[Paulf10]

First let me say this is a great section with lots of helpful and useful information. The down side to it is that all you will read in this section is all the problems and issues with the new Scramblers. Which ironically is exactly what makes this a helpful and useful section.

It reminds me of a Can AM Spyder forum that also had a section for problems. Just as with the beloved Ducati Scrambler, there were many issues listed. It almost scared me away from buying a Spyder. However I did and for the 30,000 miles I owned it, I never had a problem.

I could say the same thing for a Goldwing I put 45,000 miles on. Or for that matter even most of the Harley's I've owned. All these bikes I bought new, and if you were to do a search on the internet for problems, you would find them. And like I said,all those problems are really useful information to have.

However what you don't find is all the people who are not having any problems at all.

With any first production year model, you can expect some minor issues. My guess is that most of the ones listed here will be corrected with production revisions as they are being reported to Ducati and implemented in the manufacturing process.

IMHO the Ducati Scrambler is the most fun bike I've ever rode in the last 50 years.

 

[tonyjuliano]

I definitely do NOT see anything that I would classify as a "widespread" problem with this bike. Although it's a first year model, the powerplant - and most that goes along with it mechanically - is anything but new.

Looking over most of the posts in this section, I've found the "problems" listed to be well over 90% due to questions, inexperience, or aftermarket stuff.

The only things I would consider as "widespread" would be the Classic seat seam-wearing issue (which is a definite design flaw), and most peoples struggle to understand the headlight switch and self-cancelling turn signals.

There have been a couple reports about oil pump failure and fuel line connections that have broken - but not enough for this to be considered a wide reaching problem, IMO.

I don't consider the crappy suspension to be a manufacturing "problem" (it's just bargain basement stuff), nor the stock fueling which is overly lean (which is totally understandable due to getting an air-cooled motor through modern emission restrictions).

You want to know the definition of a real problem? Ask Honda about the camshaft fiasco on the 1st gen VFR's or Triumph about anything that they produced in the 1970's.

 

[scowa18]

Not being alarmist, but FWIW, I'm thinking the fuel line connection will be a widespread problem. When I was at my dealers last weekend the head service tech said they have already replaced a few connectors due to fuel leaks. He said it is an entirely new connector for these bikes; normally a design seen on scooters. Based on the fact that 1 dealer has already had to replace this on more than 1 bike, I'd say there is a good portion of owners not represented here. He showed me a good and damaged connector and explained why they are failing. Apparently it is a design flaw that isn't any better with current replacement parts. The point of failure is barely detectable. According to him, the replacement parts are also flawed. He anticipates a service bullitin to be issued in the near future when a viable replacement is available. Seems like a fairly simple fix when the part is available. Note: I haven't personally experienced failure of this part on my bike.