Ducati Scrambler review, test ride

It’s yesterday in more ways than one. Some two years ago, I was here in Thailand having a blast, getting to know Ducati’s Monster 795, the Monster for Asia, the perfect bike to paint India rosso with. When it was launched in India, a fantastic price tag sent demand for this famous motorcycle soaring. However, the sales and service experience that followed turned fantasy into bitterness for so many Ducati fans. And an embarrassed Ducati’s dream to make its mark in India remained distant and indeterminate.

 

Not anymore. Here we are in 2015; Ducati’s revamped its India operations and is about to kick-start a completely new innings. For me, its déjà vu in Thailand once again, to ride Ducati’s classically inclined Scrambler, and see what promise it holds for India.

 

 

Many people will be sold on the Scrambler simply because of its standout design. Ducati says it hasn’t tried to recreate the Scrambler of 1962, but has evolved it into the bike it would be, had it never been shelved in 1975. The Scrambler has many virtues that modern motorcycles strive for – compactness, simplicity and coolness. But, it does all of it with the charm of a more carefree world.

 

Ducati is offering the Scrambler in four predetermined flavours – Icon, Classic, Full Throttle and Urban Enduro. Each variant's design elements are tailored to suit the tastes of a slightly different rider. For instance, the Urban Enduro is aimed at riders that seek an added dash of adventure from their ride. To do so, it gets spoke rims, a sump guard, a grille for the headlamp, a beak-like front mudguard and a handlebar with a cross brace.

 

The Full Throttle is sporty. This flat tracker-inspired motorcycle uses a shorter handlebar, a minimal front mudguard, a Termignioni exhaust and alloy wheels. Apart from this, Ducati offers a variety of optional panels, logos and casings to customise the look. The best part is, Ducati insists that customers can combine the various elements in any combination they choose!