Scrambler Shootout: Which Should You Choose - British Brawn Or Italian Flair?
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- Опубліковано 5 лют 2025
- Go to RiderJustice.com (riderjustice.c...) to learn how to Ride Smarter today. Rider Justice champions biker rights-on the road, in the courtroom, and now across the country. Kase reviews two Scramblers with different approaches - the Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled and the Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC. Which one is the better option?
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#Scrambler #Ducati #Triumph
I can’t comment on the Triumph, but I’ve owned a Desert Sled for over a year now and have 5,500 miles of on/off road miles. The suspension is a bit firm, suited more for street. The stock seat is pretty awful. It’s surprisingly easy to ride slowly in 1st and 2nd gear in very technical terrain. Ground clearance is awesome. The desert sled can go way beyond just dirt roads. The tranny on mine is fantastic. Some complain they can’t find neutral but I’ve never had a problem. The stock Pirelli tires are better than I expected. I have gotten lucky enough to not get stuck in the mud yet. However I wish they had not put such a wide rim on the rear wheel. The fueling on the bike is awesome. I’m keeping it stock.
I replaced the stock seat with a Sargent seat - wow what a plush all-day ride this bike is now. Well worth the $525 US!
You’re a G my friend
I looked hard at both bikes for about 6 months. This is a "second" bike to complement my 2018 Kawasaki Z900RS. I took delivery of the 2022 Ducati Desert Sled in sparkling blue last week. I LOVE it! Not cheap, not the fastest, but not slow either, its a work of art, and the performance is amazing. There is a reason Ducati cost so much. :)
I got the exact same sled and I’m absolutely obsessed. Even though I own the bike I still watch so many UA-cam videos like I don’t even own one. Maybe I’m just not worthy of it’s greatness
Ducati Dry Weight 191-193 kg / 421-425 lbs
Wet Weight 207-209 kg / 456-461 lbs
Triumph XE Dry Weight 207-208 kg / 456.4- 458.5 lbs
Wet Weight 229-230 kg / 505-507 lbs
XC Dry Weight 205 kg / 452 lbs ( 2020)
Some differences between model years. Old- New.
Accurate figures. That is why the XC feels heavier, however having tested both, I would still take the Triumph every time.I found the Ducati surprisingly gutless and frankly have serious doubts that it produces the claimed BHP figure. I owned a 1992 900 SS for 20 years and that went like hell (once derestricted and re-jetted) interestingly, the 1992 900 SS (quicker than later versions) had a virtually identical standing 1/4 time to the Yamaha Genesis 1000 of the period which had double the power. Thats what a dead flat torque curve v BHP does .
I've been asking motorcyclist mag to re do tye comparison of the ducati scrambler & triumph scramber since the desert sled and scrambler XC came out. In about 2015 they took the smaller original bikes to Colorado and itbwas a great video but they have not compared the newer bigger bikes from this segment (desert sled & scrambler XC) no matter how many times I've asked haha. This is a good comparison video ! Thanks
Bought the 23’ Desert Sled about three weeks ago in blue and white. I love this thing!
I’d go with…..the triumph 1200 XE. The extra suspension and bigger engine helped. But the cruise control, heated grips, lean sensitive traction control and abs, as well as better fit and finish really sealed the deal. Add in the lower operating cost due to expensive Ducati maintenance and the larger dealer network (I live 4 hours from a Ducati dealer) and the choice was clear. I still love how the sled looks, but I made the best choice (for ME).
Collecting my XE this weekend, cannot wait to move from air-cooled (as noted above), to water-cooled (as was the previous Honda 750X DCT).
I like the look of the Ducati, the low-down torque of the Triumph, the TFT of the Triumph, the keyed ignition of the Ducati, the valve clearance servicing of the Triumph, the weight of the Ducati, the reliability of ... any Japanese bike.
I feel a T7 retro mod coming on…!😁🔥
@@hamishbartholomaeus how awesome would that be! Problem is yamaha cant seem to match supply with demand on the t7. Imagine if they released a retro version. Youd be put on a 3 year waitlist. The wait for t7 in canada at the moment appears to be 1-2 years.
@@Coletrainbaby yeah, That’s know a guy who waited for over 12 months here in Australia, and the dealer said “I’ll let you know when I know….”
