Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled, the new model comes from the mountains of California [LIVE PHOTOS]

Ducati Scrambler Desert Next – Directly from the desert and mountains of California, the Scrambler Desert Sled arrives in the Land of Joy, a new version that takes inspiration from the world of off-road motorbikes, which made history in the United States in the '60s and '70s. Desert Sleds were born in America in Southwest California and Baja in Mexico between the 60s and 70s. They were road bikes of over 500 cm3, deprived of any non-essential accessories and on which off-road tires, spoked rims, modified suspensions and skid plates were fitted.

The name Desert Sled, "Desert Sled", derives from the skid plate, essential for protecting the motorbike from debris and impervious desert roads. Over the years, this type of motorcycle has become a true "category apart" in the world of two wheels: until then nothing had ever come close to a similar style. The Scrambler, Desert Sled takes up exactly this spirit, without forgetting Scrambler's own lifestyle values, extending the range of the new Bolognese brand towards "easy offroad". Thanks to the modified frame and suspension, the spoked wheels with 19'' front and the new lines, this is the ideal motorbike for all those who want to be able to leave the asphalt roads and tackle less traveled routes. The off-road attitude of the Scrambler Desert Sled is also underlined by the presence of the approved grille for the front headlight, high fenders specially designed for this version and obviously the engine guard.

This Scrambler version is characterized by a new riding position, thanks to a higher seat (a saddle with a height reduced by 20 mm is available as an option), suspensions with increased travel (now 200 mm) and off-road inspired footrests with rubber pads removable. The passenger footrests, separate from the pilot's, can be removed. The Scrambler Desert Sled inherits the Urban Enduro logo, of which it is the natural evolution towards a more offroad style. The Scrambler Desert Sled is equipped with a new chassis, perfect for adventurous soft offroad riding. Compared to the other versions of the Scrambler 800, the Scrambler Desert Sled frame has been strengthened to withstand the stresses of off-road driving. It has also been equipped with two forged side plates that embrace the engine and support the new swingarm, reinforced and longer than that of the other versions of the Scrambler® 800. A new chain guard and a "fin" are applied to the swingarm to protect the crown, just like on off-road bikes. The steering plates are also new on the Scrambler® Desert Sled and boast an increased distance between the fork legs and an increased advancement.

The suspensions have been designed to offer comfort and control even off the asphalt. For this reason they have 200 mm of travel at the front and rear. The fork is a Kayaba with 46 mm diameter upside-down legs, adjustable in spring preload, compression and rebound while the shock absorber, also Kayaba, is adjustable in spring preload and rebound and is equipped with a separate gas tank. The new set-up has resulted in the Scrambler Desert Sled having a seat height of 860 mm and a wheelbase of 1.505 mm. The wheels of the Scrambler Desert Sled are spoked in sizes 19'' at the front and 17'' at the rear and are fitted with the new Pirelli SCORPION RALLY STR tyres. In the sizes 120/70 R19 M/C 60V M+S TL front and 170/60 R 17 M/C 72V M+S TL rear. Pirelli SCORPION RALLY STR, the new “enduro on/off” tire specially designed for the latest generation of adventure, dual purpose and enduro street motorcycles. SCORPION RALLY STR represents a revolution in the world of tires because it manages to combine and combine the best performances of an off-road tire with those of a street enduro tyre.

The engine of the Scrambler Desert Sled is the Icon's air- and oil-cooled 803 cm3 Desmodue twin-cylinder, EURO 4 approved. Along with the new approval came a new throttle control and an unprecedented engine calibration which made it possible to gain fluidity of delivery, especially in the early stages of opening. Equipped with a six-speed gearbox, the Scrambler's Desmodue twin-cylinder has been designed to favor smooth running and fluid acceleration at every speed. It has a power of 75 HP at 8.250 rpm and a torque of 68 Nm at 5.750 rpm. /minute. Born to be simple and accessible, just like the Scrambler, it has maintenance intervals required every 12.000 kilometres.