4 AFFORDABLE Scramblers That Are Secretly Adventure Bike & Dirt Worthy

[@maximilianogenes]

I love my Himalayan… slow, cool, cheap, good looking bike. You can find a RE shop everywhere in the world. $5 usd break pads, takes cheap dirty fuel and very resonable price for spare parts. I paid $4.000 usd for my brand RE Himalayan… tons of great memories and priceless momments in my life! Safe travels everyone!!! 🙌🙌🙌

[@sanjayg5780]

How is the reliability? Thanks.

[@Satans_Redneck]

I was temped a while back for the gf but the closest dealer is a 12 hour drive away little tough to even get to sit on and see etc

[@prasadsawant4153]

@@sanjayg5780pretty good for the newer ones

[@CosmicSeeker69]

@@sanjayg5780 the export versions are improved - but more than twice the lakh!

[@pietreins]

I had a Svartpilen, sold it one month ago. That bike is everything but dirt worthy, it’s just marketing. It’s incredibly low, suspension will run out of travel immediately even if you just jump a step, the geometry is sporty, bars are too low, If you are thinking of doing mixed riding the Svartpilen is not it. Just to make it dirt worthy you’ll have to spend a LOT of cash at which point you’ll say to yourself: I should’ve bought a 390 adventure.

[@garyteague9555]

I looked at one and didn’t like the handle bars either

[@saturatedfat6542]

I would love to see Ducati release a "desert sled" version of the sixty2 scrambler (400cc) ... I think that would sell big with learners

[@romanbednar5917]

Well, I tested the cl500 2 weeks ago, it's definitely not a Secretly Adventure Bike nor a Dirt Worthy, it's built for conquering the city. They picked the wrong platform to build the scrambler, they should have picked the cb500x, not the rebel...

[@kokilimonke]

The Rebel is awful to ride, so I can imagine

[@romanbednar5917]

@@kokilimonke it's what you pay for, unfortunately not what it looks like...

[@TerenceKaplan]

meh.... put 50/50 tires on it and it will at least be serviceable off tarmac.

[@shardlake]

Agreed tested the CL and Rebel last week, although I did end up ordering the CL - could not get on with the riding position on the Rebel despite me being a shorty. Liked the look of the CL and no plans to go off road.

[@romanbednar5917]

@Patrick O'Brien I don't see people buying military surplus to have a textbook chopper... Times have changed and the meaning of the word doesn't make it right. But if a scrambler must be built from street bike, I'd rather put offroad tires on an sv650

[@barbossaa5527]

As an Australian , China is on the last to buy list regardless of any implied improved quality. The billions of dollars sanctions against innocent Australian companies is un forgiveable

[@DRG2800]

Yet you continue to supply them with endless amounts of steel.

[@DRG2800]

Australias priorities seem a tad skewed my friend

[@1960ARC]

I was looking for a comment such as yours, plus the absence of human rights. Buy from china if you support slavery.

[@lukerabin5079]

Why? Does your country refuse to sell products to China?

[@barbossaa5527]

@@lukerabin5079 no China uses its capital to punish companies around the globe they have proven themselves to be untrustworthy

[@Liberty4Ever]

I like the looks of the Svartpilen. I need a rear rack and I want more ground clearance and suspension travel, and a larger fuel tank. I wish Husqvarna would make an ADV version of this although it'd be a direct competitor to the KTM 390 Adventure, but I like the styling of the Svartpilen much better. In general, we need 300-500 cc proper ADV bikes with tubeless spoke wheels, large rear racks, 15+ liters of fuel, aluminum bash plate....

[@baraydatunca3026]

we need a 401 norden, I have a svartpilen lovely bike but everything you said is true.

[@holgerl3048]

Thanks, nice overview! I bought the Honda CL500 and being very happy and satisfied.