That was a long arsed wait!!😂😬
I'm a dirt bike rider so I have no problem taking either bike off road on terrain that is more challenging in the video. I know I would drop either bike off road because it would be easy to exceed the limit of the tires. I'd go with the Triumph due to the rim sizes allowing for more choice of tires that are more for the dirt. I'd like to know what tires are on those modified Triumphs used in the new Bond movie.
I own both the desert sled and the triumph scrambler Xe.
I must admit the triumph has become my most favorite motorcycle that I have owned and I have owned 52 motorcycles over the last 16 years.
I plan on keeping my desert sled because it's such a fun little scoot.
The triumph would be one that I wouldn't be concerned about taking on a 2 day trip overnight however however I don't see myself going off road because I enjoyed the bis doythe bike staying clean and I don't want to damage it and I have the Steve McQueen edition and I want to keep it pristine.
Makes me feel really good reading that because I bought a 1200xe as my second bike and I love it.
Yes, I also have a Sled and will get rid of other bikes before it...sure it's a cool looking thing, but I'd have to say that for cornering in the tight to medium stuff, I've never had a more fun and great handling bike. It just makes a joke of that stuff. Then you get to a dirt road .? Piece of p#*".
Good bike.
The Steve McQueen edition is such a good looking bike, I don’t blame ya I wouldn’t off-road it either.
Love my sled! Still get anxious when I watch these comparison videos but no regrets so far! Handles great and gets lots of looks... still in the break in period so that Ducati tax is looming haha
I ride an XE and take it everywhere, drag pegs when I want or take it to two track, sand or push myself in some single track.
It isn’t perfect, but it is awesome.
The Sleds handling is worth the price of admission. Super fun to ride curves fast.
I have Desert Sled. And my answer is the best bike on the world is that bike what you owned.
Great comparison video guys 👍
I thoroughly enjoy my Scrambler 1200XC. I don't feel that the cornering is reluctant or slow, but that's all relative, and compared it to the Ducati, I assume it's more noticeable. The 1200XE would have slower cornering than the XC due to the longer wheelbase and slightly different geometry, so I still feel that the XC is a better proposition for most riding.
Agree 100%. And when you change the Stock Tires you have so much more grip and fast corner speed. The punsch out of tight corners is so much fun. The Suspension is awesome and that’s why the bike is not cheap.
I would counter this with:
- height of the user using the bike
- manufacturer or motorbike tyre.. having used the Michelin Anakee on the V85 tt, I would want same on the Triumph before considering any comparison
@@hensola I don't believe the height of the user matters much. If you want an XE, but aren't tall enough, that's one thing, but I don't believe there is a reason to go from an XC to XE based on height. They have the same seat to peg ratio, and are virtually identical for the rider once you're moving.
Beautiful focus throw at 9:18, kudos to the cameraman
I go with the Triumph Scrambler 1200.
What about the maintenance intervals?
and cost of maintenance! Desmo service is expensive!
Cool dual reviews from our favorite tech guys⚡😎😉
The edits are on point🎬👍🏻
Way to compare oranges and kumquats. How about doing the Triumph 1200 Scrambler and the Ducati 1100 Scrambler? That would be a better comparison.
as a previous owner of a Cagiva Elephant 750, i'd go for the Sled....
The 21inch hoop on the Triumph makes it tougher to canyon carve but definitely makes it better off road.
First time an American said Öhlins kinda right! Good on ya!👍👍
Many errors in the video, wrong parametres for the rear suspension (it's not 5.9" in the rear like they say in the video, it's the same as the front), they also got the weight way wrong.
Bro, when that gas cap opened I fn died. ..and triumph died for me at the same time haha.
Ducati is a great looking bike...
Great job guys, keep them coming! Cheers Kirk
I want to see what the triumph looks like with a front fender like the Ducati. Bet it’s sick. Love them both, still want the DS tho
The triumph has more class and clearly more expensive parts. As for off road I would not want to drop either of these bikes due to the expense. Also after seeing the triumph on the James Bond movie…. Damn!! All black it looks awesome! I’ve seen experiences riders take both these bikes off road and throw em around.. it comes down to the riser in the end but both bikes are very capable.
Suspension travel plaa plaa...went wrong too.
7.9" not 5.9" ( rear).
I don’t worry about power when I ride my Ducati Scrambler. I am worry more about wind at 85 mp/h on the freeway.
hey guys im wondering why a ducati scrambler is 20kg heavier than an icon? ..........does it have a reinforced frame?...catalytic converter, more electronics?
