I'm going to start with a preface, most of this is my opinion and frankly I don't care if you disagree
Ok, second I also don't care that Harley and Ducati are traditionally at different poles of the motorcycle spectrum, as of right now they both make bikes that are actively competing for my dollars. So you can take your traditions and GTFO.
Now that the house keeping is out of the way lets get to the bikes shall we?
We're all familiar with the Street so I don't think we need much rambling in that area. What I find interesting about the two seemingly opposite offers, is that they are using nearly identical imaging and positioning to sell product.
Harley saw it first, the Street is not your Fathers Harley, while the Scrambler actually is nearly your fathers Ducati. Slightly ironic, maybe?
The positioning is young, care free and ostensibly for the thrill of the ride. ITs easy to assume Ducati and Harley are both speaking to the image, young, care free, hip and fashion conscious. But you're wrong, the demographics of our site will tell you exactly that. Both companies are painting an ideal, they're not speaking to the young and the carefree, they're speaking to their parents.
One could also make the argument that the Scrambler is in far better shape mechanically than the Street 750.
Air-cooled 803 cc L-twin engine
75 hp and 50 lb-ft of torque.
Six-speed transmission
Electronic fuel injection
ABS standard
LCD instrumentation.
Wet weight of 410 lbs
Cost isn't half bad either, $8,495 for the base Scrambler, $9,995 for the upgraded Full THrottle, Enduro or Classic styles. Basically pre modded. Compare that to the $7,500 for the Street 750 and you can see where my dilemma arises. Do I spend the extra $1000 for a bike that is arguably superior, I'm not sure, I do know though that I want both... and bad....
Honestly, both bikes seem like a good choice. I think that you have to make a decision as to how much money you want to spend. Is the Ducati Scrambler actually going to make you $1,000 happier than the HD Street? Personally, I'd rather spend a bit less money and get the Street. Use some of that money to do some mods and make your Street your own.
One could also make the argument that the Scrambler is in far better shape mechanically than the Street 750.
Air-cooled 803 cc L-twin engine
75 hp and 50 lb-ft of torque.
Six-speed transmission
Electronic fuel injection
ABS standard
LCD instrumentation.
Wet weight of 410 lbs
Cost isn't half bad either, $8,495 for the base Scrambler, $9,995 for the upgraded Full THrottle, Enduro or Classic styles. Basically pre modded. Compare that to the $7,500 for the Street 750 and you can see where my dilemma arises. Do I spend the extra $1000 for a bike that is arguably superior, I'm not sure, I do know though that I want both... and bad....
I don't believe you're asking the right questions based upon the Ducati criteria you listed.
Arguably water-cooled is superior to air-cooled, both have EFI and 6-speed transmissions. ABS is arguably advantagous although I've been riding for 45 years and never had ABS. LCD v analog display is not important as the information for both is digital.
Ultimately this is all relatively unimportant because what is important is how do you ride and what is the purpose of the motorcycle.
For example I'm a very mellow rider. I'm never in a rush and don't like to be overly aggressive riding as it increases the dangers related to riding. I'm long since past my stupid thrill-seeking adventures on the street regardless of whether I'm in a car or on a motorcycle. Performance that is adequate for my riding style is all I really need.
If I was all about hanging my balls out (i.e. riding stupid IMHO) then I'd probably take the Ducati. That's what the Ducati is really designed for. If I was into pleasure riding and getting around town I'd take the Street 500 or Street 750. That's what it's really designed for.
Of note my serious riding is road trips and I use my Sportster for that because it's designed for that purpose.
Ultimately it's up to you to decide what type of riding you intend to use the motorcycle for then pick based upon that criteria.
On a final note there is another key difference. The Ducati is not a Harley and Harley has an international "social group" comprised of all of the Harley Owners Group members. Virtually wherever you go you have "friends" that you can visit, to go on rides with, and to socialize with. You won't find that with the Ducati or any other brand of motorcycle because Harley is the only factory/dealer sponsered owners group in the world. I don't know about Ducati but for Honda owners they'd have to join at least three different owners groups just for the US. For many HOG alone is a determining factor.
I have a dumb question to ask. Does this Ducati Scrambler come equipped with emergency flasher/hazard switch? The Streets don't come equipped with a hazard switch. It would be nice to have that feature on my own Street 750. All the other Harleys do. Even my 04 Suzuki Savage has a hazard switch. Still waiting for someone to compare the Indian Scout to the Street.
I have a dumb question to ask. Does this Ducati Scrambler come equipped with emergency flasher/hazard switch? The Streets don't come equipped with a hazard switch. It would be nice to have that feature on my own Street 750. All the other Harleys do. Even my 04 Suzuki Savage has a hazard switch. Still waiting for someone to compare the Indian Scout to the Street.
