As detailed in the following press release, Ducati has updated the Scrambler 800 Icon for 2019. The Scrambler 800 series are the best selling models for the Ducati brand. We are assuming that many, if not all, of the changes to the Icon will spill over to the other 800s. Here is the press release:
Scrambler Joyvolution: lots more fun in the Land of Joy
- Ducati presents the new Scrambler Icon, to go on sale from November
- Even more fun, more comfortable and safer thanks to new electronics
- Just four years on from the brand launch, more than 55,000 Ducati Scramblers have been sold worldwide
Borgo Panigale (Bologna, Italy), 10 September 2018 – The latest Ducati Scrambler makeover provides a bike that is now even more contemporary, comfortable and safe, taking ‘Land of Joy’ fun to new heights. Affordable and essential, the Ducati Scrambler is the perfect blend of tradition and innovativeness. Even in this latest ‘Joyvolution’ incarnation, it retains the pure essence of motorcycling: two wheels, a wide handlebar, a simple engine and endless fun. What’s more, the new Bosch Cornering ABS maximises active safety during braking, adding an extra layer of untroubled freedom.
The Ducati Scrambler brand, launched in 2014 to ‘speak a new motorcycling language’, puts a modern-day slant on the ethos of the 1960s Scrambler. It’s fair to say that it’s no mere motorcycle, it’s a veritable lifestyle. Free-spirited, go-getting and non-conformist, open to other cultures and styles, Ducati Scrambler has created a world – the ‘Land of Joy’ – where aficionados can share their experiences and ideals. A world in which the protagonists are not bikes or performance but people and their passions: music, cinema, art, photography, street food. A new approach that takes the motorcycling experience to the next level.
Ever since its launch, the Ducati Scrambler has set a whole new standard by offering a fresh take on motorcycling. In 2015 it became the world’s 10th best-selling bike over 500 cc, an absolute first for the Bologna-based bike manufacturer. Four years on from the brand launch, more than 55,000 Scrambler bikes have been sold worldwide.
The breadth of the brand is also evident in the four mono brand Scrambler Camp stores in Padua, Borgo Panigale, Barcelona and New York, and the two Scrambler Food factory restaurants opened in Bologna.
The first result of the Joyvolution is the new Scrambler Icon. The aluminium of the new, beefier side panels matches the steel of the teardrop tank and the glass of the headlight flawlessly. A black-painted engine, brushed cylinder head fins and machine-finished rims give the Ducati Scrambler eye-catching panache.
The all-new headlight with LED DRL (Daytime Running Light) boosts bike visibility in traffic, even in daylight, as do the new auto-off LED indicators. More ergonomic switchgears make it easier for the rider to scroll the LCD instrument menu, which now includes fuel level info.
On the Ducati Scrambler the high, wide handlebars, the new flat seat and renewed suspension set-up merge to ensure an outstandingly comfortable, relaxed riding position. Low weight, low centre of gravity and slightly chunky tyre treads ensure great handling and pure fun whatever the situation; thanks to the safety provided by Bosch Cornering ABS – all-new and exclusive for this category of vehicle – riding is now more carefree than ever. Riders will also appreciate the new softer-feel hydraulic clutch control, while the adjustable lever – like the one on the front brake – ensures the lever-handlebar gap can be adapted to individual needs.
Ducati Scrambler is a lifestyle brand. It draws its inspiration from multiple sources, including music, as a listen to Scrambler Web Radio (available 24/7 at scramblerducati.com) clearly shows. Thanks to the Ducati Multimedia System, riders of the new Scrambler can now listen to their favourite playlists, answer calls or chat with the passenger.
The Scrambler Icon is available in Atomic Tangerine with black frame and a black seat with grey trim or in classic ’62 Yellow with black frame and black seat with grey trim.
To see the official Scrambler Icon launch video check out the brand’s social network sites or go to the website and share the content with the hashtag #joyvolution and #scramblerducati.
See more of MD’s great photography:
Looks like a Harley
Changes? What changes? “two wheels, a wide handlebar”?
I waded through many paragraphs of nonsensical marketing garble and finally saw something about side covers and something about LED headlights. Is the ABS different? I don’t happen to have last year’s specs memorized, and by the time I got there, I didn’t care enough to parse the text very closely.
Ok, it’s orange. Is that new?
