If you want a fun yet inexpensive motorcycle with a warranty these days, your first and best bet is to visit your local Royal Enfield dealer. The Indian-made lineup is sparse and these bikes don’t offer top options in the market, but they’re really good bikes for the money and that’s what matters. To keep its bikes inexpensive, the company has to do as much trash build-up as possible, and the new Scram 411 is perfect proof of that.
Based on the company’s Himalayan adventure bike, which has been on the market since 2016, the new Scram uses the same tubular steel frame and motor. That engine is a single-cylinder 411cc making 24.3 horsepower and 23.6 pound-feet of torque, connected through a simple five-speed transmission. It’s a cheap and cheerful combination that will work well in the long run if you take care of it.
The fuel tank, rear wheel, brakes, most of the suspension and exhaust are also common between Himalayan and Scram. So what’s the difference? Well, for starters, the Scram gets rid of the thick windshield in favor of a small headlight system, and downsizes the 19-inch front wheel for a more street-friendly ride. Gone are the Himalayan tank guardrails, having been replaced by small spoilers that RE refer to simply as “side panels”. Likewise, the fenders and saddle have been redesigned for a more classic urban scrambler look.
The Scram still has dual sport tires, so it’s not quite ready to get rid of the dirt completely. Given Royal Enfield’s Indian roots, it could be a nod to the highways and unpaved trails of its homeland. For those of us who are downtown, but still live in the countryside, it’s a nice compromise.
Scram has launched in India, now available for a very special amount of 2.03 lakh rupees (just under $2,700). Royal Enfield has confirmed that the car will be available in Europe, Asia, Latin America and indeed North America later this year, with the cars arriving as early as our third quarter. Pricing for the US market has yet to be announced, but you can buy the Himalayan for as little as $5,299, so it’s possible that the Scram will cost less than 5,000.