I've always had a soft spot for the scramblers. Great vid, gentlemen
Me too. But i would put on road tires first, because the most off roads I have here are some who are a bit sandy at most, nothing you really need knobby tires for. The Ducatis are probably the closest to what scramblers were meant for. On the other hand, you can nearly get a 9T for the price of a Ducati and that's also a great bike.
How is the Ducati's low mounted exhaust LESS likely to get damaged if it falls over? I don't agree at all. Also, the bash guard on the Ducati is tiny and not great. Get a set of crash bars for the Triumph and the engine and exhaust are covered pretty well. Tires can be, and should be changed if you're going to go off road much.
As an owner of the DS and previous owner of the Triumph, I can tell you they do not lie in this case. Both can get scratched on stuff when the bike is down, but the Triumph exhaust is much more protruding to the side and is significantly bigger.
You should make a comparison between the Ducati and the Triumph XE which is more off road oriented. Or maybe with the new Ducati that’s about to launch.
There's surprisingly not much difference in weight considering the difference in frame and engine displacement. The parallel twin should be lighter than a V.
BMW made sure people knew when they introduced the 800GS that it had a "semi-dry" sump. The twins were lighter than the dry sump 650's. I think most manufacturers use a deeep sump on their ADV and thus street engines too.
I prefer tubeless and the Triumph dealer network is quite large compared to Ducati - I believe.
Desert Sled all day long!!!!
For sure cool guys with good Intentions but sorry - fact errors and not so good review. Totally subjective 😎 I love my (pre-owned) Desert Sled 2017 geared up with air hawk pillow, heated grips, LED headlight, wind screen, tail tidy, all available crash protection, etc etc - I have the coolest ADV bike for 8K USD and I dont cry when its dropped. Adding Better rear and front suspension, still around 10K USD! A stock Desert Sled went world around with the youngest driver ever recently , ok - one engine switch but still! 👊🏽
The Desert Sled every day 👍
Awesome review! I subscribed. Still debating.
Where are you guys? Some of that looks like my backyards in the Rockies! I'm just north of Fort Collins. Let's Ride!
You guys are the best.
You might consider actually placing the two bikes on a scale. I find it hard to believe the 1200 cc, liquid cooled Triumph is lighter than the 803 cc, air cooled Ducati. The Triumph web site lists a dry weight of 452 pounds for the 1200XC. Gas, oil, and coolant will likely push that close to 500 pounds. Both bikes look great. I’d be happy with either one.
Yep. Wet weight of the Triumph is very close to 500, which is about 40 more than the Duc
I had an Ducati scrambler urban enduro first generation, and the maintenance and reliability was not the best. I regretted getting rid of my Triumph for the Ducati. 😭
Good comparison. However, for that price range and better styling I would go with an Indian FTR.
Skids plates.. the Triumph skid plate is bolted to the tubular frame. The ducati plate is bolted to the engine 😰. Not good !
Why didn't you compare the 62 with the Triumph
Where did you get the 455lbs wet weight figure for the XC? That's not right - it's heavier than the Ducati - not lighter - you're 50lbs out - it's over 505lbs wet, and closer to the 455lbs figure you claim when dry...
The Triumph XC is the more road oriented version, the XE has much better spec for off road . Be good to compare this with the sled.
The Ducati’s steering stop is made of a flimsy metal plate and bends easily in case of a drop
That's true. Also it's the biggest negative of the bike.
Which is a better city bike?
Definitely the scrambler!
I still don’t get why he says it’s not good at high way speeds the bike goes to 225 kmh and is stable goes from 0-100 km in 3,5s and is cable off road if you know what you’re doing even if you have a dirt bike and don’t know how to ride off road you won’t be able to.
Thing I don't like about the Triumph Scrambler is that top heavy motor as compared with a BMW Flat twin which has its weight down low. I've had two. I've not owned a Ducati scrambler but would be keen to give one a try. You'd have a lot of fun ringing its neck over the porky Triumph.
How do you guys feel about the one step maintenance program set up from Ducati? Have you guys found a way around it, or is it just a blatant disregard of the Right to repair act..?
"And there is a 1200 version of the Ducati Scrambler"...WHAT???
