Ducati Scrambler Review

[Henrik_imp]

I live just at the foot of one of the most popular motorcycle roads of the area, and come spring there is always quite a lot of biking activity going on. The road itself is one that I know very well for having gone up and down there countless times, and it is a great place to test a bike.

As result, around this time of the year, it is very common on weekends for the various vendors to organize ride days here. They set up at this big parking lot just a couple of kms from my house, and this weekend it was Ducati. Now I used to be a huge Ducati fan, with one of my all time favorite bikes being the ST2. However, since they dropped the ST range as well as the Sports Classics, they have not had much to tempt me to come back to the Italian brand. Having read some reviews of the Scrambler earlier in the year I figured I should give it a try, but I really didn't have my hopes up.

So, with the sun shining, I got my CB out to go for a ride and then head on over to give the Scrambler a go. The first impression just sitting on it is that it is really small and light. I like the feel of it, with the wide almost motocross like handle bars, and the surprisingly comfortable seat. This thing almost feels like a toy!

Starting the engine up, you do get a proper Ducati sound with the Termis they have on it. Exiting the parking lot, the engine reminds me a bit of an older air-cooled Monster like a 620 or something, but the riding position is more upright. Right away you get that nice torque kick as you open it up a bit.

The lightness of the bike continues, and as I get in to the first corners I smile at how it easy it is to flick in to the corner. Certainly the wide bars help, but also the pretty narrow tires too. The only surprise is that there is not much engine braking, as my memory of the ST2 was quite something else. No matter, it turns out that you can easily get on the brakes in the corner if you want to without upsetting the bike.

As I begin climbing, the fun factor just increases. It is such an easy bike to ride, but the nice torque also makes it feel quite purposeful as you open the throttle coming out of the corner. The tires have great grip too, and my angles get lower and lower.

I soon reach the top, and turn around to go back. Here the good feeling continues. Coming down this road can be a bit intimidating on heavier and more powerful bikes, but the Scrambler is a joy. You can go fast on the straights, then brake hard and just chuck it in to the next corner. You are almost tempted to take on a motard like position with the inner foot out front, but I prefer to keep it tucked in with just the knee out.

Soon the test ride is over. Far too soon I would say, and if there had not been a couple of other customers waiting to have a go, I would have asked for another 30 minutes. As it is, I am very pleasantly surprised by this bike. It certainly would never replace the CB. It is not in the same category, but it would be a blast to have one in the garage for some Sunday fun.

I'll have to see if I can make place in my garage for one. But it would probably be a green one with the brown seat and spokes, and not the black one I tried. We shall see...

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[the Ferret]

The bike is getting good reviews. I think those looking for something " different" will at least look at one. Hope they sell a lot of them and hope I see one on the road someday ( no Duc dealers near me)

[Frulk_imp]

The Duc Scrambler is in the running for the last bike spot in my garage. After selling the KLR 650 to a friend I'm in the market for a replacement for a Dual Sport bike (living in Utah it's almost mandated to have one if you ride motorcycles). The Duc meets 2 of my 3 criteria for an ADV/dual sport bike...light weight/riding range/price point. Only drawback is tank capacity. Until somebody makes an aftermarket Afrika tank I'm on the sidelines.
Forgot to mention: Honda is rumored to be bringing the successor to the Trans Alp to the US in 2016. By all accounts that could be giving the Duc Scrambler some really fierce competition at that price point!

[Henrik_imp]

In my opinion the Scrambler does not qualify as a dual sports. Not nearly enough suspension travel either at the front or the rear.

[Scoobynut_imp]

Very nice review, Henrik, thank you. It sounds like a very fun little bike.

[Frulk_imp]

In my opinion the Scrambler does not qualify as a dual sports. Not nearly enough suspension travel either at the front or the rear.

Henrik....There's a tendency( by some) to apply ADV bike/Dual Sport/ and finally Enduro and Scrambler (for those of us that were riding in the 70's), the same meaning as in "capability". I see ADV's as the upper end of the serious off-road bikes... usually the big BMW's/KTM/Guzzi Stelvio etc. bikes that travel well on pavement but have serious off-road capability when you press them into that role....

Dual Sports in my mind are the KLR/VStroms et. all (less dirt with more pavement orientation). The term Enduro seems to have kind of dropped out of favor but I supposed a few bikes would still fit that niche....for sure the KTM 690 and the Suzuki DR650 (much more dirt leaning in nature but still able to roll on pavement with a serious compromise in comfort).

Lastly is the Scrambler. Scrambler to me means heavy, all steel English bikes with raised exhaust capable of riding well maintained forest and unpaved gravel roads.

Mind you, much of this is subject to interpretation as a good rider can just about make anything do the job at hand and blur those lines significantly. Case in point is my buddy who rides his Triumph Scrambler anywhere my "dual sport" KLR will go. His suspension is bone stock. This is a pic of my KLR after haven ridden it 50 miles down a dirt road, the last mile on a Wyoming cattle trail through a creek bottom of bread loafed sized rounded rocks to get to this camping spot



And this is my buddies Scrambler, 60 pounds heavier with a much less compliant suspension in the same spot.



My point is this...depending on what age group you're in Scrambler means "dirt capable" or the British version of "dual sport".

Utah by many is considered the dual sport/ADV mecca of the USA. When I was in at the Duc dealer 6 weeks ago they had almost their entire yearly Scrambler allotment sold out. I'm guessing many of these bikes will see the Utah backcountry...much of it on dirt.

"If" Honda brings their bike into the US it could impact sales for the Duc because some folks (like myself) would prefer a bike with a more robust dealer network and long standing reputation for reliability in a class of bikes that takes more than it's fair share of abuse.

[Henrik_imp]

Frulk, I fully see what you are getting at. I do stand by my previous post though, but that is purely my opinion. I have had all sorts of bikes over the last 30 odd years, and some of them have been what I would refer to as dual sports such as the Honda Africa Twin. That said, you can go offroad with pretty much whatever bike you want to. Most people have seen clips of the Dutch rider who went around the world on his R1, doing some serious offroading with that at some point.

[dr_rock_imp]

I am very interested in the Duc Scrambler myself. Thank you for sharing your impressions. From what I can tell the ergos are not going to be great for us tall people though (not a truly flat seat that you can scoot back on).

[Henrik_imp]

Actually, I am 187cm (I think a bit over 6 feet) and the bike fit me fine. No problem at all being tall in the Scrambler.

[Papa Weeley_imp]

Great review, thanks for sharing.
I've been considering swapping my Bonneville for one, myself.