By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Naked Bike vs Scrambler
Yamaha SR 400 (MY2012) vs Ducati Scrambler Sixty2 (MY2016)
Yamaha SR 400 vs Ducati Scrambler Sixty2: two kinds of bike, and who each one is for.
At the first tight bend the Yamaha SR 400 tips in with almost no input, and it's light enough to feel flicked, not steered. The Ducati Scrambler Sixty2 turns in on light steering of its own. Its balanced chassis doesn't budge off its line mid-corner.
So which one do you buy?
Buy the Scrambler Sixty2 if…
Keeping running costs low
The pick: Scrambler Sixty2
If you'd rather spend your money on gas and gear than at the shop, the Scrambler Sixty2 makes far more sense.
The SR 400 has the edge if…
Daily commuting & city riding
A touch ahead: SR 400
For the ride to work, the SR 400 noses ahead. Don't let that alone make the call.
The Scrambler Sixty2 has the edge if…
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Edges it: Scrambler Sixty2
Fresh off the training course, the Scrambler Sixty2 feels a bit more forgiving. What tips it: easier controls. Only by a small margin, though.
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Inches ahead: Scrambler Sixty2
Back-road fun leans slightly toward the Scrambler Sixty2. Put it down to stronger brakes. It's a narrow call, so trust your test ride.
Which one's the smarter buy
Apples and oranges
The SR 400 and Scrambler Sixty2 do different jobs, so neither is the clear better buy for the money.
What makes each one tick
SR 400
Every ride on the SR 400 starts with a kick, and a decompressor and sight window keep the ritual simple. From there the single answers the throttle with an unhurried pulse that's easy to settle into. At 384 lb (174 kg) wet, the SR 400 doesn't fight you through stop-and-go traffic. Its single keeps thumping between stoplights.
Scrambler Sixty2
In the Texas Hill Country, the Scrambler Sixty2's L-twin feeds its power out in a steady stream that doesn't spike. Entering a curve, the bar needs only a nudge, and the bike stays steady once it's leaned over. The front brake bites hard.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The SR 400 has the lower wet weight: 384 lb (174 kg) vs 403 lb (183 kg).
- The Scrambler Sixty2 makes more peak power: 42 hp (31 kW) vs 23 hp (17 kW).
- The Scrambler Sixty2 makes more peak torque: 25 lb-ft (34 Nm) vs 20 lb-ft (27 Nm).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Both fall short
Long days aren't what these two do best. Plan shorter legs and plenty of stops.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
SR 400
What owners say
Strengths
- Timeless retro style and charm
- Bulletproof engine reliability
- Lightweight and nimble handling
- Unique kick-start character
Trade-offs
- Underpowered for highway use
Scrambler Sixty2
What owners say
Strengths
- Beginner-friendly power delivery
- Strong braking performance
- Stylish, premium design
Trade-offs
- Low outright power
Known problems to check before you buy
SR 400
- Oil leak from oil hose flare nut (recall) Recall 18V730000 Affected 2015-2018 models may have an incorrectly tightened flare nut on the oil hose, causing oil leakage. Oil can reach the rear tire, posing a crash risk. NHTSA campaign 18V730000; Yamaha recall M2018-012R.
Scrambler Sixty2
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
What they cost used
These prices compare a 10-year-old SR 400 with a 10-year-old Scrambler Sixty2.
- SR 400
- about $4,500
- Scrambler Sixty2
- about $4,600
At ten years old, the Yamaha SR 400 sits around $4,500 while the Ducati Scrambler Sixty2 lands near $4,600. That's a negligible gap in the US used market. These figures are estimates, not live listings.
What they share
- Displacement
- 399 cc
- Cooling
- Air-cooled
- Final drive
- Chain
Where the spec sheets split
| SR 400 | Scrambler Sixty2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 31.0 in (787 mm) | 31.1 in (790 mm) |
| Wet weight | 384 lb (174 kg) | 403 lb (183 kg) |
| SR 400 | Scrambler Sixty2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | Single-cylinder | L-twin |
| Power | 23 hp (17 kW) | 42 hp (31 kW) |
| Torque | 20 lb-ft (27 Nm) | 25 lb-ft (34 Nm) |
| SR 400 | Scrambler Sixty2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 3.2 US gal (12 L) | 3.7 US gal (14 L) |
| SR 400 | Scrambler Sixty2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Gearbox | 5-speed | 6-speed |
| Front tire | 90/100-18 | 110/80-18 |
| Rear tire | 110/90-18 | 160/60-17 |
| Wheelbase | 55.5 in (1410 mm) | 57.5 in (1460 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| SR 400 | Scrambler Sixty2 | |
|---|---|---|
| ABS | Not offered | Standard |
| Heated Grips | Not offered | Option |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
