City surfer: A Honda CB250 covered in street art

The results are always special when a professional custom builder sets out to create a bike for themselves. With no client brief on the table, it’s all about their own personality and proclivities. But it’s hard to pin Christian Reier’s tastes down—his latest build is a huge departure from his last, despite the fact that they were both personal projects.

Nicknamed the ‘City Surfer,’ this particular project started out as a 1969 Honda CB250K. Working from the Reier Motors workshop in the picturesque outskirts of Lamprechtshausen, Austria, Christian transformed the humble twin into a daily runner that’s part baby bagger, and part rolling art canvas.

Christian started by fine-tuning the CB250K’s stance, by way of lowering the suspension at both ends. There are still a few inches of travel, but not much more, which speaks volumes about Austria’s road maintenance regime.

Next, the subframe was cut down to make it as short as possible. Christian hammered out a seat unit from 0.75 mm thick sheet metal, and had the saddle trimmed in brown leather. Held in place by three press studs on the back, the saddle hinges forward to reveal a stash spot under the rear hump.

To further improve the bike’s convenience factor, Christian welded up a custom rear rack to hold a pair of fiberglass panniers, scalped from an old Harley. The rack was tailored to the cases, so that they could be attached without any additional modifications.

They’re the perfect addition to a city bike, especially if you shy away from wearing a backpack while riding. And since both the bike and panniers are slung low, they definitely won’t be in the way when you sling your leg over the seat. To keep things street legal, the pannier frame also supports a Bates-style tail light, turn signals and a license plate bracket.

Peek under the seat, and you’ll spot a custom-made stainless steel box. That’s where all the electronics now reside, including the battery, wiring and relays. Flanking it are two overly large air filters from UNI, feeding air into a pair of Mikuni carbs.

The engine itself was stripped, rebuilt from the ground up and painted. The twin exhaust is also custom; the headers make their way down the length of the bike, and terminate in MASS mufflers under the panniers.

Up front you’ll find the original headlight and fork shrouds, with new turn signals and a set of low-rise LSL bars. The cockpit is beautifully simple, complemented by an MMB speedo that sits in a color-matched housing.

Before Christian turned to the Honda’s eclectic paint job, he had one more important item to tick off his list. The fuel tank that came with the donor bike was in far too good a condition to paint over, so he swapped it out for the tank from a newer Honda CB250. It has slightly softer edges than the original, making it a good match for the seat and panniers.

The stunning paint was laid down by an Austrian-French street artist couple, who go by Jana and JS. They like to use city-inspired motifs in their work, which Christian felt was perfect for the bike. That’s one good thing about fiberglass panniers—when it comes to artwork, there’s ample room.

The wheels and frame were painted black to make the artwork pop even more. The rest of the bike was treated to a full nut-and-bolt restoration, with clever little color-coded touches, like green fuel hoses.

Christian has turned this staple Japanese commuter into a rather stylish, and practical, urban runabout. It’s small, lightweight and economical to run, even with the Mikuni carbs.

“The bike has very little suspension travel and is extremely low to the ground, which gives a pure riding feeling,” explains Christian. “The design stands out and really puts the Honda in the spotlight. The art of Jana and JS adds perfectly to its appearance.”

Even though this was a personal project for Christian, the City Surfer is now for sale. Just don’t send us out for groceries on it—we might be out for a while.

Reier Motors | Facebook | Instagram | Images by Jean-Sebastien Philippe

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Stealthy style: Vagabund’s custom KTM Freeride EX-C

Modern dirt bikes are the epitome of form following function. Narrow fuel tanks are easier to grip with your knees, flat seats enable you to shift your weight around, and plastic bodywork can be replaced after a crash. It’s why they’re so formulaic in their design.

Vagabund Moto are here to inject some style into the genre. Founded by Paul Brauchart and Philipp Rabl, the Austrian outfit is part of a growing breed of custom shops that blur the lines between motorcycles, design and fashion. Their builds are modern and edgy, and are built using the latest manufacturing techniques.

If this svelte KTM leaves you with a sense of déjà vu, it’s because it closely resembles another KTM that Vagabund built earlier this year. But there’s one major difference—this one’s based on the electric-powered KTM Freeride E-XC.

“We started this project with the general idea of creating a super agile urban commuter,” says Paul, “while still keeping the option to go for some after-work fun in the woods. We were really happy with the outcome of our previous KTM ‘Safari 350’ build, and the general quality of KTM. Plus it’s an Austrian brand, and we like the idea of reinterpreting a ‘Ready to Race’ bike to our idea of using it.”