Meant to say 1100, it was one of those Mondays
@@kasevr ahhh, OK. I test rode the 1100 when it first came out. It's purely street biased, and the easiest bike I've ever ridden. It's like if you took a Sportster 1200 Roadster and put a smoother engine in it and shaved 75 lbs off the top.
@@kiplambel4052 I like the 803 but that extra power would be nice
Definitely fun to ride the Triumph around Boulder Reservoir and the dirt roads around Nederland. It is slightly disappointing that Triumph chose to spec that huge front hoop, it definitely affects turn in on the twisties and in the dirt. The lower center of gravity and the smaller wheels on the Ducati would likely make it a bit more friendly when the road gets rougher.
Thanks for the review!
Should've compared it with Triumph XC
Having driven a Moto Guzzi V85 TT 850cc for two years, my personal opinion is that the Italians do not care about engine knocking when the CAT impedes performance (knocking being subjective when the car runs at 20 celius and above)!! Or maybe this is a result of Aprilia enforcing EU regulations on an Air-Cooled engine.
Multiple issues where brought up with the offical Moto Guzzi dealer, at which, the end result was "welcome to an air/oil cooled engine".
The way Tom cruise look alike said Olins 😀😀😀
Yamaha need to get back in the game and bring out a modern capable retro scrambler. Bring back the XT600!!! But make it an XT900 with the XSR engine, full Ohlins.
That 452 lb number on the Triumph is the dry weight. Wet would be more like 477
You skewed this towards the Duc from the beginning.
1200cc version of the Ducati Scrambler? Not quite a "Scrambler" how these two are.
Hi Kase
Ducati is 7.9" rear wheel travel(suspension).,not "5.9".
you guys know there’s a Ducati scrambler 1100 right?!
Not in sled/XE spec though…
These guys don’t sound like they actually ride. Way too much second hand information not enough personal experience.
my bmw rninet rural g/s :)
Meh 😒 how about a Ducati SuperSport 950s VS. Triumph Thruxton RS ?
Ducati all the way!
The Ducati feels lighter because it is literally like 20 kilos lighter. It's 50 kilos lighter than their multistrada enduro model.
Why compare xc to sled..xe would be the one
Ducati is better looking, lighter and has plenty of power. The Triumph is a big, heavy truck plodding along dressed up like a scrambler.
The Ducati is actually heavier
@@dominicprezwanski2565 It is not, they got it wrong. Ducati is around 205kg wet and Triumph is around 230kg.
@@FulTrotl thanks for clarifying g, that does make more sense!
I have an XE and love it to bits
Xc is burning my thigh
Italian
Audi.
Ducati has a 1100cc version. Not 1200.....
Désolée j'étais propriétaire d'une Ducati et Je préfère la Triumph Peace n Love
What?! The Desert Sled’s dry weight is 193kg and the 1200 weighs 205kg, dry. How can you get the basics wrong? That’s a noob mistake there. Unsubscribed.
Should of gone with xe
I always wondered why do Ducati say L twin. The engine angle is bigger that an L. You can clearly see it’s bigger than 90 degrees
It's Exactly 90 degrees. You are probably looking at the timing belt covers, which originate from the top of the crankcase, and extend to the center of the heads.
Inches, pounds and gallons. Americans are so old world.
I choose... neither I'll build my own lol
Totally inappropriate comparison. You took the jacked up taller Ducati, and not one of their lower, normal Scramblers, and compared it to the Triumph lower, normal Scrambler, and not the jacked up taller XE? So strange when only the Desert Sled and XE (not XC) go head to head and none of the others from the range go head to head at all with either taller model. Also, there is a 1200 Ducati scrambler? As the Triumph you chose is 1200? Bizarre comparison. A biker would literally never be tossing a coin between those two models.
Both just "Poser" bikes - never real scramblers
Have you watched any clips out of India showing what people are doing with the Duke, or out of South West USA with the Trumpy???
A competent ride can do a bit more than pose in these things, unless you are overweight!!
Scrambler 1200 XE finished the Baja 1000 in stock form - aint no poser bike
@@dylmar85 and a fasthouse Ducati sled just took the number 1 plate in the hoonigan open class hair and hound.
These bikes have plenty of ability!😁
Depends on the rider. Anyone looking at these bikes could save $$ buying a t-120 or scrambler icon/nightshift if they only intend on street/hwy use. The appeal of the bikes to me is the offroad use ability. Living in the country and taking a sportbike on gravel daily has gotten old.