 2-pot 260mm disc provide predictable stopping power at a peg-scraping pace.

Pricing is reasonable to most at $9,190, but it pushes what we consider as appropriate for the entry level beyond the established norm. Also, it comes in only one color; a “Grey Matt” hue that is about as exciting as the leaden winter sky it resembles.

Aero-E Racer

An Italian company who goes by the name Aero has managed to coup up this extraterrestrial green motorcycle which seems more like a hypothetical or a fictional character from a sci-fi flick. And it is called the ‘E-Racer’. This Aero project was in collaboration with an Italian automotive magazine – Inmoto.

The mad design on this E-Racer is based on the Tacita T-Race Diabolika rally motorcycle, a stunning compromise between liquefied dinosaur fueled streetfighter and an electric commuter bike. Something that Aero calls – a ‘scrambler-motard’ styling. It has a minimalistic bare body aluminum frame that sticks to the essentials only.

It has one impressive piece of an engine powered by another ‘Italian made’ Tacita motor, which is an asynchronous three-phase induction motor housed in a solid block aluminum body and can produce up to 74 hp and 90 lb-ft of torque. Instant torque folks!! This is linked to a 5-speed gearbox with hydraulic clutch, and the motor maxes out at 9000 rpm. There are however three engine mappings for the riders to choose from – Eco, Urban, and Boost.

Suspension works are taken care by fully adjustable 48 mm USD Ohlins TTX pressurized nitrogen hydraulic forks at the front and fully adjustable Ohlins pressurized nitrogen unit with hydraulic spring preload at the rear. Large 320 mm water cut wave discs at the front are gripped by Brembo radially mounted 4 pistons calipers, and the rear braking includes a 220 mm CLF water cut wave disc with 2 piston caliper. 17” spoked wheels run on chunky Pirelli MT60.