TRIUMPH ORIGINALS RETURNS FOR 2026
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.
For this latest edition of Triumph Originals, the brief includes 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. 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.
USA COMPETITION: NATIONAL VOTE TO SELECT GLOBAL CONTENDER
For 2026, Triumph has once again launched a dedicated USA custom competition featuring builds completed by US Triumph Dealerships in advance of the global voting.
Two American Triumph dealerships, Moto Julia out of New Orleans, Louisiana and Triumph Columbia River from Portland, Oregon, have designed and created unique builds that will go head-to-head. Their builds will first compete at a national level, where public voting across the country will determine which motorcycle is crowned the USA winner.
One winning build will go on to represent the United States in the global Triumph Originals competition, competing against entries from the other six countries. This format gives American enthusiasts a direct role in shaping the global contest, while spotlighting the creativity and capability of Triumph dealerships.
GLOBAL JUDGING AND PUBLIC VOTE
Each country will reveal its bespoke build rolling out through the summer, when all bikes are announced publicly, a panel of design and cultural experts will judge the entries.
Following expert panel, all seven national winners, including the USA champion, will be put to a global public vote. The final result will be determined through a combination of expert judging scores and public voting.
The overall winner will be crowned Triumph Original 2026 and announced in Fall 2026
Voting for the USA competition between Moto Julia and Triumph Columbia River is live now. Additionally, 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.
Triumph’s Chief Commercial Officer Paul Stroud
“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 customization 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.”
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 knobby tires, 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 International Six Days Trial (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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 32 in. (820mm), reducing to 31 in (795mm) with the accessory low seat.
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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.
