What do you all think about the new Ducati Scrambler?

Since I am a Ducati fan as well as a vintage Yamaha fan, I follow their new models closely. The Superbikes are just becoming too fast, so I focus more on the more basic models, and I really like the new Ducati Scrambler. It seems to be an honest, classic looking, lightweight and reasonably powerful naked bike. It makes me wonder if building scramblers or trackers on a nice, stock XS is worthwhile any more. The Ducati Scrambler has 75 hp, and is 170 kg (378 lbs) dry. That kind of power is more than even a seriously modified XS, and much lighter than all but an extremely modified XS as well. And I do not even mention braking and suspension.
So what do you all think?

I owned a sport classic gt1000 for a few years. Air cooled ducs are magnificent. Had stain tune reverse cones and had the most thunderous sound. I could make it clutch less wheelie at like 30kmh.


My biggest beef with the scrambler is the fact it is called a scrambler and there really isn't much off road about it. I would rather have a triumph scrambler. And buy another sport classic. Or even an air cooled monster for that matter. But all 3 bikes are utterly fun. 75 to 90hp air cooled ducs are fucking rockets still on the street.

Blarg. Mobile won't work with picts.

Arctic, for what it's worth, I don't think that comparing two machines separated by nearly four decades of technical development is a worthwhile exercise. From the standpoint of reliability, performance, and cost, a tricked-out XS650 won't compare favorably to good used modern iron. I'm just glad that I got my buying done in the early '90's, before all the idiots yelled "ME TOO!" and started driving up prices and tearing up bikes. I look back fondly on the days when the XS650 was one of the most generally despised machines on the road, and I look forward to the day when the fad passes and prices collapse.

So--knowing the above, why would I mess with the old Yam twin? It's a combination of long familiarity, knowing that I can service any system on the bike, and the satisfaction derived from getting the results I want from the engine and suspension. There's also the fact that I can afford a few modern bikes as well; the old Yam shares the stable with a Kawasaki EX650 and two Suzukis--'03 SV650 and '01 GS500E, both with Race Tech valves and springs in front and upgraded shock in back. If I had to choose one bike out of the four to keep, the Kaw is the one that would stay. It would hurt, but I'd say "sayonara" to the old D model.

I agree with griz on the ex front. I own a versys 650 for touring and every time I think about selling it....I think to myself what would I get that's possibly better. That 650 kawasaki motor is just excellent and combined with the versys upright position and touring farlkles. ...well....

but not to high jack. I say buy one. The air cooled ducs are the best engines in the lineup and are slowly dissapearing due to emissions. Soooo much torque. Such a great street engine.

Now wait for all the pin heads to chime in about maintaining ducatis and they haven't even owned one. I did my own belts and had the dealer do my lash. It was 400 dollars or so every couple of years. The intervals have gotten far better since then.

grizld,
I am not directly comparing the XS to any modern bike, just questioning my own (and other's) urge to modify perfectly good stock classic bikes. I must have purchased well over $6000 worth of goodies for my XS already, which in hindsight may not be the smartest thing I have done.
Especially in light of the new Duc Scrambler, as it is the first retro in a while that has decent power combined with low weight and classic good looks (in my opinion at least)

I bought my XS as a cosmetically restored, mechanically stock runner in 2010, and my first trip on it was riding it home through most of Norway, 1800 km door to door, over 3 days. And as this was in early May, the temperatures ranged from -5C to maybe +10C, on snow covered, wet, and sometimes dry roads. And the only problem I had was the licence plate screws vibrating loose. Obviously, after 15 years and 100 000 km on a 1995 Ducati Monster 600 (680 kit, Keihin FCR, slip ons, etc) I soon found the XS to be a bit low on power, brakes and suspension, as well as a bit heavy, even the sound was a tad disappointing. And there the modifications began. Due to bying a second RD350A in 2011, and a Ducati ST2 in 2012, my XS project has slowed down a lot......But I am still working slowly on it, last week my youngest son made me a rear caliper bracket on a CNC mill at work. Maybe I'll be able to finish all mods this year, between renovating my kitchen etc. Or at least get the rear disc brake, rearsets, and Brembo caliper at the front working....

I ride each of mine for what it is. The XS is a classic bike to roll around the back roads on. My 02 SV650 is my commuter and occasional flog the shit out of it 2 laner, also with Race Tech springs and emulators up front and GSX-R750 rear shock appropriately valved and sprung for the bike. My road trip/day touring bike is my 03 Road Star 1600 Silver Edition Silverado with Race Tech front and modified GL1800 rear shock with remote adjustable preload grafted on from a Suzuki Burgman 400. It's also the only bike I have done significant performance mods to, with longshots, ported manifold, K&N clamp on filter, 1700 RS ignition module, and of course, appropriate jetting changes.
I like the look of the scrambler, except for all the plastic and artsy parts. The riding position is more upright than the monsters, which I like, but the motor is really stuffed into the frame tight. I do all my own maintenance, and Desmo valve intervals on the air cooled bikes are still nearly 3 times as often as my SV's shim under bucket setup, which, at nearly 75K miles, have still not needed an adjustment.
Like all forms of transprortation, bike prices continue to rise. My SV was $5699 new in 02, and the last new bike I bought. Til it lays down, I won't be changing up. I've never had what I would call trouble free service from a Kawasaki, but I've also never owned a new one. The Kawi 650's are an attractive lot, and if I ever replace the SV, it will be with another 650, or possibly a Triumph twin. I found the Indian Scout more intriguing than most of the "new" bikes at the IBS a couple months ago. That's a lot of power in a compact chassis that carries it's weight well. Open house at the "local" Triumph-BMW-Indian house the first week of March with test rides. I'm interested to go try some out, even if I can't afford to buy.

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I enjoy my 78'xs650 daily. I am considering a new Yamaha fz-07 75 HP. Very good reviews and 6999. Good deal.

Tony, I agree that the FZ-07 seems to be a great deal, decent power and lightweight, much lighter than the Kawasaki and Suzuki 650 twins. I guess the main difference between the Ducati Scrambler and the FZ-07 is styling, personal preference, and a slight price difference.

I have 30000 trouble free coast to coast canada and east coast us kms on my versys and it's never missed a beat. I did put a series regulator on it as cooked Stators have popped up occasionally. Valves have been reset on it at 30000. Two were below spec. Such a great machine farkled out with touring goodies. When I move up it will be a big move like a used honda st1300 more than likely.

Scrambler looks nice to me. All the reviews I've read are pretty positive too, but Im yet to ride one though...

I guess it's in the eye of the beholder, but most newer bikes, especially Ducatis, look to me like messy plumbing. Give me the lines of an XS650 or an early 80's Suzuki any day.

The tent is big there is room for a lot of different bikes and riders. I like the xs650 stock and modded because it is easy to work on, parts stock and custom are available and cheap. No matter how good a new factory bike is, it is just that a new factory bike. Without dreaming, planning, wrenching, and testing no bike can ever truly be your bike, it's just a ride. I have some other great rides but sure won't getting out of XS650's while I can still wrench.