Ducati SCRAMBLER 800 Desert Sled 2017 — Specifications

Imagine a Scrambler that no longer just plays the role of an urban aesthete. Ducati took its base twin, equipped it with stronger footpegs and serious ground clearance, and told it, "Alright, let's see what's beyond the café parking lot." The result is the Ducati Scrambler 800 Desert Sled. This machine, available from 2017 and continuing in subsequent versions like the 2018 or 2019, is not pretending. It is Borgo Panigale’s answer to those who dream of getting off the beaten path without committing to the technical experience of a true trail bike.

The heart remains the famous 803 cm3 L-twin, faithful and well-known, which delivers here its 75 horsepower. The power is there, lively and sonorous, but the character has been refined to meet Euro4 standards, gaining regularity without losing its playful soul. This engine is an ideal companion for trails, offering torque available from mid-range RPM. On the transmission side, the chain requires a little attention, but it remains the logical choice for this mixed use.

The transformation is physical. The frame has been reinforced, and the suspension is the real point of departure from a classic Scrambler. An inverted 46 mm Kayaba fork and a single shock absorber each offer 200 mm of travel. Combined with a seat height of 860 mm, this gives a motorcycle that dominates the terrain, capable of absorbing impacts without a murmur. Spoked wheels, an 19-inch front and a 17-inch rear, shod with Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tires, confirm the intention. The braking system, with its 330 mm Brembo disc at the front, is powerful and precise, well beyond what one would expect on a "fun" spirit motorcycle.

But this capability comes at a price, and it is reflected in the weight balance. With 207 kg fully fueled, the Desert Sled is not a lightweight motorcycle. Its weight, often a question for prospects looking for a used Ducati Scrambler 800 Desert Sled, is a factor to consider, especially in technical maneuvers or on very loose terrain. It is not a KTM 790 Adventure R, far from it. It is more of a rocky trail and back road motorcycle than a complete desert conqueror.

The audience? It's the adventurous traveler, the one who wants a beautiful, vibrant motorcycle with Ducati character, but capable of following him on a mountain bike trail or towards a secluded campsite. It also appeals to those who, in the city, want a unique presence and an immediate sense of escape. For a Ducati Scrambler 800 Desert Sled test ride, you discover a machine that succeeds in its bet: to be more than a style, to be a function. Its muffler, like the entire line, tells this story of rediscovered freedom, halfway between the track and the trail.