Both KTMs share a modular aesthetic and monochromatic color scheme, but this was no copy-and-paste job. The two bikes are vastly different, so there wasn’t a single part that could be replicated as-is. So the team started by stripping the Freeride E-XC down to its bare bones, and 3D-scanning the whole bike.

“We focused on the most important parts, to reach a minimalist Vagabund look without totally killing the budget,” says Paul. “It was a challenge to keep the original frame line, while still trying to incorporate our own idea of design.”

Once new bodywork was designed, Vagabund 3D printed the various parts. Everything’s been made from Polymid 12, a hard nylon polymer that’s abrasive resistant, and bolts straight on.

The set includes new ‘tank’ panels, and a new tail section that includes an integrated LED taillight. Every part complements the next, with superb attention to detail. Peak around the front end, and you’ll even spot honeycombed panels tucked into the front ‘wings.’

A new nacelle sits up front, but it doesn’t house a traditional headlight. Instead, Vagabund designed a bracket to hold a pair of Highsider LED headlights lower down. A subtle Vagabund ‘label’ sits on the side, with the ignition integrated lower down.

The front fender is one of the few off-the-shelf parts on this build; it comes from a Husqvarna TC85, and was modified to fit.

During the redesign, Vagabund also took care to keep the KTM street legal. A pair of Highsider turn signals sit on the underside of the handlebars, held in CNC-machined aluminum housings. Out back is a custom-made aluminum license plate bracket, also kitted with Highsider LEDs.

A custom seat adds a finishing touch, upholstered in a luxurious Alcantara. It sits on the KTM’s OEM seat hinge, so that you can still access the battery without any hassles.

As for the bike’s bones, Vagabund decided to leave well enough alone. The chromoly main frame, forged aluminum bolt-on sections, and a few other parts, were powder-coated black, but nothing was cut or welded. Plus the original wheels, brakes and WP suspension components are still in play.

That means that the 42 Nm, 240-ish pound Freeride E-XC still has oodles of suspension travel and ground clearance. So it should still be a total blast to ride, with the added bonus of looking better than anything else out on the trails.

It also means that the work that Vagabund have done here can be replicated. So they’re opening their order books for custom Freeride E-XCs in this style.

Who else is busy imagining this in their garage right now?

Vagabund Moto | Facebook | Instagram | Images by Stefan Leitner

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The Future of Luxury Cars: New Track Records Set

Ever since the world’s finest luxury vehicles were first designed, luxury and speed have been inextricably intertwined. Recently, a new champion was crowned when it comes to the fastest luxury car. The Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S broke records at the famous Nürburgring course, making it the fastest luxury vehicle to date.

However, this wasn’t the only development from this year’s races.

“This latest batch of luxury cars are some of the best yet, making use of the newest and most innovative technology available. If the cars at this race are any indication, we are about to see some major changes in luxury vehicles over the next few years”, said Richie Bello, CEO of ShopSmartAutos.com

The Nürburgring Test

Nürburgring Nordschleife

The Nürburgring course is located in Western Germany and is typically used for car manufacturers to show off their latest models. It was also an F1 racing course that is now back on the F1 calendar after taking a hiatus in 2013. Being the fastest car to complete this course is considered a high point of pride for any manufacturer. But while there is always the fastest car in a given year’s models, breaking records is another matter entirely.

At Nürburgring, cars of all types compete against similar models. For example, there is a category that tests luxury electric cars, with major manufacturers once again competing against one another. Luxury electric cars are a relatively new addition, but, judging by the performance they were able to achieve, they are here to stay. This year, Volkswagen set a new lap record for all-electric cars, completing 21.9 miles in just 6:05:336. This is a clear sign of the future of luxury vehicles, as manufacturers will likely start producing more electric models.

Results from the Overall Production Category

Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S Sets New Record on Nürburgring Nordschleife

The Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S is a vehicle that was designed specifically for optimal power and precision. To break the record at the Nürburgring course, the Mercedes team outfitted this model with the optional Aerodynamics package, which included a fixed rear aerofoil, an optimized front apron, and an optimized diffuser in the rear apron, among other improvements. As a result, the Mercedes-AMG GT was able to reach a time of 6:43.616s, beating out its closest competitor, the Lamborghini Aventador SVJ, by less than a second.

