Ducati Scrambler 1100 Review: Price in India, Specification & Launched Date

The first Ducati Scrambler motorcycles were built primarily for the American market, from 1962 and were in production till 1974, with engine displacements ranging from 250cc to 450cc. The first Ducati Scramblers acquired immense popularity and fame in the late ’60s and early ’70s. The term Scrambler though has evolved over the years and has come to be associated with a road motorcycle which has some off-road capability. Ducati has recently showcased it’s Ducati Scrambler 1100 in the Indian market.

The Scrambler has been Ducati’s best selling model. Eschewing performance in favor of simplicity and riding enjoyment, the Scrambler charts a different path for Ducati.

Let’s know more about Ducati scrambler 1100 in detail for this you have to read this article till the end.

Ducati Scrambler 1100 Versions And Price:

There are three versions of Ducati scrambler 1100 that make up the new range with minute differences of trim and tech between them. The three versions are as follows:

• The base model: It is a standard bike and its price is £10,695.
• The special model: Its price is £11,495.
• The sports model: Its price is £ 12,295.

Ducati Scrambler 1100 Look And Design:

Talking about the look and design of the 2018 Ducati Scrambler 1100, then the most likable thing about this bike is its Simplicity. Simplicity in its design, proportion and just the way the overall bike looks.

The classic round headlight gets modern with a LED-powered light guide around it, and the instrument panel is modern too, in the sense that it’s an LCD screen but a single-pod unit, with readouts for speedometer, tachometer, service interval etc. What is missed in the bike is a fuel gauge, although the Scrambler does flash a low fuel warning light.

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Modern motorcycles will have the throttle and brake cables tucked away neatly, but the Ducati Scrambler has exposed cables, certainly like motorcycles of the ’70s. Opinion may be divided on the exposed cables, but for us, it certainly adds to the ‘classic’ feel of the bike. The teardrop shaped fuel tank looks retro too, but the exposed tubular steel trellis looks more contemporary.

The bike’s rear end looks more modern with a LED taillight, nice-looking side mounted number plate and a side-mounted mono-shock suspension. The fat dual-sport Pirelli MT 60 tires also give the Scrambler quite a bit of appeal for that on-road, off-road, go anywhere, do anything kind of look.

With a weight of186kg kerb, the Ducati Scrambler 1100 weighs almost as much as a Royal Enfield Classic 500, but the weight is evenly balanced and you don’t feel it at all. Swing a leg over it and the first thing you notice is the wide and tall handlebar, and the seat height; at just a shade over 800mm, you can comfortably plant both feet flat on the ground. And that makes the Scrambler an easy bike to straddle for riders of all kinds of height.

Ducati Scrambler 1100 Engine And Performance:

The 2018 Ducati Scrambler is powered by an air-cooled, L-twin, 803cc engine which makes 75bhp of maximum power and peak torque of 68Nm at 5,750 revs. The engine note may not be very impressive and the L-twin engine does show its slightly vibey nature, but that’s more the character of the engine than anything to be alarmed about.

Of course, riders used to parallel-twin engine configurations may not find the Ducati Scrambler’s L-twin as smooth and refined. But all those talk about refinement and smooth power delivery are removed as soon as you put the bike in gear and open the throttle.

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The throttle response is a bit jerky and may surprise you; the bike lurches forward as soon as you open the throttle, but the torque kicks in nice and strong and acceleration is very impressive. Click through the gears and in no time you would have crossed the legal speed limit before you hit sixth. There’s ample mid-range power and a wide spread of torque that certainly makes for a very entertaining ride.

The transmission is precise and slick, and the short ratios are a pleasure to work in city traffic. It loses very low steam.

Ducati Scrambler 1100 Ride And Handling:

The riding position is straight, with slightly rear-set foot pegs, but it’s comfortable and makes riding the Scrambler feel easy, even for inexperienced and newer riders. The tall and wide handlebar is comfortable enough for quick steering inputs and the front end is quite communicative; so taking on turns, or even you can easily went through traffic with confidence. It’s a sure footed motorcycle, and even taking on the occasional dirt road, thanks to the dual-sport Pirelli MT 60 RS tyres, is not a problem at all.

The suspension is on the stiffer side; front is a 41mm upside down Kayaba fork, while the rear is a side-mounted single shock also from Kayaba. The fork doesn’t allow any adjustments, but the rear is adjustable for pre-load. The stiff suspension may not be particularly plush, especially for a pillion, but it offers taut handling, and gives the Scrambler a ‘point and shoot‘ personality.

Coupled with the punchy engine, it makes for an enjoyable motorcycle. There’s just a single 330mm disc up front and a single 245mm disc at the rear, but they come with switchable ABS as standard. They offer sufficient bite and progression, and work quite well in shaving off speeds quickly. On the flip side though, the Scrambler isn’t a bike for prolonged time on the saddle; the seat is well-cushioned but after a few hours in the saddle it starts feeling uncomfortable.

Ducati Scrambler 1100 Review- Final Verdict:

It’s not a very big bike, but definitely a head turner. The Ducati Scrambler 1100 offers a simple, enjoyable motorcycle with which you can commute, you can do the early morning weekend run with your biker buddies and even the occasional long distance tour, if you’re so inclined.

If you want a ride which is stylish, fun to ride and makes a statement. It’s not very big, and it may have limitations if you’re the touring kind, but the Ducati Scrambler is a package that has ‘fun’ written all over it, and that’s reason enough why anyone with a love for motorcycles should take a ride – and that makes it a very attractive proposition.

Three things you loved about the Ducati Scrambler 1100:-

• It has Smooth throttle and torque from the engine
• It has best Build quality
• It is consists of slick gearbox and clutch combo.

Three things that you didn’t love about Ducati Scrambler 1100:-

• New instrument panel is a bit too basic inc. no MPG average.
• Could do with a tad more power, just 15bhp would compensate for the extra weight and give it a little more life plus distinction from the 800.
• The Special’s paint scheme and chrome exhaust is a peculiar match.