2023 Ducati Scrambler First Look

[Hugh Janus]

Ducati’s Scrambler comes in three trims for 2023: Icon, Full Throttle, and Nightshift (right to left). (Ducati/)

Ever since the first edition was revealed back in 1962, Ducati’s Scrambler has stood as an icon of the company’s extroverted creativity. Conceptually, the original was light-years away from the firm’s sport-oriented models like the 250 Mach 1 or the Mark III. The only connection they shared was that lovely bevel-gear SOHC single, one of the most elegant motorcycle engines ever.

The Scrambler’s second edition was inspired by AMA flat-trackers, and indeed Ducati 250s achieved plenty of racing success on America’s dirt ovals. The design was so neat, fluid, and aggressive that a young maestro Massimo Tamburini spent hours in front of the Ducati dealership in Rimini, dreaming of owning one. Those first Scramblers suffered through the ups and downs of Ducati’s crankshaft reliability problems, but that never really tarnished its image with the public, who complained loudly when the death of Ducati’s legendary air-cooled SOHC single forced the Scrambler out of production. The Scrambler was unique in that it allowed the rider to sit upright, was agile and surefooted, and offered good performance potential, with especially strong acceleration in the 350 and 450 versions.

And best of all, it was beautiful.

The Modern Scrambler

Ducati never had plans to resurrect the Scrambler until 2014. The new bike’s styling was strongly inspired by the original, just a little fatter because now it used Ducati’s versatile Pantah-based air-cooled SOHC 90-degree V-twin. The return was much welcomed by the public, to the point that “Scrambler” became a separate brand. Ducati kept working on it, adding versions and engines from 690cc to 1,100cc. Once again, the new Scramblers became the easy, accessible, fun-to-ride Ducatis, and more than 100,000 have been sold.

2023 Ducati Scrambler Icon: $10,995 (Ducati/)

The New Ducati 2023 Scrambler

Now the time has come for a major overhaul in order to keep the model relevant and near the top of the enthusiast’s wish list. The newest Scrambler comes in three versions: Icon, Full Throttle, and Nightshift. These latest Scramblers are 9 pounds lighter than the previous bikes thanks to a new triangulated-steel-tube trellis chassis that uses the engine as a stressed member. Total dry weight now is 375 pounds.

The rear suspension is completely new and based on a new cast-aluminum swingarm that directly actuates a cantilevered shock absorber. The shock itself has migrated from the bike’s left side to a central position. To make the Scrambler both agile and fun to ride both in town and on twisty roads, Ducati has revised the steering geometry by pulling the rake back to 24 degrees with 4.25 inches of trail. A 110/80-18 Pirelli MT 60 RS and 180/55-17 front/rear tire combo mount on cast-aluminum wheels featuring an elegant 14-spoke design. Both the Icon and the Full Throttle versions share these wheels, while the Nightshift adopts classic wire wheels.

Wire wheels and a dark motif set the 2023 Ducati Scrambler Nightshift apart from the Icon and Full Throttle. (Ducati/)

A 41mm Kayaba fork provides front suspension, while the braking system is based on a Brembo single 330mm front disc with a four-piston caliper and the new addition of Bosch cornering ABS.

Adopting an electronically controlled throttle has opened the door to add traction control and two riding modes, Road and Wet, as well as a quick-shift system that comes as standard equipment on the Full Throttle version and as an option on the other two versions. Another addition to the technological evolution is the Scrambler’s electronics suite, exemplified by new instrumentation with a 4.3-inch TFT display. All the lighting equipment is LED.

The Engine

The core of the engine remains the same: Ducati’s reliable 803cc air-cooled SOHC two-valve twin, polished to comply with Euro 5 emission standards and delivering 73 hp at 8,250 rpm with 48.1 lb.-ft. of torque at 7,000 rpm. There is a new hydraulically actuated slipper-type wet clutch working in tandem with a new ball-bearing-supported gear-selection drum for smoother shifting.

The 2023 Ducati Scrambler Full Throttle gets a race-inspired look, complete with number plates. (Ducati/)

As expected, great attention was also dedicated to the bike’s styling and graphics for a freshened look that’s still faithful to the Scrambler’s roots. The Icon version adopts a polished steel tank while the colored sections are a plastic cover; the Full Throttle and the Nightshift offer a wide range of standard and optional paint jobs.

We can’t wait to ride one.

2023 Ducati Scrambler Icon/Full Throttle/Nightshift Specs

MSRP:	$10.995 (Icon) / $12,195 (Full Throttle, Nightshift)
Engine:	Air-cooled desmodromic L-twin; 2 valves/cyl.
Displacement:	803cc
Bore x Stroke:	88.0 x 66.0mm
Compression Ratio:	11:1
Transmission/Final Drive:	6-speed/chain
Claimed Horsepower:	73 hp @ 8,250 rpm
Claimed Torque:	48.1 lb.-ft. @ 7,000 rpm
Fuel System:	Electronic fuel injection w/ 50mm throttle body; ride-by-wire
Clutch:	Wet, multiplate; hydraulically controlled slipper and self-servo
Frame:	Tubular steel trellis
Front Suspension:	41mm Kayaba USD fork; 5.9 in. travel
Rear Suspension:	Kayaba monoshock, preload adjustable; 5.9 in. travel
Front Brake:	Radial 4-piston caliper, 330mm disc w/ Bosch Cornering ABS
Rear Brake:	1-piston floating caliper, 245mm disc w/ Bosch Cornering ABS
Wheels, Front/Rear:	Aluminum alloy (Icon, Full Throttle) / spoked aluminum (Nightshift); 18 x 3.00 in. / 17 x 5.50 in.
Tires, Front/Rear:	Pirelli MT 60 RS; 110/80R-18 / 180/55R-17
Rake/Trail:	24.0°/4.3 in.
Wheelbase:	57.0 in.
Seat Height:	31.3 in.
Fuel Capacity:	3.6 gal.
Claimed Wet Weight:	408 lb. (Icon, Full Throttle) / 421 lb. (Nightshift)
Contact:	ducati.com

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