[@garmit61]

Nice review. Just a note on Benellis as an ex owner of the beautiful, outrageously powerful and noisy Amazonas 1130. Benelli's build quality and component choice when built in Italy was woeful. Look on the forums. All of the relays dissolve in the rain. Their bikes were beautiful and very different to everything else out there. Their pricing was very good but they were the opitomy of Italian unreliability. I've owned two very old moto Guzzis and the amazingly wonderful Aprilia Falco. All of which were amazingly reliable. The Benelli was a dog. I've seen owners rueing the relocation of manufacturing to China, predicting a drop in quality. Frankly they would have to be dire to be worse than the Italian built Benellis of the last 20 years. The Leon is an interestin bike as is the 502 TRK but I don't understand how they are as heavy as my 1130 Amazonas with an engine about 40% capacity of that bike. With modern light materials it ought to be week under 200kg fully loaded. Shame you didn't include the Fabric Caballero. That's a task light practical beauty. I loved the look of the Svartpilen and it's sister Vitpilen but the fuel tank capacity is woefully inadequate. Quite ironically the best bike in your pack is the non scrambler Enfield. Great looking bike and proven to be superbly practical and reliable. I'd buy a Guzzi V7 Stornello over all of these. But I'm biased.

[@bilaltarabey5621]

I own a 125 svart for 2 years and taking the licence to get the 401. Love that bike

[@robpinter5431]

How nice that smaller, non complicated bikes are back on the market, I mean who needs 5 rider modes and all the rest when doing 40 mph up a dirt road? I think the RE line up is best value for money.

[@richardw1043]

That's why they'll be the market leader in Western countries in 5 years. Still not perfect, but they're making every right move to usurp every Japanese manufacturer.

[@yorkchris10]

Scramblers were modified street bikes. Now Adventures are modified Scramblers, but Scramblers might be modified ADV or modified street.

[@hazcat640]

Or you could pick up an old (74 - 78 ) Honda XL350 with a 21 front wheel at 350 lbs. Classic style, 348cc single, 25hp/20+ft/lbs at the wheel, 86mph top end. 😁 Actually, I think the KLX 300 or the CRF 300 are better choices for an 'all arounder'.

[@chroniclesofsolid]

Well said 😎

[@n03m9]

We don't get the KLX 300 here in Germany :-/ I own a mighty CRF300l and do really like it. Currently I am looking for a bike for my girlfriend (no kickstarter, cheap, very light). If it would be possible to put an electric starter on the XL350, this one would be perfect.

[@hazcat640]

@@n03m9 If you could find a DR350 I think it would fit your needs perfectly. They stopped making them a while back but they are bullet proof. Perfect all arounder in my eyes,

[@RonniesRambles]

Wow, I had that xl350 new back in the day (76 I think) and it was amazing. Cruise around town easy, 2up with a date from college, then tape up the signal lights and headlamp and go crazy in the dry lake-bed loam, getting air over roots and endless donuts. Funny that you mention it because I'm gong in circles making a choice and told a friend the other day that I wish I had that bike.

[@anthonya7066]

Solid, I own the street version Leoncino 500 and it’s a keeper …. great bike. For commuting, weekend twisties and for its unbeatable styling I don’t know of another offering in its segment that comes close. But for adventures my trusty DR650 makes wonderful memories. Owned a Himalayan too previously and that was nice, hoping the 450 will live up to expectations and if so I reckon it could be fourth bike in my garage

[@chroniclesofsolid]

Thanks for the insight on the Leoncino👍 It would be my pick of the bunch.

[@RKmndo]

I have 2 DR650s, and I just got my wife a Leoncino Trail 500. 😂

[@koxagen]

Fantic Caballero is better!

[@RKmndo]

@@koxagen The Fantics look great, 500s AND 700s. Fantic doesn't offer them in the USA though. A new DR is still a great value in the USA, especially considering its aftermarket support here and in Australia.

[@mabecka]

Fantic Caballero 500 and 700..

[@itsallabouttheridekeepingi4449]

Not to many TRUE off road “ main streamScramblers” The original model true 1th real off road Scrambler “ the Ducati Desert sled , followed by Triumph 1200 EX 1200 and now the Royal Enfield 410 scram ( the only true off road scramblers )

[@ericwilliams626]

Adventure bikes are ultimately heavy and have a higher center of gravity to a scrambler. I have a Ducati Scrambler and even though it is 425ibs, I never have an issue with weight because its lower center of gravity, however it is not what you would call dirt capable. It can do the basics but stock front suspension has its limits as do most bike configurations. I have an adventure bike and I would never take it on true off road only dirt trails as the high center of gravity is not worth the fall. It's just a reality. Low weight, low center of gravity means a safe and confident ride - always.

