Top 5 Ducati Scrambler Custom Motorcycles

Yes, Ducati's "Land of Joy" marketing campaign, starring fist-bumping millennials engaging in slow-mo water fights and general co-ed tomfoolery, is all a bit obvious (you mean, if I ride a Scrambler I too can be an attractive slacker leading a life of fun and adventure? Sold!), but taken on its own, the Scrambler is an elemental bike with universal likeability. It also happens to be a great canvas for customization. From homages to classic Ducati models to anime-looking machines made from old oil drums, these customs kinda do take us to the "Land of Joy." Damn; marketing wins again.

Hondo Grattan by Deus Ex Machina

At the Verona Motor Expo in 2015, Ducati unveiled three Scrambler customs it commissioned from noted builders, including this speedway-inspired bike from Filippo Bassoli of Deus Ex Machina Italy. It was unveiled shortly after the Scrambler debuted at Intermot in 2014, making it one of the first Scrambler customs ever, and still one of the coolest. Its asymmetrical front fender, one-piece tail section, yellow and blue paint scheme, and vintage lettering reinforce a look that makes it hard to place in a specific genre or time. Regardless, we’re pretty sure it would look best splattered in roost.

Regolarita by XTR Pepo

Pepo Rosell is well known for his many impressive Ducati customs from his first outfit, Radical Ducati. Since 2015, Rosell has been building bikes under the moniker XTR Pepo out of his shop in Madrid. The Regolarita mixes vintage and modern elements for a striking motorcycle that honors Ducati’s heritage and celebrates its modern vision (like the Scrambler itself). The donor bike was a 2016 Scrambler ICON that has been significantly modified and mated with vintage parts such as a seat from a 1970s OSSA dirtbike and a fuel tank from a 1962 Ducati 250 Diana.

UMC-038 Hyper Scrambler by Untitled X Marin Speed Shop

As part of Ducati’s Custom Rumble competition, which challenged dealers world-wide to a Scrambler build-off, Marin Speed Shop, a dealer based in San Rafael, CA, enlisted the help of Untitled Motorcycles for a design that showcases the architectural beauty of the Scrambler’s trellis frame and V-twin motor. If Dwell did a motorcycling issue, this would be on the front cover. Its modern lines defy convention without challenging typical notions of beauty, which is no small accomplishment. Its beauty isn’t only skin deep; the modifications shaved 85 pounds from the stock machine.

Flamingo by Vibrazioni Art Design

Alberto Dessasso and Ricardo Zanobini, the welding mask-wearing duo (and Daft Punk fans?) behind Vibrazioni Art Design use old industrial barrels to fashion furniture, motorcycles and more. The “Flamingo” features old Texaco barrels that have been beat into submission, forming origami-like tank and bodywork. The front of the bike features an oil cooler that incorporates the headlight for the ever-popular post apocalyptic look. Stock front suspension uses supplementary Bitubo shocks on custom supports, though it’s unclear what this accomplishes beyond the visual effect. Check out the beautiful welds on that exhaust system.

Fuel Strada 800 by Fuel Bespoke Motorcycles

Another build commissioned by Ducati Spain, the Strada 800 is a beautiful rendering of one of the most iconic Ducatis of all time: the original 900 Super Sport. If that black and gold livery doesn’t get you nostalgic for the golden era of ‘70s superbikes, nothing will. The fuel tank is actually from a Benelli Mojave, a small-displacement dirtbike marketed in the States through department stores. Obviously, it’s nowhere near a replica of the original, but it does look like a more literal interpretation of Ducati’s past than even the company’s own Sport Classic or MH900E.

Which one would you like to take for a spin? Comment below.