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2020–2024 · Scrambler · A variant of the Scrambler 1100
Differences between the standard Scrambler 1100 and the Sport Pro
The Öhlins-Shod Style Statement
This Scrambler 1100 is Ducati's air/oil-cooled 1079 cc L-twin in a steel trellis frame, and it dresses the part. The numbers are honest rather than loud: 86 hp at 7,500 rpm and 65 lb-ft at 4,750 rpm. What sets it apart is the hardware around that engine. Ducati specifies a fully adjustable Öhlins USD fork and an Öhlins monoshock. The rider aids are cornering ABS, traction control and ride modes, and a slipper clutch and LED headlight round out the standard kit. That's premium equipment on a bike whose looks already do most of the selling. Proper scrambler!
On paper, this is a road bike with a scrambler's soul, not a dirt bike in disguise. With 5.9 in (150 mm) of travel at each end, it meets the minimum a real scrambler needs. Its 7.5 in (190 mm) of ground clearance points to dirt roads and broken pavement, which is exactly where a scrambler belongs. A 31.9 in (810 mm) seat, 454 lb (206 kg) wet and a 59.6 in (1,514 mm) wheelbase add up to a bike built to be approachable. Ducati says the Öhlins setup gives a supple, planted ride. If you want character on two-lane roads and a bike you'll keep personalizing, this is your machine. It passes the three-glance test.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 86 hp (63 kW) @ 7,500 rpm |
|---|---|
| Torque | 65 lb-ft (88 Nm) @ 4,750 rpm |
| Displacement | 1079 cc |
| Engine | 90° V-twin |
| Cooling | Air/oil-cooled |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
| Final drive | Chain |
| Fork | Upside-down (USD) |
| Front brake | 320 mm |
| Front tire | 120/70-18 |
| Rear tire | 180/55-17 |
| Wheelbase | 59.6 in (1514 mm) |
| Ground clearance | 7.5 in (190 mm) |
| Front travel | 5.9 in (150 mm) |
| Rear travel | 5.9 in (150 mm) |
| Seat height | 31.9 in (810 mm) |
| Wet weight | 454 lb (206 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 4.0 gal (15 L) |
| Top speed | 118 mph (190 km/h) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Comfort
Drivetrain
Lighting
Safety
The Scrambler 1100 Sport Pro (MY2018-SportPro) builds on the standard Scrambler 1100: the upgraded hardware, the key spec changes and where its character shifts. The full ride, specs, scoring and verdict are all right here on this page.
This section isn't my ride. It's what I've picked up over years of listening to other riders: paddock conversations, owner chats at fuel stops and club nights, and the emails and messages riders send me directly. On the Scrambler 1100 the pattern is clear. Owners mostly talk about the engine, the steering and the brakes. Their complaints are fewer and more scattered, and they center on the price, the dash and a firm ride.
Riders bring up the engine more than anything else. They consistently describe a twin that pulls hard from low revs, with a throaty exhaust note and a character they link directly to owning a Ducati. Several also say the ride-by-wire throttle is smooth. The chassis gets almost as much praise. Owners describe light steering and a balanced feel that makes the bike fun on twisty roads, and a number of them say it corners with more precision than the retro styling suggests. Riders keep calling it light and flickable, and they keep saying it gives them confidence.
Braking comes up less often, but it comes up steadily. Riders call the twin Brembo radial calipers strong and progressive, with plenty of bite for hard riding and a feel they can control. Those who push hard into corners say the cornering ABS gives them a safety net at lean. Owners also talk about the quality of the finish. The fit of the parts, the sleek tank and the twin underslung exhausts are part of why they're happy with the bike when it's parked, not just when they're riding it. Comfort gets its own mentions. The upright riding position and wide seat suit taller and shorter riders alike, and some owners say they're comfortable on it for a full day in the saddle.
The complaints are real, but each one comes from only a few owners. Price comes up first. Owners point out that the bike costs more than many Japanese retro rivals, though some add that the build quality justifies the premium. The dash also draws criticism. Riders describe the LCD instruments as dated next to the color screens on rival bikes, and at this price they miss smartphone connectivity. On bumpy backroads, some find the suspension set firm for sporty riding, and a few say they backed off the compression damping before they were happy with the ride. A small number of owners also report that the engine occasionally takes several attempts to start.
Exhaust flapper cable short‑circuit risk (recall SRV‑RCL‑20‑003)
The exhaust valve control cable may come into contact with the battery positive wire, potentially causing a short circuit and, in extreme cases, a fire. Affected model years 2018‑2021 (all Scrambler 1100 variants). Dealers install a cable guide and self‑locking cable tie free of charge.
Shift lever bolt loosening
The gear shift lever fixing bolt can work loose over time; a simple application of thread‑locking compound during routine maintenance prevents recurrence.
Piston slap on 2018 models
Some early 2018 units developed piston slap noise; Ducati has addressed it under warranty.
Where this Ducati Scrambler 1100 pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the Scrambler 1100 is actually built for.
A strong match for sporty weekend loops: 65 lb-ft from the L-twin, adjustable Öhlins and cornering ABS suit fast two-lanes, and it looks right parked outside the BBQ joint afterward.
Made for Austin / Texas Hill Country · Texas Hill Country BDR-X · Twisted Sisters
If you're after heritage style and an easy rhythm through small towns, this is the best fit here: genuine scrambler looks, a characterful L-twin and premium suspension for the long way home.
Made for Acadia National Park · Austin / Handbuilt Motorcycle Show · Blue Ridge Parkway
A good fit if presence and a distinctive twin matter to you, but know what you're buying: a 454 lb scrambler, not a cruiser. Plenty of identity, just Italian.
Made for Black Hills / Sturgis Rally Hub · A1A — Florida Atlantic Coast · Daytona Main Street / Bike Week
If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
Any price note compares both bikes at the same age — the youngest age both have on the used market — against this Ducati Scrambler 1100. “cheaper/pricier” is what that bike costs second-hand, not how worn it is.
