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5 of the best urban scramblers

Published: 12 June 2009 Updated: 19 November 2014
  • Yamaha MT-03 - ideal urban commuter tool that can also cut it on weekends
    Yamaha MT-03 - ideal urban commuter tool that can also cut it on weekends
  • Honda FMX650
    Honda FMX650
  • Aprilia Pegaso Factory
    Aprilia Pegaso Factory
  • BMW X Country
    BMW X Country
  • KTM 690
    KTM 690
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Middleweight trailie style bikes make great town bikes. It just so happens that a lot of the things that make them useful green laners make them handy in the city too.

A great city bike sits you upright in front of wide bars for a good view ahead and the leverage to make quick direction changes. It has a punchy engine with the low down grunt to fire you into gaps and out of trouble.

Here’s 5 of the tastiest city scramblers:

Aprilia Pegaso Factory

Aprilia Pegaso Factory (2007-current)
“The special ‘Factory’ version of Aprilia’s evergreen 660cc single-cylinder Pegaso is a true gem. With its chunky new radial front brake, lightweight spoked rims, a smattering of carbon fibre and finished to look like its big brother Tuono or RSV Factory, the Aprilia Pegaso Factory oozes Italian cool and style at a reasonable price.”

 

Yamaha MT-03

Yamaha MT-03 (2006-current)
“Visually stunning and mechanically sound, Yamaha’s trick “roadster motard” creates its own little niche in the market. Ideally an urban/commuter tool, the Yamaha MT-03 gives you more than enough fun if you want some bendy weekend scratching too. Handling is superb but just a little more horsepower would’ve really broadened the Yamaha MT-03’s appeal.”

 

BMW G650 XCountry

BMW G650 XCountry (2006-2008)
“The BMW G650 XCountry is a dual-purpose soft trailie motorcycle which is more akin to the Scrambler style motorcycle of yesteryear. The softly suspended and styled BMW G650 XCountry is good at cutting through traffic and bends. The engine is a punchy little number – use the low down stomp of 44ftlb of torque and you’ll be pleasantly surprised with the motorcycle’s tractable punch.”

 

Honda FMX650

Honda FMX650 (2005-current)
“The Honda FMX650 feels light, flickable and the beefy 45mm upside-down forks handle town action with contempt. It has the same air-cooled SOHC old badger that powered the long-departed Honda Dominator. It’ll eventually chuff out about 30bhp, but keep it in town or it quickly feels wheezy. The gearbox is precise and easy, the clutch light.”

 

KTM 690 Duke

KTM 690 Duke (2008-current)
“The KTM 690 Duke’s new LC4 single cylinder engine is the most impressive part of the new Duke. It’s hard to believe it’s a single, so much better than the lumpy single cylinder engines of old. The styling is very aggressive, it’s laden in quality parts like WP suspension and Brembo brakes, and on the right road, hairpin after hairpin its almost untouchable.”

 

If you’re thinking of buying one of the above models from MCN Bikes For Sale, get insurance quotes from a number of motorcycle insurance providers in one place with MCN Compare. 

James Keen

By James Keen