1100 Griso vs Ducati Scrambler?

[CanBike]

Ducati Scrambler vs a Griso?

Thoughts?

[Alfetta]

. I hope the R80 will eventually be the do everything bike, but until then...

Sorry, no such thing as a do everything bike...
But of the two you have listed, I would gravitate toward the bike with the lowest tech. and the longest maintenance intervals.  both should be a kick to ride.

[inditx]

I had a 2015 Duc Scrambler and honestly the motor felt anemic plus it WAS smaller and I’m only 5’10”
Also ended up with en electronic gremlin right after I sold it. No idea what it was or the fix.
Not owned a Griso, one of the few “newer” Guzzi’s that I’ve not owned but have always had the jones for one.
inditx

[Bulldog9]

With a full tank the 1200 Sport feels a bit top heavy compared to the Griso, but I mostly find them the same.  Both felt supremely light after the Black and Carbon fiber Flying Fortress Albatross left my garage.  What a fat girl............... ...

FWIW, I found the Duc Scrambler to be BLAND..........Slee py motor if I remember. Griso has far more character, even the 1100.

[Tim Henry]

Put some dualsport tires on the griso I've seen someone set one up to do OR work

[lazlokovacs]

not sure if pillion stuff is in your plans but I've owned a griso for 3 years and borrowed a scrambler for a bout 3 weeks, the ducati was a much better pillion bike. In fact the griso is probably just about the worst pillion mount I've ever tried.

The scrambler I rode had plenty of power, but it was a red one so maybe that made the difference.

[blackcat]

Put some dualsport tires on the griso I've seen someone set one up to do OR work

I'd love to see a photo of that bike in the woods.

[kidsmoke]

I'd love to see a photo of that bike in the woods.

Here you go, BC

Brittany, France

There are so many places to discuss, but I thought it was here on WG that a Canadian bloke, from Quebec, I believe, had done the same, set it up for the fire roads near home. I'd have to believe there are better options....

[blackcat]

Nice, perfect for those types of roads.

[Dr. Enzo Toma]

I owned a Scrambler Icon 803 and loved it but there were also things to hate. Valve service on any desmo bike is either a time suck PITA to DIY, or $$$. The Scrambler was always a reworked Monster and not a purpose built machine. It needs a steering dampener 💧 to be safe and comfortable for higher speeds. It doesn't take much to put that bike into a tank slapper at 80mph in stock form, just a bump or a gust of wind. The seat was awful until I bought a Mustang saddle. Dual-sport tire selection was not great but now the Michelin Anakee Adventure comes sized for the bike and is an excellent upgrade over the stock Pirellis that just don't last. The Scrambler also eats chains and sprockets from my experience. The rear sub-frame was attached to the earlier bikes which caused issues for many owners who had luggage attached and the bike tipped over, basically totaled the frame or stripped the threaded holes in the frame. On the latest iteration of the Scrambler 803 they addressed this with a bolt-on rear sub-frame rather than it being integrated. AFAIK Ducati don't have a proper service manual for the Scrambler, or didn't last I checked, just an electronic one for authorized service centers. Luckily Haynes came out with a full service manual for it, owning the bike before a manual came out made it a pain to work on. The Desert Sled was a fair upgrade attempt, but the DesertX is Ducati finally confronting the faults of having made an "urban" Scrambler as an entry level bike (which it is great for), only to have people attempt actual off-road riding and adventure touring with it. I passed on the DesertX due to cost, electronics, and serviceability. When the Honda Transalp comes out I will likely consider that for a more proper ADV bike. If it's anything like the original, it will be a close second to the mythical do-everything bike.

I can honestly say that my Moto Guzzi V7 850 feels more comfortable and capable in stock form hauling down firebreak roads (even with street tires on it) than the Scrambler did, though I have to be more conscious of clearance. I am very happy with having replaced the Scrambler with a V7 850 for regular touring, gravel road riding, and motocamping.

IMO the key thing is managing expectations. Compare the specs, capability, accessories, maintenance schedule, cost, etc with your desired criteria and go from there.

[s1120]

OK, maybe because im taller, but for that kind of use, I would snatch up a Triumph 1200 scrambler. Its a tall bike, but to me it felt real flickable, with good power, brakes, and handling. To me it was one of those bikes you fall for the second you get on it. I haven't got one yet, so no idea on maitance or anything with them. Just might be worth a look see.

