[Russell Turner]

Hi

Sorry for the long post but I'm hoping for some new rider advice and opinion!

I guess I fall into Ducati's target market in attracting new riders to motorcycling. The new bikes coming into the market are making motorcycling a really attractive proposition for me - fun stylish bikes. However, as much as I have fallen for the Scrambler I'm not convinced it would be the right bike for me.

My riding would be mostly commuting across London, with weekend rides out into the countryside. I can see it being the right bike for the latter but as a new rider will it be a hard bike to start commuting on? My experience on bikes is very limited and of course the first step should be to get my license and test ride some bikes. However, having done some research into loads of different bikes (and particularly the scrambler) my concerns would be particularly around the throttle response. Do you think this would make commuting in heavy traffic really hard work? I'm very sensible so would treat it respectfully but likewise I would want to break into riding a bike gently and not lose confidence at the first step. Other bikes I've considered are.

Moto Guzzi V7II - good looking bike, from review seems tamer than scrambler with a lot of the same appeal. I do prefer the looks of scrambler though. Might be easier to get on with as a first bike?

Yamaha sr400 - I'm not that keen on stock design and not as straightforward to customise.

MT07 - cheaper, available good looking bike but might have the same sensitive throttle issues and not so much customisation options? One of the local schools also use this as a trainer bike. If I find I can handle the power and throttle on the MT07 should I be ok on a scrambler? does anyone here have experience of both?

Kawasaki ER6N / F - Seem like MT07 but slightly easier to ride compared to MT07 from reviews?

Could these be more suitable to me do you think? Any other bikes I should consider?As much as I like the Scrambler I want to be safe and have fun more than anything.

Would likely take my test this year an cut my teeth on a 2nd hand bike first over winter months before getting a new bike next season.

Finally, if the a 400-500cc Scrambler was released do you think this is likely to be more suitable as a first bike? I'm thinking it may be worth my while to wait until this is released and also wait to see what other bikes are announced for next year (MT03...BMW Scrambler etc).

Any thoughts on the above would be appreciated.

Cheers and safe riding.

Russell

 

[baimo]

The Scrambler is a light fun bike to ride. Great for commuting unless you are on the highways at high speeds most of the ride. For that I like a bigger bike.
It is easy to ride, very maneuverable in traffic and it is the type of bike I wish I learned to ride on. Very tame, but can be a ton of fun when taking rips into the country or twisty roads. Really well balanced.

 

[flyer1975]

Russell, Like you I am a new rider. Never ridden a motorcycle before, other then the motorcycle new rider class I took which was on a Harley Davidson Street 500.

The only change I made to the Scrambler so far, to make it more newbie friendly, was to install the G2 Ergonomics throttle tamer. The stock throttle was very intimidating to me and did not allow me to relax and ride comfortably. From reading posts on this forum, the throttle is a non issue for most or something most experience riders get accustomed to after some riding, but as a new rider it was not working for me. Other than that, I think it is a very good bike for beginners.

I think other considerations will be your high and weight. I am 5'6" or about 1.67 meters and weight 72 kg. The bike fits me very well and it being a pretty light bike it is easy to handle and learn on.

 

[eisfeld]

If the UK training for motorcycle licenses is anything like in Germany then I guess you'll be fine coming from a MT-07 at school to the Scrambler. They are not that different in terms of torque/power/weight.

You already mentioned getting a second hand bike first which is an excellent idea to get some training. Get a cheap second hand 300-500cc or something bike. Those give you less rope to hang yourself.

Also try to ride in wide open areas in the beginning instead of filtering through busy downtown traffic.

 

[MJ83]

Hi Russell! Welcome to the forum. I, like you, am and new rider that pretty much had the exact same circumstances. I bought my red Icon without any prior riding experience, and I have no second thoughts on my decision. Now with that said, each individual is different, and your ability and confidence to ride any bike should be taken into account. My girlfriend, for example, is just not coordinated enough to ride a motorcycle (sorry babe!). I too considered a second hand bike but could not get my mind off the scrambler. Even a salesperson that was trying to sell me a used bike told me to get the scrambler, baby it around until I was comfortable, and that I would not look back.

For me, the scrambler was the perfect bike. The bike is fairly light, compact, and the upright position seems very conducive for new riders. It has enough power to grow into, but not so much that you are overwhelmed when you start off on your first ride. After a few days on the bike, I grew very comfortable with it. I have about 600 miles under my belt now, and I would have no other bike at this time.

As for your anticipated use, it is pretty much exactly how I am using it. I live in a downtown area, where I use it to run out to meet friends or commute to work. When I have more time, I ride out into the country. The bike is at home in either environment. If you are concerned about stopping and starting on your commute, just go practice somewhere until you are ready. It won't take long. The one complaint I have with this bike as a commuter is the engine gets fairly hot when stopped at a light that won't change.

Anyways, if you ride smart, you cannot go wrong with the Scrambler. And if you fall in love with it like I did, you won't be able to buy anything else. Keep us posted on your decision.

 

[joerguhr]

Hi Russell!


I have taken my Scrambler test ride in Berlin. Probably a bit less intimidating traffic-wise than London is. The bike does do very nicely in traffic. It maneouvres about as nicely as a scooter.


