"Alex Zapata" (alexzapata)
09/24/2015 at 17:22 • Filed to: None
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"Alex Zapata" (alexzapata)
09/24/2015 at 17:22 • Filed to: None | 0
| 16 |
So yesterday I did a thing, I went to the Ducati showroom to look at a Scrambler, so I’m thinking about getting one, it looks sick and fits me so well (I’m a short guy) probably the best fit I’ve experienced on a over-250cc motorcycle and the service intervals and no limit to kms warranty is starting to make painful sense to me, as far as I can tell it’s a middle ground between the 700GS adn 800R BMWs with dirt/road tires which will work in the wet and dirt, but lower to the ground like a naked bike.
Anyone here got one/any recent Ducati? Any comments?
bob and john
> Alex Zapata
09/24/2015 at 17:30 |
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I hear they are awesome little machines. but they havent been out long enough for me top comment on their reliability.
I will say that the off-set speedo fucks with my head.
Sam
> Alex Zapata
09/24/2015 at 17:36 |
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You should get the Urban Enduro. It’s the coolest looking by far -
Josh G
> Alex Zapata
09/24/2015 at 17:42 |
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My brother today sent me a pic from a dealer test riding a Scrambler. He’s not buying one, but he did say its hard not to, and his reason “Its Bitchcakes”. Hes a two wheel master so I respect his opinion, but he is choosing another bike and it sounds like his reasoning is related to bang/buck and riding position.
DrScientist
> Sam
09/24/2015 at 17:53 |
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saw two of these parked on my block the other day. what’s the price range like?
Andrew Gore
> Alex Zapata
09/24/2015 at 18:07 |
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I had the chance to test ride one today. It was an Urban Enduro, which brought me back to the first bike I rode....a 1974 Kawasaki 175 2 stroke. It’s the spitting image of that bike, and just screamed of being the perfect retro\all-around daily commute\fun bike.
For reference, I currently commute on my KTM 350EXC-F Enduro, which also has seen its fair share of Harescramble action, as well as multi day dual sport trips. I rode the 350 to the dealer for my test ride. I wanted to really highlight to myself the “issues” I have with the 350 on the road. It has very little road manners. The slightest bit of wind pushes the bike all around, and despite being geared to the moon, the bike is still turning 63ooRPM @ 63MPH. Not only that, but it has the issue of every stop, it wants to ride along like I’m one of those 12 o’clock Boys in Baltimore.
So on to the actual test ride. Compared to my 2004 Ducati Multistrada (which had a 1000cc 2V motor with dry clutch), this 800cc Scrambler sounded so incredibly quiet. I love myself a beautiful exhaust, but on a daily ridden machine, I hate the idea of pissing of neighbors or traffic while I’m commuting. The bike quickly spurred to life, and walking to the left side of the machine, you immediately realize just how small this thing is. Yes, I had just hopped off my 37” seat height enduro, but I can’t stress how physically small the bike is. That’s ok though, because when you’re using a bike daily, you don’t want to screw with a tall bike thats a PITA to do quick maneuvers.
You’ll notice when you pull in the clutch that the action is incredibly soft. Thank God. I’m baffled by why the Italians install a hydraulic clutch on other bikes, and the clutch pull is like one of those hand toning spring things. The cable actuated clutch on the Scrambler is delicate, and although my test ride machine was set a bit off from how I prefer, it was a gentle pull, with a positive feedback from the lever as you released and felt the clutch engage.
Clicking into gear, yah, the trans is tight. The bike is new, and so that’s expected. If it feels any bit notchy, its likely a combo of new gears meshing together, and if you’re like me with size 13 boots, its you getting used to how the shifter is too short. Subsequent gear changes are plenty smooth, and with the torque of the 800cc L-Twin motor, each gear pulls long and hard (yes....that’s what she said).
Leaning into your first couple turns, you’ll notice again just how low the bike is. If you’re not careful with foot positioning, you’ll be dragging a toe before you know it. Not an issue, keep your toes (and eyes) up, and you’ll be through the turn before you know it. The bike has an nimble agility that is reminiscent of my old Kawasaki. It wants to drop into turns as you wish, yet under power, wants to just sweep you through and on into the next corner.
You’ll surely have read by now that the suspension on this bike is crap. While I can say that it is definitely not primo Ohlins or WP suspension, it is far from crap. The rear has a touch too much compression damping, and not enough rebound damping. That said, the bike I was on had less than 800 miles on it, so the suspension was so far from being “broken in” that its not worth fully commenting on. If you’re one of them anal types who believes the doofuses writing reviews all day....then yes, prepare to spend 1000-1500$ on new boingy things. For what the bike is....I just don’t think they’re needed.
