2015 EICMA: Ducati Scrambler Sixty2 + Video
Today, at EICMA, Ducati announced the 2016 Scrambler Sixty2, a bike which the company says is a new pop icon that was inspired by 1960’s influenced youth culture and art. Taking the year 1962, the year Ducati released its first Scrambler, the manufacturer has embraced the youthful optimism of the time, hoping to bring it to the fore in this millennium. The missing ingredient that Ducati wants to bring back to young riders? Fun. While only time will tell if the sales come to pass, the Scrambler Sixty2 appears to have all of the makings of a fun motorcycle.
Ducati Scrambler Retrospective
All the marketing-speak in the world won’t make an impression if the bike doesn’t address the desires of the intended riders, and with a stated emphasis on user-friendliness and even more affordability than the 2015 Scramblers, Ducati’s engineers have made some key changes to differentiate the Sixty2 from the other Scramblers. Breathing through two valves per cylinder, the new air-cooled 399cc L-Twin Desmo was designed for more manageable power and lighter weight. With a claimed peak power of 41hp at 8,750 rpm and 25.3 lb-ft at 7,750 rpm, the Scrambler Sixty2’s engine should be very accessible for novice riders. The 7,500 mile maintenance interval should also help to keep operating costs down.
Next, the Scrambler Sixty2 needs to be easy to ride. Friendly would appear to be the applicable term here. Styling plays as much of a role as the actual function. From the wide handlebar to the wide, relatively flat seat, the Sixty2 looks as playful as the family labrador. And that seat is available in three different heights: standard (31.1 in.), low ( 30.3 in.), and high (31.9 in.). Additionally, the Sixty2 has a few key styling differences designed to separate it from the bigger Scramblers. The steel tank features a nicely retro Scrambler badge. The tires give a ride it anywhere persona, though they are clearly street focused.
In the functional realm, the Sixty2 has a 24° rake combined with a 4.4-inch trail for easy steering, and the wide bars only add to the rider’s confidence. The 320mm front disc squeezed by a Brembo two-piston caliper utilizes dual-channel ABS to help get the most out of the binder without paying the price of over application.
All this wrapped in one of three cool-sounding colors: Atomic Tangerine, Ocean Grey, and Shining Black. Ducati even produced a video showing how fun your life will be once you buy a Scrambler Sixty2. Pricing has not been released.
Like most of the best happenings in his life, Evans stumbled into his motojournalism career. While on his way to a planned life in academia, he applied for a job at a motorcycle magazine, thinking he’d get the opportunity to write some freelance articles. Instead, he was offered a full-time job in which he discovered he could actually get paid to ride other people’s motorcycles – and he’s never looked back. Over the 25 years he’s been in the motorcycle industry, Evans has written two books, 101 Sportbike Performance Projects and How to Modify Your Metric Cruiser, and has ridden just about every production motorcycle manufactured. Evans has a deep love of motorcycles and believes they are a force for good in the world.
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Wow, talk about a bare bones bike; I like it. Hopefully Ducati doesn't price it out of the beginner market.
Being a starter bike,can't be priced too high because of the competition. Motorcycle manufacturers badly need to get young people interested into something besides their electronics. As a loss leader,the hope is brand loyalty with future upscale sales. That's what the Sportster has always been about for H.D. The bigger brother Scrambler hit sales is about simple,light weight with a lower,acceptable price. Not all of us can afford $20,000 toys or desire 150 h.p. with pricey electronics galore. Ducati,as with the other Europeans, continues to come out with exciting,neat stuff.
Japanese use to be leaders, but since the recession have become "johnny come lately" with copies a year or two later that are currently hot. Hopefully, they are waking up. Now,with big troubles,will VW have to sell Ducati ( Audi,etc.) at a big loss?