These are the best scramblers and retro bikes 2025

These are the best scramblers and retro bikes 2025

The 1000PS editorial team has already tested numerous models this year and has now chosen its favorites. These 10 retro motorcycles and scramblers were the most convincing.

Retro motorcycles and scramblers have been in the portfolios of a wide variety of manufacturers for many years now, yet hardly anyone knows the exact answer to the question: What exactly constitutes a retro motorcycle? The boundaries of this versatile segment are so blurred that we have already analyzed retro motorcycles on our 1000PS YouTube channel. For the 1000PS Top Awards, we were once again faced with this difficult phase. Which bikes do we include in the ranking? For us, retro motorcycles include all bikes that have classic design elements and/or are listed by their manufacturer under retro spades, such as the Modern Classics from Triumph. Motorcycle manufacturers where the entire or a large part of the model portfolio has classic shapes, such as Moto Guzzi, are a special case.

published on 9/21/2025


Top Awards 2025

The jury, made up of respected experts with different areas of expertise, carefully evaluated each motorcycle based on criteria such as innovation, performance and design. With a wealth of experience and a keen eye for detail, they have selected the motorcycles that stand for excellence in their respective categories. The jury is made up of former racers, experienced motorcycle testers, men and women, in short, respected experts who all know their field inside out. Their collective knowledge and rigorous assessment ensure that only the most deserving candidates are honored with this prestigious award.

These are the best scramblers and retro bikes 2025

Rank

Model

Engine

Cubic capacity

Power

Torque

1

Triumph Speed Twin 1200 RS

In line crankpin offset

1200 ccm

105 HP

112 Nm

2

Kawasaki Z900 RS SE

In line

948 ccm

111 HP

98.5 Nm

3

Ducati Scrambler Icon

V

803 ccm

73 HP

65.2 Nm

4

Husqvarna Svartpilen 801

In line

799 ccm

105 HP

87 Nm

5

Yamaha XSR900

In line

890 ccm

119 HP

93 Nm

6

Triumph Scrambler 1200 X

In line

1200 ccm

90 HP

110 Nm

Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE

In line crankpin offset

1200 ccm

90 HP

110 Nm

7

BMW R 12 S

Boxer

1170 ccm

109 HP

115 Nm

8

Triumph Speed Twin 900

In line crankpin offset

900 ccm

65 HP

80 Nm

9

BMW R 12 G/S

Boxer

1170 ccm

109 HP

115 Nm

BMW R 12 nineT

Boxer

1170 ccm

109 HP

115 Nm

10

11

Triumph Bonneville T120

In line crankpin offset

1200 ccm

80 HP

105 Nm

These are the best scramblers and retro bikes 2024

Rank

Model

Engine

Cubic capacity

Power

Torque

1

Ducati Scrambler Icon
Ducati Scrambler Icon

V

803 ccm

73 HP

65.2 Nm

2

BMW R 12 nineT
BMW R 12 nineT

Boxer

1170 ccm

109 HP

115 Nm

3

Yamaha XSR900
Yamaha XSR900

In line

889 ccm

119 HP

93 Nm