At the JAIA test ride event held in April, I test rode the Ducati Scrambler Icon. I had somehow imagined that it would be a bike that was not suitable for beginners, but in a good way, my expectations were betrayed. I would like to share my impressions from the perspective of a former motorcycle shop salesperson.
- With a seat height of 780mm and a vehicle weight of around 180kg, it's a friendly motorcycle for anyone to ride!
- Easy to handle with plenty of torque across the entire range! Enjoy the power of both turns and straights.
- Who would you recommend the Scrambler Icon to?
- Scrambler Icon (2025) Main Specifications
With a seat height of 780mm and a vehicle weight of around 180kg, it's a friendly motorcycle for anyone to ride!
The prototype of Ducati's current 800cc Scrambler series was born in 2014. After undergoing model changes, it has become the current "Scrambler" equipped with an 803cc air-cooled L-twin desmodromic 2-valve engine. As a result of reviewing the engine and frame, the weight of the equipment has been reduced by 4kg and it has also become fully LED.
The "Scrambler Icon" that I test rode this time is the basic version of the current Scrambler 800 series. There are many families such as the "Scrambler Full Throttle" with a stronger post-heritage color, the "NIGHTSHIFT" with a stronger cafe racer color, and the black style "Icon dark". The feature that can be said about all of them is that they are very fashionable, so you can choose "your own one" according to your lifestyle and taste.
Scrambler Icon Yellow. It has a very high design quality and is unique enough to be instantly recognizable as a Ducati.
The fat 180mm tires compared to the body emphasize the scrambler look. The number plate stay and fender are integrated.
Now, my first impression of the Scrambler 800 series' basic version, the Scrambler Icon, was, "But it's a Scrambler, right? Surely the poor foot placement will limit the number of people who can ride it?" I had the misconception that the large 800cc displacement has nothing to do with "ease of use," and although it is fashionable and likely to be popular with young riders, I thought it would be difficult to recommend it to beginners who are just starting to ride a motorcycle.
However, when I actually straddled it, that preconception was blown away in an instant. First of all, I was surprised by the overwhelming lightness that I could feel just by straddling it, but what surprised me even more was how well it placed my feet on it. I am 171 cm tall and wearing slightly thick riding shoes, so my heels only slightly lifted. Of course, with one foot, it was flat and there was enough room to bend my knees.
I am 171cm tall and my heels are just a little bit off the ground. The position is upright and very comfortable.
If you ride with one foot, the sole of your foot will be flat on the ground. The vehicle is light, so there is no need to worry about being blown around by the wind.
The standard seat height is 795mm, but the standard seat height for the Japanese model is 780mm. No wonder your feet can reach the ground so easily. And it's so light. The semi-dry weight without fuel is 176kg, which is the same weight as a 250cc. This means that even beginners won't feel scared, and it's highly recommended for women too.
The motorcycle's trademark X-design headlights
The Scrambler logo on the tank is simple yet gives off a sense of luxury.
Like the headlights, the seats are decorated with an X mark.
The air-cooled L-twin design is one of a kind
The simple and short cylindrical silencer gives it a racy image.
The 4.3-inch TFT meter is small but easy to read. It has a simple structure that displays only the information you want to know, such as ride mode, shift indicator, and fuel level.
Equipped with a single disc and Brembo caliper. The spoke-like cast wheels also create a Scrambler-like feel.
Easy to handle with plenty of torque across the entire range! Enjoy the power of both turns and straights.
This time, the test drive was on a small course of just a few hundred meters. There were two long straights, two pylon areas for slaloms, and two U-turn areas. The first thing I noticed when I started the engine was the pleasant pulse of the air-cooled L-twin. I could feel the power of the 803cc engine even at idle, and I was excited even before I started driving.
The body moved forward sufficiently even with the half-clutch without throttle operation, and I felt the benefits of the light weight and the large displacement of 803cc. I opened the throttle little by little, and even at low speeds, it was very torqueful as I expected. The maximum output was 73ps@8,250rpm, and the maximum torque was 65.2 Nm@7,000rpm, which gave the impression of being a surprisingly rev-heavy vehicle, but it must be more than enough torque for a light vehicle.
When I entered the straight and opened the throttle wide, it showed a light driving experience that was different from the first impression. Of course it was light from the beginning, but the impression was that the engine was easy to move forward with a good turn. Although it is torquey, once you start driving it is so light and easy that you don't even notice the torque.
It turns smoothly on straights, and at low speeds, the torqueful running makes U-turns easy.
As for slaloms, as expected, it turns smoothly and flutteringly. The wide and large handlebars set forward provide excellent maneuverability, and the sharp caster angle of 24° and the high turning ability created by the KYB inverted forks were attractive. Of course, the benefits are also great when making U-turns, and the car moves obediently in the direction you want to go without having to bank the body too much. The torqueful and light ride will be enjoyed in a wide range of situations, from city driving to winding roads.
The handlebars are set boldly towards the front. They are also very rigid, allowing you to clearly feel the feedback from the bike.
Who would you recommend the Scrambler Icon to?
What I felt when I rode the Scrambler Icon this time was its overwhelming lightness, foot reach, and extreme ease of handling. To be honest, I didn't expect it to be such an approachable and friendly bike, so my image of Ducati as "just specialized for riding" has changed dramatically.
In conclusion, if a former motorcycle shop salesman were to recommend the Scrambler Icon, it would be for people who are looking for their first large bike and are looking for a model that is easy to ride. For some people, the first large bike is a high hurdle, and many people are worried about whether they can really ride it. However, with the Scrambler Icon, you can ride it with the same feeling as the medium-displacement class that they have been riding until now. Of course, it is highly recommended for those who have obtained a large-displacement license from the beginning, and it is easy to ride for those who are worried about "foot reach and handling...". It may be hard to believe, but its biggest feature is that it can be enjoyed with the feeling of a 250cc class bike.
However, the engine itself has an output of 800cc. It is also equipped with a desmodromic mechanism that is actually used in races, so riders who just want to enjoy riding should be satisfied.
I would recommend this bike to anyone who wants a fashionable, easy-to-handle, and simply fun bike to ride, and to any rider who wants to enjoy casual riding.
The Scrambler Icon is a very friendly motorcycle that makes you want to ride it all the time.
Scrambler Icon (2025) Main Specifications
・Wheelbase: 1449 mm
・Seat Height: 795mm (Japan Spec: 780mm)
・Vehicle Weight: 176kg
・Engine: Air-cooled 4-stroke V-twin 803cc
・Maximum Output: 53.6kW (73PS)/8250rpm
・Maximum Torque: 65.2Nm/7000rpm
・Gearbox: 6-speed return
・Fuel Tank Capacity: 14.5L
・Brakes: F = disc, R = disc
・Tire: F=110/80-18, R=180/55-17
・Price: $9283.41～
See DUCATI Moto Index Page
See DUCATI SCRAMBLER ICON Parts & Accessories Page
See DUCATI SCRAMBLER ICON DARK Parts & Accessories Page
