Question time
Ducati Scrambler 1100: your questions answered, plus MT-09 SP tyre chooser
LONG TERMERS
With nearly 6000 miles showing on the Scrambler’s cute and quirky LCD dash, it felt like a good time to answer your questions about life with this premium retro roadster.
It’s a question I often find myself asking. Don’t get me wrong, the Scrambler 1100 is a good motorcycle, but is it really worth the £11,495 tag? It’s cheaper than its closest rival, BMW’s R nineT by about a grand, but the Beemer also comes with an extra 15bhp. And the attention to detail in the design, especially on this ‘Special’ version, is impressive from the chrome headers, to the diamond-stitched seat. It really looks the part. But I can’t help but think you’d not be getting much less by buying one of the cheaper 800cc versions.
While there’s an extra 300cc (ish) there’s not actually a whole load more to show for it. The 800 puts out just 13bhp less (73bhp v 86bhp) although there is a good deal more torque (65ftlb v 49ftlb). You also get three rider modes and fancy electronics, including traction control and cornering ABS. The 1100 is a good deal heavier, too, (194kg dry v 170kg), which inevitably dulls some of the performance advantage although you don’t notice the extra weight on the road. Are those extras worth the added £3500? I’m not convinced.
I had 129mph out of it on an Autobahn in Germany during my Austria trip, but I think we might have been going slightly downhill.
It is great for pose value, without doubt. It looks awesome, but there is much more to it than that. The roar of that L-twin motor is incredible, and it’s a good laugh to ride, too. It’s quite a physical ride, but you can just throw it about which makes it the perfect Sunday afternoon toy.
You barely notice it compared to quite a few Ducatis I’ve ridden previously. If you’re going through town it’s obviously a little different, but unless you’re stuck in traffic it’s not something you’d even think about.
Yes, surprisingly so. I took the Scrambler 1100 on a 2500-mile trip to Austria and back and didn’t have many complaints at all. The plush seat is comfortable enough for a good few hours riding and the bars are set at a great position for your arms. However, the pegs are quite high so your knees and thighs start to ache after a few hours in the saddle.