Motorcycle specifications DucatiSCRAMBLER 800 Icon 2020 Season 2

Yet the Scrambler is evolving for 2020. It's all in the engine, which remains unchanged in shape, power and charm... while complying with the measures dictated by the Euro5 standard. It's also a little more accessible, and a little more taciturn, in a Dark version. The family has every reason to continue its success, with the Icon at its core.

The Scrambler is firmly entrenched in the Ducati family, with its many variations and two displacements. The time of evolution does not spare this "neo-classic" category. That's why the 800 Icon has decided to make a few changes after four years of joyful, fresh motorcycling. No risk, no gaffe, for the peace of Ducatists, the brand preserves its sinecure.

the Scrambler seems to have reached the stage of its iconic nickname. Ducat' hasn't dared touch up the design, and seems almost afraid to change anything. OK, we're preserving the lines and lightness that have made this bike such a success, but.... But a little risk-taking, like a windsurfer who switches to kitesurfing, would certainly not have gone amiss. Let's cross our eyes and generations to spot the differences.
It won't take long: a new muffler cover, stronger tank sides, milled rimsticks, a stroke of black on the engine, a dose of brush on the cooling fins, and a good refresh for the headlight - all LED-equipped, it sports a stronger visual identity with a cross at its heart crowned by four luminous arcs.

let's move on to what's less obvious and more noticeable. Comfort has been integrated into the debate, culminating in a thicker seat. As a result, the seat is a little higher, at 798 mm instead of 790 mm. Still very reasonable. Suspension settings have been adjusted with the same mission in mind: comfort. Ergonomics have had an impact right down to the controls: the clutch (now hydraulic) is smoother, and its lever adjustable in distance. Convenient controls have been redesigned for better dashboard navigation, a fuel gauge and gear indicator have been added, and the turn signals are now automatic, and... There's nothing new about the braking equipment, and yet it's more effective. The trick? The addition of a more sophisticated Bosch control unit enables the ABS to modulate its action when cornering.

as a representative of pop culture and an incorrigible desire to take life and the roads by storm, the Scrambler must also take into account the addictions of its clientele. A dose of Bluetooth and the Ducati Multimedia System will allow you to gorge yourself on playlists at your leisure.
Great. With the USB socket already present on the Scrambler, you can be plugged in from end to end with this machine.

ducati couldn't avoid adding a little weight to the new Scrambler. A ladleful of 3 kilos will only show up on the data sheet. We'll trust the unchanged twin-cylinder to make us think of a whole host of other things, from outings with friends by the river to barbecues on the outskirts of an impromptu party. Yes, it's a small evocation, because in both form and content, it doesn't seem to have needed much more.

and before these alterations, the Ducati 800 Scrambler Icon looked just the way it did. Let's take another look at it in detail, or in flexibility...

the company's first Scramblers date back to the 60s, when it was manufacturing single-cylinder bikes. They came in 250, 350 and even 450 from 1969. They smacked of music, carefree fun, the Beatles, jeans and the ugly orange color of the time...

we take the same sauce and start again to acidify the second chapter of the 21st century. Except that we've done away with the vomit-inducing orange, and Coldplay and Daft Punk are filling the charts; but the Scrambler of the 21st century still smells of fun, pleasure, and above all, up close and personal, it looks great, and you immediately want to become a buddy. The Scrambler as a girlfriend?! A bike with a vacation look, not too powerful and accessible, that really feels good.

how cute is this Ducati 800 Scrambler?!? It almost looks like a TW, but a little bigger. It's not taut like a Streetfighter, rather compact in its proportions, not in the pursuit of pure, high-fashion styling like MV-Agusta. No, it's just as cute as a button. And yet, the pencil stroke has not been idle in making it endearing. Yes, it's vintage, and that's part of what makes it stand out. It's the descendant and evolution of the Scrambler of the hippie years. Technically, it oscillates between the tried and tested and the modern. A single brake disc? Yes, it's visually lighter, but it's more than enough to calm this 173-kilo beast: a 330 mm disc clamped by a 4-piston monobloc caliper, that's already caustic. Another 254 mm disc with a single-piston caliper is present at the rear.

Does a Scrambler go fast? It's not really made for... No, it's made for fun. So, Ducati has put in some horsepower, but not too much. First of all, the 803 cm3 twin from the late 796 Monster and Hypermotard is recovered, the 2 valves per cylinder are retained, the desmo system is retained, the camshafts are changed, and 73 hp are delivered at 8250 rpm. Torque is 6.9 mkg at 5750 rpm. Not huge, but just about right for the displacement, and in the end, we won't need more. To make matters worse, we appreciate the attention to detail, such as the machined aluminum patterns on the crankcases and belt covers.

the trellis frame is de rigueur as usual. Discreet and minimalist, it supports the seat at a very accessible 798 mm, holds a 41 mm inverted fork, a banana-type swingarm and 10-spoke rims on each side.
But that's not what's most appealing. Quidams, the curious and the charmed, will see above all the fuel tank, which takes its shape from that of the Scrambler of yesteryear. The brushed-aluminum covers are interchangeable, so as to multiply the number of customizations and keep the marketing machine running at full speed. Ducat' has planned a whole universe around its toy, for everyone to enjoy.
The 800 Scrambler also plays on a certain impertinence and distinctive features. For example, the Scrambler is fitted with exclusive enduro tires with large pavement blocks, an 18-inch rim at the rear, a slim 110 gommard at the bow, while the stern reveals a large 180, and a 150 mm suspension travel that allows you to venture out on the paths leading to the beach.

A single desire comes to the end of the handlebars: fun. Far from the glitter, the bleeding trajectories, the frightening power and the "always more", the Ducati Scrambler brings a real breath of air and that simple little taste that is increasingly hard to find. Except that when your name is Ducati, simple is mixed with premium, and that has an impact on pricing. It used to be that you camped for your vacations; now it's a mobile home. But the desire for sunshine hasn't changed.

M.B - Manufacturer media