Ducati Scrambler 1100 Top Speed
If you liked old air-cooled Ducati Monsters, you might lament the fact that you never picked up a Monster 1100 while you had the chance. It had a big engine, light weight, a dry clutch (well, other than the EVO) and a lot of character.
But you don't need to lament, it turns out, because Ducati has kept the same engine block alive in a modern motorcycle with a whole lot of other amenities to keep you alive and happy. This is the Ducati Scrambler 1100.
In looking at Scrambler 1100s I was a little confused. I thought
- What were all these versions? Pro, Special, and so on?
- What rider aids come standard on the Scrambler 1100?
- Why does it make less power than the Monster 1100, a bike that's 10 years old? Does it make up for it with more torque?
- What's the maintenance like on the air-cooled 1100, has it improved?
- What's the damn thing like to ride?
Here are answers to all those questions.
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The Ducati Scrambler 1100 — In a Nutshell
So what is this motorcycle? Let me answer some of the absolute basics. Some of this will be obvious to the more experienced among you who pay attention to motorcycles, but bear with me.
In a nutshell, the Ducati Scrambler 1100 is a lightweight naked road bike with a torque-first, power-second, air-cooled engine. It has great road performance, a comfortable seating position, a huge amount of torque and a wide enough powerband to keep you entertained everywhere (except maybe on the track, as you'll run out of revs), and really good looks for when you're sitting at the pie shop having a look.
The Ducati Scrambler 1100 is powered by an 1079cc 2-valve-per-cylinder air-cooled L-twin engine (which is a 90-degree V-twin). It makes a modest amount of power, peaking at 63 kW (86 hp) at 7,500 rpm, and makes peak torque of 88 Nm (65 lb-ft) at 4750 rpm.
Look that peak RPM number again — yes, 4,750 rpm.
Ride the Scrambler 1100 Spec Sheet
As I always say, you can't ride a spec sheet. But there are some specs that are good to know because they let you compare a bike with others.
| Engine | 1079cc air-cooled desmodromic 2-valve-per-cylinder 90-degree V-twin ("L-twin) |
| Drivetrain | 6-speed transmission, wet clutch, chain drive |
| Ride electronics | Full Ride-by-wire with Bosch cornering ABS, power modes, and traction control |
| Peak power | 63 kW (86 hp) @ 7500 rpm (at the crank) |
| Peak torque | 88 Nm (65 lb-ft) @ 4750 rpm (at the crank) — relatively low rpm for peak power |
| Front suspension | Fully adjustable front forks. Non-Sport models have 45mm Marzocchi USD; Sport models have Öhlins 48mm USD forks. (See our front suspension guide to understand more about what makes this spcial) |
| Rear suspension | Pre-load and rebound adjustable monoshock. Most models have a Kayaba shock, Sport models have Öhlins shock. |
| Front brakes | 2 x 320mm semi-floating discs, radially mounted Brembo Monobloc M4.32 4-piston calipers (very competent, especially for the weight and intended riding speeds) |
| Wet weight | 206 kg / 454 lb (20kg / 44 lb heavier than the Scrambler 800) |
Of course, you can't just look at power and weight specs. To know how a motorcycle's going to ride, you have to consider the powerband — which is why I like to look at the torque curve.
As you can see, the Scrambler 1100 has a "mid-range" torque curve. The hard redline is 10000 rpm, but in reality, you'll start to get a significant drop off of acceleration before that. Riding "hard" means shifting around 8-8.5K.
So the powerband is somewhere between "cruiser" and "sport bike".
Let's compare it to the torque curve for the Ducati Monster 1100:
Comparing both torque curves (acknowledging that it's illustrative only).
- The peak torque for both bikes is similar but brought earlier on the Scrambler
- The Scrambler 1100's peak power is lower, and
- The Monster 1100 has a wider powerband, even if it's higher up in RPMs
So the Monster 1100 (and its stablemate the Hypermotard 1100) favours sportier riding, revving it out more. Whereas the Scrambler's torque curve is more for leaning back a little and short shifting, rather than riding the high end of the power band.
Riding the Ducati Scrambler 1100
Riding the Ducati Scrambler 1100 is really… fun.
It's very interesting. In the past, motorcycles were quite often function-first. The Hayabusa was made to go fast, the KLR650 was made to never break down, and the Yamaha R6 was made to win at races.
But there have always been a class of bikes that are built to conjure up a certain "feeling". There's no reason, otherwise, why a motorcycle would have an air-cooled V-twin. It's hard to conjure up much power out of the buggers and still respect vehicle emissions laws. That's why the fastest motorcycles in the world have more cylinders and water cooling.
So why the Scrambler 1100? The same question could be asked of the Triumph twins (of any size), of cruisers from Japanese manufacturers, or of pretty much any Harley-Davidson. Because they feel fun to ride.
