2022 Royal Enfield Scram 411 Launch Review

There’s a solid pedigree on which the 2022 Royal Enfield Scram 411 is based.

Launched in Australia in 2017, the Royal Enfield Himalayan is a dual-sport/adventure-style motorbike which has amassed an impressive following. Rugged in nature, the Himalayan is both affordable and reliable, which has also made it a popular modern option for café racer/scrambler-style customisation.

With opportunity knocking, Royal Enfield made a few tweaks to the utilitarian platform that is the Himalayan, adding the Scram 411 to its ever-evolving range.

The Royal Enfield Scram 411 is a more urban-focused version of the Himalayan, sharing the same frame, tank and engine. The Scram 411 comes equipped with a 19-inch front wheel, as opposed to the 21-incher on the Himalayan, and there are three cheerful colour variants on offer, across three price points.

For the base price of $8240 ride away, there’s a choice of Graphite Yellow, Graphite Red, or Graphite Blue. Jump (a little) to $8340 ride away, and Skyline Blue or Blazing Black are on offer, while for $8440 ride away you can opt for White Flame or Silver Spirit.

Modest cosmetic differences such as the cast metal headlight cowl instead of the small touring screen, the lowered and pushed back headlamp, and a badge plate where the tank/frame guards were on the Himalayan, indicate the Scram adopts a more light-hearted approach than its genesis. It also gets a single comfort seat, a smaller rear grab rail, a stubbier rear fender with lower rear indicators, and an offset (analogue) speedo.

Related reading:
2020 Royal Enfield Himalayan Launch Review
2022 Royal Enfield Classic 350 Launch Review
2020 bikesales Bike of the Year Finalist: Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 Twin

I had the privilege of attending the Australian national media launch for the Royal Enfield Scram 411, which was held over two days and two nights in northern New South Wales. It was a fun vibe, as us journos, accompanied by Royal Enfield ambassadors MotoDoll and Jaguar Jonze, were guided out of Tweed Heads by Gary from Salt Creek Motorcycles, as a rainbow seemed to wave us off as we meandered our way to Cabarita Beach, and headed straight to the winding roads of the hinterland.

As fate would have it, our circuitous route was festooned with roadworks and multiple stops, as road workers chipped away at roads that were in a serious state of disrepair, thanks to the recent downpours wreaked havoc on this part of the country.

These trying conditions, along with the endless winding mountain roads, were a great way to put the Royal Enfield Scram 411 through its paces. The single seat was comfortable enough for a long day in the saddle, although a screen would be a welcome addition for the open roads.

I spent my time shape-shifting between dirt and road mode, standing up sometimes to stretch my legs and sometimes to negotiate potholes as I would on a dirt bike, with knees braced and arms outstretched. This dynamic riding style is not for everyone, but it sure put a smile on my face…

The suspension package is ample for an entry-level bike, although some adjustment wouldn’t go astray. A 41mm telescopic fork with 190mm of travel and a rear monoshock with 180mm of travel soak up the majority of bumps efficiently, but if there was time to stand up and brace for a big bump, I would. The Scram’s 200mm of ground clearance is generous for a bike of this stature, and it makes gutter hopping a fun proposition.

Our first night’s destination turned out to be the Queensland Moto Park, somewhere between Boonah and Beaudesert in southeast Queensland, where we spent the afternoon carving up a natural-terrain motocross track. Some campfire banter followed before we tucked into our swags for the night and, while there’s a whole other story there, I can confirm the Scram 411 has considerable dirt capability.

Ergonomically the Royal Enfield Scram 411 is superb, with well positioned (and easily adjusted) handlebars, gear and brake levers, and a seat height and width that caters for a variety of shapes and sizes.

The dual-sport tyres handled all surfaces as well as an all-rounder can, offering decent high-speed stability and a respectable amount of grip in the twisties. The 19-inch front tips into corners effortlessly and changes direction without debate.

The brakes, comprising a 300mm front disc with two-piston floating caliper and 240mm rear disc with single-piston floating caliper, plus ABS, could have more bite, but are ample for the modest power on hand. Day two saw us ride through plenty of rain and grubby roads, and my cornering and braking confidence barely waned.

The air-cooled 411cc single-cylinder engine is smooth and predictable, if not exactly exciting. There is a sweet spot in the rev range where you can keep it on the boil and exploit its humble 24.3hp (17.9kW), but let it slip and pick-up is slow.

I can’t tell you where that point is exactly as the instrumentation doesn’t encompass a tachometer, but it does have a second, smaller screen for the Tripper navigation system (which connects to Google Maps via your phone).

On a few occasions I yearned for a six-speed gearbox and some extra cc’s, especially when overtaking on the open road, but the power is otherwise adequate for highway riding. With a claimed fuel consumption of 3.2L/100km, if anything the Royal Enfield Scram 411 is extremely economical.

Close competitors include the Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 ($7990 ride away) and the BMW G 310 GS ($8775 ride away). The Svartpilen ticks more performance boxes, and both bikes offer more sophistication, but are they as practical as the Scram 411? The Scram has a 15-litre tank while the Svartpilen and G 310 GS offer only 9.5 litres and 11.5 litres respectively. For a LAMS bike with dirt capability, ‘no frills’ is a good approach.

The Royal Enfield Scram 411 errs more towards rugged than refined, genuinely imploring you to take it off the beaten track. It is a nimble and compliant learner-approved motorcycle that is perfect for the urban commute, and its bulletproof persona makes it a dependable companion when the going gets rough. The Royal Enfield Scram 411 is a fun addition to the line up that is sure to put a smile on your dial.

ENGINE
Type: Air-cooled, SOHC, four-stroke single-cylinder
Capacity: 411cc
Bore x stroke: 78mm x 86mm
Compression ratio: 9:5:1
Fuel system: Electronic fuel injection

PERFORMANCE
Claimed maximum power: 24.3hp (17.9kW) at 6500rpm
Claimed maximum torque: 32Nm at 4000 to 4500rpm

TRANSMISSION
Type: Five-speed constant mesh
Final drive: Chain
Clutch: Wet, multiplate

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Frame type: Half-duplex split cradle frame
Front suspension: 41mm telescopic fork, 190mm travel
Rear suspension: Monoshock with linkage, 180mm travel
Front brakes: Single 300mm disc with twin-piston floating caliper, ABS equipped
Rear brakes: 240mm disc with single-piston floating caliper, ABS equipped
Tyres: 100/90-19 front; 120/90-17 rear

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Ground clearance: 200mm
Kerb weight: 185kg
Seat height: 795mm
Wheelbase: 1455mm
Fuel capacity: 15 litres

OTHER STUFF
Price: $8240 ride away (Graphite Yellow, Graphite Red or Graphite Blue); $8340 ride away (Skyline Blue or Blazing Black); $8440 ride away (White Flame or Silver Spirit)
Bike supplied by: Urban Moto Imports
Warranty: 3 years/unlimited kilometres plus roadside assistance
Service Interval: First service at 500km, then every 5000km
Web: www.royalenfield.com.au