Ducati Scrambler Icon 2019: riding the Joyvolution [ROAD TEST]

The years go by, The colors change, but the best-selling naked in our country, which many enthusiasts can't resist, always remains fascinating. Ducati now presents the new Scrambler Icon 2019, with a renewed look and some interesting technical innovations. A model that characterized an era, a true icon of the Ducati world. In fact the first real Scrambler it went into production in 1962 and underwent continuous modifications until the end of the 60s, when the real wide crankcase engines came out, in 250 cc displacements. and 350 cc. up to the larger displacement of 450 cc in 1969. A motorcycle which on a commercial level, thanks also to the perfectly centered riding position, achieved great success. Due to the quality of its chassis and chassis, the model was even used in track racing. The engine was then tailor-made for its good function. A motorbike with a unique and unmistakable personality that has always been. With the "new course" of Scrambler, Ducati wanted to make it a brand in its own right and with its own strong identity, with a fascinating claim to define it as the "Land of Joy". Born four years ago with a single objective: to speak a new language with the typical values ​​of the models that have made the history of Ducati, but with its own lifestyle, with a free spirit, open to that non-conformist public defined precisely as "Land of Joy”. A brand that enhances creativity and the sharing of positive emotions, made up of motorcycles, accessories and clothing that want to offer the possibility of expressing one's own style and way of being. Four years after birth of the Scrambler brand, with more than 55.000 motorcycles sold worldwide, Ducati, while remaining faithful to the initial concepts of the model, launches this new version to once again confirm itself at the top.

It confirms its post-heritage look, with new touches of modernity and other interesting tweaks

A "post heritage" design that interprets a mix between classic lines and technical modernity. Like every motorcycle of the brand, this new Ducati Scrambler Icon 2019 was also created to maximize its expression. Four years after the rebirth of this icon, the Ducati style center has once again made this motorcycle unmistakable. The design, soft and sinuous, has not undergone any particular upheavals in its forms with this restyling. We appreciate the new front light cluster, which is inspired by that of its older sister, the 1.100. Along the external circumference an LED band performs the function of position light, with the DRL daytime running lights, intended to make the vehicle more easily visible during circulation, even during the day.

Inside the new front light unit we find a black metal "X", inspired by the off-road motorbikes of the 70s, which makes the unit unique, even with the headlights off. The tail, now with a new saddle, flatter and more comfortable for the rider and passenger, follows the lines of the motorbike and also receives a full LED headlight, with diffusion effect, which uses a unique technology in the world of two wheels. The direction indicators are located on the rear light cluster, positioned on the sides and on the mudguard, which turn off automatically. Another central element in the design of the Scrambler Ducati world is the tank, on the cap of which the words "born free" are written.

The style is inspired by the closure system of the legendary model from the 70s. The tank, with its unmistakable teardrop shape, has a capacity of 13,5 litres. The new instrumentation has also been taken care of in every detail and has been updated thanks to the introduction of the gear engaged and fuel level indicator in a completely digital panel. It features well-finished finishes, with all the information necessary for a safe and comfortable ride. Another highlight of this instrumentation is the predisposition for the management of the DMS (Ducati Multimedia System), which can be activated by purchasing the Bluetooth module as an accessory, which allows you to answer the telephone by viewing notifications of messages, incoming calls and to listen in full freedom music. The controls have also been updated, with new latest generation blocks, as well as a new adjustable clutch lever. Also new are the die-cast aluminum footpeg holders, which support new gear and brake controls, with an offroad-style design. Without a doubt, the changes that have been made compared to the previous model are not those that completely overturn the bike, but they are small, but significant, interventions to improve the aesthetics and comfort of this new 2019 Ducati Scrambler Icon.

Retouches also for the chassis, Cornering ABS and inertial platform make their debut

As regards the chassis, the 2019 Scrambler Icon is equipped with a double-spar tubular steel trellis frame. Speaking of dimensions, the steering head is inclined at 24° together with the trail of 112 mm, making this bike capable of agility and stability thanks also to the wheelbase of 1.4445 mm. The suspensions of this new Scrambler Icon 2019, Kayaba with 41 mm upside down rods, have had their calibration revised to ensure good comfort, both on city roads and on dirt roads. While at the rear we find a central shock absorber, adjustable in spring preload, which allows a travel of 150 mm. The dry weight of the bike is 173 kg, while in running order it is 189 kg. The Scrambler 800 rides on an 18" front rim and 17" rear rim, combined with Pirelli MT60 RS tyres, 110/80 and 180/55 respectively, all kept at bay by a Brembo braking system with 330 front disc mm and four-piston monobloc caliper. At the rear we find a 245 mm disc with a 34 mm single-piston caliper. The truly most important innovation is the debut of the Bosch 9.1 MP Cornering ABS system (which cannot be switched off) with a single level of intervention. This Cornering type system ensures total control in the event of braking with the bike folded, optimizing and reducing the necessary spaces and, with them, also reducing the risk of falling. An aid that makes problems as a result of a "long ride" or a loss of grip increasingly remote.

