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First Ride – Royal Enfield Scram 411

July 12, 2024 | By Mike Seate

Story by Nick Coumos • Photos by Mike Seate

I’ve been interested in Royal Enfield motorcycles for many decades. From the original “Made in England” models through the reproduction period and now the newest models, I have been a fan. I especially liked the idea of the Himalayan when it was first introduced, thinking that a low-cost adventure bike would be a bunch of fun and perhaps a worthy addition to my stable of vintage and modern street bikes. I was able to try a fully-kitted Himalayan demo bike at a bike show a few years ago and discovered that I really didn’t like it all that much. I felt that it looked a bit too industrial for my tastes, and while it drove okay and handled predictably, I discovered that it was not a bike I wanted to own.

The SUV of Singles

However, when the Scram 411 arrived at Café Racer headquarters, I was pleasantly surprised. I liked the looks of this model, and perhaps it was the smaller 19-inch front wheel or the red and white paint, but I thought it was much more attractive than the Himalayan adventure model I’d ridden earlier. This is, after all, not an adventure bike but a scrambler that might be better suited to backroads and perhaps a bit of dirt riding than a trip across the Alps.

I’m not a small rider, but I have short legs for someone who is nearly 6 ft tall. My 29-inch inseam was not a problem as my feet were nearly flat on the ground while sitting on the bike. I felt that the ergonomics were perfect for me during my test ride, which mostly took place along two-lane blacktop roads with very little traffic and moderate hills and curves. Another rider on a vintage Norton Commando was leading the way with me on the Scram, and while he certainly could have lost me, this was to be a leisurely ride, and I was keeping up just fine. Our speeds were between 45 and 60 MPH, and I was usually in either third or fourth gear during most of the ride. Fifth gear might be best suited for flat four-lane highways when you need to maintain higher speeds to keep up with traffic. Of course, all of this might be different if I were 50 pounds lighter.

As the ride progressed, I realized that I really liked this motorcycle. Even though it’s a bit horsepower deficient (at just 24 rear wheel ponies), I found the challenge of riding it “aggressively” to be fun. Toggling between third and fourth gear, picking the correct line through the corners, and exiting under power is an absolute blast. The well-balanced single gives modest power without vibration, and the brakes, while not the best I’ve experienced, are fine for the limited speed and power of this motorcycle. The handling is as expected with this style of motorcycle, but the biggest surprise for me was the seat. I loved the seat. It’s firm but comfortable, with enough room to move around a bit if needed.

The Royal Enfield Scram 411 is a good multi-purpose, low-cost, adult-sized motorcycle that weighs in at just over 400 pounds. Some might buy it as a commuter, some for a weekend ride in the dirt, and some perhaps as a beginner motorcycle. Whatever its ultimate purpose, I believe this bike will not disappoint.

Editor’s Take:

The appeal of adventure motorcycles has long eluded me. Perhaps it’s their inherent ugliness and utilitarian design, or maybe it’s my lack of interest in riding motorcycles into the mud and woods where all manner of orthopedic injuries await. Nevertheless, I was tempted to test Royal Enfield’s globally popular dual-purpose Scram 411 just to see what all the cordura-suited fuss was about.

From the off, it’s not a visually offensive machine, unlike many ADV bikes, which resemble a Jeep/camping stove mashup. Instead, the tall, high-suspended Scram’s red and white livery has a certain Tonka toy appeal. The motorcycle was delivered dirty from its previous hard test ride, and the speedometer had long since ceased functioning. Still, the purring exhaust note and sit-up-and-notice-the-world riding position were inviting.

On the move, the Scram’s light weight and easy throttle response made it a dream in cross-city traffic, and the modest, 24-horsepower air-cooled engine pumped out just enough torque to make backroads riding a breeze. The five-speed gearbox encourages you to park the Scram in fourth or fifth gear and zoom along at around 60 MPH, a speed where the buzz is gone from the bars and the engine never feels over-stressed. The suspension travel is enormous, with more than 7” at both ends, making curbs, potholes, and anything else Pennsylvania roads can throw its way a non-issue.

I did find myself needing to downshift when encountering steep hills, and with my 250 pounds aboard, I dare not attempt extended highway jaunts lest I be tailgated by impatient F150 drivers. Still, in a surprise display of versatility, the Scram’s stepped saddle and 180-degree, thick welded passenger grab rail made carrying home a six-pack or small load of weekend luggage easy. The two-piston front and single-piston rear brake are equipped with dual-channel ABS, which is a relief as this machine sees lots of wet-weather duty.

Best of all, when the sun did finally shine, I was buzzed on a busy suburban boulevard by a near-naked couple on a big Harley, which I found I could easily pass at 75 MPH by keeping the Scram pinned in top gear. Not bad for a $5,100 motorcycle.

First Ride: Royal Enfield Scram 411

2023 Royal Enfield Scram 411

We Dig: The frugal fuel economy and go-anywhere capability, like a two-wheeled Jeep. We’d Ditch: Our preconceptions about dual-purpose bikes. This baby is fun.

The simple, one-piece gauge offers plenty of info, and the arced fuel gauge is a stroke of genius. Google navigation is plug-and-play simple. Deflectors beside the 4-gallon tank help fend off tree branches while off-roading. We hate mud, so we’ve no idea if they actually work.