Ducati Scrambler Icon Dark 2020: rebellious soul in evening dress [ROAD TEST]

Le scrambler they are now a very established and trendy type of motorcycle, especially in large cities. Essential, stylish and aggressive, a perfect mix to always be fashionable in urban life without compromising versatility of use or driving fun.
The new Ducati Scrambler Icon Dark it is the last piece that was missing to complete a very rich range of proposals and presents itself as the gateway to the entire family Scrambler 800.

A motorcycle that aims to represent the absolute essentiality of a two-wheeled vehicle, everything is simplified and reduced to the minimum terms to enhance the mechanics, lightness and driving pleasure.
This new funbike has undergone several small improvements which have made it possible to improve aesthetics, fun and eliminate some flaws that had the Icon of the previous generation.
The updates have involved almost all areas of the bike without involving any distortion of the characteristics that have allowed the Ducati Scrambler to obtain public appreciation and great sales success.
The Icon Dark presents itself as the cheapest of the Scrambler 800, a model that joins the standard Icon (a little more attention to detail) and the more specialized and exclusive Full Throttle, Flat Track and Café Racer.

Design and Equipment

The aesthetics of the new Ducati Icon Dark comes in a robe “total black” particularly captivating. The (interchangeable) tank cheeks and the aluminum exhaust heat shield "break up" the all-black look, also giving the bike a notable elegance.
The alternation of glossy black, matte black and aluminum in this colorway Matt Black it is particularly harmonious and enhances every detail and detail of the vehicle. A detail much appreciated by lovers of this type of motorcycle is the "Born Free" writing on the tank cap.
The bike appears streamlined, slim and slender, transmitting a sensation of lightness even before you sit on the saddle.
The finishes are finally of a high standard and particular mention should be made of the black painted engine crankcases, the brushed cylinder fins and the DRL (Daytime Running Light) front headlight, with LED position lights along the perimeter of the circular headlight, perfectly integrated with the design of the motorcycle. Very aggressive and with a heritage look "X" in black metal inside the front light cluster clearly inspired by the off-road motorbikes of the 70s.
The direction indicators, although not LED, are well made and equipped with automatic shut-off.
The flatter and better shaped saddle allows for a better seat, increasing the level of comfort while the new suspension setup allows for greater control of the motorbike in every riding context.
In such a well-maintained package it is a shame that some components have been sacrificed on the altar of cheapness to make the selling price more competitive. Compared to the standard Icon, the Icon Dark loses the under-seat USB socket, the brushed alloy wheel spokes, the LED indicators and the shaped rear-view mirrors (replaced by a round-shaped pair).

Electronics

The electronic equipment of the Scrambler Icon Dark it is basic but very effective. Among all the latest generation technological devices there is only a new two-channel Bosch Cornering ABS which allows you to avoid wheel locking even in emergency braking with the bike folded.
Even considering the limited power of the vehicle in question, in our opinion, a traction control would also have been useful, not so much to keep the "cavalry" at bay but to further increase the level of safety when driving in the city and in situations of poor adhesion.
The compact LCD instrumentation it is complete and immediate in reading. It offers all the main information such as speed, rpm, gear engaged, trip and total odometer, temperature, time and (finally) fuel level. All these functions and many others can be easily viewed and managed via the new handlebar controls.
A real "gem" of the digital 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 phone, view message notifications and listen to music in total freedom.

Engine and chassis

The small and compact air-cooled L-twin is the true heart of the Ducati Scrambler Icon Dark. It is a unit of 803 cc with distribution Desmodromic and 2 valves per cylinder capable of delivering 73 CV of maximum power 67 Nm of torque a 5.750 rpm.
These numbers are not mind-boggling but ideal for making the bike very easy and fun to use in any riding context and on any terrain.
The updates carried out on the engine and on the electronic fuel system (equipped with a 50 mm diameter throttle body) combined with the new exhaust system with stainless steel single silencer and double lambda probe have allowed all to pass the Euro 5 approval tests vehicles registered since January 2020.
The chassis is characterized by a steel tube trellis frame, an aluminum swingarm with a classic "banana" shape and a suspension system entirely designed by Kayaba. At the front we find a fixed calibration fork with upside down legs of 41 mm in diameter while at the rear a monoshock absorber adjustable only in spring preload.
The braking system, supplied by Brembo, is made up of a single 330 mm diameter disc at the front with a 4-piston radial-mount caliper, while at the rear there is a 245 mm disc with a single-piston floating caliper. Furthermore, the new clutch lever with hydraulic control is soft and very precise in its operation.
The 10-spoke rims are made of light alloy and are fitted as standard with the excellent Pirelli MT 60 RS, extremely versatile tires with excellent grip on wet surfaces and suitable for any terrain (even light off-road).
The capacity of the small tank is good (13,5 litres) while the weight of the vehicle tips the scales at 189kg, an average result.
The official Ducati warranty is 24 months with unlimited mileage, the services are every 12.000 km or 12 months while the valve clearance check intervals (every 12.000 km) seem a little too close to us.

