Ironically, Thailand is also the source for the Scrambler’s most obvious competitor, Triumph’s Bonneville platform. The base Bonnie retails for $7,899, undercutting the Scrambler’s price, while the T100 version retails for $9,199. However, the Trumpet’s 865cc parallel-Twin motor is relatively wheezy, factory-rated at 67 hp and 50 lb-ft of torque, and it’s saddled with pulling around an extra 85-plus pounds. Also of note are lower-spec brakes, skinny tires (100/70-17; 130/80-17) and the absence of a sixth cog in its 5-speed tranny.
+1 Almost bought a Triumph Scram in September but had to wait on the Ducati. Sooooooo glad I did!I was ready to buy a Triumph Scrambler in the Spring, but Ducati came through and saved my ass.
The Triumph is way too heavy, and too under-powered.
Ducati looks like they got all the important stuff right.
Took my Triumph Scam on an unplanned, last minute from AZ to Canada a few months ago. Did 3300 miles in 8 days with 70lbs of gear, and smiled the whole way. I live in remote part of the Mohave desert and it gets plenty of off road time, sometimes with a 140lb girl on the back, and slays it not too bad. It's not my dirtbike, but... That said, the Ducati will blow the Triumph out of the water off road, and off the line, I can just tell by looking. I'd also bet it won't carry a load like the Triumph (love to be wrong about that), or have the grunt. Also, the Triumph carries a gallon of oil, which is pretty reassuring when your plugging 450 miles days in 100+ heat. The Ducati blows the Triumph away in refinement, with alloy wheels, better machined parts, better brakes, led lights, the list is endless in that department. The motor and tranny on the Triumph are beautiful, but when I look closely at the rest, I'm like wtf is this.The bonnie is a bunch weezy, its good for hep cats who never leave the city, but if you want to get any kind of speed the desmo is the WAY!
I can imagine my local Triumph dealer is not too excited. The Bonne platform seems to be their money train. This bike has the ability to be a game changer. A friend is getting ready to plunk down on a 800GS and I bet he'll go this route now, as he was back and forth between a Triumph. Puts the hurting' on the Guzzi V7 as well. You know what really kills the Triumph, is the heavy-ass wheels. I can hardly believe it when I change a tire. Feels like solid chunks of steel..oh, they are. Think the price is about the same though, new Bonne's start at $8100 and Triumph Scrams at $9100, and same in torque too, unless I'm reading something wrong. Thinking about calling the dealer and seeing what's up with the pre-order thing..
Absolutely spot on.?.. Add in the fact that Triumph doesnt offer ABS, is 40-50 kg heavier and Ducati wins.
