Ducati Scrambler 800 and Triumph Speed Twin

[Beancounter]

My partner passed her test back in Feb and is looking to step up from her Suzuki GSX-S125. She has been riding for a couple of years now, covering 6k miles mainly on weekend rides/country roads with the occasional commute into London. She's 5' 3" with a 29" inseam and doesn't like being on tiptoes. She's been using my lowered MT-09 since passing her test but sensibly doesn't feel that's an appropriate next bike for her.

Current likes are the Ducati Scrambler 800, the Triumph Speed Twin and the MT-07. I've read plenty on here about the MT-07 but not so much about the other two. Does anyone have any experience of either in the real world? Any potential purchase is likely to be a few years old and out of warranty. I prefer home servicing which makes me wary of the Ducati though I seem to recall that they are much better nowadays with longer between services, is that right? Anything to watch out for?

She's sat on all three bikes and feels happy enough with the seat heights, weights etc. to go for test rides assuming the dealer calls us back.

[Ditchfinder]

I test rode a scrambler and an xsr700 within a few days of each other and the xsr was much nicer to ride, fuelling was better and the engine seemed a lot more willing, brakes were better too.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

She's 5' 3" with a 29" inseam

She's all legs - you lucky barstard

[Beancounter]

I test rode a scrambler and an xsr700 within a few days of each other and the xsr was much nicer to ride, fuelling was better and the engine seemed a lot more willing, brakes were better too.

Thanks. I can't remember if she's even sat on the XSR but I'll put it on the list.

She's 5' 3" with a 29" inseam

She's all legs - you lucky barstard

Why I put that I don't know - I'm 29" and my legs are longer than hers.

[Couchy]

Had a scrambler 800, in every way other than looks an MT07 is better

[ChrisW]

I can't remember if she's even sat on the XSR but I'll put it on the list.

Worth checking - its seat height's 30mm higher than an MT07.

[Beancounter]

Had a scrambler 800, in every way other than looks an MT07 is better

Looks are important apparently. We had similar discussions last year when she replaced her car, I was told to keep my opinions and we ended up with a Jeep Renegade in US Army green.

I can't remember if she's even sat on the XSR but I'll put it on the list.

Worth checking - its seat height's 30mm higher than an MT07.

30mm might well put her on tiptoes...

Scrambler test ride booked for Friday. No idea on the others yet.

[slowsider]

30mm might well put her on tiptoes...

Only the last 30mm

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

I've got 29" inside leg and I can just get my feet down on my GSXS, but the new Z650RS was an easy feet flat on the floor

[Supermofo]

I know not a lot about either. But I did see a Scambler at Duxford last year and it looked nice but was tiny, which might help!

[ajlog]

As the owner of a Triumph Street Scrambler, essentially the same basic bike as the Street Twin I am very happy with my choice.

Mine was about 3500 miles and 2 years old when I picked it up last year and the fact it has a very low stressed engine 65hp 900cc, only really needs regular oil changes as it goes up to 20,000miles before the valve clearances need to be checked were some of the points that appealed to me.
Also they have a good following with lots of good advice available on-line.
As far as modern bikes go they are about as simple as you can get and there is a good scope to make changes if that’s your thing, loads of aftermarket stuff.

I would think it would be ideal as a first ‘big bike’, nice linear power delivery, very smooth throttle response, light clutch, good gearbox.
Also the motor has a great spread of power / torque its rare you’ll be in the wrong gear for a situation, for example its happy to pull cleanly in 2nd 3rd 4th or 5th at 40mph.

Edited to correct the valve check mileage.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

10,000 miles between checking valve clearances isn't much, my 32 year old FZ750 is 28,000 miles between checks and my car is 80,000 miles, both are bucket and shim btw.

[ajlog]

10,000 miles between checking valve clearances isn't much, my 32 year old FZ750 is 28,000 miles between checks and my car is 80,000 miles, both are bucket and shim btw.

I thought when I was typing that I should check, Thanks Mr Cheese, it’s actually 20kmiles not 10.

I’ll edit it to correct my error.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

No worries, my 2020 Suzuki is every 14,500 miles also known as next service - so that's going to be expensive.

[Horse]

I can't remember if she's even sat on the XSR but I'll put it on the list.

Worth checking - its seat height's 30mm higher than an MT07.

It's not just seat height. Width of the seat and parts South (eg engine/frame/footrest sections) can make a big difference.

Also simple practicalities, like even reaching and putting the sidestand up and down.

When riding with higher seat / shorter legs combo, there's a need to plan stops a little more. Check for camber, etc.

Also think about getting out of parking places before getting into them!

[weeksy]

Scrambler test ride booked for Friday. No idea on the others yet.

@Beancounter and???

[Beancounter]

Scrambler test ride booked for Friday. No idea on the others yet.

@Beancounter and???

Sorry, kids weekend so been distracted with them since yesterday afternoon.

Only had the opportunity to test ride the Ducati Scramblers yesterday but that was enough. Went out for an hour or so, her on the Ducati Scrambler Flat Track 800 and me following on my GS. We stuck with the main A28 between Ashford and Tenterden which was perfect for her on an unfamiliar bike. Mid-morning it's not too busy and it's interesting enough to have fun on at our level without worrying your licence. Within minutes of the ride she was giggling like she used to on her 125 - not something she's done on the MT-09. She was noticeably more comfortable and confident cornering on the Ducati. The dimensions of the Scrambler and the MT-09 that she's been riding aren't too dissimilar, the only significant differences I can see being the 18" front wheel on the Ducati and the slightly longer trail (112mm compared to 103mm), however the Ducati is lighter, lower and has massively wide bars. She was massively more confident walking the Scrambler around and when doing U turns - she felt in control.

The Ducati is clearly entry level so doesn't have a QS or riding modes, neither of which matter to us. More frustrating for her, it doesn't have a gear indicator, just a neutral light and it doesn't have a fuel gauge, just a warning light. The switchgear feels built to a price but did the job. Not much storage under the seat, room for a small toolkit which would be enough to get the plugs out and the rear wheel off (though it did also have a wee thing for pulling out blade fuses which I thought was a nice touch).

Despite having covered just over 5k miles the bike was mint, clearly the one previous owner cherished it, as evidenced with the stamps in the book.

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Back to the dealer where she handed the keys back and I took out the Scrambler Urban Enduro on the same run with her following on the MT-09. It was a nice bike with a lovely engine, punchy but not threatening, the noise from the Termi was superb (I'm not a fan of anything loud but this was addictive). Handling was more neutral than my MT-09 but the scalloped front tyre did get in the way..

It had covered 11k miles and it showed - scuffs on the Bakbuster handguards, boot scuffs on engine casing and on the tank, rusted fasteners and clips. Taking the seat off revealed sand and dried dirt not cleaned out from the last off road outing. Quite surprised the dealer let it go out like this tbh, if have thought they'd have cleaned the bike properly before putting it on the showroom floor. This would be a fun bike for riding around town or city, on the open road with the wind blast and wannabe-knobblies it's just a bit lacking. It also doesn't have the appeal of Scrambler Flat Track

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During my test ride she kept taking about the Scrambler shed taken out. She enjoys riding the MT-09 but much preferred the Scrambler and with that a deposit was paid for the Scrambler Flat Track and we're now just waiting on a collection date.

Off now to look at the accessories catalogue.

[weeksy]

Woo hoo!

[KungFooBob]

Nice.

The biggest issues I've heard of on the Scrambler is the suspension... that one has an aftermarket shock, result!

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

Nice one, the yellow bike looks a lot nicer