2017 Ducati Scrambler Cafe Racer Review | Features, Riding Experience, and Complete Guide for New Riders

Ducati has always been known for building motorcycles with style and performance. In 2017, they introduced a special model — the Ducati Scrambler Cafe Racer. This bike was designed for riders who love classic looks but want modern comfort. It is not a heavy racing bike. It is not an off-road scrambler. It is something in between. Light. Clean. Easy to ride.

This model was inspired by riders who customized their Ducati Scrambler Icon into cafe racers. Ducati listened. They built this version for people who want retro style with better handling and comfort. The 2017 Ducati Scrambler Cafe Racer is a simple bike with real character. It keeps the tradition of old cafe racers alive but adds features for today’s roads.

My First Impressions of the 2017 Ducati Scrambler Cafe Racer

When I first saw the 2017 Ducati Scrambler Cafe Racer, I noticed one thing immediately. The design looks clean, simple, and beautiful. Ducati built this bike for people like me who love retro motorcycles. It has a classic shape but looks fresh. Nothing extra. Nothing heavy. Just what a real cafe racer should be.

This bike comes with a single seat look. But it has a smart feature. The rear seat cowl is removable. I can take it off if I want to carry a passenger. It is practical and stylish at the same time. Ducati even added the number 54 on the side. This is not random. It is a tribute to Bruno Spaggiari, a famous Ducati racer from the past.

Every part of this bike shows careful design. The handlebars give me a sporty position but not too aggressive. The mirrors are at the bar ends. They look modern but feel like old racing bikes. For me, the first look of this bike is enough. It looks like a real rider’s machine. Not just a showpiece. A bike that belongs on the road.

Ducati Scrambler Cafe Racer Engine and Performance

The engine of the 2017 Ducati Scrambler Cafe Racer feels simple and strong. It uses an 803cc air-cooled L-twin engine. This is a classic Ducati engine. It has two valves and runs on air and oil cooling. Ducati has used this engine for many years in their bikes. That shows me it is tested, proven, and trusted.

This engine makes about 75 horsepower. For some people, that may not sound like a lot. But for a bike that weighs under 400 pounds, it is more than enough. It gives a good power-to-weight ratio. The bike feels quick and easy to control. It does not need too much power to feel exciting.

The exhaust is made from stainless steel. It looks clean and matches the simple style of the bike. The sound is not too loud but has a nice tone. I like that Ducati focused on the basics — a good engine, a light frame, and a simple design. Nothing feels overdone. Nothing feels complicated. This engine does its job. It delivers power when I need it. And it stays cool and reliable on the road.

Is the Ducati Scrambler Cafe Racer comfortable?

When I rode the 2017 Ducati Scrambler Cafe Racer, the first thing I noticed was the weight. Or I should say — the lack of weight. This bike feels very light. Ducati says it weighs around 380 pounds. That is not much for a modern motorcycle. Because of this, the bike feels very easy to move. Very flickable. I can lean it into turns without any effort. It feels natural. It feels quick.

The riding position is also very comfortable. It has a sporty handlebar but not too low. I did not feel pressure on my back or shoulders. Even when riding for a long time. This is important for me because many cafe racers look good but are hard to ride for hours. This one is different.

On the freeway, the bike stays stable. I rode it at 70 to 80 miles per hour. There was no shaking. No vibration in the handlebars. The mirrors stayed clear. I could see behind me easily. Even the wind was not a problem. The bike’s speed and the riding position balanced each other well. This made highway riding smooth and stress-free.

Overall, I felt very safe and in control. The bike handled Los Angeles roads, with all their bumps and grooves, without any trouble. It felt stable. It felt like a bike made for real-world riding. Light for the city. Strong for the highway. Comfortable for long trips. That is exactly what I want from a cafe racer.

What are the modern features of Ducati Scrambler Cafe Racer?

The 2017 Ducati Scrambler Cafe Racer impressed me with its smart features. These features help the bike perform better while keeping its classic look. Nothing feels extra. Everything has a purpose.

The front brake has a single disc. At first, I thought maybe two discs would be better. But Ducati explained why they used only one. It matches the bike’s clean style. It also keeps the weight low. To make the braking stronger, Ducati added a radial master cylinder. This gives better control when stopping, especially at higher speeds.

The bike comes with a six-speed transmission. Shifting through the gears felt smooth. Ducati used a wet clutch system called APTC clutch. This helps the rider in two ways. It makes the clutch quiet. And it prevents the rear wheel from locking up when downshifting fast. I noticed this when riding in the city. Even when I shifted down quickly, the bike stayed stable.

I also liked the bar-end mirrors. They look simple but work really well. They do not vibrate at high speed. I could see clearly behind me. This was something I found better than many other bikes I have seen.

Overall, Ducati gave this bike modern riding technology. But they kept the clean and classic look. For me, this is the right balance. A cafe racer should look simple. But it should feel modern when you ride it. This bike does exactly that.

What Makes the 2017 Ducati Scrambler Cafe Racer Special?

For me, the 2017 Ducati Scrambler Cafe Racer stands out because it follows a very simple idea. It removes everything a rider does not need. It keeps only what is important. Ducati calls this a “stripped-down” bike. I could feel that while riding it.

This bike is not built to be a racing machine. It is not built for off-road adventure. It is built for real roads. For city riding. For weekend trips. For everyday use. It does not have extra fairings. It does not have heavy body parts. The design feels clean and honest.

The power-to-weight ratio is what really makes this bike fun. With 75 horsepower and a weight of around 380 pounds, it feels very responsive. The bike moves quickly when I open the throttle. It is light enough to handle easily in traffic. But strong enough to feel stable on the highway.

Another special thing is the bike’s history. The number 54 on the side is not just for style. It honors Bruno Spaggiari, a famous Ducati racer. He used to race with number 54. Ducati added this to connect the past with the present. It shows respect for their racing tradition.

This bike does not try to be everything. It does not promise extreme speed or heavy touring comfort. It focuses on one thing — real riding pleasure. That is what makes the 2017 Ducati Scrambler Cafe Racer special to me.

Final Thoughts

After spending time with the 2017 Ducati Scrambler Cafe Racer, I understand its purpose very well. This is a bike for riders who want simplicity. It is light. It is easy to handle. It feels stable at every speed. It does not have extra weight or unnecessary parts. It does not try to be too modern. It stays loyal to the cafe racer style.

I like how this bike handles city roads and highways equally well. It feels fast enough for daily riding. It feels safe at high speeds. There is no shaking. No uncomfortable vibration. The mirrors stay clear. The riding position stays comfortable, even on longer rides.

For me, the best thing about this bike is balance. It balances classic style with modern features. It balances power with light weight. It balances tradition with everyday comfort. If someone asked me to choose only one motorcycle for both style and function, I would say this is a very good choice.

Ducati built this bike for real riders. Riders who respect the past but live in the present. And in my experience, the 2017 Ducati Scrambler Cafe Racer delivers exactly what it promises — a clean, honest, and enjoyable ride.

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