[@mayanksingh1007]

I think Triumph Scrambler 400x should make an entry here now

[@DannyB-cs9vx]

For off road, tires are the issue. 17’ rims limit what is available in the correct sizes. One can find tires that will work, but they will not be what the bike calls for.

[@ivoperic3992]

Good honest, Aussies talk. No bull.

[@johnjriggsarchery2457]

Back in the day I climbed mountains in Colorado following really rough jeep trails on a Honda CB360. What you think "off-road capable" says more about the rider than the bike.

[@acgadventures90]

What’s your opinion on the CFMOTO CLX700 heritage / adventure. The heritage rn in Australia is $8500 ride away. Pretty compelling deal for a bike you can take on a dirt track without issue too. The adventure is 12000 looks amazing but for that price I’d probs get something else.

[@marsoelflaco5722]

I like affordable, capable motor bikes!😊

[@JimboSRP]

I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I've never found scramblers aesthetically pleasing, though I get I'm in the minority. They remind me of the old Yamaha Ag bike I learned to ride on as a kid in the late 70s. Even at 9 I knew it was a POS, and it was the greatest day of my life when I was given a CR 125 two stroke in the early 80s. I guess that kind of thing imprints on you at such a young age, which is why I don't rate scrambler looks at all. But, each to their own. These ones are certainly priced OK.

[@loconut52]

I cannot believe you did not include the Kawasaki Versys X 300. It is a brilliant all round bike.

[@richardw1043]

They put a small sports engine where you're constantly dancing in gears into an 'adventure-styled' body. It doesn't do enough with the torque it has, which means you have to rev the crap out of them to go real adventuring. Hard pass for me.

[@loconut52]

@@richardw1043 That has not been my experience or my mate who has owned all sorts of bikes including KLR 650. The engine does not mind lugging along in fact you can get down to 60kph in 6th gear.

[@enriquejaimes3368]

It is not a scrambler…

[@frosty3693]

Hmm, My understanding of a scrambler is a standard street bike (with street bike ground clerance) that has had the exhaust pipes moved from under the frame so the inevitable hit you get with the odd rock will not damage anything important, a skid plate should be an option. So a low seat height

[@andrewoh1663]

Good review. A point you didn't mention is that you can buy the Benelli but then you'll have no mates. There will be no Benelli owner club and you'll have a Chinese bike.

[@TerraMagnus]

Those high mounted exhausts dash any hopes of saddle bags

[@ErelasInglor]

3/4 of these bikes are actually worth looking at...you may be able to figure out promptly which one isn't as a viewer. :)

[@Nostrildomus]

The corporate magnate has rarely been able but this groupe has certainly smeared on some jelly . Bravo T/C/E

[@HunterVlog350cc]

the exposed pipes in the underbelly should be covered by a sump guard in honda

[@g-man6333]

I guess Fantic caballero 500 went under your radar. It's a cracking looking bike! 👌

[@chroniclesofsolid]

Or you didn’t watch my previous dirt worthy scrambler video 👍

[@MrHarleyoldfart]

@g-man6333 Here inthe UK the Caballero is currently £7300 that's a hell of a lot more expensive and it's very untidy on the n/side.

[@williamghafry]

The Benelli is an a-ma-zing bike, even Harley-Davidson's new 500X is a reskin of the Leoncino 500

[@770hevron]

Good work!

[@chrishoppe3041]

My XT600 hundred from the 90s does it all wonderfully

[@papimiami1938]

Just thinking the same thing , my 1987 xl600r is actually better in some ways rhan these . Your xt also I'm sure

[@billcotton1551]

I'm not sure about the Honda Scrambler's looks either ,solid. Maybe it will look better in person.

[@gscheiblich]

Great Vid!! I love my '23 Svart 401. Do you have a source of good aftermarket parts. I want to re-route the exhaust and get it more dirt-friendly. Thanks!!

[@simonthomas5367]

And the Fantic Caballero?

[@chroniclesofsolid]

Done 2 videos on it already mate, also didn't fit the affordable part at 15k AUD

[@simonthomas5367]

@@chroniclesofsolid Yes, it's a bit pricey. Love your take on the Himalayan. Going to try one this weekend. And maybe a Voge 300 Rally....