While Mercedes may have claimed the top prize in this category, that doesn’t mean the other vehicles are slouches. Here are just some of the other results from the Nürburgring competition:

The Dodge Viper ACR completed the track in 7:01.3s, coming in 9^th place. It failed to crack the 7-minute mark, but it also remained the fastest manual production car, which is a fairly impressive feat in itself. Also noteworthy is its 645bhp and 813Nm of torque.

Ferrari came very close to breaking the 7-minute mark, with its 488 Pista finishing in a time of 7:00.03s. Despite missing this goal, the Ferrari is still a very impressive vehicle. Its 3.9-liter twin-turbo V8 outputs 710bhp and 770Nm of torque. It’s also an incredibly light vehicle, weighing just 1,285 kg. This is just one of the reasons it’s able to reach an incredible 2.85 seconds in the 0-62mph dash. It also sports a top speed of over 211 mph.

The Lamborghini Aventador SV just cracked the 7-minute mark, coming in at 6:59.73. The SV stands for Super Veloce, which literally translates into “super fast,” and the Lamborghini more than lived up to its name. This car boasts a 0-62 mph time of 2.8 seconds and a 740bhp.

The Porsche 911GT2 RS finished in third, with an impressive time of 6:47.3. It was able to do this with special Michelin Pilot Cup 2 tires, which were designed specifically for this model. However, these tires are road-legal, so buyers will be able to get them for their car if they wish.

The Future of Luxury Cars

This year’s Nürburgring course results, and the Mercedes-AMG in particular, have set a high standard for all future luxury vehicles. All future entrants will have to find a way to outperform these vehicles in what was an already difficult field to beat. In addition, electric vehicles are more powerful than ever, setting up another high-stakes competition among manufacturers for years to come.

This is just one way that luxury vehicles are likely to change in the upcoming years. While electric vehicles are certainly growing in popularity, so too is the demand for other amenities, such as artificial intelligence within the car. If trends like this continue, it may not be long before we see a race at Nürburgring where electric vehicles race without the need for drivers.

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Roughchild’s BMW R75/5 is a love letter to the airhead

Calling Robert Sabel a purist would be missing the point. His Los Angeles-based shop, Roughchild Motorcycles, works exclusively on BMWs, without ever straying too far from their original looks. But their builds are more than just restoration jobs; they might look vintage on the surface, but they’re loaded with stealthy modern upgrades.

“We sympathetically combine the latest technology with classic aesthetics,” explains Robert. Now Roughchild has pushed that philosophy to the limit, by taking their signature RSWB (Reisesport Short Wheel Base) design and kitting it with every upgrade in their arsenal. The build combines a 1970 BMW R75/5 chassis with a 1993 BMW R100R engine, and it’s an absolute stunner.

“This bike is a love letter to the airhead,” says Robert. “Yes, it’s custom, but done in such a way that it honors the original design in a refined manner. We’re not looking for extreme, we’re aiming for extremely refined, with a focus on safety, compliance and reliability.”

“In this instance, we’ve taken the earliest frame and put the latest engine in it, a cool 23 years apart. Then incorporated top of the line suspension and brake components to make the extra power usable all of the time. Modern electronics on an entirely rebuilt and upgraded drivetrain optimize the experience.”

One look at this build’s spec sheet proves that Robert isn’t overstating things. There isn’t an inch of this airhead that hasn’t been improved in some way—starting with its engine. Roughchild rebuilt it with long connecting rods and short skirt high compression pistons, supplied by Moorespeed in the UK.

They also performed a twin-spark ignition conversion, added classic peanut valve covers and installed a racing clutch with sintered plates. The carbs are Dell’Orto PHM40s, hooked up to the original airbox. And the exhaust system is a combination of stainless steel headers, and Cone Engineering mufflers.

Moving to the suspension, Roughchild upgraded the front end with a set of Öhlins FGRT forks, held in place by a set of custom-machined yokes. A pair of Öhlins Blackline shocks prop up the rear.

For the wheels, the crew laced 18” Sun rims to custom aluminum hubs with stainless steel spokes, then wrapped them in Metzler RaceTec tires. The rear wheel is offset to accommodate the 3.5” wide rim, and now sports a disc brake assembly. Nickel-plated Brembo GP4 calipers do duty at both ends.

Most of this build’s key body parts were scalped from various classic R-series BMWs. The headlight bucket is a /5 part, complete with its original light switch and its recessed speedometer and tachometer. Roughchild converted the tacho from mechanical to electronic, since the newer R100R motor doesn’t have a tach drive.

