[Mark CR750]

What were Ducati thinking when they released the Scrambler with ...A. the current front suspension set up, B. the overly hard seat, C. a twist grip that has too much play and rattles! . Ducati have been developing this generally superb motorcycle for years, it's light, responsive, quick, looks great, is terrific fun etc, but why release it with these glaring errors?, ok maybe they gave us a clue that the seat wasn't any good by already having a "comfort" seat in the of range options, but the shocks and twist grip definitely came as a surprise!, I really cant get my head around how they make something so good and then spoil it with just a few bad points, anyway I have taken 2 test rides totalling 4 hours on varied road surfaces, and I am now convinced that I'll have to wait until next year by which time I'm hoping that they will have sorted the above problems (or at least there will be a good range of aftermarket parts to fix the issues), I went to the dealership with every intention of buying one, it's incredibly frustrating that something so good has been put to market before being fully sorted, on smooth roads its probably the best motorcycle I have ever ridden, certainly the most entertaining, so come on Ducati get your house in order, it's 2015 and we don't accept second rate half baked design (ref points A,B and C above).

 

[Asador]

What were Ducati thinking when they released the Scrambler ....

Let me think: that they were going to make a bike to a budget, that is fun, affordable, easy to ride, their new best selling bike which makes them heaps of money and most of us here love?

 

[silverluxe]

I think it's strategic. I think it's like Allstate vs Vespa scooters in the 1960s.

Vespas cost more and the Allstates were made from last year's parts and didn't have front shocks. They did it to clear out inventory and sell a lower cost line.

I think this whole Scrambler thing is a budget bike that they've shrouded in 'lifestyle.' But I was surprised at the [good] quality of the bike when I received mine. I do agree that it's going to be hard on these new lifestyle riders when they get the bike and it rides rough and throws them off the first time they give it gas in 1st gear.

Personally, I'm over the discomfort phase. The bike is more comfortable for me to ride 600 miles later than day one. I haven't noticed the throttle tube rattling, but my throttle hand rarely leaves the grip while driving.

 

[MotoChief]

I once heard that all great designers and engineers would never, ever finish any project if it were not for having a deadline. The point being, you can always improve things and nothing is ever perfect. But, if you ever want to get to market, you have to settle from time to time.

That said, the seat is a cost issue and a money grabbing issues to try and get you to buy the comfort seat, The suspension is probably a happy medium on the settings that will please very few riders but not piss off too many. And the throttle, while a bit on the very fast responding, I think they could have tamed down a bit. But, they put a multi-plate wet clutch in so we could use the clutch to expand the capabilities of the throttle.

At least that is my take on it.

 

[silverluxe]

If the marketing videos are to be believed it was more like, "Hipster interns, design us a lifestyle bike!"

 

[DenverDuc]

I have never seen a product of any sort, with or without wheels, that was perfect. I think the shortcomings of the Scrambler allude to the bike being designed around a price point, and they're fairly easily fixed. The suspension is the biggest change a lot of people would like to make, but read the reviews of just about any bike under $15k right now and you'll see everyone complains about the suspension on every bike. Considering you can buy an incredibly fun and well rounded brand new 803cc Ducati for about $700 more than a 2 stroke 193cc KTM dirtbike (200XC-W), I'd say the few complaints are being a little exaggerated.

 

[YankeeDoodle]

land of joy can spunk off, this bike is quality at a supreme rate and you know it; moan on... reduce the weight, replace the exhaust, snip-snip, make it yours >

 

[DJKham]

Other great "built to a lower cost" bikes like Yamaha's FZ09 have the same types of issues and it's because the bike is built to a price point (especially when it comes to suspension because it would not actually cost more to make a comfortable seat ). If it's 80% awesome, spending a few bucks to sort out the seat and suspension isn't a big deal to me.

 

[scrambling]

i find the bad points mute, go buy a 20,000 Harley and your still getting rid of the bad seats and putting another 2000 to make more power etc...for 8500 bucks show me something else that will do what this bike can do? I know I have had many Harleys, this Ducati is a dream for the money, and I got it for 7500 bucks. I'm not complaining. I did order the comfort seat, but the stock seat is feeling great when I ride alone, sucks with a passenger. I am happy so far.

 

[Phil McAvity]

This is quite amazing. All these complaints about seats, suspension, foot pegs, handle bars and what not. If you don't like the bike, why did you buy it? I'm fortunate I guess that I never had the benefit of riding anyhting bigger than a scooter before. So for me, the Scrambler is the best thing ever. Seat? It can be made softer. Suspension? Replace it with aftermarket components if you're not happy. At the price of this bike, surely you can afford it. Throttle? Stop trying to compare it with other bikes. This is a Ducati. Get used to it. A a twist grip that has too much play and rattles? Easily fixed. If you can't do it, get your dealer to do it. The bike is still under warrenty right? For 7500 bucks I'm the happiest biker in town. Thanks Ducati - this bike is a winner! Best money I ever spent.

 

[RamblingPath]

If you don't like the bike, why did you buy it?

I don't think he did, just a few test rides. I'd play but, nah.

