#scrambler

Honda announced a new scrambler model based on its 500 platform last November at EICMA, but there was no indication about whether the CL500 would be brought to America. That has now changed, as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has certified the 2023 Honda CL500, and we expect an official announcement to come very soon. And it won't be alone, as the EPA has also certified the ADV160 and an updated Grom.

It’s exactly ten years on since the born-again Brough Superior brand’s first all-new model, a modern take on the legendary SS100 launched 100 years ago this year as the world’s first street-legal Superbike, was unveiled at the 2013 EICMA Milan Show.

Reinventing an Icon

Earlier this year, reports emerged that BMW had filed trademark applications for “R12”, with many predicting the name would be used on a new cruiser. The logic made sense, as the naming structure was similar to the R18, and BMW lacked a cruiser model in the 1200-ish range. We were a little less bullish on that theory at the time, and we suspected there was more to the story. And now, new evidence has emerged that may justify our skepticism.

The evidence is a new trademark application BMW filed in Germany for “R12 S”, for use on “motorcycles and their parts.” The application was filed on Oct. 18 or a little more than a year after BMW filed for the name “R12”. Historically, the “S” at the end of a BMW model name is reserved for sport models, with a lineage including the R 69 S, R 90 S, and R 100 S as the earliest examples. Over time, BMW has offered a K 75 S, K 1200 S and F 800 S, while its Boxer-engined R models included the R 1100 S from 1998-2005 and the R 1200 S in 2006 and 2007.

Honda is adding a new model to its 500 platform, introducing a retro-inspired CL500 street scrambler.

The new CL brings back a nameplate Honda used in the ’60s and ’70s for lightweight off-road capable motorcycles. The modern interpretation draws on that heritage with the upswept muffler with stainless steel heat shield, round tank with tank pads, and gaitered forks.

“We developed the CL500 as a machine that truly allow its owners to stand out from the crowd, and as a form of self-expression. It can be used and enjoyed casually – without hesitation – by the young generation in their daily lives and is designed to become a joyful and integral part of a lifestyle,” says Hiroshi Furuse, Large Project Leader for the CL500. “In standard form, the off-road street style has a visual charm unlike any other model in the Honda range, and can really inspire owners to take it further in any direction they wish.”

Ducati revealed its new “Next-Gen” 803cc Scrambler lineup, featuring new styling, a new ride-by-wire throttle, a 4.3-inch TFT display, and an updated chassis. For 2023, Ducati will offer three 803cc Scramblers: the Icon, the Full Throttle, and the Nightshift. The 1100 Scrambler range will also return, unchanged, with three models: the Scrambler 1100 Dark Pro, Tribute Pro, and Sport Pro.

Sticking with the 803cc models, the new styling doesn’t stray too far from the Scrambler formula. The steel fuel tank has been redesigned, now with an interchangeable cover that can be swapped out along with the fenders and headlight detail for a customized look.

I’m a big fan of scramblers that can actually Scram, ya dig? When a production scrambler has the chops and capability to do what those customized rigs did back in the good ol’ days, well, that’s the real deal. Isn’t it? Royal Enfield has based this latest machine on its highly popular Himalayan ADV bike so, in theory, the new 411 should be nearly as capable as that machine while being imbued with its own style. A tweak here, some new paint there, a smaller front wheel, viola! Welcome to the Scram 411. 

Last week, Ducati announced it would once again present its new product announcements in a series of online presentations. Just like in 2020 and 2021, the Ducati World Première 2023 series will take place over multiple episodes, with each part featuring a different product line.

For 2023, the series will span seven episodes, starting Sept. 2, ahead of the MotoGP round in San Marino, and running until Nov. 7, just ahead of EICMA. As has become custom, Ducati has given each episode a cryptic title offering a clue to the presentation’s topic. The episodes are:

Honda has filed new trademark applications for the names “CL500” and “NX500“, suggesting it may be preparing to expand its 500 range with new scrambler and dual sport models.

The trademark for CL500 was filed March 17 with the European Union Intellectual Property Office, while the NX500 trademark was filed May 2 with the EUIPO as well as with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

The 500 in the names suggest the two models will use the same 471cc Parallel-Twin engine as the Rebel 500 cruiser, CB500F standard, CBR500R sportbike and CB500X adventure bike. The engine claims about 50 hp (with a bit less on the Rebel) and has already proven itself to be versatile, applied across different segments.

