2017 new Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled studio details & action photos
DUCATI SCRAMBLER DESERT SLED
Directly from the desert and mountains of California comes the Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled: a new version that draws its inspiration from the off-road bikes that, back in the '60s and '70s, made US motorcycling history.
Desert Sleds were American-born bikes that appeared in South-West California and in Mexico's Baja California in the '60s and '70s. These were road bikes with engine displacements of over 500 cm3, stripped of any non-essential accessories, fitted with off-road tyres, wheels and spokes and given modified suspension systems and engine skid plates. In fact, it's the engine skid plate - indispensable in shielding the bike from rocks, stones and the unforgiving desert terrain - that gave the Desert Sled its name.
Over the years these bikes became a motorcycle category in their own right: until their arrival, no comparable style had ever been seen.
The Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled faithfully revives that spirit - but without abandoning the unique Scrambler lifestyle values - and extends the new Bologna-built brand into the “easy off-road” sector. Thanks to the modified frame and suspension, the spoked wheels (19" at the front) and ground-breaking lines, this bike is simply perfect for those who want to be able to get off the asphalt and take a less-beaten track. The off-road capability of the Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled is also evident in the type-approved headlight mesh guard, the high mudguards (specially designed for this version) and, of course, the engine skid plate.
Thanks to a higher seat (a 20 mm lower one is available as an optional), suspension with extended travel (now 200 mm) and off-road style footpegs with removable rubber pads, this Scrambler is also characterised by a new riding position. The passenger pegs - separated from the rider's - are removable.
The Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled inherits its logo from the Urban Enduro and is a natural evolution of the latter towards a more off-road style.
Main as-standard features
Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled
_Colours
1."White Mirage" with black frame and spoked wheels with gold rims
2."Red Dusk" with black frame and spoked wheels with gold rims
_Equipment
oDesmodue twin-cylinder engine, EURO 4-compliant with black finish
oExhaust with dual tail pipe and black covers
oReinforced off-road frame
oNew aluminium swingarm
oSpoked wheels, 19" at the front and 17" at the rear, with PirelliSCORPION™ RALLY STR tyres, 120/70 R19 M/C 60V M+S TL at the front and170/60 R 17 M/C 72V M+S TL at the rear
oDedicated seat with a height of 860 mm
oTapered handlebars with reinforcement strut
oAdjustable Kayaba upside down fork with 200 mm of travel
oAdjustable Kayaba rear shock absorber with separate gas cartridge
oSteel teardrop fuel tank with interchangeable side panels
oFront headlight with type-approved mesh guard
oHigh front mudguard
oExtended rear mudguard
oHigh plate holder
An off-
