2017 Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled: FIRST LOOK (Gallery and Video)
Rennie Scaysbrook | November 7, 2016
Ducati is getting serious traction from its Scrambler range that saw the light of day just two years ago, the latest being the Scrambler Desert Sled, the sixth iteration in the range.
The Desert Sled is born from the desert-style machines that populated Southern California in the 1960s and ’70s – basically streetbikes fitted with different suspension, larger wheels, off-road style tires and the essential bash/skid plate to shield the engine from engine busting rocks and boulders.
The new, 2017 version of that iconic style takes the Scrambler Icon and uses a slightly modified frame, spoked wheels with a 19-incher rolling up front, Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR off-road tires, headlight mesh guard, the high mudguards (specially designed for this version) and, of course, the engine skid plate.
Set visibly higher than the standard Scrambler, the Desert Sled’s inverted front suspension now has a travel of 200mm – a whopping 50mm more than the Icon – and it also sports a high 33.8 inch seat height (2.7 inches higher than the Icon). That should give the Desert Sled some pretty good off-road chops, far better than the Icon. It’ll be interesting to see if this bike will pinch sales off the Icon and other variants of the Scrambler, especially given this bike is far more suited to off-road riding.
2017 Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled Key Features
Colors
White with black frame and spoked wheels with gold rims
Ducati Red with black frame and spoked wheels with gold rims
Equipment
- Desmo twin-cylinder engine, EURO4-compliant with black finish
- Exhaust with dual tail pipe and black covers
- Reinforced off-road frame
- New aluminum swingarm
- Spoked wheels, 19″at the front and 17″ at the rear, with Pirelli SCORPION TM RALLY STR tires, 120/70 R19 M/C 60V M+S TL at the front and 170/60 R 17 M/C 72V M+S TL at the rear
- Dedicated seat with a height of 860mm
- Tapered handle bars with reinforcement strut
- Adjustable Kayaba upside down fork with 200mm of travel
- Adjustable Kayaba rear shock absorber with separate gas cartridge
- Steel teardrop fuel tank with interchangeable side panels
- Front headlight with type-approved mesh guard
- High front mudguard
- Extended rear mudguard
- MSRP – $11,395
For more Ducati motorcycle reviews, click HERE.
For more Cycle News Off-Road motorcycle reviews, click HERE.
