Triumph Scrambler 900 (2026 – ) review

Park this new 2026 model year Scrambler 900 beside the one it replaces and – at a glance – you might not notice the changes, new colours aside. But, given it was already a very handsome bike and still the definitive retro-modern scrambler there’s nothing wrong with that. Ditto the mechanical foundations of a torquey 65 horsepower 900cc twin able to run in restricted A2 trim for the younger riders who’ve taken it to their hearts. Aesthetic changes are detail but extensive, running to a new brackets for the (now LED) headlight, slimmer mudguards, a reshaped tank, new two-piece seat, narrower rear subframe and more. Of greater significance both visually and for the riding experience the forks are now upside-down Showas and the rear swingarm aluminium, moving the Scrambler 900 closer in spirit to its more capable Scrambler 1200 big brothers. Perhaps at some cost to its purist credentials, mind.

No significant changes here, short suspension travel for a scrambler meaning a nice low seat height of just 790mm. Which helps the Triumph’s sense of accessibility and manageability, especially compared with the rather more intimidating 1200s. Relatively high bars mean a comfortably upright riding position perfect for carving through traffic but also confidence inspiring when the roads – or tracks – get a little more involving. It’s a nice size, too, being big enough to feel like a proper bike but still sufficiently compact to be wieldy and manoeuvrable.

With no bodywork to speak of you’re fully exposed to the windblast and elements, but you know what you’re getting into so it would be unfair to criticise the Scrambler for that. The leg-roasting heat from the exhaust is another matter, though. Updated electronics mean a basic cruise control system is now optional, which will help if you do need to rack up some boring motorway miles. Heated grips are also available but not standard, the Triumph accessories catalogue also offering various luggage options in-keeping with the bike’s style, the high exhaust limiting the options there somewhat while a topbox isn’t really becoming for such a style-focused bike. You’ll need to pack light, in other words!

No changes for the engine, which remains as before with 65 horsepower and a chunky 80Nm of torque, the latter meaning the five-speed gearbox is less of a hindrance than you might assume for the fact you can haul from any gear and third and fourth are all you really need on a twisty road. The signature high-level exhaust has been retuned, the gruff bark it makes an essential part of the Scrambler’s character while fuelling and control weights all have the polish you’d expect of a Triumph. The single front brake gets a slightly bigger disc on this updated model, and has sufficient power for the performance on offer. Cornering ABS is another addition, and gives the Scrambler a level of electronic sophistication the likes of the Bear 650 and BSA Scrambler can’t match.

The Scrambler 900 isn’t a light bike by any stretch but Triumph has saved a couple of kilos from where it matters with the switch to aluminium wheels and swingarm. This reduction in unsprung weight helps the suspension, which is itself uprated with non-adjustable but still swankier upside-down forks and piggyback rear shocks, both from Showa. These updates raise the Scrambler’s dynamic game, which was perfectly adequate before but now gives it a decisive advantage over its more basic rivals. The front end now feels a lot more positive and confidence-inspiring while the new swingarm and shocks mean the rear suspension tracks the bumps more positively. There’s still not the travel to count as a real off-roader – you still need a 1200 for that – but it’s now more than capable of keeping a Fantic Caballero or Benelli Leoncino 800 honest, even if the Ducati Scrambler remains the feistier option.

Fair to say there remains a bit of a ‘Triumph tax’ when it comes to the purchase price but you get what you’re paying for in style, build quality and attention to detail so few will begrudge that. Beyond that the modest power output and relatively leisurely character should keep costs down in terms of maintenance, insurance and suchlike, all of which will be important considerations for the younger riders attracted by the trendy image.

This engine and platform has been around for yonks now so is as well-proven as it is understressed. Ditto the electronics, which are new to this bike but used extensively across the wider Triumph range. The new suspension parts are also higher quality than before, which adds further confidence.

Triumph’s standard two-year warranty is nothing to write home about, given it basically conforms to industry norms and nothing more than that. The generous 10,000-mile service intervals are much more welcome, though, and mean even a well-used Scrambler is unlikely to need a check more than once a year. Which saves faff and expense alike.

Per the above, you’re getting some significant upgrades to the quality of the wheels, suspension and electronics over the outgoing Scrambler 900. There’s also a new part TFT, part LCD screen with optional Bluetooth module if you want to pair your phone to it but we’re not convinced the smaller graphics are necessarily a step up over the previous arrangement. It’s also likely the starting price will be just that, for the fact nice-to-haves like a centre-stand, heated grips and cruise control are extra. Further bling is available in the shape of adjustable Fox shocks for the rear suspension, adding to the sense the 900 is now closer in spirit and ambitions to the big 1200s than ever before.

Triumph has rolled out similar updates across its 2026 Modern Classics range but the Scrambler 900 has gained the most in terms of its significantly improved suspension and dynamic abilities. Some purists may not like the appearance of upside-down forks on a machine celebrated for its trad looks and vibe but any doubts on that score will quickly be silenced for the greatly increased dynamic ability and handling. If not a Scrambler entirely transformed it’s certainly improved enough to merit a second look if you’d not considered one before.