Seat position on the machine is.....just OK. For me at least. I’m 6’0”, with a 32” inseam. At stop lights, I can stand over the bike with several inches between my pants and the seat. This was an odd feeling for me, but again...I came off my KTM 350. Now I have this issue with all bike companies. They all feel the need to make these seats push you into the gas tank. Why? Why? Why? A flat seat would have been absolutely perfect on this bike, but again...that’s ok. The seat once you get used to it does keep you in relatively the same position at all times. It’d help if it weren’t slippery, but then your undies would be getting in a bunch (literally). A lot of folks will complain about the seat not being comfortable....they’re on crack. It’s comfortable...their ass just is NOT used to riding it, and much like the suspension, the foam needs time to break in. It’s like buying a 700$ pair of Italian Oxfords, and thinking they’re gonna fit better than OJ’s glove at his trial. Silly.
So why as my brother mentioned am I not sold on the bike? There are just too many other cheaper options out there that I think could turn my turbine. I’m a motorcycle enthusiast at heart. Through countless bikes over the years, I’ve found that when I’m out riding, I don’t care what I’m on, but purely that I’m out riding. I had hoped that the downright sexiness of the Scrambler would push me over the edge and out writing a check. Unfortunately it just didn’t. I’m still not sure how I feel about that either. If you’ve never ridden a Ducati bike, especially a 2V like this, take one for a test ride. There’s nothing to regret about it.
Andrew
TheOnelectronic
> DrScientist
09/24/2015 at 18:26 |
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~$8k
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TheOnelectronic
> Alex Zapata
09/24/2015 at 18:27 |
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I rode one prior to getting my Monster. It’s a properly fun bike, but for me the seat was just too hard, and I felt like I was always hitting the rev limiter way earlier than I should have been.
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Alex Zapata
> bob and john
09/24/2015 at 18:31 |
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Yeah, speedo doesn’t bother me quite as bad, also they apparently have the old Monster 796 engine, any comments on that?
They look insanely well built, actually most bikes on the floor looked the same, but I mean this thing looks as well built as BMWs or better.
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Alex Zapata
> Andrew Gore
09/24/2015 at 18:35 |
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Yeah, demo was out for the day yesterday so I couldn’t ride it, but I got on a pre-prep bike that was already sold and the bike is so low and narrow it’s so perfect for me, haven’t felt so confidently planted on a bike ever, they always are too wide or too tall for me to be 100% secure, this just felt so right, like we are meant to be...
Also I live in a third-world country with bad roads and unpredictable weather, I think softer suspension and non sporty tires are very much alright for me
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Alex Zapata
> TheOnelectronic
09/24/2015 at 18:37 |
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Which Monster you have?
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Alex Zapata
> Josh G
09/24/2015 at 18:41 |
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I love the look of it, here in Mexico there aren’t many bikes that compare to this, it has a bit less power than the FZ6 but I dislike the look and feel of the Yamaha, plus I really didn’t like the vibe I got from the dealer, only thing that compares in Japanese bikes is the Suzuki Gladius and its way older gear and it’s only a few hundred dollars less, plus Suzuki vs Ducati, the only thing I can compare it to Duke 690 is way more expensive (several thousand, due to no official KTMs dealers only importers) and the BMW 800R which isn’t as interesting and is also around 1200-1400 dollars more...
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Alex Zapata
> Sam
09/24/2015 at 18:43 |
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Didn’t like the paint or the look much when I saw them yesterday, I’d really only buy an Icon or a Full Throttle, I would get an Icon in red since I can’t justify the extra expenditure on a FT just for the Termi exhaust and the side-fuel-fuel-tank-things, also didn’t like the textile seat...
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bob and john
> Alex Zapata
09/24/2015 at 18:53 |
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only initial quiality. they like to vibe. hard. not to mention servicing, while it better then it has been in the past, it still nuts.
BMWs feel like they are made from a solid block. nothing vibes or anything.
the ducs...mirrors are junk, and (to me) some of the switch gear felt a little clunky. maybe it was just that one bike, but i wasnt impressed. I might jump to the brits next, or maybe stay with the japanese manufacturers.
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TheOnelectronic
> Alex Zapata
09/24/2015 at 18:55 |
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1200s
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Andrew Gore
> bob and john
09/25/2015 at 09:29 |
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I can’t imagine reliability “issues” being anything more than internet hubrub. This specific 2V motor has been out for quite a few years at this point. The bike build quality to me seemed bang on par with what it should be. The way they got the price down, was cutting out pricier suspension bits. Compared to my KTM, which had an OTD price identical to the Ducati, the KTM has the top notch suspension, but loses points in the “we haven’t figured out how to properly wire a motorcycle” lucas electronics bit.
It’s all a tradeoff really. The best part is that at the heart of the beast (the motor), where it matters, the bike is a reliable, beautiful aircooled 2V L-Twin.
The more I think about this bike.....the more I want one.
-Andrew
DasWauto
> Andrew Gore
09/28/2015 at 18:00 |
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Hey, I’ve added you as an author on Oppo. Feel free to share any other bike/car insights/experiences as you wish. Cheers.