After launching the 1299 Panigale R Final Edition in India, Italian two-wheeler manufacturer Ducati has recently launched a new off-road biased bike, dubbed as “Scrambler Desert Sled” in the Indian bike market. The new Scrambler Desert Sled has been launched in the country with a starting price of Rs. 9.32 lakh (Ex-showroom, Pan-India). The Scrambler Desert Sled comes in two different variants based on their colour combination: The Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled with Red Musk shade has been priced at Rs. 9.32 lakh, while for the Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled with White Mirage shade, you have to pay Rs. 9.45 lakh. Besides this, the Italian superbike maker has also announced Euro-IV compliant versions of the Scrambler Icon and the Scrambler Classic bikes, they are priced at Rs. 7.23 lakh and Rs 8.48 lakh respectively (All prices are mentioned Ex-showroom, Pan-India).
Commenting on the launch, Ducati India – Managing Director, Sergi Canovas Garriga said, “We’ve introduced for the first time in India, a motorcycle in the ‘easy off-road’ category. Staying true to the Scrambler family and inspiration from the ’60s and ’70s, California motorcycle scene, the Desert Sled reinforces the pure essence of motorcycling: two wheels, wide handlebars, a straightforward engine and endless fun. The bike is perfect for the city and to get off the tarmac and explore the road less travelled.”
DESIGN
In terms of design, the Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled is based on a traditional Tubular Steel Trellis frame with cast aluminium double-sided swingarm. The off-road biased bike also gets a long-travel suspension setup with high mounted mudguards, high-quality headlight mesh guard, stainless steel muffler with aluminium tail pipes and an engine skid plate, making the motorcycle such a real off-roader. The off-road biased Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled sits on the Pirelli SCORPION Rally STR tires, fitted as standard: 120/70 R19 tubeless alloy spoked wheel at the front and 170/60 R17 at the rear.
The Pirelli SCORPION Rally tires are ideal for use on difficult surfaces and provide extra grip and better control over muddy and patchy roads under all weather conditions. The Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled comes equipped with a fully adjustable 46 mm upside-down (USD) forks at the front and a remote spring rear shock with adjustable preload and rebound. The new suspension offers proper adjustability and a comprehensive 200mm of wheel travel that is ideal for off-road rides.
ENGINE & POWER
Talking about its mechanical department, the Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled is powered by a Euro IV compliant, twin-cylinder, air and oil-cooled 803 cc engine that generates 75hp of peak power at 8,250 rpm and 69 Nm of maximum torque at 5,750 rpm. The engine comes mated to a 6-speed transmission that sends power to the rear wheel. The same engine also does duty on the new Ducati Monster 797, which was launched in India in June along with company’s another off-road biased bike, Ducati Multistrada 950. The powerful Scrambler Desert Sled needs only 4.5 seconds to reach 100kmph from engine start and has an electronically restricted top speed of 200km per hour.
Braking duties are handled by a single 330mm front rotor at the front with radially mounted Brembo Monobloc M4.32B callipers and Bosch 9.1 MP ABS as standard equipment for ensuring maximum safety. The rear brake comes equipped with a 245 mm disc, 1-piston calliper with Bosch ABS as standard equipment.
Ducati India has confirmed that the booking services for the Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled, Icon and Classic bikes have already been started across all the company’s authorised dealerships in Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bangalore, Pune, Ahmedabad and Kochi.
