Yezdi Scrambler First Ride Review - Likes and Dislikes

Can the Yezdi Scrambler dazzle you with its capabilities like it does with its looks?

The Yezdi of yesteryears was the more adventurous cousin of Jawa. And now, Classic Legends is trying to distinguish the brand in the same way. Hence, the Adventure and this one the Scrambler. 

Besides, the scrambler genre itself is for the not-so-serious adventurer, someone who wants to go just a bit into the rough stuff, but not so far as to deal with the gnarly stuff. 

Yezdi wanted to make something with that in mind and keep it affordable (unlike a certain eponymous Italian). And today, we’ll be going through the things we liked, as well as a few things we didn’t, on the Yezdi Scrambler, to better help you decide whether it’s worth your time and moolah.

Likes - 

Eager engine

The first thing that will reel you in when you take the Scrambler out for a test ride is how free-revving its 334cc liquid-cooled engine is. Now, we’ve already encountered this on the Jawa Perak, but in this retuned avatar it comes across not just as more performance-biased, but borderline frantic. 

From the get-go, it urges you to twist the throttle and bang your way through the closely spaced gears, seemingly all the way to the redline. And despite the fact that the Scrambler’s engine tune is the least powerful of all the Yezdi trio, the bike actually feels a lot more sprightly than the Adventure for sure.   

Sharp handling

The Scrambler’s wide handlebar, neutral-set footpegs, and purposeful tank grips lock the rider in place. Add the firm suspension setup and wide tyres to the equation, and the Scrambler ensures it’ll hold its line well around long, swooping fast corners. Hustling the bike from corner to corner isn’t a task either. It is highly agile, almost KTM Duke-like in its handling.

Competent brakes

The bite from the 320mm front disc is reassuringly strong, with steady progression from the lever throughout the braking action

Besides, the Scrambler offers three ABS modes: Road, Off-road and Rain. The difference in the level of intrusion from the two tarmac-centric modes is minimal but we will have to put it to the test when we get it for a proper road test back at our HQ. In Off-road mode, you get that extra level of confidence as you can stamp on the rear brake and modulate the stopping power quite well. 

Dislikes - 

Lacks refinement

Coming right back to the test ride experience, one factor that may deter potential buyers is the unrefined, almost gruff nature of the engine. Now, we realise a short-stroke single-pot mill won’t be a smooth operator, but still, it felt amongst the roughest of the three. 

The proceedings kick off with a mild buzz creeping in at the footpegs at around 4000rpm. As speeds rise, this progresses over to discernible vibes felt on the tank. And finally, it hits a crescendo with a noticeable shudder at even the handlebars, which becomes a bother as the redline looms closer. 

Not at all tractable at low speeds

We genuinely loved the Scrambler’s no-holds-barred, aggressive engine tune. But a flip side to the motor’s peaky nature is a distinct lack of tractability. In fact, under 3000rpm, anything less than half throttle at anything above third gear will invite minor judders. This means you will constantly be working the gearbox and making sure the revs stay high enough during your commutes, or for that matter, even relaxing on the highway, on the Scrambler.  

Unsettled ride 

Another area where the Scrambler doesn’t quite apply itself is in its suspension behaviour. Now, it’s capable of taking on the rough stuff; its 200mm of ground clearance, with 150mm of suspension travel at the front and 130mm at the rear, endorses that fact. And yet, when faced with bumps or broken patches, it’ll skip over them rather than taking them in its stride. 

That said, there is a remedy of sorts in sight here, though it involves a cliche: “when in doubt, throttle it out.” And yes, true to the adage, the ride does seem to settle a bit as the speeds rise.

Moreover, it isn’t just the suspension that doesn’t instil enough confidence, it is the wider section front-tyre. It tends to hop over rocks and not find its own groove, which is what you want for off-road riding. This is still a simple fix, though, as you just need to downsize by a section, and maybe if you want one at the rear too. 

Verdict

The Yezdi Scrambler ends up falling just a bit short of being a sensible buy. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Remember, as your riding experience and skill grow, so will the chances of you successfully exploiting the Scrambler’s rough-roading credentials. 

Moreover, the Scrambler is an enjoyable bike in the twisties, and we would have definitely hoped for a bit more oomph from the engine. Engine refinement would be bothersome for the traditional buyer, who is swayed by its design.

However, this bike isn’t for the sensible buyer. It is perhaps a fit for those rebellious hoons who want nothing but a good time. You need to keep your expectations in check, both in the off-roading sense as well with everyday usability in mind. 

And if these findings fit your bill, the Yezdi Scrambler will be a perfect fit for you, as you value heart over head; and if you’re one of them, you might even save a pretty penny too!