You don't ride around on a Scrambler 1100. You blast around on it. It's built to be short shifted at moderate speeds, hooning between traffic and being thrown into corners. Sometimes you can figure out what a bike is for by thinking of what it's not: this is not a bike for the drag strip, and it's not a bike for trans-continental pursuits (I mean you could, but who wants to stop a bike mid-ride to inspect valves?). So what's it for? Everything in between.
The Ducati Scrambler 1100 is at home when you're always on the move. Yes, you can commute on it, and it's less of a slog than on a Panigale… but is commuting ever NOT a slog? At least you can get it done without the fans coming on… because there are no fans.
But when you get to the roads that are above 60 km/h (40 mph) and aren't jammed or blocked by endless traffic lights, that's when things start to get interesting. You get to stay in the meat of the powerband and make a lot of noise, and that's what the Scrambler is all about.
Oh — yeah, a word on the noise. The 1100's engine is loud. Maybe it's the baffle-free Termignoni pipes on the model I took for a ride, but it has a really nice purr to it that wakes right up when you're actually on the move. Modern Ducati V-twins lack the bite and bark of those of the dry clutch days, but the Ducati Monster 1100 retains as much of it as you can get.
Termignoni? How do you say that, anyway? See here for my pronunciation guide to motorcycle words from other languages.
The versatility of the Scrambler 1100 is helped by the fact that the handlebars are wide (other than the Sport models). Navigating at low speeds is easy, and turns at higher speeds are as easy as a gentle push on the handlebars. Coming off my 600cc sport bike that's my commuter these days, I felt that it was nimble, despite the heavier weight.
While it doesn't lend itself to long-distance naturally (not having any factory luggage options, wind protection, or cruise control), the Scrambler can — as can any naked — be made into a tourer. You can strap any luggage to the back of the seat, and it It has plenty of passing torque for the freeway. While it wouldn't be my first choice for those missions, it could be done if you're sufficiently in love with your bike.
So in summary, the Ducati Scrambler 1100 definitely does evoke that feeling of joy that it's meant to. It's not meant to be an "everything" bike, nor meant to be a single-purpose bike; it's meant to tug at your heartstrings with the vibrations, sound, and look. If it does, then it's a bike that you'll like, and you may be surprised with how capable it is.
Variants of the Ducati Scrambler 1100
The Ducati Scrambler 1100 comes in a variety of configurations. It's a bit confusing, so I've laid out the differences here.
At its core, all variants of the Ducati Scrambler 1100 share the same engine and features, including the IMU, traction control, and so on. The engine has the same spec for all of them.
The models of Scrambler 1100 vary in
- Riding position (just the handlebars)
- Wheel type (spoke/alloy rims)
- Suspension spec
- Exhaust position
- Livery/accents
| Variant | Base model | Special | Sport | Pro & Dark Pro (2020+) | Sport Pro (2020+) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Handlebars | Wide | Low, tapered | Low, tapered | Wide | Very low, with bar-end mirrors |
| Suspension | 45mm fully adjustable Marzocchi forks (black/chrome) | 45mm Fully adjustable Marzocchi forks (gold anodised ) | 48mm Öhlins fully-adjustable forks | 45mm fully adjustable Marzocchi forks (black/chrome) | 48mm Öhlins fully-adjustable forks |
| Rear shock | Kayaba preload and rebound-adjustable shock | Kayaba preload and rebound-adjustable shock | Öhlins shock, preload and rebound-adjustable | Kayaba preload and rebound-adjustable shock | Öhlins shock, preload and rebound-adjustable |
| Wheels | Mag wheels, tubeless tyres | 10-spoke (18 inch, 17 inch), tubed tyres | Mag wheels, tubeless tyres | Mag wheels, tubeless tyres | Mag wheels, tubeless tyres |
| Exhaust | Under-seat | Under-seat, chrome headers | Under-seat | Twin stacked mufflers on RHS | Twin stacked mufflers on RHS |
| Aesthetics | Base model | Lots of chrome/brushed bits | Matt black only, orange stripes | * No more brake line loop on handlebar * License plate over wheel | No more brake line loop on handlebar * License plate over wheel |
Here are a few interesting facts about each variant.
- The "Special" is the only one with spoked rims and tubed tyres.
- The Sport models are the ones with Öhlins front and rear suspension, but the base model still has good suspension (fully adjustable front Kayaba forks)
- The Special has a more aggressive riding position, and the Sport models have even more aggressive riding positions.
- The Dark Pro is the same as the Pro, just with more blacked-out details.
Here are all the models, side on, so you can compare them.
-
Ducati Scrambler 1100 (base model) -
Ducati Scrambler 1100 Special -
Ducati Scrambler 1100 Sport -
Ducati Scrambler 1100 Pro -
Ducati Scrambler 1100 Sport Pro -
Ducati Scrambler 1100 Dark Pro
The "Best" models of Ducati Scrambler 1100?
