Ducati Scrambler Cafe Racer Review (2017)
What Is It?
The Ducati Scrambler Cafe Racer is one of the top end Scrambler variants and is powered by a Euro 4 compliant air-cooled 803 cc V-Twin engine, producing 75 bhp at 8,250 rpm and maximum torque at 5,750 rpm.
Specs
- Seat Height: Average (805 mm / 31.7 inches)
- Weight: Average (188 kg / 415 lbs)
- Economy: Average (45 mpg / 6.3 l/100km / 15.9 km/l)
- Range: Average (130 miles / 209 km)
- Power to Weight: Average (0.399 bhp/kg / 0.297 kW/kg)
- Top Speed: High (120 mph / 193 km/h)
Pros
- Easy to handle
- Lots of torque
- Looks great
- Small
- Tyres
Cons
- Jerky throttle at slow speeds
- Seat comfort
- Range
What Is It Like?
Looks
The bike is gorgeous and pulls a crowd wherever I take it. The paint finish isn't excellent for a £10,000 bike, especially being a Ducati, although with a few layers of Carnauba wax it does come up gleaming.
Range
The tank range on the bike is the worst part of owning it. You barely get 110 miles on a tank following the odd 'spirited' ride, which leaves you looking for fuel stops every hour whilst everyone else thunders on.
Handling
The throttle sometimes jerks and you are fully aware it's cable operated, but nothing that deters from a great ride. It's a V-Twin and was never going to be great in town, however it's a vast improvement over my old Monster 1100S.
The bike is as light as anything and although being what I would call under powered at 75bhp through some twistys and flowing roads I can easily keep up with Monster 1200S, XDiavels and alike. It's only on the motorway you really struggle.
Tyres
The standard tyres are excellent, Rosso Diablo 2's and there sticky as hell. Soon as there warm you've got the confidence to throw the bike around, and in the wet they aren't skittish at all compared to a Supercorsa. Perfect blend.
Comfort
The bike looks excellent and for the most part is pretty comfortable, blasting between cafes on a Sunday, but after an hour or two the seat does get tedious and can prove to be pretty hard.
Security
As security goes, you can fit an Oxford brake disc lock under the seat which is great, but with the disc being on the left hand side of the wheel, when the bike is on its side stand, you can't really see it.....so not much of a deterrent.
Any Downsides?
The bike would thrive with a gear indicator and fuel gauge....something you should really be getting as standard after spending 10k!
The only major issue I have with the bike is the ECU. My local dealer is struggling to upload the Termignoni map to it, even after being issued specialist codes from Ducati directly.
Mods
I have the aftermarket Termignoni can fitted to the bike and it is music to my ears. It's probably the best looking aftermarket exhaust you can purchase and totally gives the bike some character, not to mention saving a lot lot lot of weight against the standard toolbox exhaust.
To Sum Up
Other than that the bike is excellent and I am pleased with it. It's still a Ducati and still gives you a smile every time you fire it up.
The only thing I would recommend is to try one first! Next on my list will be to tart the whole thing up with some carbon fibre to make it stand out just that little bit more!
- Gav, 2017
Price Guide
Related Bikes
Ducati Scrambler Icon - The base model scrambler.
Ducati Scrambler Full Throttle - Icon with Termignoni silencer, lower bars and more styling touches.
Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled - Off-road styled model with wire spoked wheels, long travel suspension, larger front wheel, headlight guard and skid plate.
The Second Opinion
Choosing The Cafe Racer
Having just got my full bike license, I was looking for a bike that would fit my 5'4 9st, pathetically weak frame. I'd been reading about the Ducati monster 696, which seamed to tick my boxes. This in mind, we visited a showroom and I did like the monsters I sat on.
But then tucked away in the corner, I spotted a Scrambler Café Racer. I got the poor sales man to just about rearrange the shop to get the bike in better view. I sat on it and that was the decision made.
What's Good?
This bike is Fabulous. I saved a tidy sum buying an ex-demo, with just 200 miles on the clock and with the saving I splashed out on Ducati heated grips and a gear indicator.
Handling
To ride, it's a novices dream. It feels comfortable and well balanced. Corners are fun and I agree with all other reviews that the tyres stick fast to the road. My confidence is growing with every mile covered.
Mods
I've changed the number plate bracket to a tail tidy. The height as standard was fine, but hubby backed off the preload, which I think suits me even better.
Hubby who is 6'3" and build like the old brick outhouse, still fits fairly comfortably and will grab the opportunity to take it for a spin, whenever my backs turned.
To Sum Up
Finally, it is without doubt a head turner. Everywhere I go, I get asked about it and complimentary comments. Yes it has a hefty price tag compared to many other comparable bikes, but it feels and clearly looks to be made from quality.
- Katy N, 2018
Add Your Review
Do you own this bike? We would love to hear anything good, bad, unexpected or that you have changed plus anything that a prospective new owner might find interesting or useful.
More Info
Check out this video review from Bennie Hitchcock.