The 2018 Ducati Scrambler 1100 Raises the Bar for Modern Classic Motorcycles

The Scrambler family is growing, in more ways than one.

Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this post misstated the new motorcycle’s name. It is the Scrambler 1100, not 1000.

At EICMA this weekend, Ducati announced a new member of the ever-growing Scrambler family: the Scrambler 1100. And it’s not just the same ol’ Scrambler we know and love with a larger engine tucked under the tank, it is an entirely new motorcycle.

Once the Scrambler morphed from a stand-alone entry-level Ducati motorcycle into a full-blown sub-brand, that sub-brand was guaranteed to expand and grow in all different directions. If the 399cc Scrambler Sixty2 and 803cc Scrambler Icon are meant to entice new and younger buyers, the all-new Scrambler 1100’s job is to keep those riders in the family and provide the next step up.

The Scrambler 1100 uses the 1079cc V-twin from the old Monster 1100 Evo and gives you 86 horsepower and 65 lb-ft of torque. Along with the power bump from the Monster’s engine, Ducati also carried over the electronics suite, which includes three riding modes, four levels of traction control and the Bosch Cornering ABS system. Even though it still has those classic looks, the Scrambler 1100 is a very modern bike underneath.

To house the bigger engine, the Scrambler 1100 gets an all-new steel trellis frame and revised ergonomics. The result is a bike that not only looks bigger, but feels bigger, with more room in the saddle. From there, three separate trim levels are offered: the base model, the Special and the Sport. The base comes in yellow and black and the Special comes with a flat gray tank and a brown seat. The Sport takes some inspiration from the Cafe Racer with yellow accents and also comes with adjustable Ohlins suspension.

There’s no word on pricing yet. But with the Scrambler Sixty2 tagged at $7,995, the Scrambler Icon at $8,995, and the Cafe Racer and Desert Sled slotting in at $11,695, the smart bet says that the 1100 will be on the next rung up.

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