Ducati Scrambler Full Details | By Trevor Hedge
After a teasing few months of sneak peeks the Ducati Scrambler has now been let out of the cage, and we here at MCNews.com.au think it quite promising.
Triumph have had reasonable success with their Scrambler and there are plenty of very satisfied owners out there with what is a fairly simple back to basics machine. Ducati’s take on the concept, while similar, predictably comes with a more sporting bent thanks to 75hp at 8250rpm and 68Nm at 5750rpm from it’s 803cc L-Twin compared to the Triumph’s more leisurely parallel twin that only musters 54hp, but surprisingly matches the larger engined Ducati for torque, no doubt thanks to the Brit’s 62cc larger capacity.
Derived from the Monster 796 engine, it has an 88 mm bore, a 66 mm stroke and has been redesigned to offer smoother running throughout the rev range. To allow for the steel teardrop tank induction is via a single 50mm throttle body fitted with twin-injectors. The pistons and crank are from the Monster/Hypermotard 796 parts catalogue. That single throttle body should help reduce servicing costs with no need for balancing and service intervals are 12,000km. Cam belt changes are required every two years however thanks to the open nature of the layout should not prove too costly.
Ducati have also woven some more modern aspects of motorcycle design into the Scrambler that don’t really take away from the stripped down aesthetic of the machine. An alloy swingarm, engine and cam belt covers are modern interpretations while the LED lighting and LCD instrumentation are tastefully disguised in period binnacles and covers that at first glance still definitely fit the yesteryear look of the machine.
Ducati call this look ‘Post-heritage’ in their marketing speak, whatever… They also say, ‘Scrambler, though, is not a retro bike: it is, rather, intended to be just how the legendary motorcycle would be today if Ducati had never stopped building it.’ And I suppose in that regard they are probably pretty close to the mark.
Unlike the previous Ducati Sport Classic range the Scrambler looks to have much more relaxed ergonomics that should make the machine a hoot around town, and if the Kayaba suspension proves up to the task might also be up to some weekend touring without the need for chiropractic care. The 13.5 litre fuel capacity is reasonable enough from this style of machine and thanks to the modern cylinder heads and EFI of the Ducati engine it should still realise a manageable 225-250km range on the open road.
The Ducati Scrambler rolls on surprisingly wide 180/55R17 Pirelli MT 60 RS rear tyre matched to a 110/80-18 front. A steering head angle of 24° and 112mm offset of the fork yokes combined with the wide bars should still help the Scrambler to prove great fun in the hills.
The suspension does offer a generous 150mm of travel at both ends and offers preload adjustment on the single rear shock.
A slipper style wet clutch smooths progress through the six-speed gearbox terminating in a 15/46 chain drive.
Braking the 170kg dry (a massive 60kg less than Triumph’s Scrambler) is a large 330mm single front disc clamped by a Brembo M 4.32B monobloc radial four-piston caliper and 245mm rear disc. Bosch 9.1MP ABS is standard equipment.
Shorties will love the low 790mm seat height, which can be lowered further to 770mm via a low seat option. There is also a modest underseat storage compartment complete with powered USB outlet.
Ducati explain the range; ‘The Icon version, in yellow and red, is joined by three others – Urban Enduro, Full Throttle and Classic – each offering its own style and performance-related interpretation of the Scrambler spirit. The Urban Enduro, with its “Wild Green” paintjob, is for enduro style enthusiasts and ready to switch from city streets to country backroads in an instant. The Full Throttle is for riders enthralled by the flat-track racing world who have a penchant for pushing things to the limit. And the Classic is for devotees to details and a 1970s look who want the uncompromising riding pleasure and comfort of a modern-day bike.’
Local Ducati distributor representative Warren Lee announced local pricing today with the Scrambler Icon in red starting the price point at $12,990 with the yellow version commanding an extra $150 premium. Production of the Scrambler Icon commences in December and the first Australian stocks will arrive in February, 2015. The other three variants will sell for $14,990 with production slated for February and an estimated Australian delivery in April, 2015.
