Anytime you have a shot in your hand on the go Royal Enfield with its Himalayan adventure bike you take advantage of it. A few tweaks here, one there, and that’s it, a new variant is born. However, many times, as with blockbusters, sequels fail to achieve the success of the original. With Scram 411Royal Enfield produced the two-wheeler equivalent of a follow-up hit like The Empire Strikes Back or a forgettable failure like Ghostbusters II?
The new Scram 411 and Himalayan scrambler style share the same chassis and air-cooled single 411cc with SOHC and two valves. So does the 4-gallon gas tank, but the Himalayan’s two-piece seats have been swapped out for a unique design. More importantly, the Himalayan’s 21-inch front wheel has been replaced with a more street-friendly 19-inch on the Scram.
Related story: 2022 Royal Enfield Himalayan | First trip review
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The instrument cluster has also been reduced in size, with the digital compass and Himalayan tachometer being removed from the Scram, while the speedometer has been replaced with another version that includes a clock, clock dual triple lap gauge, odometer and gear position indicator. Our test bikes were equipped with Royal Enfield’s Tripper locator, but according to company representatives, supply chain issues prevented the Tripper from being offered as standard equipment. . Instead, it will be an accessory available in the future.
The Himalayan’s windshield and front rack are also gone, forcing Enfield’s designers to clean up the bike’s exposed cockpit, which they did by fitting cast metal headlight spokes. . Attaching to the mounting points on the frame to which the front rack was previously mounted is a pair of “urban signs”. Kudo to Enfield for taking the time to cover up an ugly assembled stub that another OEM might have exposed and then incorporating that element into the bike’s graphics.
Scram 411 is available in seven different graphics packages, all starting at $5,099.
TAKE OFF
Helmet: Scorpion EXO-GT930 . Transformer Module
Coat: Scorpion Vortex Gas Grid
Gloves: Scorpion Vortex Air
Trousers: Klim
Boots: Sidi
Our route through Wisconsin’s milky land had enough trees and lakes to make a California resident like me reluctant to return to our dry, brown state. What it doesn’t provide is a tight enough path to push Scram to its limits in a series of left-to-right transitions. But with the Badger State’s rich sweep bars, gently rounded corners and straight lines, the Scram exudes all the confidence a bike of this caliber should have.
The semi-knotted tires work well for good grip and control in off-road or off-road conditions while also looking like a scrambler. The handlebars have a moderate width for the driver to comfortably control. But the reach of the levers was already at the limit of my comfort, and while you can fiddle around with the clutch cables to bring the clutch lever closer to the bar, the brake levers will require replacing with something. that’s more convenient.
The few short gravel roads we took were also impassively navigated with the exception of the non-switchable rear ABS, which the Himalayan has but the Scram does not. Standing on my feet, I felt pressure similar to the pressure from the side pads pushing my calves out as I experienced with the Himalayan. Moving my foot forward until my heel catches on the footpad helps relieve pressure, but I want my foot to be better positioned.
Over the course of 400 miles, I found the Scram’s seating position surprisingly comfortable for a small displacement motorcycle. The reach of the steering wheel feels natural and the seat offers a good combination of comfort and support. The seat-to-leg ratio is roomy enough to keep my knees from aching after two days of driving.
At 7.5 inches, the Scram’s non-adjustable fork has 0.4 inches less travel than the Himalayan. Whether it’s the damping or varying damping, the Scram responds harsher to rough pavement than its steady friend. On the other hand, the preload adjustable rear shock absorber is less affected by abnormal phenomena.
The Himalayan Scram 411 variant is a clear direction to expand Royal Enfield’s model lineup. However, while the Himalayan succeeds well in its intended off-road environment, the Scram struggles to shine brightly on the pavement. In the dirt, the Single 411cc’s 24.3 hp is enough to keep a novice or experienced motorcyclist happy, but on the road there’s just enough forward thrust to keep one driving 5 feet 11, 187 lb as I travel at highway speeds. . At full throttle on flat roads, I hit a quick 75 mph, but even at 65 mph, there’s barely any passing power in reserve.
The counterweight Single, on the other hand, barely produces any vibrations. Regardless of engine rpm, the air-cooled engine is surprisingly quiet. The 5-speed gearbox sometimes does not work, sometimes there is a noise when shifting multiple gears, but the clutch pull is light.
The Scram’s brakes are adequate but not tiresome. On the Himalayan, the front and rear single disc brakes are enough to slow the motorcycle down in the mud. On the street, however, it takes effort to harness all of its power from the 300mm disc up front with 2-piston calipers and the 240mm rear disc with single-piston calipers.
Did Royal Enfield pass the second year? Accepted on its own terms – clean retro styling, a modestly powered simple engine, a solidly built reasonably priced chassis and an entry-level price tag – the answer words are eligible. Part of the deal is a low-tech motorcycle that’s heavy for its class (432 lb with a full 4-gallon tank), which will be appealing, irrelevant, or unappealing depending on your point of view.
In the small displacement scrambler segment, there aren’t many options, but Scram 411 isn’t the only game in town. For an extra $300, get a more modern, more powerful, and lighter device Husqvarna Svartpilen 401. Thousands of people, thousands of features.
2023 Royal Enfield Scram 411 . Specifications
Basic price: $5,099
Website: RoyalEnfield.com
Guarantee: 3 years, unltd. miles w/ roadside assistance
Engine type: Single air-cooled, SOHC w/2 valves
Transposition: 411cc
Diameter x stroke of piston: 78.0 x 86.0mm
Horse power: 24.3 @ 6,500 rpm (factory announcement)
Torque: 23.6 lb-ft @ 4,500 rpm (factory announced)
Transmission process: 5-speed wet clutch, cable drive
Last drive: Chain
The standard long: 57.3 inches.
Rake / Trail: NA
Seat height: 31.3 inches.
Wet weight: 432 lb
Fuel quantity: 4.0 gals.