The engine hasn’t been used thus far in a scrambler, but the CL500 moniker may fill that role. The CL name goes back pretty far in Honda’s history, starting with the 1962 Dream CL72 Scrambler (pictured below), a 247cc model based on the CB72 Hawk but beefed up to handle off-road usage. Honda produced several more CL models over the years, most recently with the CL400, a 397cc Single-cylinder model introduced in 1998. With this lineage, it should be apparent the CL500 name is intended for a scrambler.

Moto Guzzi is preparing a new special edition model based on the V7 but with modern styling. Spy photos of a camouflaged test bike were first uncovered by Moto.it in late October, leading to speculation that it would appear at EICMA along with the V100 Mandello. That obviously didn’t happen, but Motorcycle.com can confirm that the bike is on the way, and will be called the Moto Guzzi V850X.

The spy photo (shared in Moto.it’s Facebook post below) was reportedly taken by Oscar Malugani, an announcer for the Italian Trial Championship. The single photo offers a few details, such as the V7’s version of the air-cooled 853cc V-Twin engine, wire-spoke wheels, bodywork on the tail unlike current V7 model, and an unusual-looking front fairing that covers part of the upper forks. Thankfully, we’ve been able to uncover more information about the mystery model, including its name.

Ducati announced a slate of 2022 new model announcements that will run every two weeks starting Sept. 30 and running through to Dec. 9. Each Ducati World Première event will be presented online on Ducati.com, YouTube and on other official social networks.

While Ducati hasn’t explicitly said what will be revealed in each episode, it did make it clear that the sixth and final episode will feature the DesertX, a brand new off-road focused adventure bike.

Ducati is preparing to add a Pikes Peak version of the Multistrada V4 and another Scrambler variant for the 2021 model year.

A Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak makes a lot of sense, as Ducati has offered a similar variant for the previous 1260 and 1200 Multistradas. Ducati continued offering a Multistrada 1260 Pikes Peak even after it switched from the ‘Strada to a prototype Streetfighter V4 for the 2019 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (which we’ll always remember for Carlin Dunne’s tragic accident.)

Even though motorcycles are no longer allowed to compete in the Hill Climb, the tradition appears to continue as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s certification for the 2021 Multistrada V4 includes a Pikes Peak variant.

Beyond using the same engine, the certification does not tell us what to expect from the 2021 Ducati Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak. We can, however, make a few guesses based on how the previous Pikes Peak bikes.

When you’re not scrambling to make ends meet or get ahead, it seems like you’re constantly rallying the troops, possibly ’round the flag but usually just trying to instill pep. It’s always something, and both of those things are so ingrained in my psyche that I barely even miss roosting on the track or burning up the backroads. We were less impressed with the all-new Triumph Speed Twin than we expected to be a couple weeks ago, but when SoCal Motorcycles let us swap it out for a new Scrambler 1200 XC, it was love at first ride. Maybe in the ’60s, scramblin’ meant riding around in the desert with McQueen and those guys, but with the current state of infrastructure, now you can interface gnarly terrain without leaving the city. Scrambling is now something you can do every day.

A head-to-head comparison this is not, but rather a showcase of two unique models that blur the lines of what adventure-capable motorcycles can look like. Triumph and Moto Guzzi, motorcycle manufacturers from two very different regions of Europe, both have long storied histories with plenty of ups and downs. The British brand dates back to 1902, two decades before Moto Guzzi began manufacturing in 1921. 

2020 Moto Guzzi V85 TT Review – First Ride

2019 Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC And XE Review

It should come as no surprise, then, that these two manufacturers would be the brands to deliver to us a new take on the white-hot adventure segment while staying true to another popular genre, one that both companies excel at, modern retro motorcycles. Triumph’s latest Scrambler combines the brand’s modern classic styling with serious technology and off-road prowess. Moto Guzzi delivers a unique take on adventure touring with its V85 TT Travel, which shares styling reminiscent of the V65 TT raced in the ‘85 Paris-Dakar, though the machine boasts plenty of modern tech not before seen in the Guzzi lineup.