[BiKenG]

Has anyone removed the licence plate mount and light from their Classic and mounted just the plate onto the fender/mudguard itself?

I'm thinking that with a slightly small plate, you could get away with this and avoid all that extra bulk. Anyone tried this?

 

[ELVISTO]

Not sure how you mean Ken , the classic has the special subframe under , that incorporates the number plate holder, I did remove the plate holder on mine and bought a smaller plate ( 9x6) and just bolted it on the frame, I left the light on because it's a legal requirement, I think,

 

[ELVISTO]

Like this Ken,

 

[BiKenG]

Yes you're right, a number plate light is a legal requirement, but not one I'm too concerned about abiding by. At least not with the OEM item. For years on trail bikes I've simply had the plate attached to the mudguard itself and no police ever complained about that.

I'm thinking of using a Classic for some light off-roading and just the Al rear 'guard with the plate directly attached would be ideal. Imagine removing the entire support for the licence plate holder so just the Al 'guard remained and then fix a small, but large enough to get away with, number plate to the actual Al 'guard. It will be at a much flatter angle, but as I said, I reckon you'd get away with it and the rear would look neat and less chance of being torn off in any spill.

I was wondering if anyone had already tried that.

BTW, did you get the FT exhaust new from the dealer or is there a 'secret outlet' for them at a better price? I will want to put that on any Classic that I get.

 

[Auriga]

A Scorpion wil be much cheaper and probably considerably lighter than the Termi. If you go to Scorpion directly, you may be able to buy their stainless silencer for around £250. Now, how much is the Termi, and what does it weigh?The Scorpion looks good and sounds fine!

 

[BiKenG]

A Scorpion wil be much cheaper and probably considerably lighter than the Termi. If you go to Scorpion directly, you may be able to buy their stainless silencer for around £250. Now, how much is the Termi, and what does it weigh?The Scorpion looks good and sounds fine!

Sure it will, but with respect, but what makes you think that having asked about the Termi twin can that is an OEM part for the Scrambler, I'd be interested in just another single can that undoubtedly makes more noise and will certainly require re-packing after not too many miles (unless the Scorpion is constructed any different from all other aftermarket exhausts I've ever had occasion to work with)?

There are innumerable alternatives like the Scorpion, but nothing quite like the Termi as fitted to the FT and about which specifically I enquired as I will be wanting one on whatever Scrambler I end up with and I'm currently more interested in the Classic or Urban Enduro than the FT towards which I was originally leaning. Right now, the Classic has it. But then...

 

[Auriga]

As you please. Ducati fits, as OEM, poor suspension at both ends and a plank for a seat. Other Forum members have mentioned problems with Termis ( though I have never had cause to complain about them on other Ducatis) but if you are not interested in what appears to be a realistic alternative, good luck with your choice.

 

[ELVISTO]

I had the Termi on because I liked the look, I've not had a problem with it at all, I bought it from a Ducati dealer with a small discount, It's been on for 6,000 miles and still looks like new,

 

[BiKenG]

As you please. Ducati fits, as OEM, poor suspension at both ends and a plank for a seat. Other Forum members have mentioned problems with Termis ( though I have never had cause to complain about them on other Ducatis) but if you are not interested in what appears to be a realistic alternative, good luck with your choice.

Well the seat is certainly not a plank (got those on other bikes), but as you are implying, it is far from comfortable. Not sure how they managed to make it so bad. It really ought to have been possible to make something really comfortable for the Scrambler. I think the problem is that it's too narrow at the front where you sit, so the pressure is concentrated on a smaller area. But I'll worry about that when I get a Scrambler as I intend to do once sold some other bikes and bits. All in good time. :eagerness:

As for the suspension, I've ridden several Scramblers now and have to say I cannot fault the suspension. Could undoubtedly be improved for the race track, but for what the bike is, I think it's fine and yes, I do know what a well suspended sports bike handles like, I've had/have several. To be honest, all the complaints about the suspension makes me laugh. It's not rock hard like a sports bike, but it does to do what it's supposed to. Unfortunately many riders obviously cannot tell the difference.

Lots of choice for the exhaust of course, but the Termi on the FT is the nicest and I would get the FT except I want wire wheels. It's a shame we can't mix and match when ordering and have it supplied with ones chosen items. Asking a bit much I suppose. Nice idea though.

 

[ELVISTO]

I put the FT seat on my Icon and never looked back, much more comfortable for my weight,

I think with different areas having vastly different road conditions, we all have different takes on the suspension, The roads around my area are really bad, so the first thing I did was to change the rear to a Nitron shock, then it showed up how bad (IMO) the front was, So I fitted the Andreani front end, It's now perfect for me, and maybe a lot of members wouldn't like it,But that's what I like about this bike you can easily change the bits you don't like ,

 

[greer]

Ken,

The Full Throttle Termi is truly a wonderful sounding exhaust, but pricy for sure. As for Scorpion, per their website they claim no re-packing required, same for Remus, I believe. Just in case that helps in the decision making.

Sarah

 

[BiKenG]

I put the FT seat on my Icon and never looked back, much more comfortable for my weight,

I have tried the Icon and an FT and the seat of the FT was certainly better. Be interesting to see how different are the Classic and Urban Enduro seats. Are they the same do you know (apart from patterning on the top)?

I don't foresee the Scrambler as my long distance bike, so I'm not overly concerned, but may have to resort to gel pads or other reconstruction to improve it. We'll see.

 

[BiKenG]

Ken,

The Full Throttle Termi is truly a wonderful sounding exhaust, but pricy for sure. As for Scorpion, per their website they claim no re-packing required, same for Remus, I believe. Just in case that helps in the decision making.

