Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled First Ride Review

How does it ride?

The long-travel suspension on the Desert Sled is more than just a visual statement, it works very well off-road. The front end is a little stiff, so you do feel the knocks on your wrists. But this also meant that I could trust the suspension to put up with the most unforgiving terrains without bottoming-out. You can hoon the bike through trails and jump the bike without worrying about the suspension and the mighty Scorpion Rally tyres giving up on you. And the absence of a traction control system means that you can spin up and slide the rear to your heart's content. The wide handlebar gives you the leverage to steer out of tricky situations in a jiffy while making the Desert Sled easy to ride while standing up. Despite the narrow body profile, getting a grip on the tank is tricky, and I ended up holding on to the seat most of the time. Also, your ankles are always in close vicinity to the hot engine case, so you need to be cautious while standing up and riding. 

The engine is the same 803cc oil-cooled L-twin unit, delivering 72bhp and 67Nm of torque. The gearbox is a six-speed unit and gets a slipper clutch. There is usable torque in low rev range to help you gas out of tricky situations, although the response is jerky until you reach 3,000rpm. And that is when the torque's flood gates open. The torque is concentrated in the mid-range, and the delivery is smooth to make it easily accessible. The torque peaks at around 6,000rpm, although you can keep gassing it just shy of 8,500rpm when the situation demands it. 

Even the brakes are well set up. The front brake has a soft initial bite, and the forks have a significant dive, but these seem like compromises only on the tarmac. Off the tarmac, the soft bite prevents the front end from washing out in panic braking situations.  You also get confidence-inspiring progression and feel from the brakes. ABS is offered as standard, and can be disengaged on-the-fly when you wish to move off the tarmac. 

Along with the underpinnings, the Desert Sled has also inherited the lively riding dynamics of the Scrambler. Unlike what the looks suggest, the Desert Sled is fun to ride around the twisties too. The pegs are set high up, so you can get good lean angles without even realising it. Due to the stiff front end, you can feel a wobble on the handlebar every time you encounter a mid-corner undulation, but the bike refuses to get unsettled or weave off the line. 

Anything else I should know?

The first time I rode the Scrambler Desert Sled was in chock-a-block late evening Delhi traffic. My body didn't know how to deal with this situation. My thighs were burnt to a crisp, while my face had frozen to point where I was afraid my nose would just shear off. My left fingers had gone numb because of the heavy clutch, while the clunky gearbox had me at my wit's end. You have a better chance of winning a lottery than finding neutral during your first attempt. So it is clear that the Desert Sled continues to suffer from the usual Scrambler woes. 

On the road, you can feel vibrations on the pegs and the tank post 4,000rpm. Nevertheless, the Scrambler Desert Sled does allow a vibe-free 100kmph cruise in the sixth gear. The headlamp is very powerful, the seating position is upright and comfortable, which along with the firm seat and rear suspension is sure to keep the touring enthusiasts happy.

Should I buy one?

The Desert Sled is the version you should go for in case you have made up your mind about buying a Scrambler. It is very capable on the street and around twisties, and even better on trails and off-road.  However, if you plan to use it every day, you will have to invest in a good pair of riding pants and boots. 

Where does it fit in?

At Rs 10.49 lakhs, the Desert Sled is an expensive proposition. Triumph's equivalent, the Street Scrambler, benefits from being a CKD and retails at Rs 9.5 lakhs. The Kawasaki Versys 650, a semi-faired adventure touring bike, can be yours for just Rs 7.2 lakhs. The Harley-Davidson Iron 883 costs Rs 10.35 lakhs and can be custom-equipped with a similar kit for some extra moolah. 

EDIT: All prices are on-road. 

Photography by Kapil Angane

Gear check

 

1. Icon Airmada helmet – 

Comfortable, aerodynamic, lightweight and a well-ventilated helmet with a wide peripheral vision. Oval headform fit might not suit everyone though. Price - Rs 15,000.

2. Joe Rocket Alter Ego 3.0 jacket – 

An extremely versatile all-weather jacket. In this guise, it is being used as a ventilated mesh jacket, though it ships with two more liners - waterproof and thermal. Price – Rs 20,000.

3. Ixon Moto HP gloves – 

High quality full gauntlet leather gloves suited for city riding, touring and track use. Offers good ventilation and a high level of protection. Expensive though. Price - Rs 9,500

4. AGV Sport Airtex pants – 

Riding pants with mesh in the crotch, calf, back of legs and thigh areas which is a real boon in our hot weather. Price -Rs 6,500.

5. Sidi B2 boots – 

All-round street and sportbike riding shoes also suitable for track days. Not ventilated, which can make it uncomfortable for everyday use. Price - Rs 17,000