These are the best scramblers and retro bikes 2026

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.

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.