Overview of scrambler models and features
Scrambler Icon
Colours – “‘62 Yellow” with black frame and black seat – “Ducati Red” with black frame and black seat
Steel teardrop-shaped tank with interchangeable aluminium side panels
Low seat (790 mm) for perfect stationary manoeuvrability
Low weight (170 kg dry) and low centre of gravity
Wide handlebars for a relaxed riding position
Headlight with glass parabola and ultra-modern LED light guide
Rear light with suffused-light LED technology
LCD instruments
L-twin air-cooled 803 cm. engine
Machine-finished aluminium belt covers
Twin spar steel Trellis frame
Die-cast aluminium rear swingarm
10-spoke alloy wheels, 18’’ front, 17’’ rear
Enduro-derived Pirelli tyres optimised for the Scrambler
Dual-channel ABS as standard
Spacious under-seat storage compartment with USB socket
Scrambler Urban Enduro
High mudguard, headlight grill, handlebar cross-brace, spoked wheels. The Urban Enduro is ready to switch from city streets to country roads – and back again – in an instant. Perfect for the urban jungle, it’s also outstanding when your destination lies at the end of a route less travelled. Its evident off-road qualities are made even more appealing by superb post-heritage styling. The “Wild Green” paintjob merges perfectly with the “urban battleground” and matches the horizontally ribbed brown seat, made with modern fabrics, that provides outstanding ergonomics for rider and passenger alike. The fork protectors, sump guard and headlight grill shield the engine and other key parts of the bike during off-road riding, while the cross-brace stiffens the wide Scrambler handlebars to give enhanced solidity. Spoked wheels, 3 x 18 at the front and 5.5 x 17 at the rear, complete its off-road character in style. The Scrambler Urban Enduro is also recognizable by way of the large “X” logo on its tank, a clear reminder of the bike’s decidedly off-road nature.
“Wild Green” with black frame and brown seat
Spoked aluminium wheels
Engine sump guard
High front mudguard in plastic fibre
Headlight grill
Handlebar cross-strut
Plastic fibre fork protectors
Dedicated seat with horizontally ribbed stitching pattern and modern fabrics
Dedicated logo
Scrambler Full Throttle
The Full Throttle draws its inspiration from the flat-track and racing worlds. The “Deep Black” tank – which sports a dedicated logo with a yellow-black background – evokes speed, as does the seat which, with its yellow inserts, also draws on flat-track origins. The end result is a sporty look and outstanding rider comfort. With its short tail, the Scrambler Full Throttle evokes the bikes that roar round the oval tracks of the USA and Australia; it also features a Termignoni racing exhaust, homologated for road use. Further distinctive elements on the Scrambler Full Throttle include the light, ergonomic tapered handlebars, making it a perfect everyday bike but with uncompromising racing panache.
“Deep Black” with black frame and black seat
Low-slung type-approved Termignoni slip-on
Low, tapered-diameter handlebars
Flat-track style seat with yellow inserts
Indicator lights support
Sports style front mudguard
Black fuel tank side covers
Dedicated logo
Scrambler Classic
The Classic is for riders who want 1970s styling and details plus the pure riding pleasure and practicality of a modern bike. With its metal mudguards, traditional plate holder, and spoked wheels (the same size as the alloy ones, 3 x 18 at the front and 5.5 x 17 at the rear) this is, perhaps, the version that embodies the essence of motorcycling more than any other. The Scrambler Classic logo is the one that most resembles its 1970s counterpart, perfectly matching the “Orange Sunshine” of the tank which, just like the original Scrambler, features a central black stripe. Lastly, the retro flavour of the Scrambler Classic is enhanced even further by the lozenge-patterned stitching on the brown seat.
“Orange sunshine” with black frame and brown seat
Spoked aluminium wheels
Front and rear metal mudguards
Dedicated seat with lozenge-type stitching pattern
Fuel tank with black central stripe, just like the ‘70s Scrambler
Dedicated logo
Ducati Scrambler History
The Scrambler was designed following a request from the Berliner brothers, the US importers of Ducati bikes in the 1960s. They wanted a bike that would suit the tastes of American bikers. Initial contact was established by Giorgio Monetti – famous for his round-the-world ride together with Leopoldo Tartarini – who was then Sales Manager at Ducati. It was agreed that the bike would have to be extremely practical and the design work was entrusted to Renzo Neri, who, even though he was Technical Department Manager at the time, was known to have a skilled hand: the designs for the tank, seat and mudguards are, in fact, his. The first Scrambler went into production in 1962 and was modified uninterruptedly until 1968, when the real “long engine cover” Scramblers appeared, followed by the 250 and 350 versions and, in 1969, the 450.
