[Don_D]

I am heading in to give the scrambler a test ride tomorrow and I am excited. I do wonder though about the usefulness of a bike like this off the pavement with the oil filter located where it is and if I purchase I would certainly want to be able to do this confidently.

So my question is whether or not the bash plate that is available is enough to give those of you riding the scrambler confidence in the dirt? Also, how is the suspension in the dirt? I know its not a KTM but I really enjoy fire roads and the like

Thanks and what a great looking bike Ducati has made!

 

[silverluxe]

Nope. My opinion is that the bike sucks to ride offroad and that the accessory belly pan is a joke for anything other than looking at. It mounts via three 4mm screws which are brackets tied to 5mm engine bolts. It's not confidence inspiring. I'll ride offroad in dirt or a grassy field, but rocks and logs? No way. I'd probably use mine in Colorado on service roads, but with the same sort of caution I'd drive my Subaru Forester on the same roads.

The difference between me and those moto cross guys flogging the Scrambler in the youtube videos is that they didn't pay 10k dollars of their own money for one

 

[tonyjuliano]

Nope. My opinion is that the bike sucks to ride offroad and that the accessory belly pan is a joke for anything other than looking at. It mounts via three 4mm screws which are brackets tied to 5mm engine bolts. It's not confidence inspiring. I'll ride offroad in dirt or a grassy field, but rocks and logs? No way. I'd probably use mine in Colorado on service roads, but with the same sort of caution I'd drive my Subaru Forester on the same roads.

The difference between me and those moto cross guys flogging the Scrambler in the youtube videos is that they didn't pay 10k dollars of their own money for one

Totally agree...

Had the Scrambler out in the woods last weekend. She's fine on fire roads and gravel, but I would stay away from anything more "challenging". The stock suspension is simply too "horrible" for anything else, and the currently offered skid plate doesn't offer much protection.

 

[scrambledchef]

Finally got my evotech engine guard. Hope to get out on some dirt soon. Nothing too challenging nobody is else paying for my bike but me. Suspension is probably biggest shortcoming even more so for dirt.

 

[Don_D]

Well the Icon test ride was grin inducing fun. The brakes are great and the power with the Termi exhaust they had on it was really linear. I didn't notice any flat spots in the power range at all. Suspension needs some tweaking but that goes without saying. I was a bit underwhelmed by the controls. They just feel kinda cheap to me but Im pretty used to HD's huge meat fist controls. It sure is nice to be able to two finger the brake and actually stop.

They kept the Sporty and I brought it home. I was really surprised that they had anything available but they just so happened to have a deal fall through on the UE sitting on the showroom floor. I was drawn to the UE and the Classic the most out of the 4 so it wasn't too hard a decision.

The Ducati bash plate leaves something to be desired. Im hoping the aftermarket offerings are better or at the very least more securely fastened. The right side is awful weak feeling with no real support. I might fab something up for it if I can figure out a way to stiffen things up.

I ordered up the Termi exhaust and the bags for the bike. Hopefully to be delivered when I run through the break in.

Im pretty stoked to put some miles on it tomorrow. Not sure how Im going to manage to keep my fist out of it though

 

[marxtringer]

Im pretty stoked to put some miles on it tomorrow. Not sure how Im going to manage to keep my fist out of it though

If by that you mean to give it some throttle, don't be worried. You don't have to ride it like an old lady!

So long as your not holding the throttle at max revs for prolonged periods you can ride it how you like.

My dealer specifically told me not to baby it!

 

[Meancatdaddy]

If by that you mean to give it some throttle, don't be worried. You don't have to ride it like an old lady!

So long as your not holding the throttle at max revs for prolonged periods you can ride it how you like.

My dealer specifically told me not to baby it!

Open her up!!>

 

[Motorhead1977]

If by that you mean to give it some throttle, don't be worried. You don't have to ride it like an old lady!

So long as your not holding the throttle at max revs for prolonged periods you can ride it how you like.

My dealer specifically told me not to baby it!

My dealer told me that as well but my dealer is not Ducati North America who control warranty issues.
I have posted this in other threads - read and follow your warranty manual/owners manual. Doing otherwise can void your factory warranty should Ducati choose to do so. Remember - computerized engine controls = computer records of engine use. First 600 miles - not to exceed 5,500 - 6,000 rpm. From there up through 1,500 miles not to exceed 7,000 rpm.

Having just cleared 1,500 miles I can say it is still possible to get performance and fun within those parameters. On my Icon 5,800 rpm = 80 MPH so what's to complain about.

Having litigated warranty issues on behalf of clients in the past I can say that not following the warranty requirements is very harmful to getting warranty coverage. Doing otherwise can be a very expensive proposition should trouble develop.

 

[Motorhead1977]

BTW, Very nice UE Don D. I am liking the color more and more.

 

[Meancatdaddy]

I've had my first service from Ducati already and to be honest I should of been in big trouble, smoked it as soon as I got it!!

I suppose my warranty should of been void in the showroom when I picked it up as I changed the oil to mineral before i'd even left and then again at 50km!!

 

[Don_D]

I put 230 miles on the clock on a trip up 101 to Port Townsend yesterday getting better acquainted with the scrambler and had a great time really getting a feel for the motorcycle. I managed to keep her under the 6k rev limit with no real issues and didn't feel I was lacking in the power department at all. I can't wait to get the break in finished up so that I can use more of that power band. The bike feels quite at home cruising in the 4k range down the hiway. On the Interstate I estimate will be in the 5500-6k range for cruising RPM in traffic.