A hazard flasher? What for? Harley's don't break down on the road anymore. If you did wouldn't a turn signal light work just as well? It's not like a motorcycle is as wide as a car that could still block traffic when parked on the shoulder.
I've been trying to get a test ride on the new Indian Scout but my local dealer won't have one that I can ride until about January. I just called them about aa week ago and asked. I'm looking forward to test riding the Scout as soon as I can because I'm also curious.
Add the cost of maintenance and insurance to each bike. Insurance companies like to make the profit off bikes with a "sport bike" reputation. And all Duc's, no matter what model, are classified as "sport bikes". Ask the dealer's service department (not the sales guys) what the required maintenance is on the Scrambler, and how much they want for that. I considered all these things, even the cost for valve adjustments on the 750, and tires, into my cost/value equation.
I am interesting in street750 just from yesterday, I do not know about the quality street 750
but i studied ducati scrambler for a long time, at the beginning , I was very like the scrambler , it looks well , ad everywhere ,parameter looks good , price is not so high.
but when I looked at more and more people say about their scrambler , I noted that scrambler have some quality issue
not big problem, not every scrambler , but definitely not one people got that issue, like rust issue, seat quality issue ,and it seemed that the consults about the issues with dealers are all not happy ending.
and i go to the store to see the scrambler , i saw some of the new bike's threads rusted which they park outside
so the quality of this two bikes ,you need to ask more owner to confirm.
This seems like an APPLE & ORANGE comparison to me. Although I'm quite satisfied with the 750 STREET, if I wanted a "Sport Bike" I'd certainly consider the DUCATI. It looks clean and the specs. are impressive. That said it appears to have a 'chain' drive. I guess that most bikes of that type do. After owning several chain drives, throughout the years and a 'belt' drive 02 SOFTAIL for the past >10 years I much prefer the belt such as on my STREET. That's just my opinion. Hey, why not get one of each; one to cruise on and one to do 'wheeles' on!
I own a 2016 Street 750 and just test rode the 2016 Scrambler at a Ducati ride event. I like the power of the Ducati a lot better as well as the gauges. For me though the seat is not wide enough and isn't very soft so it was really uncomfortable. The bars also felt too high on the Ducati (my Street has drag bars). The seat on the Street 750 is not comfortable (for me at least) but it is a lot better than the Scrambler. I also feel like the Scrambler is a bit overpriced but then again it is a Ducati
Ive ridden the scrambler as well. Its a fantastic machine. I don't think you could go wrong with either, its a matter of opinion. They both have their pros and cons. But I also rode a Scout (someone mentioned the Scout) and I think that for most riders the Scout is the superior choice. If you're a newer rider and its your first bike, I'd stick to the cheaper/slower street. But, thats why there are so many bike options, there is something for everyone and its all a matter of preference. All three of these machines would be welcome in my garage.
Take a look at the street XGR Flat tracker now released for Harley racing can't believe they won't develop this for road use. I know where I would put my hard earned cash if released. At least the electrics will work on the Harley
Take a look at the street XGR Flat tracker now released for Harley racing can't believe they won't develop this for road use. I know where I would put my hard earned cash if released. At least the electrics will work on the Harley
These are V & H developed, 96 horsepower, pure racing machines. Right now, they're only for the track, but like all things involved in racing, they could become the test beds for some improvements to the street machines. Unfortunately, that would probably sound the death call for the Sportster, if they do develop it for the street. Also, keep on mind that these machines don't have to meet any smog requirements, so we'll never achieve that kind of power in a street legal bike. This machine would make the basis for a good new bike from somebody like Buell.
I own a 2016 Street 750 and just test rode the 2016 Scrambler at a Ducati ride event. I like the power of the Ducati a lot better as well as the gauges. For me though the seat is not wide enough and isn't very soft so it was really uncomfortable. The bars also felt too high on the Ducati (my Street has drag bars). The seat on the Street 750 is not comfortable (for me at least) but it is a lot better than the Scrambler. I also feel like the Scrambler is a bit overpriced but then again it is a Ducati
If you are a newbie like myself, buying a bike with a flairing would not be good.
If you have an accident, the flairing of the Ducati would be expensive to fix or replace.
And the Ducati is designed and built in japan, while the Street is a totally American motorcycle.
Support this country and buy American.
Harley-Davidson's riding academy has instructed over 350,000 riders since its debut in the year 2000. With that success under its belt, Harley-Davidson has decided to take the academy global by expanding to mexico, China and South Africa.
The program will involve the Street 500 motorcycles...
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