A spin on: Royal Enfield’s Scram 411

Royal Enfield’s mini adventure bike, the Himalayan, has been an incredible success story even by Enfield standards, becoming the UK’s second best-selling adventure bike (behind BMW’s all-conquering GS) – and the Scram 411 builds on that success, adding sharper styling and better road manners. Bob Pickett gets up close…

Give me some spec

A 411cc single-cylinder air-cooled engine putting out 24bhp @ 6,500rpm with 23.6lb-ft torque @ 4,250rpm resides in a half-duplex split-cradle frame. Seat height is 795mm; the Scram weighs in at a slender 185kg (dry).  Stopping power comes from a single 300mm, 2-piston calliper front disc with a 240mm single piston floating calliper rear.

Changes from the Himalayan?

Front wheel reduced from 21 to 19-inch (but broader profile); front geometry altered; a softer seat; the ABS is permanently on. The rest of its DNA is shared with its dual-purpose elder sibling.

What is it like to ride?

The Scram is relatively tall (795mm seat), but so narrow I get both feet flat despite my infamously short (29”) legs.

First twist of the throttle, the Scram pulls gently, giving no indication of what happens as I select second. Enfield geared the 411cc single for low torque and midrange. Quickly past 40 in second, third takes you to 60 easily;up here things smooth out by moving up the 5-speed box, aided by the light clutch and precise gearbox. The Scram tops out at 80, but even in the 60s overtakes are possible.

The Scram’s trump card is handling.  A 10mm reduction in front fork travel and smaller 19-inch (from 21) front tyre makes the Scram agile; heading on to a roundabout it nimbly flicked round with more ground clearance than you’d ever exploit, aided by the surprisingly sticky, semi-knobbly tyres. Pushing into bends at speed does challenge the suspension; leaning into a swooping bend at 60 the Scram gave a little shake. Not a worry, just letting me know we’re pushing the comfort zone.

The suspension is deliberately soft (made to handle Indian roads). To me it performed well. I deliberately took it on bumpy surfaces, all soaked up. A road close to home has raised speed bumps.  On any other bike I’d ride round them. On the Scram, I rode over a few at 20/25 and it just bounced over, unflustered. It’s well balanced, and staying upright in built-up traffic requires no effort.

It sips fuel, suggesting a range north of 250 miles, possible with the comfortable new soft saddle. I fidgeted after 90 minutes in the saddle, a reasonable time to take a break.

Clocks are simple with bags of information. I didn’t use the Tripper navigation system given the short loan (it doubles as a clock when not in use). Mirrors give good feedback (until obscured by vibration). Brakes? Decent feel and enough stopping power.

Would I own a Scram? Yes. It will do weekday chore riding with ease, but has more than enough in reserve to put a smile on your face. It’s a real case of the whole being much more than the sum of the parts.

How much does it cost?

The base machine retails at £4599 (£100 more for flashier colours)

Want to try one?

To test this bike, contact:

East London Kawasaki/Bacons Motorcycles

737-741 Eastern Avenue

Ilford, Essex IG2 7RT

Tel: 020 8252 6020

www.baconsmotorcycles.co.uk

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