Two special Ducati Scrambler concept bikes released in London
It’s a sign of the growth of the Bike Shed show in London that the big manufacturers are now attending, and even launching new bikes. And it was Ducati’s turn last week, when the Bologna firm chose the Tobacco Dock show to release a pair of Ducati Scrambler concept models.
The CR24I and RR24I are a pair of largely cosmetic redesigns of the basic 800 Scrambler foundation, produced by Ducati’s Centro Stile in-house design studio by chief designer Andrea Amato and designer Francesca Galluzzi (no relation to the Monster designer Miguel Angel Galluzzi…)
First up is the CR24I, which is a café racer take on the Scrambler, with a neat bikini fairing, sweeping lines, a single seat unit, and low-slung clip-on handlebars. The sporty side is accentuated by the 17-inch front wheel and sporty Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV road tyres, while a neat Termignoni end can tidies up the exhaust.
The round LED headlight lends a neo-retro classic feel, like the Supersport models from the 1970s, but is of course bang up to date in terms of performance. Bar-end mirrors and luscious gold paint rounds off the styling nicely.
The other special was the RR24I, which has a more stripped-back feel, with wire spoked wheels, exposed bracketry on the fuel tank for luggage, and a removable pillion seat/luggage rack. Pirelli Scorpion Rally rubber on 18” front and 17” rear rims give a proper flat track racer look, and the high-mount exhaust system also has a Termignoni silencer fitted. The stock front mudguard is replaced by a mini-beak mounted under the headlight, and the paint and graphics echo the minimalist style all round.
Under the custom redesign, both Scramblers stick with the same basic engine and chassis package: the 803cc Desmodue air-cooled four-valve V-twin engine with ride-by-wire fuelling, optional quickshifter, two riding modes and four-way traction control. Add in cornering ABS, a single Brembo front disc brake, USD forks and monoshock rear, and you have a no-nonsense premium roadster, which is actually a lot of fun on the road.
Both the CR24I and RR24I Scramblers are just concepts at the moment – but you could definitely see a version of the faired model appearing as a production machine at some point.
BMW’s RnineT Racer had a similar feel and was a big hit amongst fans of sweet classic design, and with a bit more of a 1970s Pantah or SS design, the little Scrambler could well slip into that sector. Add in a bigger engine – maybe an updated 1100 Scrambler lump – and you’d have a tempting machine indeed.
More info on the Ducati Scrambler range here: www.scramblerducati.com