[@JimAppleby]

Great job on the video!

[@TommyNitro]

I don't like using my exhaust as a bash plate, so that would knock the Honda out...

[@BoyanSilyavski]

Manufacturers fail to understand that for most needs 600 /75cc bike is more than enough but now i have to ride a liter bike and bigger just because i am 193cm. 6foot4

[@sanjayg5780]

Thanks for the informative video. My height is 5'6" and I'm looking for the best light weight adv bike and so far from your video the 411 fits the bill but how is the reliability? Thanks in advance.

[@richardw1043]

As much as I love my Himalayan, reliability on even the new models is spotty. Fuel relay and battery had to be replaced within their first month or two, handlebars lose shape quickly after a fall and the EFI sucks. Doesn't have the same fit and finish as the Meteor series which is to do with the improvements of their factories and R&D. If you can hold on, wait for the Himalayan 450 which should be in line with the last couple of SKUs for reliability.

[@lastsonofkrypton36]

The announcement of the Triumph Scrambler 400 just put all of these in a distant 2nd.

[@chroniclesofsolid]

Agreed, it looks great 😎

[@stefanhansen5882]

What about the Caballero Scrambler and/or Rally?

[@johnharvey5338]

I am getting a Voge 300 rally, it under £4000 new with a 2 year warranty, delivered to my door, same specs as the CRF rally but £2000 cheaper, should have at the end of the month.

[@ricric8348]

they have good quality...as many friends like this brand

[@robertkoper3039]

Hmmmm…more dirt capable than a cb 500 x,in my view that is a bold statement!usual agree with most you say but not on this one. Nice to see you get enough sleep to get more video,s out again!……or do you now sleep with noice cancelling earbuds😂

[@ericcournoyer1595]

CB500x is a nightmare offroad... All these other bikes should stay on pavement... except for the Himalayan.

[@Coerced]

but the 401 doesn't seem very suitable for someone that's 6'2 though, is it?

[@mcdonaldslover52]

the 401/390 platform is such a great bike...in theory. Cheap & great technology. The sad part is that no sane person should take that thing anywhere more than walking distance away from civilization, because chances are that thing is gonna break down the second you venture out of mobile service. Also i'm a short ass but when i sat on the svartpilan at a dealership it felt like a kids toy, the thing is so god damn small.

[@xXRunDeathXx]

you should switch the Himalayan with the Fantic Caballero 500 the fantic is MUCH lighter (40 kg, 88 pounds), better build quality, lower price and more horsepower

[@chroniclesofsolid]

Or perhaps watch my first scrambler vid 👍

[@darayavaus4566]

Lower price?

[@glennboy66]

cf moto clx 700 is my pick

[@smeghead765]

I have an RPS Magician because I'm poor as shit. I really like that Honda though.

[@SuperSokol7]

Yamaha XSR 700?

[@SylvainDemuyter]

What about SWM 440 Outlaw Gran Milano ?

[@Brocklebury]

6:27 Exactly how far do you take your grandma's dirt driveway? Was a double-take moment for me!

[@Eatfast]

Is himalayan good ?

[@robertmansell3667]

I’d only contemplate taking the Himalayan off road,the other three Nah not for me thanks,much better to buy an older dual sport bike if you’re budget is limited,it will hold its value and be far more capable than any of these.

[@DavyRo]

Triumph tiger sport 660 Honda Ct 125 BMW GS850

[@jumior]

all these bikes are cool if all you want is to carry 20 embassy numbers 1 ,

[@James-eo6bu]

I feel there's really not allot of truth or real world research into these lists

[@JimmyCall]

Only interested in practical bikes. If you can't get a rack on them, then use.

[@aninh8509]

Compare The Spavilent vs KTM390 like compare a car with a plane lol, if u want a bike can do dirt just buy 390, if u want style buy a spat

[@hugodacosta]

9.5 liter tank is lawn moaner level.

