Ducati Scrambler or Honda Hornet - WWYB?

[Halitosis]

After 25 years since my last bike, I'm going to get back in the saddle and seek opinions on which of these two bikes I should buy.
Budget is £6k and it would be for leisurely rides only on good weather days, and maybe if I'm brave enough a couple of days of touring Scotland (I live near Edinburgh already).
The Ducati Scrambler 800 appeals for the looks and the sound. The Honda CB 750 Hornet gets universal praise and is no doubt the more sensible choice. I'll be taking the Hornet for a ride as part of a "back to biking" training course, but I can't see much chance of getting a test ride on a Scrambler.
So seeking opinions and experience please? Thanks in advance

[PT1984]

For my first bike after my test (I did have a CB125R to learn with) I was torn. For me it was between a Monster 821, Triumph Street Twin or Scrambler, or Ducati Scrambler. The wife ruled out the Monster. That was the bike, the original 900, that I had as a poster on my wall. My first proper memory of a bike was my uncle s neighbour s 900SS. I have never forgotten the sound of that thing starting up.

I then ruled out the Triumph offerings because of what the Ducati was. Still made where Ducati have always been made. Metal tank, V (L) twin, air cooled, cable throttle. And a good 25kg lighter.

Mine is a late 21 so has the Euro 5 updates. Got a great deal from Ducati Manchester for your budget. Was essentially new.
Nothing has gone wrong. For the riding I do, which is just round the Peaks, it s perfect. Sounds incredible, handles well. Can be comfy, then wind the throttle on and the intake noise gets angry. It s plenty quick enough without being a dick.



I have made a few mods making my own ‘S’ spec with a Zard can (compliant) and Nitron rear shock. Have a Brembo M/C to put in. Tail tidy and the lower Full Throttle bars.

It could not be more different to a Hornet.

Edited by PT1984 on Tuesday 9th June 07:19

[Halitosis]

Thanks PT1984, and I think you’re selling it to me! The original Monster was my dream bike too in the 90s. Looks like I’ll have to travel to pick one up in my budget (likely a private seller), but will take a day trip to Glasgow Ducati to at least see one in the flesh and sit on it 👍

[PT1984]

You certainly don’t need to find a dealer approved. These tend to do little miles. Just ensure it’s had annual oil changes. And remember they get expensive at 5 years 7k belts and Desmo service. Guess what Im booking in the next few months…….

Don't be fooled by the scrambler name. A farm track is the best they'll do. But they do well on a bumpy back road. They have more suspension travel than the equivalent Triumph.

[TurboHatchback]

How large are you? I ask because they are both physically small bikes, both of which I found to be too small for me. If you fit comfortably then the right answer is the one which tickles your fancy the most, trying to rationalise the decision is missing the point IMO.

[Halitosis]

Yes I get that they're essentially a road bike and Scrambler only in name.
I'm 5'11" and 15 1/2 stone, and yes the petite size is a mild concern. The Desert Sled looks best but is out of my price range and rare as hens teeth. Sat on a Hornet in Two Wheels Edinburgh and it felt perfectly good.

[PT1984]

Im 6”1 and fatter than I should be. When I swung my leg over the Hornet I felt like I sat ‘in’ it. I sit ‘on’ my Scrambler, but it does have the high comfort seat.

Do try the Triumphs as they sound lovely.

[scorcher]

I rode the hornet, thought it was dull as ditchwater. I’d go Ducati just for a bit of character.

[MrWideFit]

PT1984 said:

Im 6 1 and fatter than I should be. When I swung my leg over the Hornet I felt like I sat in it. I sit on my Scrambler, but it does have the high comfort seat.

Do try the Triumphs as they sound lovely.

The triumph families optional bench seat jacks most of them up a couple inches in seat height, i think the bonnevilles comfort seat does the same

The triumphs do look the part (understand this isn’t the scrambler version but always need an excuse to post pics )

[OutInTheShed]

Halitosis said:

After 25 years since my last bike, I'm going to get back in the saddle and seek opinions on which of these two bikes I should buy.
Budget is £6k and it would be for leisurely rides only on good weather days, and maybe if I'm brave enough a couple of days of touring Scotland (I live near Edinburgh already).
The Ducati Scrambler 800 appeals for the looks and the sound. The Honda CB 750 Hornet gets universal praise and is no doubt the more sensible choice. I'll be taking the Hornet for a ride as part of a "back to biking" training course, but I can't see much chance of getting a test ride on a Scrambler.
So seeking opinions and experience please? Thanks in advance

Why the binary choice between these two bikes?

Are you buying new?
How long will you want to keep the bike?

I'm sure either will be fine, but which you prefer is quite personal and may depend on what sort of riding you do, your local roads, your size and shape and that of your pillion if applicable. If you ever ride with other people, it's usually good to fit in with the group.
You may or may not see value in the owners clubs/facebook groups etc.
With Ducati, there is a lot of support from long term enthusiasts, at least that's my experience.
But maybe that's not relevant if you're buying new and not expecting to do any DIY maintenance etc.


Is it really that hard to get a test ride on a Scrambler?
If the dealer network can't deliver this, it's a big negative IMHO.
But first impressions on a one hour test ride, when you've not ridden much lately, may not be the whole story for five years of ownership or whatever.

I personally have no enthusiasm for the Honda, but much of the time, any bike is good once you're riding it. I've had some great rides on borrowed bikes because I enjoyed the roads etc.

[PT1984]

Ducati. TBH most Ducati just feel special. The Euro 5 Scrambler is absolutely a Ducati. Sure it has a few cheaper parts. No idea why they never did a S, but thats easily sorted. Then you have a lovely machine.

Such as ..



The Scrambler’s importance to Ducati is only second to the Monster.

Edited by PT1984 on Wednesday 10th June 15:52

[Latifisnc]

if you want to try a triumph street twin, give me a shout. I'm just west of Edinburgh and have one with 3 options for seats: standard; bonneville which is a bit wider and on it just now; or diamond stitched retro brown one (previous owner liked to accessorise - I've got 2 or 3 of most easily changeable bits). I'm 5 10 and about 14 stone. It is a small bike, but I like that as an antedote to my big xjr engined thing and the Heritage Softail I recently bought. The best thing about a bike that you like but isn't quite right for everything you want - it gives you an excuse to get a stablemate for it!

[Latifisnc]

Alternatively if you do go Ducati, there is a very well reputed Indie guy in Edinburgh so you'd be in safe hands for servicing

[Halitosis]

Thanks all for your comments. I went to Ducati Glasgow today and saw a Scrambler in the flesh for the first time. Fell in love with it and booked a test ride (after my back to biking refresher training next week).
Sat on an Icon and a Full Throttle. Both felt comfortable - the Icon's higher bars means no weight at all on my wrists, and the Full Throttle offered a more involved, very slightly forward leaning position. I think I'd be happy with either and will start to monitor the used market. Though not before my test ride to which I've also added a try of the Monster 900 just because

[Kawasicki]

TurboHatchback said:

How large are you? I ask because they are both physically small bikes, both of which I found to be too small for me. If you fit comfortably then the right answer is the one which tickles your fancy the most, trying to rationalise the decision is missing the point IMO.

This was going to be my question too. I’m only 5’9”, and the scrambler was just about my size. Have you considered the desert sled version of the scrambler? If you are tall, it might be a better option. I rode my friends one and really enjoyed it.

[Kawasicki]

Good for you! Motorbike handling has really moved on since the the original Monster days! And the engine in the scrambler is also lovely.