Italian thoroughbred

THIS WILL APPEAL TO PEOPLE WHO WANT SOMETHING DIFFERENT Desert Sled has come a long way since the old scramblers.

Ducati … the name conjures up notions of quality, exclusivity, different-ness, not one of the hordes of grey, runof-the-mill bikes. Ducati has a glorious history. It was established in 1926 making radio equipment. The factory was destroyed in World War II. When the factory was rebuilt, it focused on motorised bicycles. The company made all manner of bikes, including, in the 1960s, the fastest 250cc road bike then available, the Mach 1.

In the early 1970s, the company moved into production of larger capacity machines, built around the revolution two-cylinder, 90-degree motor, with its unique, “Desmodromic” valve system. And the company has made a name for itself with its fast road machines and from its success on the racetracks ... and built up a fanatical following.

This Scrambler, though, is a little (actually quite a lot) different to the kind of bikes Chaz Davies and his fellow Ducati riders pilot around the World Superbike tracks. I think these bikes were built to be fun with a capital “F”.

Back in the ’60s, in the days of Triumph and BSA, so-called scramblers were to all intents and purposes, road bikes with lights and number plates removed, and fitted with trial type block pattern tyres to give some purchase in the sticky mud of England and Europe.

In the ’70s, things changed somewhat. Scramblers were purpose-made, lighter bikes, mostly utilising two-stroke motors. I had a Yamaha DT400, which, when I first laid eyes on it, was love at first sight. More suspension travel than the bikes of the ’60s, lighter weight, great at second gear wheelies and ramping over obstacles.

When working for a local bike magazine, I mentioned to one of the younger generation of bike journalists that I rode scramblers in the ’70s, and he had no idea what I was talking about. Nowadays, dual-purpose bikes are called Enduros, though I still prefer the name scrambler.

Fetching the Desert Sled from the Ducati showroom in Randburg, I was impressed by the cleanliness of the display area. Spick and span. Clean enough to eat your lunch off – sans plate!

Having a preference for scramblers, I suppose it is no surprise the Desert Sled fitted me like a glove. Having ridden the first version of the Ducati Scrambler a few years ago, I was pleasantly surprised to find a big improvement in seat comfort and suspension suppleness.

Of course, what is there not to like? Gold anodised rims with chunky tyres, Brembo brakes front and rear, the obligatory ABS of course, fatty handlebar, rubber insulated footpegs, headlight grill, and the quality of finishes was outstanding.

The motor is aircooled, and uses fuel injection. Fuel tank capacity is 13,5 litres. Range is around 300km.

One of the things I’ve always liked about Ducati is the twists and turns of the stainless steel exhaust, including the twin outlet silencer.

The Desert Sled is nimble, stopping its 206kg on the proverbial tickey. The motor grumbles somewhat at idle, but once the revs increase and into the upper gears, the motor smoothes out nicely. I took a short ride out to the Midvaal racetrack where I was surprised to see that since I was last out that way, a drag strip had been built, which was in full operational mode ... now that’s the sort of progress I like. Price: R166 000. Conclusion: A very attractive quality motorcycle that will appeal to many bikers who want something a little different. Smooth, capable and a punchy mid-range.