Triumph Originals: Seven countries compete to build a custom scrambler that stands the test of time.
Triumph’s global custom motorcycle challenge is back for 2026. Triumph teams from around the world will compete to create the most distinctive, inspired and beautifully executed Scrambler.
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For this latest edition of Triumph Originals, the brief is Time Capsule, a theme that challenges each team to draw on the model’s rich heritage, reinterpreting a defining era through modern design and craftsmanship.
Teams from seven countries are already underway on their builds, with the UK, US, Spain, France, Italy, China and Canada all participating this year. Each Triumph team has hand-picked a custom workshop to collaborate with on completely original concepts. Every entrant will select a momentous decade or significant era from the Scrambler’s history, developing a machine that captures the style and attitude of that moment in time.
Triumph’s Chief Commercial Officer Paul Stroud said: “The Scrambler carries a remarkable legacy, influencing both culture and the competitive racing scene. From the stripped-back desert sleds of the 1950s to the big-screen stunts of the 2020s, it’s been ridden by icons from Steve McQueen to James Bond. This motorcycle started out as a model made by riders, built through personal tweaks and ingenuity, and that same spirit of customisation still sits right at its heart today.
“With such a rich and varied past to draw from, picking just one moment in time won’t be easy for our teams. Triumph Originals gives us a global stage to celebrate not just the engineering excellence, but also the enduring appeal of this legendary model.”
Each country will reveal its bespoke build this summer, when a panel of design and cultural experts will judge the builds. Then all seven Scramblers will be put to the public vote. The scores will be combined to determine who’ll be the ultimate winner and take the title of Triumph Original 2026. The winner will be announced in Autumn 2026.
A dedicated hub on the Triumph website features interviews with the builders, alongside photos and stories from behind the scenes of each build, so Scrambler and custom fans can follow each country’s progress over the next few months.
SCRAMBLER: BUILT FROM CUSTOM CULTURE
The Scrambler was born out of custom culture, making it the perfect platform for Triumph Originals 2026. Back in the 1960s, riders looking for more freedom and real off-road capability started modifying their road bikes by adding knobbly tyres, wider handlebars and high-mounted exhausts. These machines became the original ‘desert sleds’, built to handle tough terrain and competition alike. They were ridden by icons like Steve McQueen in the desert and at the ISDT, while Bud Ekins competed in races such as the Big Bear and Baja 1000.
Triumph brought the Scrambler back in 2006, blending timeless style with genuine adventure capability. Now available in five variants, every model shares a confident riding position, easy handling and a rugged, go-anywhere character. Signature details like the high-level twin exhaust, stripped-back design and premium finishes give the bike its unmistakable look and timeless appeal.
Scrambler 400 X
The Scrambler 400 X combines accessible performance with authentic design cues, including its commanding riding position, wide handlebars and long-travel suspension. Its lightweight chassis and responsive single-cylinder 400cc engine deliver confidence on and off the road, making it a versatile entry point into the Scrambler range.
Scrambler 400 XC
The Scrambler 400 XC builds on the 400 platform with a specification focused on enhanced off-road capability. With a rugged stance and purposeful detailing, it is designed to deliver control and confidence across varied terrain while maintaining the core Scrambler character.
Bonneville Scrambler 900
With its distinctive high pipes, iconic silhouette and thrilling British twin bark, the Scrambler 900 is the first choice for urban classic style and all-road riding fun. Its high-torque 900cc Bonneville engine and ride-by-wire throttle delivers superb performance, rideability and control. Its 19” front and 17” rear wire-spoked wheels add to its stylish and confident stance.
Bonneville Scrambler 1200 X
The Scrambler 1200 X delivers authentic Scrambler style with thrilling, characterful performance, and effortless all-road agility. It is also remarkably accessible, with a seat height of 820mm, reducing to 795mm with the accessory low seat.
Bonneville Scrambler 1200 XE
The commanding presence of the Scrambler 1200 XE makes it capable of conquering the most rugged terrain, with an off-road ready 21” front wheel and Triumph’s premium quality and finish. The high-power, torque-rich 1200cc Bonneville engine has a dedicated Scrambler tune.
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ABOUT TRIUMPH
First established in 1902, Triumph Motorcycles celebrated 120 years of motorcycle manufacture in 2022. For more than three decades, Triumph Motorcycles has been based in Hinckley, Leicestershire, and has produced iconic bikes that perfectly blend authentic design, character, charisma, and performance.
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Original post on modernclassicbikes.co.uk and published by Frank Duggan. Frank is the Founder and Editor of Modern Classic Motorcycle News, an independent motorcycle publication covering modern classic motorcycles, roadsters, scramblers, cruisers, electric motorcycles and the wider motorcycle industry.