The headlight brackets look period correct, but they’re actually custom pieces. The crew designed them specifically to slip over the wider Öhlins fork tubes.

The fuel tank comes from a /6 BMW, and has been repainted in Avus black with traditional white pinstripes. It’s adorned with a traditional gas cap and vintage BMW roundels. Tucked underneath it is the front brake master cylinder, and a Lithium-ion battery in a hand-made box.

Sitting further back is a custom seat, finished in Alcantara and vinyl, with a tidy café racer-style hump. It’s perched on a custom bolt-on subframe, with an LED taillight and turn signal strip Frenched into the back.

There’s more slick stuff happening in the cockpit, where Roughchild matched a set of custom-built handlebars to black anodized risers. Micro-switches are embedded into the edges of the grips, and the throttle runs internally. The brake and clutch levers are welded directly to the bars.

All the wiring’s been run inside the bars to keep everything super sano. Roughchild rewired the bike too, around Motogadget’s ubiquitous mo.unit control box.

Lower down you’ll find a pair of Marchal fog lights, mounted to a set of classic BMW crash bars. They’ve been wired to operate at 60 percent brightness when on, and to flash brighter on the appropriate side when engaged, effectively operating as turn signals.

Rounding out the street legal bits is a swingarm-mounted license plate bracket at the back.

Robert’s obsessive attention to detail can be found throughout this RSWB build. The classic BMW paint job is attractive enough on its own, but the way the gold suspension parts are complemented by the tank roundels and custom engine badges is beyond tasteful.

Every last fastener was swapped out for a high-end ARP part too, with subtle Roughchild logos sprinkled throughout the bike.

This version of the LA shop’s RSWB series is not only an effective showcase of what they’re capable of, but a testament to how timeless and iconic the BMW boxer is. It’s done so well, it might even make purists smile.

Roughchild Motorcycles | Facebook | Instagram | Images by Webb Bland | Video by Carousel NYC

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Maintenance Costs — A Car Owner’s Guide

Most people with a CarShield warranty or another car protection plan are long-term thinkers — after all, you want to do everything in your power to protect your car. After all, a car is a depreciating asset; it loses its value over time, which is why you want to maximize your return on investment when you buy one. And the best way to do that is through proper maintenance. 

With regular maintenance, your car will be well taken care of, and you’ll be able to drive it for a long time before you need to spend money on a new one. However, that also means you’ll need to plan for car maintenance expenses. Over time, these can add up — so you need to plan accordingly and figure out how much regular maintenance will probably cost you. 

Considering that, let’s look at some basic factors you should keep in mind while predicting your car maintenance expenses.

Understanding Vehicle Maintenance Costs

Vehicle Maintenance Costs

For starters, we should point out that it’s basically impossible to predict the exact expenses accurately you’ll have for your car in the long run. However, you can make a pretty good estimate, which starts with seeing what kind of regular maintenance services your car will probably need. These include maintenance for various car parts, from the drivetrain to the engine. 

You should also expect to pay for tire rotations, oil changes, and fluid flushes semi-regularly. If you don’t want your vehicle to experience wear and tear prematurely, it’s essential to establish a reliable maintenance schedule. 

Also, while budgeting for long-term repairs, planning for other maintenance issues that might be costlier and rarer — like rotor, brake pad, fuse, and tire replacements is wise. They won’t happen as often, but they’re just as vital to the longevity of your car. 

Remember that each make and model has different maintenance needs and costs. You should research that immediately after buying the vehicle — or, ideally, before the purchase. Luckily, there are plenty of car reviews written by long-term owners online, and you could also go through the manufacturer’s recommendations. 

The Car’s Age

1960 Ford Mustang

One of the most important factors to consider when gauging your car’s maintenance costs is its age. Of course, there are plenty of older cars in superb condition—but that doesn’t change the fact that new cars simply have lower maintenance costs on average, at least in the first couple of years. The most challenging thing you’ll probably deal with a new car is an oil change. However, it’ll be long before you replace any major parts. 

Naturally, car maintenance becomes more complex if we’re talking about an older vehicle. As the mileage piles up, the car will need fixing more frequently — along with replacements for stuff like hoses and wheel bearings. 

Of course, only some component replacements are costly. Still, you want to know what you’re getting into when you buy a used car. It’s advisable to ask the previous owner for the car’s maintenance history. That’s the best way to learn what maintenance to planning for and what’s already been dealt with recently. 