The first Scrambler series included some bikes with desmodromic cylinder heads and was the subject of continuous technical adjustments until production was discontinued in 1975. For a variety of reasons, the Scrambler was an enormous success. First of all, it embodied the rebellious, unconventional spirit of the time. It also had an exceptional frame, good enough to even be used on the racetrack. Also, it had a purpose-built engine, and great overall performance with a perfect central riding position made it one of the most enjoyable bikes of the period. Last but not least, it was cool: rounded lines with a hint of both classic and modern blended seamlessly with the bright colouring, which stood out against the black chassis setup and chrome tank.
The first Scrambler model is universally acknowledged as the meeting point between the American and European schools of motorcycling. A bike that defined an era, it became a Ducati milestone in much the same way that the 916 and Monster later would.
Ducati Scrambler Full Image Pictorial
Ducati Scrambler Specifications
- Engine Type L-Twin, Desmodromic distribution, 2 valves per cylinder, air cooled
- Displacement 803 cc
- Bore x Stroke 88 x 66 mm
- Compression Ratio 11:1
- Power 75 hp (55 kW) 8250 rpm
- Torque 50 lb-ft (68 Nm) @ 5750 rpm
- Fuel injection Electronic fuel injection, 50 mm throttle body
- Exhaust Exhaust system with single stainless steel muffler with aluminium exterior cover, catalytic converter and 2 lambda probes
- Gearbox 6 speed
- Ratio 1=32/13 2=30/18 3=28/21 4=26/23 5=22/22 6=24/26
- Primary drive Straight cut gears, Ratio 1.85:1
- Final drive Chain, front spocket 15, rear sprocket 46
- Clutch APTC wet multiplate with mechanical control
- Frame Tubular steel Trellis frame
- Wheelbase 1445 mm (56.9 in)
- Rake 24°
- Trail 112 mm (4.4 in)
- Total steering lock 35°
- Front suspension Upside down Kayaba 41 mm fork
- Front wheel travel 150 mm (5.9 in)
- Front wheel 10-spoke in light alloy 3.00″ x 18″
- Front tyre 110/80 R18 Pirelli MT 60 RS
- Rear suspension Kayaba rear shock, pre-load adjustable
- Rear wheel travel 150 mm (5.9 in)
- Rear wheel 10-spoke light alloy 5.50″ x 17″
- Rear tyre 180/55 R17 Pirelli MT 60 RS
- Front brake Single 330 mm disc, radial 4-piston calliper with ABS as standard equipment
- Rear brake 245 mm disc, 1-piston floating calliper with ABS as standard equipment
- Fuel tank capacity 13.5 l – 3.57 gallon (US)
- Dry weight 170 kg (375 lb)
- *Wet weight 186 kg (410 lb) – *Wet weight Wet weight includes all fluids and fueled to at least 90% of useable tank capacity. (93/93/CE)
- Seat height 790 mm (31.1 in) – low seat 770 mm (30.3 in) available as accessory
- Max height 1150 mm (45.3 in) (brake reservoir)
- Max width 845 mm (33.3 in) (mirrors)
- Max length 2100 – 2165 mm (82.7 – 85.2 in)
- Instrumentation LCD
- Ducati electronics dual-channel ABS
- Warranty 2 years unlimited mileage
- Versions Dual seat
All versions equipment
Steel tank with interchangeable aluminium side panels, headlight with glass lens, LED light-guide and interchangeable aluminium cover, LED rear light with diffusive lens, LCD instruments with interchangeable aluminium cover, machine-finished aluminium belt covers, 18’’ front, 17’’ rear wheels, underseat storage compartment with USB socket
Urban Enduro equipment
Spoked aluminium wheels, aluminium engine sump guard, high front mudguard, headlight grill, aluminium handlebar crossbrace, front stem protectors, seat with dedicated design, dedicated logo
Full Throttle equipment
Termignoni slip-on silencer, low aluminium handlebars, flat-track style seat, sport tail piece with dedicated turn indicator support, sport style front mudguard, black fuel tank side covers, dedicated logo
Classic equipment
Spoked aluminium wheels, front and rear aluminium mudguards, seat with dedicated design, fuel tank with black stripe, dedicated logo, high plate support
