2017 Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled

Besides extra power and weight, what does the BMW have that the Ducati doesn't? For even money I'd choose the Duc every time.

Look yeah...the Ducati spells fun...and it's gonna be better offroad.
But also those Ducati valves... 7000km valve checks?

But yeah....I want this Duc...no convincing needed.... just the mind that is intruding into matters of the heart

me too - the new Duc seems to be the only scrambler that can actually 'scramble'. with the longer suspension (8" front and rear, compared to 4.9" / 5.5" on the BMW) and re-enforced frame, it seems like Ducati have made a bike that they are actually expecting people to jump around on a bit.

The Scrambler is 7500 MILE valve checks, not km. Big difference there. Belts are every 15,000 miles. The mind should do some more research.

The DesmoDue engine has been around for over 30 years in one guise or another, they've worked out all the kinks by now.

Spot on ~ life is too short to ride dull and boring bikes... 'nuff said....

Isn't the RnineT Scrambler a lot more of a styling exercise than anything else? 4.9" F (non-adjustable 43mm conventional Showa fork) and 5.5" R of suspension travel, spoke wheels are an option and it's about $1600 more, $2100 with the wheel upgrade. Both bikes are really good looking but I think the Ducati did the better job overall.

Really liking this bike the more I look I look at it.

There are going to be some unhappy people though. The usual suspect that complain about a high seat. It's 34" which is the same as the later KTM 950/990 adventures. It's not a small bike like it appears in the photos.

I wonder who long it will be before we get the threads "Scambler vs Enduro for adv touring"

The 2V engines are also a cakewalk to do adjustments on. Compared to a typical shim-under-bucket design, I'll take the desmo system any day, even if the intervals are more frequent.

Rear suspension travel looks like it should be easy to increase a bit with a new shock. I wonder about the front. That being said, again it's only 0.3" off the KTM ADV bikes. I'd just really want an 18" rear

Good to hear about the engines. Shim-under-bucket often pisses me off. Bring back the old style lock-nuts you got on the GPZ500/EX500

You guys aren't helping me trying to NOT justify this bike

I loved it the moment I saw it.

Thing is though....do I sell the BMW Xchallenge and the Honda NC750X to get this or.....

There is also that damn Husqvarna 701 lurking.....

First spec I saw that made me happy was that 34" seat height, it's hard to find a "smaller" bike that is also tall that isn't a dual sport.

I was excited when the release came out being an Elefant 650 guy that likes vintage enduros. Finally something that's well under 500#s, doesn't look like a transformer and can actually go off-road! The whole Scrambler range has always appealed to me but never enough to get me to write a check, until I saw this. I was ready to go talk to the dealer.

Now that I saw the price, I'm kind of disappointed. Ducati's classics with wire wheels and all are substantially more than the Icon. $11,395 for the Desert Sled, only $8,895 for the Icon, Classic in the middle at $10,495. That bumps it up into the range where the appeal starts to fall off. The only one I'd actually consider is the Desert Sled, but not sure at that price. It sounds like there are upgrades, but even the up-rated suspension doesn't appear to be exactly top shelf stuff.

But it does look cool and would probably be a hoot!

Agree with all that and another big plus is that Ducati is using a different swingarm design on the DS per the Cycle World article linked above, evidently it is NOT mounted to the cases which could potentially be a big problem on a dual sport bike. Rode a Monster 800 for a few years and loved the engine but eventually sold it due to poor rough road performance and ground clearance....not a problem on the new DS. Nearly bought a new Scrambler a year ago and am now glad I didn't, this is the bike I've been waiting for someone to make.
Anyway, from the CW article...

"Today at EICMA, Ducati ended the wait for a modern scrambler that was something more than a styling element. That’s right, the Scrambler Desert Sled is finally here. And like the bikes that it’s inspired by, this Scrambler promises to actually let you have a little fun off-road, without all the clanking.
To accomplish this, Ducati has redesigned the swingarm of the Scrambler, and mounted it in a way that takes stress off of the cases when the bike is properly abused out in the desert, or jumped. It’s also added much-needed suspension travel with beefier fork and shock (7.9 inches total, front and rear), reinforced the tubular frame, replaced the taller Scrambler Icon bars with a motocross-style bar, and gave you big footpegs for better bite as you tear through the desert."

It is a nice bike for the price, but so is a F800GS which is a similar price range.
I know which one I would rather sled into the desert with...

The Desert Sled is the same price as the Flat Track Pro Scrambler. It has the same Termignoni slip-on (color different), and more additional features such as the longer travel, more adjustable suspension, and reinforced frame.

Still expensive, but not as bad as it looks at a glance.

Ok, I should have read all this before I complained about the price. Now that I see all the frame changes and suspension details I'm really glad they didn't make a long travel Icon.

I'm stoked! I may have to dust off my old HiPoints, hose out my original Moto3, grab my crusty enduro jacket and head to the dealer. This one may finally work for more than coffee shops.

Now if I can just get Giant Loop to make me a Coyote system in faded canvas?

I'm just guessing but if I had a crystal ball, I see one in my future

Good catch on the how the swing arm is mounted. I bet it still mounts to the cases, but the new frame definitely extends down to provide a lot of reinforcement.

Well if you do more paved road than unpaved, and more longer distance touring than short tours, than the 701 is probably a better bet in terms of performance, luggage and price. Otherwise the Scrambler seems badass.

Can the ABS be turned off on these Ducatis?