Sarah

I just like the look of the FT Termi, from when I first saw it. And being OEM means fully legal, quiet enough and engine should still run fine. I'm not looking for something that requires messing with the fuelling just to get it to run right. Have enough of that with other bikes. If I want noise and light weight, I could probably cobble something together from all the bits I have lying around. But I really like the FT Termi.

So if anyone is taking the original exhaust off their FT in order to fit a Scorpion, or anything else, give me a call.

 

[Simon Audi]

Keep an eye on ebay for the FT exhaust - there have been a few on there over teh last 6 months - go for 250 to 400 pounds

The stock suspension is fine until you hit a bad bump and with the twitchy throttle and firm seat - you nearly get bucked off and certainly jar the throttle. (I am a big lad and I still had problems as do lighter riders)

My Icon is better than the one I took for a test ride as far as throttle response - but I changed the seat and suspension - still not happy with the Ducati comfy seat and may try a Sargent when they are available.

I changed the rear mudguard to the Classic too - also with the frame - I removed the gravel catcher that Elvisto left on.

if you leave the light and plate on lower gravel catcher you probably could get away without the frame and just mount the aluminum mudguard - but if you start with a classic - then you do not have the gravel guard (i think) fitted - so have no where to mount plate.

You still get dirty with the Classic rear fender when the roads are wet (I also have a PB hugger fitted).

I do not think the mudguard alone is strong enough to take the light and plate without the frame - I am sure it would work - but not sure how long before the aluminium would stress fracture on the 4 bolt holes.

 

[BiKenG]

Ah but I'm not thinking of any light. Just a thin light plastic plate mounted directly onto the fender. At one time one might have used a stick on plate, just wrapped around the curve of the fend... sorry, mudguard. Let's stick to UK English Now I'm thinking of a rigid plate, but no need for any additional mounting hardware, so shouldn't be enough weight to cause the mudguard to flex too much and break.

If I did feel the need for a licence plate light, one can get very small LED items that again would add no significant weight. It's all just an intellectual exercise at the moment, until I get hold of a bike.

BTW, the 'gravel guard' as I think you are referring to the big arm that mounts to the swing arm and has the licence plate holder and light, is not actually that. The manufacturer cares little about how much gets thrown up the rider's back, but it does have to comply with the regs and they state that the rear tyre cannot be the rearmost part of the bike. There has to be something else, behind the tyre to comply. So many manufacturers do their fancy styling with silly short mudguards (that may indeed look cool) and then mount a big arm off the swingarm that ensures the bike complies and often they'll stick the license plate on there too. But it's not through any altruistic desire to keep you clean. They do it because they have to.

The alternative is to use a short mudguard from the Icon or Urban Enduro and then a tail tidy to use the plate as an extension to reduce the amount of cack thrown up, but I do like the Al 'guards of the Classic and really do NOT like the yucky green of the UE. Sorry if anyone likes that colour, but I really do not. Otherwise the UE might just be a better starting point.

So, my Classic might look a bit like this, although no actual plate is shown and I'm torn over using FT 'bars. I think they look better and on the road I found them more comfortable for me, but I want to do some (gentle) off roading and the higher ones might be better. So jury's still out on that.

 

[BiKenG]

...You still get dirty with the Classic rear fender when the roads are wet (I also have a PB hugger fitted)...

And of course they are often wet in Wales. Over the years I've done a lot of trail riding in Wales. Where are you based Simon? Are you an off-road rider? TRF? Does the Monk's Trod mean anything to you?

 

[Simon Audi]

I am from Blackwood - not far from Newport

I used to do off road some 25 years ago - DT175MX and KDX175 - did some Enduro's and Tour of Islwyn a few times - never Good at it - but it was fun..

Last off roading on 2 wheels was on XR400 - had a nasty accident on the fire roads - coming round a corner using camber to hold me on line at around 70mph - when there is a cyclist - with his bike upsidedown - repairing a puncture right where I needed to be.

Went round him and broke my leg 2 years and 4 surgeries before its 'better' so gave up on the off road 10 years ago.

Did have a quad for a while after - but did not use it enough.

They really have clamped down on off road activities around with me.

So just road riding now.

 

[ELVISTO]

I've tried all four models back to back, and to be honest never noticed any difference in comfort between any of the seats
But I liked the FT seat , so I went out and bought one, on a long run ( 110 between petrol stops) it's not a problem, on the Icon seat I'd go about 50 miles and start wriggling about, I'm going to get that re done in the near future, I have a design to make it into a single seat using the existing base, ( not sure when the near future will come along though )

 

[BiKenG]

I am from Blackwood - not far from Newport

I used to start out from Rogerstone where a friend lived. I always envied his ability to ride off from his front door on the bike. I always had to trailer it somewhere first. Lots of good riding from there and up to and around Rhayader and Elan Valley.

They really have clamped down on off road activities around with me.

Yes, a lot was lost some years ago, all over the country. Under the guise of 'protecting the countryside' the legitimate routes were decimated. Great rides like the aforementioned Monks's Trod been closed to motorised traffic for years now. In all the years I rode it, I only ever saw anyone else on there once and that was an SAS training platoon/squadron, whatever they call them. Horizontal hail I called it. Dreadful conditions, but we've been banned to allow everyone else to enjoy it without the bikes. Er, like who. NO-ONE ever went there except the bikers. It's part of why I gave up riding off road, but I fancy some gentle green laneing on a Scrambler.

 

[greer]

Can't wait to hear about that single seat, Elvisto.

Sarah