Guide

On the saddle you immediately feel at ease, now the riding position is more natural and comfortable than in the past. The torso is in an upright position and the legs draw a correct arch while the arms, unfortunately, have a less natural setting and are positioned slightly higher than we would like. This saddle-footpeg-handlebar triangulation was probably chosen to be effective in different riding conditions, in fact when you are on dirt roads and riding standing up, the raised handlebar guarantees better control.
Once the engine is started we are surprised by both the mechanical and exhaust silence, damn Euro5!!! While the first pleasantly impressed us, a tangible sign of the work that was done on the engine, the second disappointed us a little and slightly dampened our sporting spirit... it lacks that racing touch that only a freer exhaust can give.
From the first meters there Ducati Scrambler Icon Dark highlights both its extreme agility and ease of riding, you almost have the feeling of being on a 125. However, just rotate the throttle more to immediately realize that the performance and reactions of the 800 twin seem superior than the numbers can indicate.
The engine runs like a Swiss watch (it vibrates very little) showing almost perfect linearity of delivery and progression, there is no sudden torque input or any "hole" in the entire rev range. The thrust is always constant and homogeneous, perfect both for use in the city and on low-grip surfaces.
You have full control of the vehicle and after just a few kilometres, it feels like you have been driving it all your life, a truly noteworthy behaviour. The ease with which the Scrambler Icon Dark can be enjoyed even among the curves of the narrowest "streets" of Milan is truly satisfying. You can have fun even in the worst situations, such as during rush hour in the middle of traffic, because thanks to its lightness, small size and extreme ease of driving, it becomes child's play to free yourself from cars in the queue. It brings to mind when as kids we used to travel the busy streets of this city in our fifties, slaloming between the cars lined up.
The suspensions, characterized by a very smooth fork and a more sustained suspension in the calibration, allow you to digest any roughness you encounter. Pavé, cobblestones, tracks and road malformations do not compromise the rigor of the cycling and are digested without any problem. It becomes fun to deal with different road surface conditions!
Moving away from the city and starting to increase the pace on roads full of bends the result does not change, the bike remains very stable and communicative in riding, instilling a lot of confidence in the rider. It knows how to satisfy even the sporting instincts of the most experienced drivers and warns in advance, and without sudden reactions, when you are overdoing it. Despite having a soft suspension setup, especially the front one, the Scrambler is very precise both when entering and exiting corners.
The only flaw in the brilliant handling is in the most decisive braking, a situation in which the fork tends to sink too much causing an excessive load transfer on the front end which dirty the insertions into curves. Nothing to worry about, it's not a pure sports car and in any case after a few kilometers you get used to it and it even becomes fun to behave.
Even with a soft setting, the behavior of the Scrambler Icon Dark on motorway transfers is noteworthy. If on the one hand the practically zero aerodynamic protection disturbs and makes driving very tiring (it is not at all a vehicle for traveling on highways) on the other hand the stability of the bike both in a straight line and in long fast bends is truly excellent... a result almost unexpected!
To complete our test of this new "all-rounder" Funbike we covered several dirt roads and some undemanding off-road terrain. The result is that the bike behaved really well, nothing stops it... or almost! By deactivating the ABS it is possible to have a lot of fun and engage in satisfying power drifts without the need to be an experienced driver. In this context, the most unconventional side of this two-wheeler comes out. Running free in the midst of nature facing dirt roads, dirt roads, meadows and undergrowth, the Scrambler Icon Dark really manages to work magic... it makes us feel free!

Price

The new Ducati Scrambler Icon Dark is already available at dealerships in the Matt Black color only starting from 8.390 euro turnkey.
It is also possible to draw heavily from the almost infinite Ducati accessories catalog to customize and make this non-conformist motorcycle even more unique and exclusive.

Benefits

ABS Cornering Bosch operation
Ease of driving
Fun
Engine output
Versatility
Level of finishes

Defects

Heat emanating from the exhaust and engine
Non-existent protection from the air
Lack of traction control
Valve clearance check probably too close together

Photo: Alessandro Ranzenigo