DUCATI BEGS YOU TO THROTTLE IT
Many bikers may be unaware that the UK has an active national flattrack racing series and association.
races, involving 125cc-250cc two-strokes and fourstrokes of 250cc and bigger take place primarily on speedway circuits, but also use TT courses and even horse trotting tracks. There are also vintage and junior categories – the former relating to the age of the machines, not necessarily the riders.
Nevertheless, the sport is primarily known as an American thing. It dates from the 1930s in the Us and remains hugely popular, with many of its exponents over the years successfully moving into Motogp, including Kenny roberts, Freddie spencer, Eddie Lawson and Wayne rainey.
The crucial difference between flattrack and speedway is the bikes used for the former have front and rear suspension, and rear brakes, allowing for a completely different cornering technique.
All of which brings us, curiously, to the Italian motorbike giant Ducati, because the Bolognabased firm’s recent addition to its popular scrambler range is the heavily flattrackinfluenced Full Throttle, and this is the bike I am testing this week.
First appearances are that this bike has come straight off the dirt track.
Take the beautifully sculpted teardrop tank, the racing-inspired seat and the black tank side panels with a black on yellow chequered design.
The latter is mirrored on the super-short front mudguard.
Then there’s the low-slung double-barrel exhaust, with road-legal Termignoni mufflers, the single round clock and the wide handlebars.
Jump on board and the ride position seems relaxed and comfortable, and with a seat height of 790mm, adjustable to 770mm, you can easily get both boots on the deck.
hit the start button and there’s a pleasingly gruff bark from the shorty exhaust as you set off.
The 800cc V-twin motor packs plenty of low and mid-range torque and that, plus the wide bars and impressive turning circle, means the Full Throttle is perfect for the urban environment.
The Pirelli dual sport tyres grip well and the Brembo four-piston ABS brakes do a great job of pulling up what is a pretty lightweight machine.
suspension, via the Kayaba rear shock, is firm, but round the bends it is true and reliable.
The whole set-up just encourages you to chuck it around and it made me feel like I wanted to swap the tarmac for a dirt track, stick my boot out and slide it round the corners.
overall, the Ducati is a really great bike – fun to ride and it looks supercool too. Ducati Scrambler
803cc V-twin 75bhp@ 8,250rpm
50 lb ft
Black and
yellow Fraser on the Scrambler Full Throttle Digital clock