Successful model, the Scrambler 800 is improved for 2019. Ducati practiced subtly (flagship, rims, saddle), but also with great relevance (suspensions, ABS, counter), What actually refine his neo retro heart of range.
It's always the same refrain, re-inventing a successful model while naturally wants to be very clean at the line, is always very delicate. At Ducati, a Monster must remain a Monster and at Audi (the current owner of the manufacturer of Bologna to 20/09/18 and until further notice), a compact sedan A3 must remain an A3 ... In short, not easy to change the Scrambler 800 given its philosophy and its simple silhouette, fluid, punctuated by historical reminders and emphasize it, frankly successful.
Scrambler you are, Scrambler you will stay
In addition, given the success of this model (30% of sales of the brand in some markets), it is better to preserve its achievements and especially seek to consolidate its success rather than taking risks by trying to change too much.
However, Ducati has shown intelligence, with retouching, subtle for some, full of common sense for others. As often, the will has been more to raise the level (the manufacture) rather than push towards austerity. Everyone can not say as much in the current times ... The lighting, in its entirety, uses LEDs while the optics uses a thick glass and very qualitative. The commodos are more modern and the dashboard, still deported to the right and not very legible, incorporates a fuel gauge and a gear ratio engaged. Well seen !
The two levers are adjustable in spacing and the clutch control passes from the cable to the hydraulics. The wheels are machined, some parts of the engine adopt a black lacquered color; the connection around the steering column is perfectly arranged and even the network of hoses around the engine is better concealed; Overall, manufacturing has risen to a very satisfactory level; we expected no less than this average upper engine more and more expensive ...
Handling: The one you need ...
Ducati officials did not invite us to compare the driving position of the Scrambler 800 2018 against its replacement. And they should have! The new saddle, more padded and inevitably higher (798 mm against 790 mm), changes the driving position. This also allows to increase slightly the distance between the seat and the footrest, this to unfold a little more legs. In spite of everything. In parallel, the handlebar appears slightly lower. In short, if we recognize the entire universe of the Scrambler 800, a blind test would leave no doubt! the work is subtle but still sensitive!
Contact, new commodos, more complete dashboard, the clutch control is now hydraulic and is very flexible and progressive. With 189 pounds announced all the facts and the great leverage offered by its wide handlebar, the Scrambler 800 Icon 2019 is still obvious to grips; it is a bike !
Scrambler 800 Icon 2019: Instantly fun!
And the particularly cheerful general character of the Scrambler does not take long to resurface. The twin Desmodue of 803 cm3, ex engine of the Monster 796 which already came from previous models (like the Supersport), displays a strong force. Its revving is non-linear and has a nice torque peak around 5,000 rpm. It is this rebound that can be found on an engine curve after a bench and which explains the feeling of thrust on board. The torque (76 Nm to 5,750 rpm) then pushes you first at low speeds, then a second time at mid revs. That's already enough to make a character engine.
In good Ducati bicilindrico self-respecting, the flexibility proves rather passable. To cross the city center or swallow a pin, it will hardly use more than the third report, otherwise the mechanics will remind you to order via anti mechanical knockings. Overall, this twin has always claimed 2500 rpm minimum to be used correctly. It has not changed and it has nothing to be a real fault. It's less flexible than some competing engines, but it's also more sparkling and that's its character, that's all.
On the other hand, this V-shaped twin (in L in Bolognese jargon) has much more reach than some natural rivals. The 73 announced horses do not hesitate to gallop up to 8000 rpm! and we can even say that the Scrambler 800 pulls a little on the arms. Assuredly, this mechanics made in Bologna is not cutesy, far from it! And if this power seems lean today, you have to remember that it is equivalent to the power of the first Ducati Monster 900 of 1993 ... which was a reference at the time.
A very good job on suspensions
For this test, we found ourselves in Tuscany ... Tuscany, its hilly landscapes, its hills dressed by the vineyard, its winding roads and sometimes sagging! The Italian road network is also damaged in many places. For 2019, Ducati reviewed the suspensions of the Scrambler. According to Antonio Zamdi, engineer responsible for the production of Scrambler, all internal elements have been changed (springs, valves, pistons ...). The goal of Ducati was to improve the comfort of suspensions, without losing in rigor and to limit the sensitivity of the motorcycle to the load.
Undeniably, the goal is achieved! The gain in comfort is very real; the Scrambler digests better the small irregularities and absorbs a curled bitumen as well as an even higher end motorcycle. A great job on the part of Ducati and Kayaba because the 150 mm of deflections have been very well exploited. Although frankly flexible suspensions, the Ducati Scrambler 800 Icon 2019 reveals a sufficient rigor for a motorcycle of this category. Indeed, if you attack, the steering can be too light, especially in charge after 120 km / h; Similarly, sustained braking can lead to a too brutal depression of the inverted fork (not adjustable, but what good), but all this happens by pushing the scrambler to its limits, as if it were of a Monster and that is not his vocation at all.
Despite everything, with 73 hp, 189 kg, agility equal to its weight, and the rigor of which it testifies, there is really enough to have fun on the small roads. The Scrambler 800 Icon first generation was already fun, the 2019 vintage is just as good. Moreover, even if Ducati has changed the muffler, the latter always comes to scrape the ground if you are not careful. Again, the incident is ultra rare. Braking side, the simple disc does the job, with a sufficient dosage. The ABS takes into account the degree of inclination to limit the risk of stall from front to curve; a good thing for beginners in case of bad reflexes ...
The same better and ... it's so much better
The efforts made on the suspensions and the accelerator (opening of the handle reviewed) are also noticeable in the paths. The Ducati Scrambler 800 Icon 2019 is fun and comfortable in the gravel paths ... Ducati has also started a program with a flat track school for its customers and it is a good initiative because among all motorcycles like this, the Scrambler shines with its lightness and low center of gravity. Even prepared, the Harley-Davidson Street 750 shows, for example, really less suitable.
The Ducati Scrambler 800 Icon 2019 is the image of the first generation of this model: a fun bike, dynamic more than powerful, with a sufficiently marked character never to sink into the monotony without requiring a particular user manual. Some bad tongues will claim that the Ducati are no longer as alive as before; Of course, between the generalization of the electronic injection and the work on the engines to respect the norms, it goes without saying that the motorcycles appear simpler to drive and to drive. than a decade or two ago.
Appraisal: Latin character, European tariff and always made in Italy
Endearing, pleasant, graceful ... the Ducati Scrambler 800 Icon 2019 is a neo retro motorcycle full of vitality. A recipe for success for Ducati which has also declined to all the sauces (Café Racer, Desert Sled) and these variants will be renewed by next year. Within the category, the Scrambler Icon is one of the most successful, by its relative versatility (the Triumph Street Twin is better), its character really fun (has she competing at this level? The Yamaha XSR 700 probably ), or even its performance level.
And above all, she is beautiful and always nice to drive, even if it is intended more for the average sizes. What to relegate to the background its shortcomings as its dry selection from an old mechanical base, the heat perceived by the engine (right side), the duet that will remain casual ... But Ducati has worked well: Suspensions much more effective, more complete counter, accelerator more pleasant, a more neat finish ... and these small (but felt) improvements are reflected on the note: € 9,350 for yellow and € 9,450 for the orange. It's getting expensive, even if, by assembling its Scramblers in Bologna (Italy), Ducati can not hope to compete on the margin side with the manufacturers who use the manufacturing units in Asia.
Photos: Staff Ducati, Milagro agency
