By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Scrambler vs Retro Classic
Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled (MY2017) vs Husqvarna Svartpilen 701 (MY2019)
At the turn-in point of a bend, the Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled flicks over lightly, and its balanced chassis doesn't mind being pushed. On the Husqvarna Svartpilen 701, one push at the bar and it's in. It holds that line with no correction.
So which one do you buy?
Buy the Scrambler Desert Sled if…
Keeping running costs low
Clear winner: Scrambler Desert Sled
The Scrambler Desert Sled suits a tight running budget much better. The savings add up year after year.
The Scrambler Desert Sled has the edge if…
Daily commuting & city riding
A touch ahead: Scrambler Desert Sled
Day in, day out, the Scrambler Desert Sled nudges ahead in traffic. The reason: simpler maintenance. It isn't a big enough gap to plan around.
The Svartpilen 701 has the edge if…
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Edges it: Svartpilen 701
Once the road starts to bend, the Svartpilen 701 noses ahead. That comes from harder acceleration and lighter steering. Your own skill counts for more than a gap this size.
Which one's the smarter buy
Different bikes, different deals
The Scrambler Desert Sled and the Svartpilen 701 do different jobs, so neither is the clear better buy for the money.
What makes each one tick
Scrambler Desert Sled
On a fire road, the Desert Sled's long-travel suspension doesn't flinch over loose gravel, and the wide bar keeps you sitting tall. There's real grunt the moment the throttle cracks open, because the Desmodue twin pulls hard from low revs. The twin hauls out of hairpins.
Svartpilen 701
There's nothing on the Svartpilen 701 to pull the eye off its sculpted fuel tank. The tank shapes are beautiful, there's no cheap-looking plastic, and the filler cap, logo and panel gaps are all neatly done. Its slim single pinches the seat in where it meets the hips, and a foot finds the pavement without much of a stretch. The brake lever bites and stops the bike short.
Nils rode the Svartpilen 701 in Portugal in 2019 (NastyNils Testride).
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Svartpilen 701 has the lower seat: 32.9 in (835 mm) vs 33.9 in (860 mm).
- The Svartpilen 701 makes more peak torque: 53 lb-ft (72 Nm) vs 50 lb-ft (68 Nm).
- The Scrambler Desert Sled has the larger engine: 803 cc vs 693 cc.
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Not their thing
Long-haul comfort is a weak spot for both. If you tour, shop with that in mind.
Call it even on a first bike. Choose on fit, price and the one that makes you grin.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
Scrambler Desert Sled
What owners say
Strengths
- Agile handling on pavement
- Genuine off-road capability
- Torquey, characterful engine
Svartpilen 701
Strengths
- Rides lighter than its numbers
- Instant, honest turn-in
- Rough pavement disappears
- Brakes with a readable lever
- Outstanding power-to-weight ratio
Trade-offs
- Not built for big riders
- Firm seat, short patience
- Highway miles buzz
- Minimal wind protection
- Inconsistent build quality
Known problems to check before you buy
Scrambler Desert Sled
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
Svartpilen 701
- License plate bracket misalignment (recall 21V-627) Recall 21V627000 Misalignment of gear teeth on license plate carrier and swingarm may cause rear axle nut to loosen, potentially leading to loss of control. Dealers check alignment and torque.
- Clutch slave cylinder failure Premature failure of the clutch slave cylinder, often before 6,200 mi (10,000 km). Symptoms include fluid leaks and loss of clutch pressure. Replacement with upgraded aftermarket units recommended.
- Sidestand magnet falling off The magnet that activates the sidestand switch can detach, preventing the bike from starting due to safety interlock. Owners glue it back or add spare magnets.
- Dashboard flicker / electrical glitches Some units experience intermittent display flickering or stalling, sometimes traced to a weak battery. Installing a lithium battery often resolves.
What they cost used
These prices compare a 6-year-old Scrambler Desert Sled with a 6-year-old Svartpilen 701.
- Scrambler Desert Sled
- about $7,200
- Svartpilen 701
- about $7,000
At six years old, the Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled sits around $7,200 while the Husqvarna Svartpilen 701 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
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Fork
- Upside-down (USD)
Where the spec sheets split
| Scrambler Desert Sled | Svartpilen 701 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 33.9 in (860 mm) | 32.9 in (835 mm) |
| Scrambler Desert Sled | Svartpilen 701 | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 803 cc | 693 cc |
| Engine | L-twin | Single-cylinder |
| Cooling | Air/oil-cooled | Liquid-cooled |
| Power | 73 hp (54 kW) | 75 hp (55 kW) |
| Peak power at | 8,250 rpm | 8,500 rpm |
| Torque | 50 lb-ft (68 Nm) | 53 lb-ft (72 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 5,750 rpm | 6,750 rpm |
| Scrambler Desert Sled | Svartpilen 701 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 3.6 US gal (13.5 L) | 3.2 US gal (12 L) |
| Scrambler Desert Sled | Svartpilen 701 | |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake | 330 mm | 320 mm |
| Front tire | 120/70-19 | 110/80-18 |
| Rear tire | 170/60-17 | 160/60-17 |
| Wheelbase | 59.3 in (1505 mm) | 56.5 in (1435 mm) |
| Front travel | 7.9 in (200 mm) | 5.6 in (142 mm) |
| Rear travel | 7.9 in (200 mm) | 5.9 in (150 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| Scrambler Desert Sled | Svartpilen 701 | |
|---|---|---|
| Traction Control | Not offered | Standard |
| USB Charging Port | Standard | Not offered |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
