Ducati Scrambler

[Docca]

800cc? 1100?

Any views. Wife is thinking about changing her Street Triple out for something a bit more retro.

Thanks!

[KungFooBob]

If it's for a girl surely you'll need the Sixty2 version

[Mr. Dazzle]

No useful feedback other than to say I reckon they look great

[Ditchfinder]

I test rode an early one and low speed throttle was very snatchy. The following week I test rode an xsr700 which was, othan than styling, far superior in every way and significantly cheaper.

If it were my money and after a retro twin then a Speed Twin 1200 would be on the test ride list, they are proper dinky in the flesh and sound and look gorgeous.

For new and cheaper the Enfield Bear 650 looks bang tidy but might be a bit underpowered after a street triple. That said the Ducati Scrambler didn't feel powerful at all when compared to the XSR....

[KungFooBob]

I think the Z650RS looks quite smart in a retro way.

But obviously the correct answer is a BSA Gold Star (or wait a couple of months for the B65 scrambler version).

[MyLittleStudPony]

Whenever I see one they look dead wee, like an old CB100N. Fine for a lady though.

I like a large motorcycle to go with my large genitals. Like one of them African Twins.

[KungFooBob]

Whenever I see one they look dead wee, like an old CB100N. Fine for a lady though.

I like a large motorcycle to go with my large genitals. Like one of them African Twins.

Which is what you call your testicles.

[asmethurst99]

A chap had one at work - looked quite good in the flesh.
The bike that is….

[Docca]

Thanks for the replies folks. Test ride booked for next week.

It will be a toy- so doesn’t need to be all singing and dancing. Maybe 1k miles a year.

[Beancounter]

Missus has a 2017 Scrambler Flat Track which she bought a few years ago.

Her bike already had a Hyperpro shock installed, a very road legal Termignoni, a tail tidy which replaces the swingarm-mounted number-plate holder and a stupidly wide handlbar (840mm increasing to 900mm with R&G bar ends.)

Neither of us have any complaints on the handling or ride though I assume the Hyperpro shock is an improvement over the original. Don't think anything has been done to the fork. Understandably the handling isn't as sharp as other nakeds like an MT09 but it's not as lazy steering as you might think, it's surprisingly nimble through London traffic - despite the wide bar.

The engine in her Scrambler is two valve I think, later models are four valves. Our engine doesn't feel gutless but it is showing its age, pokey but not nippy. It's not a bike for tearing around on but is still fun to ride.

Minor servicing is straightforward - plugs and oil drain bolt easily accessible. The air filter takes longer because it's located at the front of the engine behind a cover secured by three different types of bolt. Timing belts need to be changed every 5 years/15,000 miles, on my to do list this weekend for the first time so no idea how difficult/time consuming it is.

The clutch seems to be the weak point with friction plates wearing in as little as 10k miles. Symptoms are difficulty changing gear and lack of power to the wheel despite the engine spinning freely. Seem to recall it was £210 for OEM but that kit includes new steel plates too.

The tail tidy looks better than the swingarm-mounted number plate holder but it does nothing to prevent spray on to your back in foul weather. There are no bungee hooks on ours so we added Ducati soft panniers which work well but quite small (the largest one being a similar size to mid-sized rucksack). The pannier frames can then double as bungee hooks for a tail pack.

Tank range is about 110 miles before the light comes on but that's because it's quite a small tank, not because it's particularly thirsty. Missus finds the seat comfy, I don't. Seat height is quite low but the seat is quite wide - my missus is 5' 2" so seat height is an issue, she can get balls of feet on the floor but the high-ish CoG is sometimes a factor stopping a badly cambered road.

[Mr Moofo]

Buy a Diavel

[Beancounter]

@Docca how did the test ride go?

[Docca]

Haven’t managed it yet. Wife’s mother has dementia and more frequently plans change at the drop of a hat

[Bigyin]

@Beancounter

Cam, re the belts, get hold of Funners either here or FB as he has done them on the Multi which is a similar engine/process and fairly sure he did a step by step guide on one of the Ducati forums

[Beancounter]

Haven’t managed it yet. Wife’s mother has dementia and more frequently plans change at the drop of a hat

Ach mate, that sucks (about you MIL).

@Beancounter

Cam, re the belts, get hold of Funners either here or FB as he has done them on the Multi which is a similar engine/process and fairly sure he did a step by step guide on one of the Ducati forums

That would be most helpful, I'm only got the Haynes manual - cheers Rob!