I thought you guys were paid to sift through this kind of bullshit for meaningful information. Well paid, I hope. You couldn’t pay me enough.
In this case, MCD is just reporting that this bike has been updated, and the specs and marketing info come from Ducati, not MCD, so if you are criticizing MCD about sifting through the info, that is not fair at this point. When and if MCD does a review or “test” of this motorcycle, I’m sure at that point that some of the information you want will be disclosed or discussed.
Gotta say I don’t care for the shorty fenders- front or rear, and that stylishless muffler, the rest looks pretty good though.
I like it except for the seat, it just doesn’t look right. Of course I’ll need detailed maps and a Sherpa guide to help find a Ducati dealer.
I suppose a 1200 is more interesting than an 800. Nice bike anyway. I find nothing wrong with it except for the price.
Is Atomic Orange the new matte black?
I’ll gladly take practically any bright color over matte black. Standard black is fine, but I am so sick of matte black and matte gray on motorcycles that bright orange seems like a welcome change.
I hear you. My last bike was an ’02 V-Strom that I bought off a guy lightly used. It was grey, although at least glossy. A few years ago I picked up a leftover Yamaha Fazer 8, haven test ridden one a few years earlier. Great deal, about CDN$3,000 off the list price, but I’ve never really cared for its colour scheme. Yamaha calls it “somethingorother Optic” or something like that. Flat grey paint with purplish blue wheels. And Yamaha still keeps putting that scheme on new bikes, like one version of the Tracer 900. I really prefer brighter or richer colours. Of course, I don’t spend much time looking at the bike when I’m riding it, but it would be nice to have something with a little visual sizzle. Some mid to late 90s Kawasaki Ninjas had some fantastic paint jobs.
Same here. Yesterday I checked out a 2018 SV650 Suzuki at my local Dealership. The tank in 50/50 light blue metallic over gloss white. And Suzuki named as SUZUKI not a chromed S badge on the bike.
The overseas model colour option not available here in Australia is matte black with red gloss frame, red wheels.
Luckily, we get both low and higher powered version’s in the classy blue/white this year with gloss black wheels.
Next year, that other “trendy” colour I guess.
Sunny side up. Rubber side down. Here comes the Scrambler.
Ok, that was dumb. I’m really trying to like it but something’s not doing it for me. Maybe it’s the lack of visible trellis frame like my 05 Multistrada? Needs an XR750 tank, seat, and tail
Would it really “kill” the Japanese to just go ahead and design a state of the art air and oil cooled motor? The Ducati Scrambler’s popularity proves such motor nets more profit by trading away peak performance for a package netting huge gains in the design department. Motorcycle engine plumbing for liquid cooling degrades cosmetics even in the most ideal design. Two more significant items: in the lowermost 2/3rds of the rev range an a/o cooled motor gives up nothing to a liquid cooled design in torque/power. That’s where most street bikes spend most of their time. Also, besides being ugly, radiator heat is sometimes very uncomfortable for the rider.
Is not this Ducati 803cc motor evolved from the ’80-’86 Pantah? Would not an all-new Japanese motor have higher performance potential than this refined but almost 40 year old Italian?
The Japanese, in their endless quest for peak performance, sometimes miss the forest (potential profit markets) for the “performance” tree. By over elevating performance, they become too conservative, avoiding the potential of exploring new markets based on old ideas.
In general I get what you’re saying about liquid-cooled bikes giving off more heat to the rider, but my liquid-cooled XSR900 imparts zero heat to my legs, while my air-cooled CB1100EX fairly bakes most of my left leg and, to a lesser degree, my lower right leg.
Same with my XSR700.
…and my Street Triple R. No leg-bake issues at all.
I bet very few of the customers who buy this bike do so because of air/oil cooling vs. water cooling, or are even aware of the difference.
With the current state of emissions regs, I doubt the Japanese or anyone else could put out anything of similar displacement that would make materially more power. Also as lean as they have to run these days, any air-cooled engine that makes sufficient power makes a lot of heat, more than a comparable water-cooled bike. And since the air-cooled engine’s days are most likely numbered, the ROI on a new design probably isn’t very appealing.
“materially more power”
Such a cool phrase.
:thumbs up:
Hmmmm…
Life is a golden goose that lays scrambled eggs.
Unscramble it.
Hey Ducati? You’re welcome.