Scrambler 900 (MY2023)

Triumph's Scrambler 900 wins you over before you turn the key. The sculpted tank, the 19-inch front wheel on dual-purpose rubber and the clean retro lines make it one of the best-looking scramblers you can buy, and the build quality holds up when you look closely. Underneath sits a liquid-cooled 900 cc parallel twin tuned for pull, not peak numbers. It makes 59 lb-ft at just 3,250 rpm, and the 64 hp on paper matters far less than that. ABS, traction control, ride modes and a slipper clutch come standard, so this is a properly modern classic rather than a nostalgia piece.

It rides the way a modern classic should: easy, forgiving and happy on a back road at a relaxed pace. Here is my honest caveat. By my own scrambler standard, 4.7 in (120 mm) of travel front and rear is street-bike territory, not trail hardware. The fork has no adjustment at all, and only the twin rear shocks take preload. Treat gravel as a detour, not a destination. Solid build quality and a huge aftermarket mean it ages gracefully and invites personalization. It suits riders who put style and ease ahead of outright performance.