[mcdustcloud]

Dear Cati,
I have always owned BMWs. My previous motorbike was a 2010 BMW R1200GS. I wanted something lighter, leaner and more classic looking, I wanted to „downsize“so I left my first love (BMWs) for something younger, slimmer and fresher (sound familiar ;-) and bought a Ducati Scrambler Classic in April 2015.

Now BMW has come out with the R nineT Scrambler and it looks simply wonderful, even though its fatter than the Ducati and its ears still stick out. Now I’m thinking of going back to my first love. What should I do? Please help me.

 

[littleowl]

Only you can decide! You will have to go with your heart - no point sticking with a bike that will always be second best (unless you can afford to have many, that is)

 

[toona-dave]

One hundred pounds and five thousand dollars more . . . . . . It's realy about arithmetic.

 

[fire3500]

The original RnineT of a couple years back had a more bespoke feel, but the new Scrambler looks interesting. I think that other than the name there's little in common. The Ducati is less expensive and more fun, I think that the BMW is probably more boutique and more serious, perhaps at the cost of a little levity.

Ducati have definitely taken the Scrambler downmarket with this second generation of bikes, the Flat Track Pro is a right eyesore and the 400 just looks a bit tacky to me. To my own eyes the Classic, Icon and UE are the nicest in the Ducati line, I'd have had one of the black RnineTs myself if they'd have been a couple of thousand cheaper, I understand why they were not, but for me the combination of the price, the bike, the look and the competency made the Ducati Scrambler Classic a no-brainer. I love it.

 

[jellies]

I went from NineT to Scrambler unlocking 50% of the money, and kilograms of metal, tied up. The NineT is not nippy or eager. It feels more like a drag bike but if you do get in it, you quickly find it is happier below 6000rpm. The scrambler is a lot more fun around the city and the NineT isn't really suited to the country. I also think there is a lot more fun per dollar in accessories with the ducati.

 

[ELVISTO]

I think you've answered your own question but whichever way you decide, It's the right way , It's your money, Just be happy

 

[mcdustcloud]

Thanks for your replies. Owning a motorbike is an expensive hobby and you don't do it to save money; however a case in point is the original BMW nineT price-performance ratio which didn't seem right to me. Anyway, I've heard the BMW Scrambler version of the NineT will be priced much lower than the original nineT as it has cheaper components, e.g. steel tank instead of aluminium, cheaper forks, cheaper tacho and headlamp etc.

For the folks who have ridden BMW boxers and can compare them to the Ducati Scrambler, with BMW I found the quality of the ride and overall engineering to be much higher. You can really ride them for long distances and they don't miss a beat. On the other hand the Ducati definitely has the fun factor.