The legendary "air" desmodromic has gained some small innovations

Small, compact and above all "desmodromic", these are the characteristics of the engine that powers the new Ducati Scrambler Icon 2019. An "L" twin-cylinder, two valves per cylinder and cooled by air and oil, it has a displacement of 803 cc and is capable of 73 horsepower, delivered at 8.250 rpm, with a torque of 67 Nm. The new features concern the lighter crankcases, as well as aluminum clutch and alternator covers, while it is naturally Euro 4 approved. This engine, derived from that of the Monster 796, is revised to ensure smooth acceleration at every speed. The pistons and crankshaft are also the same as the Monster 796 and Hypermotard 796, while the two camshafts, housed in each head, have been specifically designed to guarantee linear delivery, thanks to the 11° intersection. With regards to real maintenance costs, Ducati guarantees scheduled interventions every 12.000 kilometers or 12 months and valve clearance checks always every 12.000 kilometres. The engine is coupled exclusively to a 6-speed gearbox, while the APTC multi-disc oil bath clutch ensures a very light and advantageous clutch lever in city use, with the continuous stops and starts that characterize big city traffic. This APTC clutch has been designed to guarantee, in addition to anti-slipping when climbing, also maximum grip of the rear wheel during acceleration, offering a better feeling when exiting corners.

Riding the Joyvolution, our test

It's a pale sunny day that awaits us for our road test of the new Ducati Scrambler Icon 2019, destination Casole d'Elsa, a small agricultural and tourist treasure of the Val d'Elsa in the province of Siena. We get on the saddle, start the bike, let it warm up, put it in first gear and set off on this itinerary made of bends and hairpin bends, the right route to test the latest arrival from Borgo Panigale. The wide handlebar immediately gives a pleasant sensation of control, together with the saddle not very high from the ground, now revised and even lower. The saddle-footpeg-handlebar triangulation is excellent, which allows the rider to sit comfortably and at the same time ensures a responsive and sporty ride. The excellent agility qualities of the Scrambler Icon are confirmed, even on these winding roads. The brake and clutch levers, thanks to the adjustment ring, now satisfy everyone's tastes and needs, in a more democratic way. Worthy of note is the hydraulic clutch, with anti-hopping system. Soft on the lever and with a well-maneuverable gearbox, in perfect Ducati style. But moving on to the facts, the curiosity was precisely "knowing" his behavior on the road.

The chassis allows us to underline and highlight all the particularities of this motorbike, which proves to be fun and easy, both for a male and also for a female audience. The Scrambler is "a toy", which conveys the sensation of having always driven it and which can be driven effortlessly by anyone. A bike that bends easily on the winding roads we face, while on fast roads it is fluid and constant, with a power that can be managed with complete peace of mind both by the less experienced, who will appreciate a homogeneous and peak-free delivery, and by the more two-wheel experts. Torque and power are in fact "just right", ideal so as not to scare you, but without becoming a boring bike, on the contrary. The L-twin proves to be brilliant and very pleasant, even when you force it a little with the throttle. The Ducati Scrambler Icon 2019 always behaves with dignity and shows good stability along fast corners, displaying elasticity and convincing thrust at medium speeds.

As chef Cannavacciuolo would perhaps say in the kitchen, it is a perfect mix between tradition and modernity that blends in terms of usability and pleasure. By the way, the ease of driving and the moderate weight, we are talking about 185 kg in running order, allow you to correct any errors when entering corners, simply by shifting your body weight and lightly touching the brakes. Speaking precisely of braking, the Scrambler offers good modulation, responding quickly to the command of just two fingers, with the front hardly able to make the ABS work, even when the surface is treacherous. The functioning of the anti-locking system is not bad (it cannot be deactivated), but on dirt roads it becomes decidedly more invasive, as it obviously is. On the suspension front, from our point of view, compared to the previous version, they have improved a lot. Even if they have changed little, they now manage not to make the roughness of the road surface noticeable and guarantee excellent filtering, even when driving off-road. The 6-speed gearbox is quick and precise when shifting, and is appreciated for the first two short ratios, which guarantee brilliant shifts with good promptness when exiting tight hairpin bends. In conclusion, the Scrambler Icon confirms itself as an easy, fun and well-made motorbike, which improves in detail and is refined, to be even more pleasant and satisfying. A defect? It's difficult to find any important ones, perhaps the only one is the heat coming from the engine, exhaust side, but taking into account the very hot day of our first contact, normally it might be less noticeable.

It starts from around 9 thousand euros, all that remains is to wait for it to arrive at the dealer

This new Ducati Scrambler Icon 2019 is priced at 8.990 ex-dealership and is available in both the classic "'62 Yellow" color and the new "Atomic Tangerine" color, with black frame and black saddle with gray frame. It will be on sale as early as next October.

Tester clothing:
Helmet: Caberg Ghost
Jacket: OJ Garage Man, 4 seasons
Gloves: OJ Spin Black/Yellow Fluo
Shoes: OJ Sneaker Move
Jeans: OJ Friction Man 4 seasons