Do you have any motorcycle or scoter experience at all, or is the Scrambler combined with London traffic going to be your first visit in the Land of Two-Wheel-Joy? I am asking, because I have a friend, who is quite a hard nosed paramedic in London who, wehn he went to university did messenger deliveries on his motorcycle in London. And he called the traffic "suicidal". You may want to consider this, when you start thinking about how and when you are going to use your bike. Maybe fo commuting public transport isn't so bad at all, when you live in London ;-)


Sorry, don't mean to sound patronizing, but really: Commuting in London on a bike would scare the sh!t out of me, and I don't like to think I was a total wuss.


Cheers and ride safely!


Joerg

 

[DJKham]

There's a pretty comprehensive discussion about this in another thread:

http://www.ducatiscramblerforum.com...12714-scrambler-classic-first-motorcycle.html

 

[baimo]

Hi Russell! ....... The one complaint I have with this bike as a commuter is the engine gets fairly hot when stopped at a light that won't change.
.......

Happens with all bikes.

 

[Damnation]

i got my license a few weeks ago, picked up my bike from the dealership today . i had barely driven a moped before, if anyone is a novice, its me. the snatchy throttle was a big concern for me but its not quite the issue everyone makes out of it - i got used to it in the second roundabout.

its not silky smooth as the inline4 Honda CB600F i used at driving school. im 5'10 with 30" inseam and the driving position on the Scrambler is a bit tight for me, i started getting cramps in my right leg after ~45 minutes - but then again my 110 kg and oilrig legs didnt exactly help. however, having both heels on the ground in the intersection felt good, i didnt always feel safe starting from a still on the Honda.

my advice: if all you care for is an easy rider, get a japanese 4 sylinder. if you want to look good riding: get a Scrambler. my mind was set on a Honda CB650F but the revelation of the italian supermodel this spring turned my head to such an extent that i never looked back.

 

[ralph]

While I can't speak about the other bikes you mentioned, the scrambler to me is a great city commuter bike. Its upright seating position is very comfortable. Listening to the L-twin accelerating and decelerating in city traffic is pure joy. It is very maneuverable at slow speeds and the throttle will be a non-issue in a matter of weeks. And it is nearly as good on country roads as it is in the city. You can see me riding in the city below.

http://youtu.be/L6TtaVEzyQs?t=18m47s

Embedding youtube still not working for me???

 

[pacman]

Russell--spend a lot of time early on practicing in empty parking lots and you'll be fine. While the scrambler has plenty of power, it's not a liter bike, and if you respect it's potential for danger, the scrambler is just as good a first bike as something around 500cc. Maybe better, in fact--you won't feel the need to "trade up" to something more powerful.
Have fun!

 

[jhwalker]

Just remember that it is a powerful 800+ cc bike. Be careful.


I have decided that the extensive break-in is intended to let the owners who are new to bikes learn to ride at reduced RPM.

 

[PeteI]

I believe if you respect the throttle, you will be fine with a scrambler.

 

[Motorhead1977]

Hi Russell, As a very experienced rider (over 45 years on motorcycles) I like your plan and can speak from experience having ridden in London, albeit approx 10 years ago so traffic must have increased by now. Yes, at times the traffic felt suicidal, but not near as bad as I experienced in Mexico City. That was like getting on the dance floor during a tango and only knowing how to waltz!! Get the smaller 3-500 cc "learner" bike for your first bout with commuting and then ride the scrambler once you "have your sea legs". Ride as many miles as you can out of the city to get comfortable with riding so braking, gear changes and start, stop and direction changes don't require a lot of thought. That will leave your mind free to negotiate traffic with the sudden lane changers, bus drivers who "didn't see you and the like. I firmly believe turn signals should be a mandatory "extra cost" item on every vehicle since if people "had to pay for them" then they might use them. You will decide for yourself if the throttle is twitchy and if so can change to the G2 throttle tamer. Welcome to the best "addiction" ever - riding on two wheels!

 

[JuergenBKK]

H Russel,
Last year in August I started riding. Took a Honda CB300F to be a bit on the reasonable side.
Was a good bike but in May I saw the Scrambler and ordered it directly.
Since I got it I got more km down then with the Honda before. The Scrambler is easier to ride and definatly more fun.
As to city traffic, I am zipping through Bangkok most of the time. Works well for me.
Cheers
Juergen

 

[baimo]

Honestly for an 800cc ducati it is a very passive engine thea puts out minimal horsepower but enough so that you can be in third gear and pull from 20 to 50 mph without a problem. really nice and responsive. My 848 duc sf put out 135 hp, so the 75 seems very tame to me.

 

[Ducatigirl]

Hi Russel,
I am a fairly new rider, about 3 years. I started out with a 250 Ninja and then went to a 800cc Suzuki Blvd cruiser...and now have my Full Throttle. It took some time to get used to it since I was accustom to the cruiser style. I had to make a few adjustments like I switched out the levers to adjustable one - I have smaller hands and it made world of difference to control my friction point. I also adjusted the spring under the seat...sorry I am to a technical rider...my husband helps me out lol. Anyway, I have only had it for about 3 weeks and took it out on a 6 hr ride this past weekend and it was great. I am still rusty when on a bit of hill and need to practice the whole back break/friction thing...but the bike is light and handles well.

But like someone else commented on it does get SUPER hot when idol...It could just be my bike and I am getting it checkout.

Overall I am very happy with it...the only shame is here in Canada our riding season is so short

Good luck... there is a rider for every bike!!

DC

 

[baimo]

My thoughts on the snatchy throttle. While getting used to the throttle, I believe riding the clutch a lot will really help anyone get a feel for the bike and take away any rough spot caused by the throttle. If it was extreme I would recommend a different tooth setup but using the clutch around slow turns and takeoffs should take care of these matters until you get used to the bike.