Car Model

2023 BMW i7

Apart from the age and state of the car, its maintenance expenses also vary based on its make and model. You’ll find those high-end vehicles aren’t just expensive to buy, but also costly to maintain because they require different fluids and special parts. For instance, Cadillac, Mercedes-Benz, and BMW are generally known as the costliest cars to maintain over a decade. 

That doesn’t mean it’s a bad idea to buy them; you just need to be sure that you can cover their average maintenance costs. With high-end cars, you should probably get an extended car warranty. It helps you deal with the daily wear and tear, though plans will vary depending on the specific model. In most cases, though, that plan pays itself off after a single huge repair bill. 

How To Manage Maintenance Costs

Manage Car Maintenance Costs

It’s impossible (or at least not advisable) to avoid car maintenance. However, you can try to get ahead of it. For starters, you can go through the car manual and see if it recommends any kind of regular maintenance schedule. You may also find mileage thresholds; they’re useful benchmarks for replacing larger vehicle components. 

This manual isn’t gospel; your car maintenance will deviate from it based on your specific driving circumstances. However, it’s your best bet for some rough financial planning. Also, never ignore car sensors — even though ignoring the “Check Engine” light has practically become a meme among car owners these days. 

Tire maintenance, oil changes, and other reminders will pop up on the electronic dashboards of many newer cars — do your best to address these concerns as quickly as possible, and you’ll mitigate the risk of a breakdown and costlier repairs down the line.

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Speed Read: The biggest hits (and misses) from EICMA 2022

If you’d like a snapshot of how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the motorcycle industry, this year’s EICMA trade show is it. It’s clear that budgets have shrunk over the past two years, and it’s even clearer that major OEMs have found more cost-effective ways to release motorcycles to the public, than to splash out on floor space at a trade show.

Notable players like BMW and Triumph opted to reveal their 2023 updates in the weeks leading up to EICMA, rather than waiting for the show itself. And many of the brands that did pitch up, did so with mildly updated versions of current bikes.

Major revelations were few and far between, but we did manage to pick out a handful of highlights (and lowlights) for your reading pleasure. If we missed anything, feel free to holler at us in the comments.

Royal Enfield Super Meteor Royal Enfield’s modern 650 twins are lauded for how easy they are to ride, how delightfully minimalistic they are, and how their classic design lends itself to customization. But despite the platform’s versatility, it only comes in two flavors: the Interceptor roadster, and the Continental GT café racer. Until now, that is.

The new Royal Enfield Super Meteor cruiser adds a third style to the mix. It’s powered by the same 648 cc engine as its siblings, but it’s closer to the smaller Royal Enfield Meteor, design-wise (hence the name).

Its low-slung silhouette is courtesy of its unique tubular steel frame, designed by Harris Performance. The bodywork has been designed to match, with a sculpted tank that rolls down into a scooped saddle. It’s propped up on upside-down forks with a 19” wheel up front, and twin shocks with a 16” wheel out back.

Sure, the Super Meteor is a little small compared to most cruisers, but we reckon that’s part of its charm. The real question though, is whether Royal Enfield will finally add a 650 scrambler to their range, now that every other box is ticked. We wait with bated breath.

MV Agusta 921 S Concept One of the most intriguing bikes to come out of EICMA this year, is this neo-retro café racer concept from MV Agusta. Dubbed the 921 S Concept, it’s a stunning design that borrows from MV Agusta’s heritage without trying to look like a vintage machine.

It was designed as a tribute to one of the most iconic MV Agusta motorcycles ever, the 1973 750S. And although the two machines are worlds apart, there are hints of the 750S sprinkled all over the 921 S—plus its livery is a dead giveaway. The design is visually light and extremely well-balanced, emphasizing the bike’s inline-four engine.

And that’s the real news here; the 921 S motor is a brand-new, ground up design, not currently found in the MV Agusta range. The 921 cc, 115.5 hp unit hangs from a steel trellis frame with aluminum pivot plates. There’s a lot of interesting stuff here—from the unique ‘spoked’ rear wheel to the floating tail bump.

There’s no news on whether the 921 S will make it to market in its current form—and if it does, when it’ll arrive and what it will cost. But it looks incredible, so our fingers are crossed. [Source]

Bimota KB4 RC Bimota brought a couple of new machines to EICMA (including a dirt bike based on the Kawasaki KX450X). But the biggest neck-bender, was the Italian brand’s KB4 RC ‘café racer.’

