Everything easy at the Alps Masters? Yeeees! In any case, it is for the four candidates, the Ducati Scrambler, Kawasaki Vulcan S, Moto Guzzi V7 II and Yamaha YZF-R3, as they conquer the peaks of the Dolomite Alps in a laid-back, casual and understated fashion.
No question, the peaks of the Dolomites are imposing. But do you need just as powerful a motorcycle for this powerful panorama? Not really. The four, rather small motorcycles in our Easy-Going class also bring plenty of Alpine pleasure. Modest engine capacity and equally modest HP figures and torque mark their performance and the harmonious, if also altogether different concepts. Whereby one thing unites the four motorcycles: both the classic bikes, the Ducati Scrambler and Moto Guzzi V7 II, and the cruisers, the Kawasaki Vulcan S and all the more the Yamaha YZF-R3 mini-racer should be ridden solo in the mountains. On the one hand, the quartet are too weak for cosy alpenglow with a pillion rider, and on the other hand it is simply too uncomfortable.
Moto Guzzi manage to smuggle a V7 into the Alps Masters, for due to the frequent minor revisions, the classic is continually given authorisation. However, this time the new additions turned out to be more major: a transmission with six rather than the previous five gears, a reworked clutch, a traction control system and the long-desired ABS account for an altered model designation, namely Moto Guzzi V7 II. At this year’s Dolomite races the Stone, the basic version, is going for 8,500 Euros. It sitting position, with the straight, not too broad handlebars and relaxed knee angle is harmonious. As usual, the Guzzi with its 47 HP cuts a pleasant figure on the mountain and valley track, can be easily controlled and navigates corners and bends with a certain degree of nonchalance. The ABS brings clear signs of progress in the Alps. The breaking distance on the decent, measured at the exact same point as last year, has been reduced by a sizeable 3.7 metres. However, overall the braking system delivers an average performance, among other reasons because a long descent down the pass really has the brakes glowing, just as was the case in 2014. With the modest power, the simple traction control rarely has to intervene, but when it does, it does so harshly. The switching distances are still long, while the clutch feels only slightly lighter. The stand hits the ground roughly, and when going over bumps the Moto Guzzi V7 II can really lose its composure.
The V2 engine remains a major plus point, rumbling as cheerfully as ever and putting a smile on the face of any driver; the new transmission is rather strangely graduated with a short first gear, but very closely graduated upper gears. The accessories provided seem rather cheap; one of the black leather/nylon pockets (630 Euros for the pair), which you can only pack with a laughable three kilograms, lost a buckle after just a few kilometres. True, the well-natured and bold character of the Moto Guzzi V7 II is still pleasing, but its little quirks just feel more pronounce in the Alps than was previously the case. And thus it ends up thankless fourth place.
The Yamaha YZF-R3 presents itself as sharp and fresh, and at 5,400 Euros is the cheapest Alpine offer within the Easy-Going group. Its cheeky supersports look occasionally causes perplexity – to the thievish pleasure of its driver. One Dolomite rider actually took it for its big sister the R1 and gave way in well-mannered fashion, before realising his fatal error. The little bike boasts just 321 cm³ and a measured HP of just 49, however, Yamaha puts this to sensational use. The water-cooled inline twin engine climbs gracefully through the rev range, while the chassis, which was designed with handling in mind, makes the R3 the cornering queen of the Alps Masters. It is a kind of sheep in wolf’s clothing: it really looks like a superbike, but thanks to the relatively high handlebars and the comfortable knee angle, is feels comfortable.
A concept that sits well: you cross through the Dolomites at the limit of the rev range, enjoy the limitless banking freedom and need not fear a lack of power, that you will fly out of the next corner on account of having pulled too hard on the throttle. Supersports feeling, almost without any risk. Granted, the Yamaha YZF-R3 then demands a certain price for all this. Simply rolling along in third or fourth gear is not what is called for, but rather continual gear shifting, in order to keep you in good spirits somewhere between 9,000 and 11,000 rpm. At these high revs it then gets loud, which after a while starts to get annoying. In any case, its performance is not enough to claim one of the top spots, for at lofty heights the little engine runs out of breath. Still: those who want to feel like a little Alpine Rossi will have tonnes of fun with it – especially on the downhill.
