2026 Triumph Scrambler 900 review: The same vibe, just better

The Triumph Scrambler (or Street Scrambler as it was formerly known) has been knocking around in the Hinckley brand’s range since the mid-2000s, although its roots can be traced back to the 650cc Bonneville T-120TT of the early '60s.

Those roots get a little longer in 2026, as a new Scrambler 900 is taking to the streets and trails, in the form of the significantly updated 2026 Triumph Scrambler 900.

The new bike is a thorough electronic, technical and mechanical overhaul of the model, with the new version boasting revised styling, electronic enhancements, and a big update in chassis spec.

For this press launch, Triumph flew us to the surfing mecca of Oceanside, California, and while that might seem ostentatious for a 900cc retro, there were another four bikes we’d be riding over the course of the week. In total, I spent around a day on the bike, riding on the road with a short broken tarmac section thrown in for some photos and video - I wouldn’t call it a proper off-road test, though. For that, I’ll wait until bikes land in the UK.

Here’s how we got on.

2026 Triumph Scrambler 900 review

First impressions are of a bike that feels properly roomy. The Scrambler 900 has always been one of those machines that suits taller riders better than most retros, and that hasn’t changed. Wide bars sit exactly where you want them, giving loads of leverage around town and making low-speed steering feel almost comically light. It’s one of those bikes where you point it somewhere, and it just goes there, without any fuss or effort.

Pulling away from the lunch stop is where the updated model starts to make sense. On paper, it’s basically a new bike, but in reality Triumph has been careful not to meddle with what people already liked. The engine, despite the Euro 5+ updates to injection timing and volume, still has that instantly recognisable 900 twin character. It throbs, growls and revs faster than the 1200 Bonnevilles can’t quite manage, and it does it without vibes, rattles or any of the compromises that come with actually owning something old.

The updated ride-by-wire throttle plays a big part in that. Connection at the grip is precise without being snatchy, and it gives the engine a genuinely broad range of uses. You can short-shift and potter, rev it out and scrape pegs, or just sit at motorway speeds without feeling like the bike is out of its comfort zone. It still feels like a motor with personality, not something that’s been strangled by emissions rules.

The new off-road riding mode is a welcome addition, even if my brief encounter with the dirt didn’t fully explore it. Throttle response is softened, traction control is loosened (or can be switched off entirely), and the ABS setup allows some rotation at the front while ditching rear ABS altogether. On the road, that translated into some entertaining skids rather than meaningful trail riding, but the intent is clear, and it mirrors the approach Triumph takes on the Scrambler 1200 and Tiger models.

On the road, the biggest step forward is the front end. The move to 43mm Showa USD forks gives the Scrambler a level of composure the old Street Scrambler never really had. Steering feels more natural, more planted, and there’s better feedback when you start pushing on. Another bonus of the new fork setup is the ability to run a radially mounted four-pot caliper, and while my test bike suffered from a slightly spongy lever from the off, outright power is a clear improvement over the old model’s slightly underwhelming setup.

Out back, the new cast aluminium swingarm helps contribute to a claimed 2kg weight saving when combined with lighter wheels. You don’t instantly feel that reduction on the move, but it does add to the bike’s cleaner and more modern look. In fact, visually the whole bike has shifted slightly away from full retro and closer to a Speed Twin that is built for the dirt. The slimmer mudguards, more tapered tail unit and redesigned side panels add to the muscular aesthetic. It’s still unmistakably a Scrambler, just one that’s had a grown-up haircut and been to the gym.

Comfort is mostly very good. The riding position is relaxed, the parallel twin is impressively smooth, and aside from the obvious lack of wind protection, it feels like a bike you could happily spend long days on. That said, the seat didn’t agree with me in the same way the T100’s does, and after around an hour and a half, I was starting to shuffle about in search of relief.

There’s also the familiar Scrambler issue that Triumph still hasn’t solved: the exhaust. Unless you consciously hold your right leg away from it, it will quite happily rotisserie your calf. Standing on the pegs off-road and the risk only increases. It’s not new, but it’s still slightly annoying.

Once UK bikes arrive, I’d like to spend proper time off-road to see how usable that new Off-Road mode really is. On paper, at least, the Scrambler 900 is more willing to get dirty than ever before.

Verdict

This is the most extensive update the Scrambler family gets for 2026, and it shows. Triumph hasn’t reinvented the bike, but it has made genuine, meaningful improvements to something that was already much-loved. The styling tweaks are a big win, making the Scrambler 900 look more muscular, more modern and less cute than before. They also bring it into line with the Scrambler 1200 X and XE, which are more grown-up and purposeful.

More importantly, the riding experience has been sharpened. The front end is more precise, braking is stronger, and the throttle is smoother and more refined. It still feels like a Scrambler first and foremost, just one that’s been quietly but thoroughly improved.

Would braided brake hoses have been nice, as found on the Scrambler 1200? Absolutely. But for most riders, that’s an easy aftermarket fix, and for many more it won’t even register as a missing feature. What matters is that Triumph has resisted the urge to overcomplicate things, and in doing so has delivered a Scrambler 900 that feels better to ride, better to look at, but still very much itself.

2026 Triumph Scrambler 900 – Key Specifications