[@Horus71]

Swedish rectal exam 🤣🤣🤣

[@OlaCurtius]

But actually translates to “Black arrow”

[@max.fleming1045]

In this segment none of these bikes come anywhere near the Fantic caballero 500 scrambler or rally version. Though not the perfect unicorn bike the Fantic caballero 500 rally is far & away the closest any manufacturer has gotten. Oddly the biggest miss is the sexy Arrows exhaust that makes it a bit fat around the middle. Still a far cry better than that fugly exhaust on the CL500😮. Speaking of the Honda, what on earth were they thinking?. It looks like it was designed by the accounts department?. It's a modern retro but looks neither modern or retro. The rebel cruiser frame was the worst possible choice for a scrambler . It's far heavier than any striped down naked scrambler should be in it's size class and that exhaust is surely going into the Guinness world records as the ugliest one ever bolted to a bike. I know style is subjective, but honestly?.

[@luke1463]

Except: where I live there are no dealers. In fact I think there is only one dealer in all Australia. Soooo… taking one seriously off road away from the metropolitan area isn’t exactly reassuring.

[@CosmicSeeker69]

Open Question - can you still buy a Scram - if you never drink coffee?

[@leeinwis]

no

[@kaytme5915]

$5,000? Wow 😳😃🤪

[@lhurst9550]

Scramblers have never did it for me. To universal, to half-ass. Goes into the moped category for me, fun to ride but don't want your buddies to see you doing it.

[@Prabhath_the_Dawn]

Anyone heard of Hero Xpulse 200?😎 This bike is one hell of an off road bike... There's a pro variant that has the best ground clearance and is also loaded with adjustable suspension (compression & rebound). It's one of the lightest and the most agile off road/adventure bike that's commercially available💯😎🏍️

[@DoubleSupercool]

I don't know why anyone would poo poo aesthetics. I don't go out of my way to buy ugly stuff, no matter what it is. I want to enjoy looking at it, as well as use it.

[@raymondpexton5440]

I'll take DRZ 400 or DR 650 over any of these

[@bwanadave76]

Great common sense reviews!

[@ricric8348]

BMWs are mostly made in China and the 300@s models in India.

[@JasonSmith-dw3vp]

Scram 411??

[@patshes1951]

400 triumph?

[@victoriazero8869]

Versys X300 laugh at them all

[@rogerrojas3358]

You are totally wrong, mixing the HIMALAYAN with the himalayan scrambler, is a shame.

[@MarkLoweLowebrau]

Husq 401 and Honda CL500??? lol I dare you to try hitting some forest trails on those. Entirely not capable. This video is not worth paying attention to

[@Bradley-b1h]

It's monetary currency not money...venom, yenom...

[@raymondpexton5440]

I'll take the 500X over the scrambler

[@raymondpexton5440]

I'll takes the 450 royal Enfield over the scram

[@marsoelflaco5722]

If I can help it, I avoid buying Chinese.

[@grahammartin4754]

im a great fan of honda and had many but wtf have the made out of that 500 engine , nothing its in suits it , scrambler cruiser its awful to look at its as awful as the last xr125 the made , all the old xl were way better in looks and ability

[@benfox8571]

CL looks horrible

[@crispinleslie]

I liked this review, but as speaking for myself - it will be a long time before I can reconcile Chinese politics with anything I want to buy.

[@ricric8348]

politics aside Apple producs made by the millions in China and probably most things in the American home.

[@andrew390]

Luckily we as motorcycle consumers still have enough choice to avoid supporting CCP by not buying Made In China

[@Pawtooler]

A horrible commercial... Scramblers only know 2 things... Dirt and grit! Dirt is like dust it just happens. Grit is when eat dirt and ask for more!

[@ToGrimmToWin]

The royal Enfield is just to slow. Needs to have a top speed of at least 90 so you can run 80mph for a distance

[@CosmicSeeker69]

You must be under 50 years old

[@ToGrimmToWin]

@@CosmicSeeker69 yes true but my daily commute is 28.5 miles one way and half of that is 70+mph the trip home is a bit against the wind not very hilly though

[@MrXrssv1]

Today I spotted a new Suzuki V- Strom 250SX, also looks like a very nice entry bike, keep up the great reviews Solid and hope family is going great for you and family 👍👍

[@chroniclesofsolid]

Cheers Mike

[@LOKI_THE_HUSKY]

Not sure why I liked the video within the first 60 seconds 🤣🥲