The Kawasaki Vulcan S turns out to be an equally pleasing surprise in the mountains. The cruiser, at a base price of 7,300 Euros, looks woefully long, and therefore as if you would have to laboriously heave it round the corners – and then the bike turns out to be deceivingly easy to drive. In spite of the adjustable foot rest being positioned far to the front, the low sitting position feels active and comfortable. The two-cylinder engine with a measured 62 HP , familiar from the ER-6, hangs well on the throttle from 2,500 rpm and generates only minimal vibration. The smooth gear shifting does its part to support the harmonious to support the drive flow in the merry-go-round of corners. However, the suspension comfort is not particularly good and in the event of hard impact through potholes or huge bumps, the chassis goes right to the block at the rear. The braking system impresses with good effect, whereby the Vulcan is helped by its geometry, seeing as the long wheelbase prevents the deep plunging of the fork.
As is typical of the breed the ground clearance isn’t all that great, but you can live with that: the foot rests on the Kawasaki Vulcan S do hit the ground earlier than the stand on the Moto Guzzi, but because they do so softly and fold up and away, you can, to a certain degree, carve your way happily through the bends. All in all the Vulcan is a truly astonishing cruiser, especially because it provides the necessary momentum and a great fun factor, even in tight corners. This is enough to secure it a respectable second place.
All that’s missing now is Sexy Hexy from Bologna. Sexy, because the Ducati Scrambler wins the – of course unofficial – Alps Masters’ erotic evaluation. With the bassy, smoky timbre of its air-cooled Desmo two-cylinder engine, it beguiles not only the most proud of women, but also the quickest men on their swift route through the Dolomites. It produces the measured 75 HP from its 803 cm³ and in so doing effortlessly and smoothly masters even the steepest of passages on the way to the summit. This is easy-going in its purist form – gets confidently and busily to the point, but it does so in an unagitated and laid back manner. The acceleration and ABS earn good scores, however, when breaking on the descent the fading should be much less.
Like the Ducati Scrambler there are, generally speaking, a number of minor inadequacies. For instance, the two-valve engine hangs directly, but harshly on the throttle. In addition to this, the fork isn’t always able to cope with the large bumps and major deformation in the asphalt, something that there is no lack of in the Dolomites. Evidently, when it comes to the suspension components the Ducati managers aren’t reaching to the top shelf, although the tested Scrambler version by the name of Full Throttle, which sets itself apart on account of the Termignoni mufflers, still costs 9,800 Euros and is therefore much more expensive than its three competitors.
So the Ducati Scrambler is by no means perfect. However it is perhaps precisely on account of its corners and edges that it develops a certain radiance in the Alps, which is hard to ignore; its powerful, evenly pulling V-engine is nonetheless without doubt sublime. The Bologna native rolls joyfully and unconstrained through the pass, and while the acceleration, steering and braking are by no means perfect, it is still always completely relaxed. A modern concept, that is in keeping with this times – and is the clear victor in this category.
1. Ducati Scrambler Full Throttle
Plus
- enticing engine with sex appeal
- powerful acceleration
- good brakes
- a successful overall package with a particularly high fun factor
Minus
- jolting fork
- slight tendency to rear up when braking
2. Kawasaki Vulcan S
Plus
- a sophisticated engine, goes lightly and smoothly on the throttle
- much more agile than it looks
- very low, comfortable sitting position
- good braking effect
- the only bike with adjustable handlebars
Minus
- foot rests are deployed early, but still softly
- rubbish suspension, struggles at the back, With astonishing regularly
3. Yamaha YZF-R3
Plus
- the handling queen, not only within the group, but the entire Alps Masters
- a great deal of banking freedom
- accomplished racing appearance
- low price
Minus
- poor acceleration, low torque
- requires a real orgy of shifting
- over-exerted on steep climbs
- unpleasantly loud in the higher revs
4. Moto Guzzi V7 II Stone
Plus
- finally with ABS
- characterful engine
- comfortable and very consistent sitting position
Minus
- power delivery worse than before
- poor gear graduation
- long shifting distances, heavy clutch
- stand touches down roughly

Power at the crankshaft. Measurements recorded on the Dynojet 250 roller dynamometer, adjusted in accordance with 95/1/EC, maximum possible deviation ± 5%. Credit: MOTORRAD
The Moto Guzzi V7 II, the Kawasaki Vulcan S and the Yamaha YZF-R3 undeniably have their qualities in the mountains. However, no other candidate from the group moves with such a playful, yet powerful ease in the Alpine merry-go-round as the Ducati Scrambler. This wins it victory in this preliminary round, and passage into the final. Buona fortuna, bellezza!