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The local dealer was nice enough to let me take a Scrambler for a spin yesterday. I didn't rev it super high but I did get it to move a bit and here are my thoughts.
I ride a Monster 796 today, before I picked up my monster last month I hadn't ridden in over 10 years. Back in the day I had two EX-500s and a Laverda 750. I also rode my buddies Honda VFR a lot. Before yesterday I hadn't ridden a bike with bars swept back and up as the Icon's bars are configured.
The bike has lots of details in the design. I like the way the oil cooler is positioned on the rider's left with a little faring detail for visual interest. Also, we have the exposed rear shock on that side as well. Unfortunately we have the vapor canister on that side but you can probably delete that. The LED ring around the headlight reminds you that it's 2015 and Audi owns Ducati but I dig it. The construction of the tank's side panels looks a bit low rent to my eyes. The front fork and associated hardware look low rent too. Maybe I'm just not used to seeing black painted metal up there. On the rider's left we have the slick looking two into one exhaust that ends before a nicely made rear swingarm. Overall the Scrambler has that fun and carefree look. A look that doesn't look out of place in any situation or locale.
Riding the Scrambler was a real treat. The test bike had the Termi slip on and the bike wakes up with a sweet bark. The sounds of the Desmo engine are echoed to you when riding past cars and buildings on your right. Before riding the Scrambler I assumed the riding position wouldn't inspire confidence. I was very very wrong in this assumption. Not only is this bike super maneuverable, it felt locked on. Scooting down the road at 75 mph felt great, zipping around potholes was easy, navigating traffic was effortless. I never felt intimidated leaning the guy over, where I have felt that way about my 796 several times. It feels like you could easily ride it at 9/10ths the first 10 minutes you are on it.
The throttle on the Scrambler is very linear compared to my Monster. However, while the bike had plenty of power, it didn't have quite the juiciness of torque that my 796 has. Perhaps it's a difference in the gearing of the two bikes? Perhaps it's the lack of snatchiness of the throttle that my 796 has? I'm not sure. I'm curious how Ducati tuned the engine on this thing and what could be done to restore a bit of that juice without ruining the character of the bike. Also, the engine sound is nice but it doesn't have that deep burble that I'm used to with a Ducati nor was the bike as loud as I would have expected with the Termi slip on (no DB killer in the slip on). Your neighbors won't complain but I didn't feel quite hooligan enough when I opened it up. Yea, I might be nearly 40, but I can never kill the inner teenager when it comes to a loud exhaust note.
I'm 5' 11" and I weigh about 175. At my size you feel like you are riding the bike, the bike isn't riding you. The flat seat lets you scoot around to find your ideal riding position. The foot controls are placed perfectly and so are the hand controls. The speedo was easy to see but I wish the RPM gauge was more apparent. In fact, I'd love to see beautiful analog guages up there rather than a speedo that looks like an over-sized Timex watch. The factory mirrors worked very well for me. I have zero complaints about the ergos.
I’ve concluded that I’d like to have a Scrambler in the garage. I might sit on the sidelines for a bit to see how the aftermarket exhaust options evolves and what cosmetic items come to market. I'm also curious if they might announce one that sits a BIT higher (1100 anyone) as it feels a smidgen small to me. Then there is that nagging love of the Moto Guzzi V7. The Scrambler is engineered 10 times better than the V7 but I just love the look of the MG. I haven’t seen the Classic model in person yet so we will find out in a few weeks if it lulls me away from the siren song of the V7.
I ride a Monster 796 today, before I picked up my monster last month I hadn't ridden in over 10 years. Back in the day I had two EX-500s and a Laverda 750. I also rode my buddies Honda VFR a lot. Before yesterday I hadn't ridden a bike with bars swept back and up as the Icon's bars are configured.
The bike has lots of details in the design. I like the way the oil cooler is positioned on the rider's left with a little faring detail for visual interest. Also, we have the exposed rear shock on that side as well. Unfortunately we have the vapor canister on that side but you can probably delete that. The LED ring around the headlight reminds you that it's 2015 and Audi owns Ducati but I dig it. The construction of the tank's side panels looks a bit low rent to my eyes. The front fork and associated hardware look low rent too. Maybe I'm just not used to seeing black painted metal up there. On the rider's left we have the slick looking two into one exhaust that ends before a nicely made rear swingarm. Overall the Scrambler has that fun and carefree look. A look that doesn't look out of place in any situation or locale.
Riding the Scrambler was a real treat. The test bike had the Termi slip on and the bike wakes up with a sweet bark. The sounds of the Desmo engine are echoed to you when riding past cars and buildings on your right. Before riding the Scrambler I assumed the riding position wouldn't inspire confidence. I was very very wrong in this assumption. Not only is this bike super maneuverable, it felt locked on. Scooting down the road at 75 mph felt great, zipping around potholes was easy, navigating traffic was effortless. I never felt intimidated leaning the guy over, where I have felt that way about my 796 several times. It feels like you could easily ride it at 9/10ths the first 10 minutes you are on it.
The throttle on the Scrambler is very linear compared to my Monster. However, while the bike had plenty of power, it didn't have quite the juiciness of torque that my 796 has. Perhaps it's a difference in the gearing of the two bikes? Perhaps it's the lack of snatchiness of the throttle that my 796 has? I'm not sure. I'm curious how Ducati tuned the engine on this thing and what could be done to restore a bit of that juice without ruining the character of the bike. Also, the engine sound is nice but it doesn't have that deep burble that I'm used to with a Ducati nor was the bike as loud as I would have expected with the Termi slip on (no DB killer in the slip on). Your neighbors won't complain but I didn't feel quite hooligan enough when I opened it up. Yea, I might be nearly 40, but I can never kill the inner teenager when it comes to a loud exhaust note.
I'm 5' 11" and I weigh about 175. At my size you feel like you are riding the bike, the bike isn't riding you. The flat seat lets you scoot around to find your ideal riding position. The foot controls are placed perfectly and so are the hand controls. The speedo was easy to see but I wish the RPM gauge was more apparent. In fact, I'd love to see beautiful analog guages up there rather than a speedo that looks like an over-sized Timex watch. The factory mirrors worked very well for me. I have zero complaints about the ergos.
I’ve concluded that I’d like to have a Scrambler in the garage. I might sit on the sidelines for a bit to see how the aftermarket exhaust options evolves and what cosmetic items come to market. I'm also curious if they might announce one that sits a BIT higher (1100 anyone) as it feels a smidgen small to me. Then there is that nagging love of the Moto Guzzi V7. The Scrambler is engineered 10 times better than the V7 but I just love the look of the MG. I haven’t seen the Classic model in person yet so we will find out in a few weeks if it lulls me away from the siren song of the V7.
