The Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled is a rugged, off-road-ready version of the Ducati Scrambler. Like other scrambler-type designs, the motorcycle follows a naked, lightweight design language. The Desert Sled is considered a very enjoyable bike to ride, thanks to the upright riding position, easy handling and an 801-cc engine that has lots of torque and power on tap.
The Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled uses spoked wheels, and that presents a special challenge. Since most motorcycles today come with solid alloy wheels, tyres compatible with spoked wheels tend to be quite difficult to source. In fact, Pirelli built a special range of tyres, the Scorpion Rally STR, just for adventure bikes that still use spoked wheels, and that is why it’s standard equipment on the Desert Sled.
Buy Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled Tyres Here
The Desert Sled gets most of its proven off-road prowess from the larger front tyre that measures 19 inches. Since the front end is higher than the rear, it allows the bike to track over big obstacles like rocks and potholes with ease. The Desert Sled also features a stronger frame, a bigger swingarm and long-travel suspension components that make it the best off-road bike from the Scrambler family.
Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled Tyres – An Overview
The Desert Sled is a bike that is tuned to do well on bad roads. That is why it features a larger front tyre. The tyre sizes are as below
Position |
Wheel type |
Wheel Size |
Tyre Size |
Tyre Type |
Front | Spoked | 3.00 x 19 in | 120/70 R19 60V | Tubeless |
Rear | Spoked | 4.5 x 17 in | 170/60 R17 72V | Tubeless |
The front and rear tyres are mounted on spoked aluminium wheels, which are stronger and easier to repair than solid alloys. If a spoked wheel goes out of shape, all you need is to heat it up and hammer it back to the proper roundness. This is not possible with an alloy wheel. Additionally, the Ducati Scrambler comes with anti-lock brake systems (ABS). Motorcycles with ABS see less premature tyre wear because the braking is much smoother.
The stock tyres fitted to the Scrambler Desert Sled are Pirelli Scorpion Rally STRs. They offer the following advantages
- High silica compound offers excellent wet and dry grip
- Knobby tread pattern offers excellent off-road grip
- Wide contact patch provides superb high-speed stability
- Thermal-resistant compound offers enhanced tread life
- The equidistant blocks deform equally under heavy loading, reducing wheel shimmy
- The tyre construction is optimised to reduce knob damage
- A 48-month warranty from the date of purchase.
At times, you may also come across alternative sizes for the front and rear tyres. It’s okay to change the sizes as long as the front and rear rim diameters are the same. Using a size larger or smaller than what the manufacturer recommends will also affect ABS performance, handling and may increase chain wear.
Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled – Specifications
The Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled is a part of the Scrambler family that also includes the Icon, Cafe Racer and Full Throttle. The Desert Sled is the most off-road-worthy of the product line and is the only one to use 19-inch tyres. At INR 9.93 lakhs, it is the costliest Ducati Scrambler you can buy. Technical specifications of the Desert Sled as below
Engine | 803-cc, L-twin, air-cooled |
Power | 73 hp |
Torque | 67 Nm |
Gearbox | 6-speed |
Braking system | Dual-channel ABS |
Headlights | LED |
Dashboard(all displays) | LCD |
Dry weight | 198 kg |
Seat height | 860 mm |
Warranty | 2 years, with unlimited mileage |
Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled – Tyres
The Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled gets all its off-road cred from a number of key modifications made to the original Ducati Scrambler. But the single most important add-on is the Pirelli Scorpion STR tyres. The Desert Sled uses 19-inch tyres in the front and 17-inch tyres in the rear. Here are your options if you are looking to buy tyres for the Scrambler Desert Sled. Please note that you can also use 180/55 R17 size tyres instead of the stock tyres. The 180/55 size tyres have a 180mm-wide contact patch and feature a 55% tread profile, which is both wider and a little lower than stock tyres. This will help in reducing ride height but at the cost of ground clearance. In addition to this, you may also have to tighten the chain to prevent slap.
List of recommended tyres for the Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled-
Tyre Brand |
Model |
Position |
Size |
Type |
Key Feature |
Price |
Pirelli | MT 60 RS | Rear | 180/55 ZR17 | Tubeless | Supersport compound tuned for all surfaces | INR 17,882 |
Pirelli | Angel GT | Rear | 180/55 ZR17 | Tubeless | Reinforced and hardened sidewall for use on bad roads | INR 14,931 |
Metzeler | Tourance Next | Front | 120/70 R19 | Tubeless | Dual-compound design for better dry and wet grip | INR 11,204 |
Metzeler | Karoo 3 | Front | 120/70 R19 | Tubeless | Aggressive tread blocks and wide, deep grooves | INR 10,854 |
Michelin | Anakee Wild Adventure | Front/rear | 120/70 R19 + 170/60 R17 | Tubeless | High-silica compound for excellent wear resistance | — |
Continental | ContiTrailAttack 3 | Front/rear | 120/70 R19 + 170/60 R17 | Tubeless | Uses Traction Skin technology for longer life | — |
Best tyres for the Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled
Expert users recommend sticking with the stock tyres — Pirelli’s Scorpion Rally STR has been specially formulated for use on adventure bikes. There’s some sense in this. For starters, Pirelli has worked with motorcycle brands like Ducati and Triumph in the past, so their products are proven to work with high-performance bikes like the Scrambler Desert Sled. Here are your options if you’re still looking for a change
- Pirelli MT 60 RS – For excellent grip in dual-sport environments and also for use in enduro bikes
- Continental ContiTrail Attack – For a balanced tyre that will last long, while compromising pure off-road grip for better on-road grip
- Michelin Anakee Wild – A proven on/off-road tyre that is also suited for racing, which means it will last at least 20,000 km, although at a higher price.
Find All Available tyre For Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled
Conclusion
The Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled is a high-end off-road bike that is meant for purists only. As a result, the tyres, too reside in the premium segment of the market. At INR 9.93 lakhs, the Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled is a light, fun, capable bike that promises a weekend full of adrenaline. Hence, the tyres also need to stand up to the punishment of the trail. We still recommend sticking with the stock tyres because the Pirelli Scorpion Rally STRs offer the most predictable performance, and are trusted by millions of motorcyclists all over the world.
TUBELESS???????????? WTF????????????????
ARE YOU SURE IS A TUBELESS?????????????????
Hi. Thank you for the great info on tire options!
Can i run the 180 ,s on the stock 4.5 inch rim? I have extra ones for a diff bike so i thought id try if its ok
Thanks sgain