Evocative of the machines that ruled the Southern California deserts in the ’60s and ’70s the Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled is geared for off road, so you can branch even further off the beaten path. With 19-inch front and 17-inch rear spoked wheels wrapped in Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tires, an off-road riding mode, abundant suspension travel, a reinforced off-road frame, off-road-style footpegs, motocross-style handlebar, front and rear mud guards, and skid pan, there’s no hiding its off-road capability. Interested? You are most likely one who wants a little more dirt time, but one who also looks for the convenience of riding it from home to desert and back.
2018 saw color updates, and in 2017 we found that “Power from that air-cooled mill still feels relatively soft, but the user-friendly delivery means you can break the rear loose with better control and confidence.”
Competition for the dirt-inclined Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled includes the Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC and Scrambler 1200 XE ($14,000/$15,400).
No major updates were announced, but the Desert Sled meets Euro 5 standards.
