Borile B450 Scrambler 2015 — Specifications

When a small Italian manufacturer decides to revisit the scrambler, it doesn't follow the paths forged by Triumph or Ducati. Borile places its rugged single-cylinder engine in a tubular frame of archaic simplicity and calls the whole thing the B450 Scrambler. The exercise borders on militant anachronism, and that’s precisely what makes it fascinating.

With its air-cooled 449 cc, single overhead camshaft, and electronic injection, the engine displays figures without ambiguity: 42.8 horsepower and 47 Nm, both achieved at 6250 rpm. This is not an engine that seeks peak power or stratospheric revs. It’s a tractor, a workhorse that prefers to pull hard at low and mid-range. The generous bore of 98 mm for a stroke of 60 mm betrays this philosophy: the unit displacement breathes freely and pushes with the elasticity of an old diesel. On unpaved roads, it’s a major asset. On the road, the maximum speed approaching 158 km/h reminds you that the pleasure lies elsewhere.

The chassis is a manifesto in itself. A split steel tube cradle, a wheelbase of 1405 mm for stability, and a dry weight of just 130.5 kilos. This is a motorcycle that won't complicate your life in the event of a minor fall. The Marzocchi fork and single rear shock absorber provide service without frills, while the single front and rear disc brakes are sufficient for such a lightweight machine. The tires, in 100/90-19 at the front and 130/80-18 at the rear, are off-road profiles that confirm the primary intention: to leave the pavement.

With a fuel tank of only 9.5 liters, the B450 Scrambler was not designed for continental crossings. It is the perfect ally for local exploration, vineyard tracks, or forest trails. It embodies a mechanical purism that has almost disappeared, a form of raw honesty that the major manufacturers no longer offer. It’s hard to imagine a novice taming it without a few cold sweats, as its character is direct and stripped-down. But for the rider who is looking for a machine with a palpable, unique soul, and who considers marketing to be a nuisance, this Borile is a perfect antidote.