By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Retro Classic vs Scrambler
Honda CB1100 EX (Gen2) vs Ducati Scrambler Classic (MY2015)
Honda CB1100 EX vs Ducati Scrambler Classic: style matters. So does everything underneath.
Into the first bend, the Honda CB1100 EX's long wheelbase and soft setup mean it's in no rush to turn. The Ducati Scrambler Classic's wide bars don't ask for much of a push. It's already flicking toward the apex.
So which one do you buy?
The Scrambler Classic has the edge if…
Keeping running costs low
Slight edge: Scrambler Classic
The Scrambler Classic comes out a little ahead on upkeep. Only a little.
Sporty riding on twisty roads
By a nose: Scrambler Classic
The Scrambler Classic nudges ahead once the pavement starts to wiggle. That comes from lighter steering and more feel through the bars. Don't expect a night-and-day difference.
Daily commuting & city riding
Edges it: Scrambler Classic
For the Monday-to-Friday grind, the Scrambler Classic pulls a nose in front. Your own commute could easily flip it.
Which one's the smarter buy
Different classes, different trade-offs
The CB1100 EX and Scrambler Classic sit in different classes, so value is a trade-off. Neither is the obvious better buy for the money.
What makes each one tick
CB1100 EX
There's a low-rev snarl from the CB1100 EX's exhaust, and the inline-four pulls clean from barely above idle. Short of the roughest roads, the Showa fork and twin shocks swallow a bump before it reaches the broad seat. It's heavy work at parking speeds. After shutdown, the hot engine ticks and pings.
Nils rode the CB1100 EX in the Spessart in 2017 (NastyNils Testride).
Scrambler Classic
At 410 lb (186 kg), the Scrambler Classic's quick to swap from one corner to the next with barely a nudge. Up top, the L-twin signs off well short of the limiter. Low revs are where it's happiest. Each crack of the throttle brings a broad shove.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Scrambler Classic has the lower wet weight: 410 lb (186 kg) vs 562 lb (255 kg).
- The CB1100 EX makes more peak power: 90 hp (66 kW) vs 73 hp (54 kW).
- The CB1100 EX makes more peak torque: 67 lb-ft (91 Nm) vs 50 lb-ft (68 Nm).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Look elsewhere
Hours in the saddle won't flatter either of these. They're happier on shorter runs.
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Off its turf: CB1100 EX
The CB1100 EX makes too much power to start out on. Build your skills on something smaller first.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
CB1100 EX
What owners say
Strengths
- Exceptional build quality and attention to detail
- Smooth and relaxed ride quality
- Torquey, characterful air-cooled inline-four
- Spot-on fuel injection and easy clutch
Trade-offs
- Significant weight limits nimbleness
- Lack of modern electronic rider aids
- Minimal wind protection at highway speeds
Scrambler Classic
What owners say
Strengths
- Lightweight, nimble handling
- Smooth, characterful V-twin engine
- Accessible and beginner-friendly
- Stylish retro design with quality finish
Trade-offs
- Basic suspension limits chassis potential
- Engine lacks top-end rush for experienced riders
What they cost used
These prices compare a 7-year-old CB1100 EX with a 7-year-old Scrambler Classic.
- CB1100 EX
- about $7,500
- Scrambler Classic
- about $7,000
At seven years old, the Honda CB1100 EX sits around $7,500 while the Ducati Scrambler Classic lands near $7,000. That's no meaningful gap between the two. These are estimates from the used market, not live listings.
What they share
- Seat height
- 31.1 in (790 mm)
- Top speed
- 130 mph (209 km/h)
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Fork
- Telescopic
- Front tire
- 110/80-18
Where the spec sheets split
| CB1100 EX | Scrambler Classic | |
|---|---|---|
| Wet weight | 562 lb (255 kg) | 410 lb (186 kg) |
| CB1100 EX | Scrambler Classic | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 1140 cc | 803 cc |
| Engine | Inline-four | L-twin |
| Cooling | Air/oil-cooled | Air-cooled |
| Power | 90 hp (66 kW) | 73 hp (54 kW) |
| Peak power at | 7,500 rpm | 8,250 rpm |
| Torque | 67 lb-ft (91 Nm) | 50 lb-ft (68 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 5,500 rpm | 5,750 rpm |
| CB1100 EX | Scrambler Classic | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 4.4 US gal (16.8 L) | 3.6 US gal (13.5 L) |
| CB1100 EX | Scrambler Classic | |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake | 296 mm | 330 mm |
| Rear tire | 140/70-18 | 180/55-17 |
| Wheelbase | 58.7 in (1490 mm) | 56.9 in (1445 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| CB1100 EX | Scrambler Classic | |
|---|---|---|
| Manually Adjustable Front Suspension | Standard | Not offered |
| Slipper Clutch | Standard | Not offered |
| LED Headlight | Standard | Not offered |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