Something completely different.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQFKtI6gn9Y

 

[injidup]

Pretty harsh for a first post! Have you ridden a Scrambler yet, Mark?
I have had 3 bikes in the past few years and on the forums for each of them everyone* seems to moan about the seats. My advice is to ride a bicycle occasionally and toughen up your backsides! Seriously. I ride a DR650 with a seat about 3 inches wide* and I have no issues.
I think some of us old farts need to toughen up a bit.

Next we'll be moaning on about the bikes being made in Thailand, taking jobs from 'merica blah blah blah.

Note: At this point I don't have my Scrambler. I'm sure I will love it when it finally arrives.

At least most on this and the other Scrambler forum love their bikes, which is great to see and shows that Ducati have pretty much nailed it.

*slight exaggeration

 

[silverluxe]

If you don't care about looks, the Yamaha FZ-07 in the USA will save you a couple grand. You have to pay the penalty fee to get a bike that looks like it's designed by humans (the Scrambler) rather than space aliens though.

 

[Slaine]

The throttle gets better after the first service, suspension? hard but at least its not too soft like many others, as for the seat being too hard, the problem lies on the side of the riders having soft bottoms.

 

[PeteI]

Getting my classic this week. Cant wait to judge all of these thing for myself!

 

[silverluxe]

I'm not sure the throttle gets better, it just trains you to use it better. My bike is totally smooth now and I think it's just me learning how to control the bike. It COULD be that the bike is adapting to how you ride with the fuel injection, but I doubt it.

Tonight I sat back on the passenger part of the seat out of boredom and found that if the front of the seat was as wide as the back that it'd be MUCH more comfortable. Try it if you don't believe me

 

[Jerry Winder]

In fairness to the OP, I agree with his points about the front end, (my thoughts are well documentated in other threads), and the seat, I don't have an issue with my throttle and since buying the bike I've continually stated that there's nothing wrong with the fuelling, it's a quick throttle and it takes getting used to. However perfection, and we will all have different opinions on what constitutes perfection, costs and the Scrambler, like it or not, is built to a price point.

In September last year I spent £15k on my GS but it wasn't perfect. Fortunately for me I'm in a position to do something about it and I spent another £3k getting it there, now it's perfect FOR ME! In 10 days time my Scrambler goes in to have it's front end sorted, in total I'll have spent around £2k getting it as good as I feel is financially possible for me.

The bottom line is Ducati has built the best bike they can for the money, if you don't like it either look elsewhere, (I understand the Yamaha Tracer is exceptional), or spend some money getting it right FOR YOU. Either way you'll get little sympathy coming on to the owners forum and slagging off the bike off with your first post.

Jerry

 

[Jerry Winder]

In fairness to the OP, I agree with his points about the front end, (my thoughts are well documentated in other threads), and the seat, I don't have an issue with my throttle and since buying the bike I've continually stated that there's nothing wrong with the fuelling, it's a quick throttle and it takes getting used to. However perfection, and we will all have different opinions on what constitutes perfection, costs and the Scrambler, like it or not, is built to a price point.

In September last year I spent £15k on my GS but it wasn't perfect. Fortunately for me I'm in a position to do something about it and I spent another £3k getting it there, now it's perfect FOR ME! In 10 days time my Scrambler goes in to have it's front end sorted, in total I'll have spent around £2k getting it as good as I feel is financially possible for me.

The bottom line is Ducati has built the best bike they can for the money, if you don't like it either look elsewhere, (I understand the Yamaha Tracer is exceptional), or spend some money getting it right FOR YOU. Either way you'll get little sympathy coming on to the owners forum and slagging off the bike off with your first post.

Jerry

 

[Mark CR750]

Hi Jerry, I wasn't slagging the bike off, if you read my post I say it's probably the best motorcycle I've ever ridden, and I meant that, I think that I was just downright disappointed to be honest, I've calmed down a bit now, I went along with every intention of buying but felt that I couldn't put up with the suspension as it is, I do a lot of riding on bumpy back roads and it was just "smack,smack,smack! every time I hit a bump on the test ride.
I thought the fuelling was good, a bit overly peppy low down for some maybe but not vicious and easily countered with gentle throttle movements, I liked the power delivery, my problem was the amount of radial play in the twist grip, there is no logical reason for it to be there, I found it irritating that I could feel a "clatter" in the grip when the bike hit bumps.
The seat is too hard but I suppose there is an amount of "personal preference" involved there.
My real point was that this bike is so good in so many ways but let down by a few things that needn't have been there, i.e. make the throttle tube a closer fit, zero cost to Ducati, fit progressive springs, minimal cost to Ducati, and use softer foam in the seat, zero cost to Ducati.
I could buy one now for £8130, and then spend another ~£800 getting it how I want it but I'm pretty sure Ducati will update next years model so I'll wait to see what they do.


I take your point about making negative comments in a first post though, I should have eased my critique in a little!, apologies for any offence caused.

 

[TC3]

I hated the suspension but have turned it to softest setting and deflated rear tire to correct setting as had too much air. It is a lot better now and does not rattle my brain anymore. May still upgrade in future though