It feels like such a long time ago, but one thing you should know about me is that when I first started riding, I had such an insane moto crush on the Triumph Scrambler. For whatever reason, I found the aesthetic appeal of that bike utterly undeniable. Those high-mounted pipes! That proud, classic, upright stance!
Stick a little wire grille over the headlight, and I was absolutely smitten. As a general rule, I tend to be drawn to naked and standard bikes, but Triumph's take on the Scrambler was absolutely my aesthetic motorcycle ideal. Nothing else even came close to my eyes. Unfortunately, though, my inseam didn't agree, especially as a brand new rider who wasn't very confident in their skills yet.
If I could go back in time and tell my younger rider self anything, it would be not to give up on my dream of a Triumph Scrambler that I could comfortably ride. Why? Because the 2026 Triumph Scrambler 900 exists. And it was well worth the wait.
Shockingly More Accessible Than the Scrambler 400 X
The Scrambler 400 X might be lighter in weight (official claim is 395 pounds versus 487.2 pounds wet weight on the 900) and smaller in displacement than the Scrambler 900, but I was surprised to learn by experience that the 900 does, in fact, have a significantly lower seat height than the 400. For 2026, the Scrambler 900 also gets a reshaped seat that's a bit narrower in the front, so the standover is absolutely confidence-inspiring for those of us who don't have long legs.
How much of a difference are we talking about? While the Scrambler 400 X has a seat height of 830mm, the Scrambler 900's is just 790mm. Now, as a reminder, there are other factors that go into how a bike fits you in addition to seat height (how wide or narrow it is, suspension sag when you sit on it, etc.), but having that level of confidence right when you mount up tends to make you want to learn more, you know?
Of course, the Scrambler 900's MSRP is also roughly twice as much as the Scrambler 400 X's (US $12,395 vs. US $6,095). What do you get for your extra cash? So glad you asked, because of Triumph's refreshed 2026 Bonneville lineup, it's the Scrambler 900 that has had the single biggest makeover.
Let's get into all the things that have changed, shall we?
The 2026 Scrambler 900 Gets Chassis, Suspension, and Brake Upgrades
Looking at the 2026 Scrambler 900, one of the first things that might catch your eye is that swingarm. It's quite a nice thing to look at, and is a new cast aluminum (or aluminium, in its home market) unit. The wheels are also lighter-weight aluminum shod in Metzeler Tourance tires. As for brake upgrades, there's now a 320mm front brake disc paired with a new radial four-piston brake caliper.
That's great on paper, but how does it feel to ride? The answer is, quite simply, pretty fantastic. Riding the Scrambler 900 and the T100 Bonneville back-to-back really shows you how much difference the new, plush Showa suspension with upside-down forks (non-adjustable, but still) makes on the Scrambler 900.
Other updates on the Scrambler 900 for 2026 include lean-sensitive cornering ABS and traction control, which seems to be consistent across the 2026 Bonneville lineup, as well as a nicely laid-out new instrument cluster and LED lighting.
What's It Like To Ride?
There's a spirit and a joy that overtakes you (or at least me) upon startup of the Scrambler 900. It sounds absolutely fantastic, and that's just when it's idling. Once you twist the throttle, the happy noises only get better from there. It's not the same giddymaking sensation that comes from my Street Triple, but it's still a pretty nice-sounding parallel twin, particularly with the exhaust they've got on it now.
Once you roll out, it's a pretty confidence-inspiring, fun place to be. The stock levers for both the clutch and the front brake are adjustable, so you can easily dial them in or out to better accommodate whatever size of hands you have. The bikes we rode all had accessory heated grips fitted, which do not come as standard equipment, but I'd probably want a pair if you're planning to ride in cooler weather, because they make a massive difference to rider comfort on a chilly morning. And they get very, very nice and toasty if you switch them to High.
Shifting is simple and decisive, with nary a false neutral experienced during my time with this bike. The new gauge cluster, incidentally, makes it incredibly easy to see what gear you're in at a glance, if you haven't been keeping a mental count in your head.
Acceleration and power delivery feel strong and solid, and handling through the twisties is lovely. I'm not sure I ever stopped smiling while I was riding the Scrambler 900; partly out of surprise and delight that at last, here was a Triumph Scrambler I could ride, and the rest of the way because it lived up to the hopes that brand-new-rider-me had had for it.
Attitude for Days, With Suspension to Match
In the US and Canada, the 2026 Scrambler 900 should start to be available in dealerships in April 2026. In the US, the MSRP is $12,395, and in Canada, it's $13,995. Available colorways in the US and Canada are Matt Khaki Green/Matt Phantom Black or Mineral Grey/Cosmic Yellow (pictured).
Having ridden the 2026 Scrambler 900 back-to-back with the Bonneville T100, it's easy to see what a difference the new Showa suspension on the Scrambler 900 makes. It doesn't just look the part; going over even something as small as speed humps in the road feels significantly better, and not only because the Scrambler 900 instinctively makes you want to stand up on the pegs.
Stopping also feels bitier and sharper, so you know that if you get into trouble, the responsiveness from your brakes is just a bit better. And then, when you park and get off the bike, you, of course, get the added joy of looking back over your shoulder at it and admiring its strikingly good looks as you walk away. Really, it's a win-win all around.
