The Scrambler legand In my opinion was the first real adventure bikes to be converted from road based motorcycles to off road big capacity engines. In the 70,s the japs started making big road trail bikes like the XL 500 , and Yamaha,s Xt 500 etc. ( but they were more off road BIG SINGLES ) and not to on road long distance friendly ( Vibie engines etc) then in the 80,s BMW got the adventure bike going with there GS 80 , it was an 800 cc air cooled engine ,not as big as the moden big 1200 GS but still quite a heavy bike. Since then most manufacturers have gone mad with HUGH adventure bikes 1200 GS, Triumph tiger 1200 explorer, Yamaha Tenera 1200, Moto Guzzi 1200 NVX Stervio and KTM 1290 etc , I think you can see were this is going ( all BIG heavy Adventure bikes ) all way to big and tall for any serious adventure riding for the average rider , and to high for alot of female and shorter male riders like myself. Yes there are the mid range adventure bikes starting to make more sence to serious adventure riders ( not the posers that have a 1200 GS all the BMW gear but have never taken it off road - as I say ALL THE GEAR AND NO IDEA ! , So mid range Adventure bikes like the New 800 GS Triumph 800 XCX - in my option the best all round adventure bike on the market at present, does the twisties very well the bush very well etc , the BMW 650 GS for novice riders or shorter female and male riders ( but no power) I hvae owned a Triumph tiger 955l a Triumph tiger 800 ( the more read version ) it was a low seat high for but didn't handle in the twisties , scrapped the pegs very easy and quite boring . At present I own a Tiger 1050 sport and a Suzuki DRZ 400 for my mad dirt riding ,the Triumph has exelent power handles like rails can go very lite off road ( but is to big and heavy 235 kg with full tank) So were am I going with this reply I think the Scrambler history was to take a street bike beef up the suspension take off all the unnecessary crap so you can go down the road less traveled and enjoy getting there at the same time ! A SMALLER MORE MANAGEABLE BIKE WITH A BIG ENGINE FOR THE FUN FACTOR ! as a wise adventure tourer said NO ONE EVER COMPLAINTS ABOUT SMALLER AND LIGHTER JUST BIGGER AND HEAVYIER!
I think the Ducati Scrambler would make a pretty good adventure tourer, weekend fun bike ,every day commuter, The only downside may be long distance touring on highway and open road strechers comfort wise etc ? Readers of this can you please let me know of any big tour trips away ,and how did you find it
Regards
Paul