Though taller and heavier than other Ducati Scramblers, the Desert Sled is a blast on the street. Photos by Kevin Wing.
Ducati?s free-spirited, user-friendly Scramblers have been a playful departure from the company?s hard-edged, gotta-go-fast motorcycles. Even the diminutive Monster 696, which was Ducati?s most accessible model before the Scramblers came on the scene in 2015, had a committed riding position, stiff suspension and an aversion to low revs. Available in various styles and colors along with a burgeoning catalog of apparel and accessories, Scramblers have had broad appeal?nearly 50,000 have been sold worldwide since the line was launched.
The new Scrambler 1100s offer more power and sophistication, but the lighter, less expensive 800s are the heart of the Scrambler lineup. An early version was the rugged looking Urban Enduro, outfitted with a high fender, fork protectors, a headlight grill, a handlebar cross-brace, a skid plate and spoked wheels. Read our First Ride Review of the Ducati Scrambler 1100 here.
The Desert Sled is the most off-road capable model in Ducati?s Scrambler lineup. With a fortified chassis, taller suspension, extra ground clearance and spoked wheels with knobby tires, it takes a lickin? and keeps on tickin?.
Like other Ducati Scramblers, the Urban Enduro was aimed primarily at street riding, but its replacement?the Desert Sled?has off-road bona fides. Named after ?60s- and ?70s-era street bikes modified for the rigors of desert racing, the ...