What is a Scrambler Motorcycle?

The term “scrambler” has been tossed around a fair amount in recent years, especially when it comes to e-bikes or e-motorycles. But what exactly is a “scrambler” and how does it differ from other “classic” builds such as the “cafe racer,” “bobber,” “tracker,” “brat,” etc? 

In short, a scrambler motorcycle is a motorcycle designed and custom built to go off-road, specifically fire roads and mild singletrack. But there are nuances there, such as tweaking the bike to be lightweight, making it more trail worthy or more robust, making it more enduro-worthy. But the key characteristics of all scramblers remain the same:

• Long travel
• Knobby or off-road tires
• High ground clearance
• Tall handlebars
• Narrower “gas” tanks
• And higher exhaust

Historically, scramblers were upfitted from street-specific bikes to have those key characteristics, and in recent years OEMS offer their own specific built “scramblers.” Either way, a scrambler is a bike that can go off-road, while still maintaining street legality. 

But what about a cafe racer? A tracker? How are those different from the cafe racer? 

The classic cafe racer was a bike built to go fast and to be raced between cafes in the UK. It is stripped down, tuned up and made more streamlined. The suspension is shortened, the bars flattened and the seat raised to give the rider a more low-profile riding position. The tracker was also a race bike, but it was stripped down for the flat track — so with these, like the cafe racer, they are stripped down to be made lighter weight, but rock knobby tires and lack any sort of “on-road” worthiness — no lights, no horn, just the rame, simple seat, bars and that’s it. 

These days the scrambler term is thrown around very loosely. But here at TERRA we strive to keep the tradition alive and well. Our Prime can be worked on, just like the original Triumphs and Hondas, come equipped with proper dirtbike tires and wheels, our travel is long-enough to bash through desert singletrack, and our look is reminiscent of the classic customs

Click here to learn more about the TERRA PRIME electric scrambler.