I'm loathe to pick one that's the "best", mostly because the differences are so small. But personally, I prefer the base model and the 2020+ Ducati Scrambler Pro — not the Special, and not the Sport models.
One thing that's interesting is that if you want to get a Sport model for the Öhlins suspension, then you also have to commit to the more forward-canted riding position.
Personally, I don't think the forward-leaning position suits this engine. It's a fun engine, but it's not high-revving like a sportbike, and the Scrambler 1100's 63 kW aren't going to set your hair on fire.
On top of that, the fully-adjustable Marzocchi forks on the non-Sport models is already very competent. Yes, Öhlins is an upgrade, but I'd rather save the money and spend that on a full Termignoni exhaust and tune. And if buying used, I'd prioritise one with the exhaust rather than the tune.
So my personal bias would be for any model that isn't a "Sport" — more upright handlebars would suit the bike better. And if I found a good deal on a Sport model, I'm confident I'd end up changing the bars with one from another model.
Maintaining the Ducati Scrambler 1100 Pro
Maintaining the Ducati Scrambler 1100 Pro is quite similar to maintaining other motorcycles with the same engine.
You need to remember to
- Check the valves every 7,500 miles (or 12,000 km)
- Change the timing belts
- Keep everything torqued — Ducatis have a habit of shaking themselves loose
- Grease and lube the chain
- Change the oil and filter
At least it has a double-sided swing-arm, which means checking chain tension can be done with "normal" tools (you don't need an eccentric hub tool).
See the full maintenance schedule for the Scrambler 1100 here, as well as specs for which parts to get.
What to look for in a used Ducati Scrambler 1100
The Scrambler 1100 is a relatively new bike, so not much will have gone wrong with it in the last couple of years (you'd hope).
Firstly, try to find the model you want but with an aftermarket Termignoni exhaust system fitted. These come as a factory option on Ducati motorcycles and add a lot of value. They're not actually terribly loud with the baffles in, but they look great, are light weight, and are such a common modification that you may as well save a bit of money by buying one that has it installed already.
Secondly, in the off chance that a bike has done quite a bit of distance, make sure it has had its valve inspections done and belts replaced. Belt replacements are infrequent (5 years or 24,000 km), but they're absolutely mandatory once you reach the distance interval. Valve inspections are also important on Ducati 2-valve air-cooled twins. It's common for a valve to be out of spec.
Finally, check the fork seals. It's temptingly easy to wheelie the Scrambler 1100…
Look more in our guide to what to look at when buying a used Ducati.
Alternatives to the Ducati Scrambler 1100
If you're considering a Ducati Scrambler 1100, you're probably also considering a few other upright retro-esque bikes with big twins.
It just so happens that we're in the middle of a major "scrambler" trend lately. I don't think we're at the end of it, either. So while you could just as easily point at any other big-bore mid-power motorcycles, a few other manufacturers actually have other "scrambler"-branded bikes that you can directly compare to the Ducati Scrambler 1100.
Whichever one you choose is likely to be mostly whichever gels with you when you sit on it, listen to it, and take it for a ride. They're all great, high-end bikes that are nice to look at in their own ways.
- Triumph Scrambler 1200: The Triumph Scrambler 1200 makes around the same power, using a slightly detuned version of the "high torque" 1200cc 270-degree crank parallel twin that powers the new big Triumph twin line. It's about 10% heavier than the Ducati Scrambler 1100 though, but it also has long-travel suspension that people say actually makes it a competitive adventure bike.
- Ducati Scrambler 800: The smaller (and original) Ducati Scrambler is a worthy contender. Aside from being cheaper, you can't escape the fact that it's 20kg (45lb) or about 10% lighter. That lightness doesn't make it a dirt bike, but if you spend more time under 70 mph than above it, and a lot of time in old country back roads, you might just enjoy the Scrambler 800 more. It depends on the country you're in, the landscape you ride in, and your own preferences. Later model 800s even have a lot of the electronics of the 1100, including cornering ABS. The 800 isn't that much down on power either — it makes 54 kW (73 hp) vs the Scrambler 1100's 66 kW (84 hp). Of course, the 1100 has a lot more mid-range.
- BMW R NineT Scrambler: Finally, BMW makes their R nineT in a Scrambler incarnation. These are considerably more powerful (81 kW/110 hp), but also about 10% heavier. It's not my favourite of the R nineT model line-up (I prefer the straight R nineT, 2017 onward), but it's there if you really want a boxer twin and BMW branding. From 2021 onward you can even get cruise control.
Rider, hacker, and self-taught everything. I have lived in a dozen countries, speak almost as many languages, can deadlift a motorcycle, make a mean cappuccino, and do one great card trick.
Ducati Scrambler 1100 Top Speed
Source: https://motofomo.com/ducati-scrambler-1100-buyers-guide/
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