Ducati XT500
New frame, new shocks, new wheels, new swing arm, new price tag. New Ducati scrambler, the Desert Sled.
When The first version of the scrambler came out, the off road capacities were more of marketing and lifestyle. If the bike immediately won my heart (except for the military green color of my Urban Enduro, i may respray it one day if i keep it) there were no doubt that it was a city bike.
The shocks were stiff as hell, with not that much travel. The front 18" wheel was here only for aesthetic reasons (it exactly match the size of the rear wheel, and that make the bike looks great) and if you can take some dry dirty paths you'd better forget the jumps.
Here Ducati do the things the right way. First, the frame is different. The new swing arm is now bolted on it, instead of on the motor only. The fork gain travel, full and effective adjustments and from 41mm to 46mm in diameter. The rear shock is treated the same way, and with a piggy-back.
The front wheel goes up to 19" and so long the great looking "with knobbies but still sporty rubber" MT60RS (witch holds on very well on both dry and wet tarmac but wear so quickly, my bike is now on roadsmart 3 only for this reason). The Desert Sled is on Scorpion rally str (still pirelli) and knobbies are slightly beefed up. You will lose on road what you've won off road.
All things come at a cost, and more than your wallet (starting at 11300€, 1000€ up from the last Urban Enduro price) its the weight that pay the price, with 21kg more on the scale. I don't know yet if it's a pro or a con but the engine is now eur4 by the magic of the electronic. Some says it's smoother now. Don't know why it wasn't eur4 before as the scrambler is only two years old.
The bike looks really great and as usual for Ducati there is no doubt that you'll get what you are buying. But i won't trade mine (wich is really fun to ride on tarmac and already great to look at if you except the color) for this one, and if you consider buying one be sure that your way home is made mostly of unpaved roads. By the way this end the commercial life of the Urban Enduro.
None of the pics of this article are mine. On White background from Ducati, and the others from The Bike Exif.
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Comments (3)
smiled largely at your title: Ducati XT 500. Nailed it! :)))))
I would however have a REAL aluminium tank installed. Would look (and feel) even better.
Well said Mike
very nice Bike, wrong brand though. come on, Yamaha! this is your Color scheme... build a new xt for us with jdm reliabilty and price tag.