All Duels – Duel Scrambler Vs XSR700: rififi at entry level – Rififi at entry level

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Duel Scrambler Vs XSR700: rififi at the entry level

All Duels - Duel Scrambler Vs XSR700: rififi at entry level - Rififi at entry level

By dusting off the mid-capacity neo-retro motorcycle segment, the Scrambler achieved phenomenal success in 2015. But 2016 promises to be trickier for the entry-level Ducati, as Yamaha launches an attractive and impactful XSR700… Duel !

Rififi at entry level

With just over 1,500 copies sold last year in France, the Scrambler has allowed Ducati to break many records (read the). More generally, the new entry-level Bologna has also blown up the mid-capacity neo-retro segment..

Already opposed to the good old Triumph Scrambler on Site (read our), the Scrambler "Icon" had charmed the editorial staff with its crisp look, its – very – dynamic performance and its obvious handling. Too high in absolute terms, its price of € 8,590 – so … – seemed almost acceptable compared to that of the English icon (1,400 euros more).

But this year, the Scrambler in Bolognese sauce sees the arrival of a machine from Japan which, on paper, plays in the same court: the is also intended to be easy, efficient and attractive. Additional asset in the sleeve of the Yam ‘: its price of "only" 7699 €. It was therefore logical that the Journal moto du Net compares these two motorcycles !

More surprisingly, our choice of the "Full Throttle" version of the Scrambler can be explained by two reasons: the 2016 "Flat Track Pro" version of the Italian was not yet available in press and the standard "Icon" version had already participated in our previous Duel MNC.

Scrambler: Ducati’s bestseller

Ducati has therefore entrusted us with the keys to its dear "Full Throttle". "Expensive", because it undoubtedly represents the Scrambler model closest to the Ducati philosophy with its Termignoni pots, short saddle and mudguards "racing inspiration", underlines the manufacturer. But" expensive "also by its price which peaks at 10,490 € !

However, the opposition to entry-level Yamaha does not become obsolete: apart from these few aesthetic – and acoustic modifications! -, the "Full Throttle" is modeled on the "Icon" model currently displayed at € 8990.

We therefore find intact, at the heart of the Scrambler, the 90 ° V-twin – "L-shaped", say the Ducatists! – 803 cc developing 75 horsepower and 68 Nm. Values ​​precisely achieved by the inline twin of the XSR700, called "CP2" and directly inherited from the MT-07.

Air-cooled, the Italian engine looks "vintage" compared to the Japanese watermill: the fins exposed on the left flank look good from the last century, as does the low, elongated tank, simply decorated. These two key elements always sit side by side with more sophisticated peripherals..

The wide inverted fork (41 mm sliders), the Brembo branded calipers (radial with 4 pistons in front), the alloy rims (ten spokes and angled valve behind) and the beefy maousse swingarm (worthy of a small Panigale) so many touches of modernity … which obviously hit the mark with French bikers last year !

Perfect illustration of the subtle neo-retro mix obtained by the Italians on their Scrambler: the round headlight is edged with LEDs which act as position lights. Let us note in passing the small detail that kills: the emblem of the mark is cut in the cover of the bulb! Mamma mia.

Surprisingly, Ducati engineers did not ensure by choosing the location of its single front brake: placed on its side stand, the Scrambler exposes the right side of its rim, devoid of disc! This accentuates the "small displacement" aspect of the motorcycle, which is not great for showing off on the terrace of cafes….

But this is the only big mistake that Site spotted on the Scrambler. Another, less serious fault concerns the passenger footrest plates, matching the swinging arm of course, but whose overweight unnecessarily weighs down the Ducati … and pushes the heels away from its pilot. !

We regret in passing that the front footrests are not covered with rubber to filter the omnipresent vibrations of the L-Twin. Nothing to say, however, regarding the choice of cross-type handles, too trendy cobblestone tires (Pirelli MT60 RS) and the offset license plate holder which clears the view of the rear wheel..

Last point inspected by MNC on the Scrambler before moving on to the XSR700: the counter block. All round and fully digital, it has controls on the handlebars which allow you to scroll through all the information (read "Practical aspects and equipment" on page 3).

Unfortunately, the Scrambler instrumentation ignores a lot of information: no fuel gauge or engine temperature, fuel consumption and gear indicator engaged … All data that are provided by the Yamaha block, also round and digital.

Unlike the Scrambler equipped with an old-fashioned engine – it fitted them, in particular – the XSR700 benefits from the all-new engine of the MT-07, which allows the pilot to know which gear is engaged and to know your instantaneous and average consumption.

XSR700: the MT-07 of hipsters

The Yamaha fuel tank – with a beautiful polished appearance on our test model – also incorporates a gauge, which is very practical on a daily basis. Small drawback about the Japanese instrumentation: the two small buttons are on the block and not on the handlebars.

We also regret that the warning of the SXR is placed on the right stalk, while the right hand already has a lot to do between the accelerator and the brake. Ducati plays it more cunning: to activate the hazard lights – and experience the lane climbing – all you have to do is hold the turn signal control to the left.

Also good to know: as with all Ducatis, the Scrambler’s starter is hidden under the circuit breaker. On the Yamaha, the circuit breaker itself acts as the starter. MNC takes the opportunity to point out that the controls are cuter – because smaller – on the Italian … But the Japanese is not devoid of charm..

The Iwata Blues have designed a rear buckle just for the XSR700 and put on it a lovely two-tone saddle more elegant – in the opinion of the editors – than that of the Ducati. Just behind, the Yamaha LED tail light plays the retro card, while the Ducati’s is more neo … even neon. There too, the tastes and colors…

Up front, the Yamaha receives the inevitable round flagship of the neo-retros, but in an elongated version which has not particularly seduced Site, especially compared to the much more compact and more sophisticated version which adorns the Italian Scrambler..

The finish of the Japanese is neat, but not quite impeccable: the Journal moto du Net mainly regrets that certain parts of the engine (injection) or of the frame (large fixing tube without buffer) are a little too exposed to the admirers, many at each of our stops.

While the Ducati is adorned with recent devices, even high-end, the Yamaha is satisfied with the basic cycle part of the MT-07. Nothing to complain about: the formula has been successful since the little Yam ‘roadster has been the best-selling motorcycle in France for two years (with the exception of the MT-09, whose registrations have been recorded with those of the Plot).

The MT’s chassis and undercarriages are preserved on its XSR twin: tubular steel trellis, "non-inverted" and non-oversized telescopic fork, 282 mm double discs at the front, "classic" mounting calipers. .. but with 4 pistons all the same !

Aesthetes will however welcome the presence of the graceful aluminum swing arm – openwork on the right! -, the cut in petals of the three brake discs and the trim of the perforated airbox, like the Dirt Track motorcycle number plate.

Likewise, the XSR700 stands out from the Scrambler with its original more road tire fitting with a very original design: those unveiled by Pirelli last summer. And in terms of handling, does the Yamaha differ from the Ducati? Answer on next page…

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