Bimota first teased the KB4 RC in 2021, as a naked concept of their fully-faired KB4 sportbike. Now they’ve finally fleshed out, and revealed, the final bike. And all we want to do is put the fairing back on.

The faired KB4 is actually a rather attractive motorcycle, laden with high-end materials and parts and powered by a 140 hp Kawasaki engine. But remove its fairing, and its distinctive, flowing design turns into an awkward mess. No matter what angle you look at the naked KB4 RC from, there’s just too much going on—and that doesn’t gel with the ‘less is more’ aesthetic that most café racers aim for.

No doubt the KB4 RC’s exclusivity and exotic nature will appeal to some… but we’re not seeing it.

Honda XL750 Transalp Everyone knew that Honda were about to release an updated version of their popular Transalp adventure bike. But scores of Honda fans still rejoiced when Big Red made it official at EICMA. After all, the Transalp has always been popular for its versatility and reliability—but it’s been missing from Honda’s line-up for a decade.

The new 2023 Honda XL750 Transalp takes everything that was good about its predecessors, and cranks it up a notch. It’s powered by the same 755 cc parallel twin mill that you’ll find in the new Honda CB750 Hornet, with an output of 67.5 kW [90,5 hp] at 9,500 rpm and 75 Nm at 7,250 rpm. A 270-degree firing interval adds character, while Honda’s ‘Unicam’ head design helps keep the motor tight.

It gets a ride-by-wire throttle with multiple riding modes, a 5” TFT display and LED lighting. The frame is a steel diamond affair, with preload-adjustable Showa suspension running at both ends and a curb weight of 459 lbs. And if you like your adventure bikes with big wheels, the Transalp has you covered with a 21F/18R combo.

The new Transalp slots into the gap between the smaller CB500X, and the bigger CRF1100L Africa Twin. Its middle-of-the-road styling reflects this; it’s not quite as visually exciting as the Africa Twin, but it’s much better looking than the CB500X. Some might call it bland, but we think it looks uncomplicated and utilitarian—and that vibe has always been the Transalp’s strength.

Honda CL500 Honda brought more than one bike to EICMA. Switching focus from adventure bikes to modern classics for a minute, they threw the wraps off the new Honda CL500 scrambler.

The new CL500 isn’t exactly a replica of the Honda CLs of the 60s and 70s, but rather more of a homage. It borrows its 471 cc twin-cylinder engine from the Rebel 500, with changes to its fuel injection, and intake and exhaust setup. So it makes an adequate 34.3 kW [46 hp] and 43.4 Nm.

The Rebel’s influence is felt in the lines of the CL500’s frame and fuel tank too—and we’re not quite sure how we feel about that. That sharp upward line at the front of the tank doesn’t do the bike’s looks any favors, but we don’t totally hate it either. The drilled heat shield over the high-riding exhaust is a clear nod to the vintage CL series.

The CL500’s rough-and-tumble looks are backed up by a 19F/17R wheel combo, shod with blocky dual-sport tires. Quirks aside, it’s a handsome little motorcycle that should be fun enough to ride, and, if the price is right, could do really well.

Ducati Scrambler Ducati previewed updates to their Scrambler range at EICMA, marking the first time they’ve done anything major to the platform since it was first unveiled eight years ago. The new bikes don’t look radically different from before, but there are a number of marked differences.

The next generation Scrambler is still propelled by Ducati’s twin-cylinder Desmodue engine, and is still built around a trellis frame. But that frame’s been redesigned to shave weight off, the subframe is now a separate unit, and the rear shock now sits closer to the center of the bike. The engine’s gone on a diet too, and there’s a totally new clutch.

Visual changes include a new fuel tank with swappable side covers, and new wheels. The headlight is now a full LED affair, with a daytime running light. And the speedo’s been replaced by a rather awkward-looking TFT unit.

The Scrambler now comes in three versions: Icon [top], Full Throttle [above] and Nightshift [below right], each with its own final trim. There’s no mention of the wholly radical Desert Sled, which leads us to believe that it’s been dropped from the range—which makes us sad.

But perhaps the biggest change to the Scrambler line-up is in the text itself. Ducati has finally stopped referring to it as the ‘Scrambler Ducati,’ and has finally joined the world’s press in simply calling it the ‘Ducati Scrambler.’ That alone is cause for celebration.

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