By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Scrambler
Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE (DS04-MY2024) vs Ducati Scrambler 1100 (MY2018-Pro)
You'll feel these two split at the throttle, where the Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE's parallel twin pulls hard from just above idle and its exhaust turns rorty. Open up the Ducati Scrambler 1100 and it's already shoving from low revs. Its bark eggs you on to play.
So which one do you buy?
The Scrambler 1200 XE has the edge if…
Daily commuting & city riding
Small edge: Scrambler 1200 XE
The Scrambler 1200 XE edges it for the daily grind. It's a small gap, not a reason on its own.
The Scrambler 1100 has the edge if…
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Narrow edge: Scrambler 1100
On a winding road, the Scrambler 1100 comes out a touch ahead. It's down to more feel through the bars. You wouldn't bet much on a gap like that.
Character, looks and sound
Slight edge: Scrambler 1100
The Scrambler 1100 has a bit more presence and character. Credit a purer look. This one still comes down to taste.
Real off-road capability
Edges it: Scrambler 1100
On loose ground, the Scrambler 1100 feels a little more sure-footed. Small margin, and the right tires matter more.
What makes each one tick
Scrambler 1200 XE
Rocky trails and rutted desert tracks don't shake the Scrambler 1200 XE, because its long suspension travel and tall front wheel keep it steady on loose ground while the bar reports every rock. The throttle doesn't run out of breath early: the engine keeps climbing into a free-revving top end. At 507 lb (230 kg) with a 34.3 in (870 mm) seat, it's a handful in a parking lot. Its plush suspension swallows the ruts.
Scrambler 1100
Back roads and city corners come easy on the Scrambler 1100, whose steel trellis frame holds a precise line while the steering stays light. A bump works through 5.9 in (150 mm) of travel at each end, and the seat's down at 31.9 in (810 mm). Town traffic doesn't faze it. The wide bar flicks it through tight bends.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Scrambler 1100 has the lower seat: 31.9 in (810 mm) vs 34.3 in (870 mm).
- The Scrambler 1100 has the lower wet weight: 454 lb (206 kg) vs 507 lb (230 kg).
- The Scrambler 1200 XE makes more peak torque: 81 lb-ft (110 Nm) vs 65 lb-ft (88 Nm).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Both miss here
Long-haul comfort is a weak spot for both. If you tour, shop with that in mind.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
Scrambler 1200 XE
What owners say
Strengths
- Torque-rich and characterful parallel twin
- Genuine off‑road capability
Trade-offs
- Heavy weight and tall seat height
Scrambler 1100
What owners say
Strengths
- Intuitive, nimble handling
- Charismatic, torque-rich V-twin
- Distinctive, premium styling
Trade-offs
- Limited wind protection
- No TFT display
Known problems to check before you buy
Scrambler 1200 XE
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
Scrambler 1100
- Exhaust valve cable may contact battery wiring Recall 20V781000 The cable that controls the exhaust flapper valve can potentially contact the battery’s main positive wire, causing a short circuit and, in extreme cases, a fire. This affects all models produced from March 2018 to October 2020. Ducati issued a recall (SRV-RCL-20-003 / NHTSA 20V-781) to install a cable guide and self-locking cable tie.
What they share
- Fuel capacity
- 4.0 US gal (15 L)
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Fork
- Upside-down (USD)
- Front brake
- 320 mm
Where the spec sheets split
| Scrambler 1200 XE | Scrambler 1100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 34.3 in (870 mm) | 31.9 in (810 mm) |
| Wet weight | 507 lb (230 kg) | 454 lb (206 kg) |
| Scrambler 1200 XE | Scrambler 1100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 1200 cc | 1079 cc |
| Engine | Parallel twin | L-twin |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled | Air/oil-cooled |
| Power | 89 hp (66 kW) | 86 hp (63 kW) |
| Peak power at | 7,000 rpm | 7,500 rpm |
| Torque | 81 lb-ft (110 Nm) | 65 lb-ft (88 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 4,250 rpm | 4,750 rpm |
| Scrambler 1200 XE | Scrambler 1100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Front tire | 90/90-21 | 120/70-18 |
| Rear tire | 150/70-17 | 180/55-17 |
| Wheelbase | 61.8 in (1570 mm) | 59.6 in (1514 mm) |
| Front travel | 9.8 in (250 mm) | 5.9 in (150 mm) |
| Rear travel | 9.8 in (250 mm) | 5.9 in (150 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| Scrambler 1200 XE | Scrambler 1100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise Control | Standard | Not offered |
| TFT Display | Standard | Not offered |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