[twowheeladdict]

I've been partial to the Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled myself.

The OP doesn't say what model Ducati Scrambler he is interested in. 

There are two engine sizes.

There are many variations from the Desert Sled to the Cafe. 

I test rode a Base model Scrambler back to back with a R-nine-T and would chose the R-Nine-T Urban Enduro over a base Scrambler.  Neither Ducati or BMW are probably in the cards for me because of dealer location. 

[Dave Swanson]

OK, maybe because im taller, but for that kind of use, I would snatch up a Triumph 1200 scrambler. Its a tall bike, but to me it felt real flickable, with good power, brakes, and handling. To me it was one of those bikes you fall for the second you get on it. I haven't got one yet, so no idea on maitance or anything with them. Just might be worth a look see.

I need a step ladder to get on the Triumph 1200SE, which is off-putting for me,  but my riding buddy has one and loves it.  So does Yammie Noob.   This is one of the best reviews for the 1200SE I have found.  If you are trying to avoid buying one, don't watch this video.   

https://youtu.be/c8Ko3Qk565Q?si=Q__ZELpzdCWb5R8D

And to bring back my thread drift.   Definitely go for a Griso over the Scrambler.  Ease of valve adjustment and the shaft drive will sooth your soul over time. 

[Brand X]

The 1100 Duc is a fantastic engine s. (Monster) I really like 2 valve big block Guzzi Motors, but the L block Air cooled Duc is very light, and narrow. Great MPG out of them too.

[Turin]

It's no myth. There was a do everything bike. It was called the moto Guzzi Quota 1100ES.

[s1120]

I need a step ladder to get on the Triumph 1200SE, which is off-putting for me,  but my riding buddy has one and loves it.  So does Yammie Noob.   This is one of the best reviews for the 1200SE I have found.  If you are trying to avoid buying one, don't watch this video.   

https://youtu.be/c8Ko3Qk565Q?si=Q__ZELpzdCWb5R8D

And to bring back my thread drift.   Definitely go for a Griso over the Scrambler.  Ease of valve adjustment and the shaft drive will sooth your soul over time.

At 6'3" tall I fall on the other side. Not many bikes fit me well, and this was like putting on a well worn pair of jeans!  Luckily, [or unluckily] my wallet keeps me from debating too much about letting it share garage space with my Guzzi.

[JohninVT]

This topic has come up in multiple forums recently.  The Scrambler is a 20 minute bike.  It’s lively, with a great real-world engine.  In 20 minute intervals the bike is a joy to ride but the forks are about as good as a 1975 Honda CB350 and the seat makes a DRZ seat seem like a Russel Daylong in comparison. It has streetbike ground clearance and there’s no way to mount a decent skid plate.  My V7 850 is as good or better on a gravel road than the Scrambler was.  The Scrambler was better around town and extremely agile but the V7 can cross continents. 

Then there’s the premium price.  It may not matter to most people but paying a Euro premium price for a bike assembled in Thailand with workers making Thai pay scale using Asian sourced parts isn’t good value, IMHO.  I paid $6800 for mine at the end of the 2018 riding season.  I rode it for a couple years and sold it during - for more than I paid.  I felt like I was taking advantage of the buyer but that’s what they were going for at the time.  A new Icon is $11,000.  That’s insane for what it is.  Just my .02

[Dr. Enzo Toma]

Congrats on the new steed and excellent choice.

[Bulldog9]

Update many months later...I ended up with a beautiful Griso 1100. I find it more sporty than my previous 2v Sport 1200. It seems to change direction more quickly and feels lighter when underway. The ergos land perfectly for me, with the pegs back a smidgen, wider bars, and just the right amount of lean forward. And I think these all help to give very confident handling inputs.

I've tinkered a bit, and it keeps getting better. I removed the canister, did a full tune-up, valves, plugs, all oils/fluids, installed a Beetle map, balanced the TB's, and flushed brakes and clutch. All extremely simple stuff to manage.

I've gone though many bikes in the past 15 years, and I think it's the best overall machine I've ever had. I'm super impressed and surprised how comfortable it is...I never would have guessed that.

Considering a Dart Flyscreen, maybe the classic over the marlin, as it looks a bit more tidy.




how to post photos on forums

Congrats!  I LOVE my Griso..............