text: Motorcycle aficionados made a beeline to the Ducati showroom of Welly World Sg Buloh for the official introduction of the much awaited complete range of Scrambler Ducati and the kick off of a nationwide Scrambler Ducati tour.
  “Following the Scrambler’s exclusive preview last October, this model was going to be a hit with motorcycle lovers all over Malaysia. Now Ducati Malaysia have the entire Scrambler range available to the local market.
  The Scrambler Ducati is a contemporary sport bike with retro-flair, the Scrambler Ducati will certainly live up to the hype. Designed to traverse the urban jungle with ease, this is a bike that appeals to both highly experienced riders and keen amateur riders who are looking for functional simplicity and admire vintage designs that are easily customizable.
  For months last year, Ducati kept the new Scrambler guarded within a (now famous) large yellow container, sharing only snippets of information on the bike’s look and features in a 3-episode web series released on the Internet. Ending the agonizing wait, on 18 July, the Scrambler was previewed in spectacular fashion at the World Ducati Week 2014. The Scrambler then went on to tour the globe, making special appearances in numerous countries before passionate Ducatisti who have long awaited its introduction.
  Last October, Next Bike Sdn Bhd delighted fans of Ducati with an exclusive preview of the Scrambler “ICON” just ahead of the launch of Asia Ducati Week 2014.
  A contemporary interpretation of the original 1970’s icon, the Scrambler Ducati 2015 is an easy-to-handle sport bike that is comfortable, accessible and every bit as fashionable as its predecessor. Whilst it certainly exhibits a retro flair, the Scrambler was not designed to indulge in the nostalgic but rather was ‘intended to be just how the legendary Bologna-built motorcycle would be today if Ducati had never stopped building it’.
  The Scrambler’s ‘post-heritage’ design has taken the best of the past and transformed it into something unique and current whilst simultaneously retaining the original’s charm and honoring its history. A balance of tradition and modernity, this model marks the return to the pure essence of motorcycling: two wheels, a wide handlebar, a simple engine and a huge amount of fun.
  With the aim of reviving a legend and enhancing it with the technical specifications of a present day bike, Ducati’s designers incorporated several defining characteristics such as the fuel tank; shaped in a way that remains true to the original teardrop design of the 1970’s model, an inscription on the filler cap that says ‘born in 1962’ and the distinctive round head lamp.
  Back in the day, the Scrambler was a 250cc single-cylinder bike and now it runs on a fuel-injected oil and air cooled 800cc L-Twin engine that produces up to 75 horsepower. The Scrambler includes various modern features and fittings such as the two-channel ABS braking, LED powered headlights, and a USB charging port under the seat.
  The highly customizable new Scrambler comes in four versions: the red or yellow Icon, the black-framed Classic, the wild green Urban Enduro and the black Full Throttle racer with yellow accents. Each version offers its own style and performance-related interpretation of the Scrambler spirit.
  The Icon, characterized by its comfortable riding position and steel teardrop tank with interchangeable aluminum side panels, is the starting point from which to express yourself. The 790mm seat height ensures comfort for both the rider and passenger. Stand-out features include the wide handlebar, the headlight with glass lens and LED guide-light, and the Dual Sport wheels. An aluminum finish for the belt covers; the heat guard and the interchangeable surround of the characteristic LCD instrument panel all enrich the style of the bike. Available in two colours: ’62 Yellow and Ducati Red.
  The Urban Enduro version (in Wild Green) is the ideal companion with which to get around urban obstacles with agility, but also to reach new places, riding on the less travelled roads. The brown seat with a ribbed design, lined with technical fabrics, offers first-class ergonomic comfort. The fork protectors, engine sump guard and the headlight grille protect the key parts of the bike on off-road sections, while the cross bar stiffens the wide handlebar. Additional references to the off-road world include the high mudguard in plastic fiber and the spoke wheels.
  The Full Throttle version (in Deep Black) is inspired by the flat track world and makes clear references to the bikes that race around dirt ovals. It is equipped with a Termignoni racing exhaust homologated for road use, a seat designed for racing and black side panels with dedicated graphics. The low tapered handlebar and the short front mudguard add to the distinctive features of the Scrambler Full Throttle, destined for those who want a bike perfect for every-day use but without compromising on racing style.
  The Classic version (in Orange Sunshine) is aimed at those who appreciate attention to detail and 1970s style, but who don’t want to compromise on riding pleasure and the functionality of a modern bike. It is characterised by unique, refined details, such as the aluminium front and rear mudguards, the spoke wheels and the brown seat with diamond-shaped inserts.
  All four variants of the Ducati Scrambler are available to the Malaysian market. Introductory net selling prices (inclusive of GST) are as follows:
  - Scrambler Icon – RM57,333
  - Scrambler Urban Enduro – RM64,888
  - Scrambler Full Throttle – RM64,888
  - Scrambler Classic – RM64,888