I was really hesitant about picking up a first model year bike but my gut tells me that the Scrambler will be a great bike and give me years of riding pleasure just from the various forum posts I have read online. It seems they are pretty sorted from the get go and while there are some complaints here and there about the fuel mapping I didn't experience that in my limited time on the bike that was reason for concern. The seat became uncomfortable after 100 miles or so but stopping for a coffee and some rest gave me a chance to get back to normal and at no point did I feel dread at the thought of the seat comfort being too unreasonable. I am sure given time the stock seat will break in and should be fine for me. I don't anticipate needing to make changes there. The stock pegs though are another matter entirely and need to go. I would love to know if these are the same pegs that Moto Guzzi puts on many of their models because I rode a V11 Sport for a few years and I swear they were the exact same pegs. Slippery and not at all suited for standing while riding on the scrambler.

I have to say that while some Ducati enthusiasts might not care for the model because of its marketing campaign or entry level point but I never seriously considered a Ducati before his model. I have always loved the styling of Ducati motorcycles and the performance goes without saying but the price, service requirements and high performance levels of the models I have had interest in were always a tripping point for me personally. Not so with this model. Bravo Ducati! It is a short jump once you have hooked a customer from up selling them to the next level of product.

I plan to stick within the break in requirements. I want to remain within my warranty agreement first of all but I also want to really get to know the motorcycle before truly wringing it out so to speak. Also, it would not surprise me in the least if the service department can see if and when the bike has been taken past the recommended limits. Coming from an IT background this would not be difficult to monitor. I do it all the time for servers.

The Urban Enduro color is certainly unique and a bit of a commitment I hope I don't tire of it but if I do there is always plasti-dip or something should it get boring.

 

[Meancatdaddy]

The Urban Enduro color is certainly unique and a bit of a commitment I hope I don't tire of it but if I do there is always plasti-dip or something should it get boring.[/QUOTE]

"Steve McQueen Green all the way Don"

 

[scrambling]

the cheap skid plate is only for looks and to protect from flying stones, these are not off road bikes but they are off the beaten path bikes, roads and gravel/dirt roads.

 

[Kelly Ford]

New Urban Enduro

So, just bought this bike Friday and rode it all weekend. It is tough not to rev it past 6,000 rpm! The whole waiting until 1,500 miles to really get on the bike is going to be a challenge.

This bike is really fun to ride and I look forward to taking it onto dirt roads to see what it's about. I've been riding a Triumph Scrambler for a while, and this bike is way superior so far.

 

[PeteI]

I am heading in to give the scrambler a test ride tomorrow and I am excited. I do wonder though about the usefulness of a bike like this off the pavement with the oil filter located where it is and if I purchase I would certainly want to be able to do this confidently.

So my question is whether or not the bash plate that is available is enough to give those of you riding the scrambler confidence in the dirt? Also, how is the suspension in the dirt? I know its not a KTM but I really enjoy fire roads and the like

Thanks and what a great looking bike Ducati has made!

Hey Don, tried a fire road in san diego today as a matter of fact. went through it 3x. the bike performs well. just gotta get that ass off the seat or else ouch! handled super well. I thought better than my tiger 800xc, gone now, but felt much more condfident. perhaps its the weight. or those AWESOME tires, no koke...youll love them and the bike. have fun!

 

[BugSpatteredJacket]

So, just bought this bike Friday and rode it all weekend. It is tough not to rev it past 6,000 rpm! The whole waiting until 1,500 miles to really get on the bike is going to be a challenge.

This bike is really fun to ride and I look forward to taking it onto dirt roads to see what it's about. I've been riding a Triumph Scrambler for a while, and this bike is way superior so far.

Other than weight, how is the Ducati superior to the Triumph in your opinion? Just curious as I keep coming back to these two models.

 

[tonyjuliano]

Other than weight, how is the Ducati superior to the Triumph in your opinion? Just curious as I keep coming back to these two models.

I realize this question wasn't directed to me, but I have extensive seat-time on both, so here are my thoughts...

First, and foremost, weight. The difference is pretty significant, almost 100 lbs.

Second, power delivery. The usable power in the Duc comes on sooner and in a better place.

Third, handling. The Triumph carries its enormous weight too high, the Scrambler has much more in the way of "mass-centralization". This bike handles light-years better than the Brit. Although the Triumph's stock suspension is nothing to write home about, it's still a tad better the the Scrambler's - that crappy suspension is the Duc's Achilles Heal.

Fourth, brakes. The brakes on the Triumph are pretty woeful, the Ducati's are VERY good.

And last, totally subjective opinion, but the little Italian is much prettier.

 

[silverluxe]

I have to say that while some Ducati enthusiasts might not care for the model because of its marketing campaign or entry level point but I never seriously considered a Ducati before his model.

That's the same boat I was in. I never bothered to put any research into owning a Monster because I knew that the ergonomics were wrong for me. I also thought they must be unreliable since I have seen a lot of cheap Monsters on Craigslist with hardly any miles on them. But it's because we have no dealer support around here (or not enough, that is.) Now I'm keeping my eyes open for cheap Monsters since I feel like I could easily own and maintain one.

But after looking more into the Scrambler and the engine, I think I can stay on top of it myself. I'm also nearly 100% certain the bike does not report transgressions back to Ducati, Italy even though it could if they cared enough to make that happen. But I don't see any evidence there is software embedded to report max RPM, MPH, etc...

I'm digging it.

 

[Don_D]

Me too! I have doubts that anything is being recorded via the ECM as well. A few pics from my commute yesterday, the ride after the ferry trip was very enjoyable Can't think of a better way to start the day in fact.

I am mid way to my 600 mile mark and new Termi exhaust. I can't wait. I'm glad to hear as well that others are exploring some off the pavement options, getting to some areas in our national forest on my new friend is one of my goals with this bike.

Here is a shot from my ride up 101 with my friends K bike. We had a great time.

 

[silverluxe]

I like how the guy on the Goldwing on the ferry is like, "I'll just sit here since it's basically a couch."