What’s the best none Norton Norton ?

Clive · Feb 23, 2026

What do we think of this new scrambler-based Ducati 73 'retro'?

Café au Lait · Feb 23, 2026

robs ss said:
What model/year is that Simon?

It’s an R12S Brand new mate. Expensive but hey

Café au Lait · Feb 23, 2026

Clive said:
What do we think of this new scrambler-based Ducati 73 'retro'?
View attachment 123917

I saw this a week or so back and my initial impression was wow but that was somewhat tempered when I read it was just a Scrambler in a nice frock. Expensive for its performance. Better value was the Paul Smart Ltd Edition

robs ss · Feb 23, 2026

Café au Lait said:
Brand new mate. Expensive but hey

Yes - VERY nice !
But again, what Model?

Café au Lait · Feb 23, 2026

robs ss said:
Yes - VERY nice !
But again, what Model?

Thanks Rob. Oops sorry. It’s an R12S. First launched spring of last year. It’s basically a R12 NineT (the replacement to the RNineT) with the full Option 719 kit (billet aluminium components), a bikini fairing, unique to model anodised silver aluminium rims (tubeless with Metzler M9 tyres) and a unique to model paint job that harks back to the R90S of 1974/5. No option to lower the spec/cost either.

There’s a YouTube channel down your way called Biker Torque, they gave it their bike of the year FWIW

Edit: the model is in my signature!

robs ss · Feb 23, 2026

Café au Lait said:
Thanks Rob. Oops sorry. It’s an R12S. First launched spring of last year. It’s basically a R12 NineT (the replacement to the RNineT) with the full Option 719 kit (billet aluminium components), a bikini fairing, unique to model anodised silver aluminium rims (tubeless with Metzler M9 tyres) and a unique to model paint job that harks back to the R90S of 1974/5. No option to lower the spec/cost either.

There’s a YouTube channel down your way called Biker Torque, they gave it their bike of the year FWIW

Edit: the model is in my signature!

I was "sort of" looking at one of them. The $36K (AUD) price tag was a bit off-putting, especially as you need after-market pipes (Akropovic?) and a re-map to get rid of the Euro-greenie low rpm lack of torque.
Spend another three grand on those and risk your warranty.
Nice bike bit I decided no thanks.
Enjoy!!

Café au Lait · Feb 24, 2026

robs ss said:
I was "sort of" looking at one of them. The $36K (AUD) price tag was a bit off-putting, especially as you need after-market pipes (Akropovic?) and a re-map to get rid of the Euro-greenie low rpm lack of torque.
Spend another three grand on those and risk your warranty.
Nice bike bit I decided no thanks.
Enjoy!!

Torque is the one thing it doesn’t lack at any rpm. What it does lack is the accompanying soundtrack. The cNw has both so it sounds faster than it really is whereas the Beemer just pulls relentlessly; it would smoke Arnie in any gear any situation but oh so politely. When the warranty has expired I’ll consider rectifying that one negative.