ICONICALLY REFINED
2019 Ducati Scrambler Icon
Whether you love or hate Ducati’s hipster lifestyle, there’s no denying how well the Scrambler range, and indeed the image, has been received over the past three years with more than 55,000 units flying out of Bologna and into the hands of riders around the world.
At the end of the day, if it’s not broken don’t fix it, right? Well that’s clearly what Ducati had in mind for the 2019 Scrambler Icon as it is much more a case of refinement than a full overhaul. For starters, aesthetically there are some incredibly subtle improvements such as a slightly different tank panel which is a little edgier, a bigger end can (although the exhaust is the same), machine finished alloy wheels and a DRL LED headlight – which although it sounds minimal, modernise sthe strikingly retro look. It’s even got a USB port and is Ducati Multimedia ready if that’s your thing. Thankfully it’s not just fashion that Ducati has focused on. It has also given the Icon a hydraulic clutch system for a lighter feel, while keeping safety in mind by sticking to dual-channel Bosch cornering ABS which is controlled by an internal IMU.
Although the engine, chassis and basis of the bike remains largely unchanged, Ducati has gone the extra mile on the cockpit as well, which was as clear as the Italian sky the first time I jumped on board; the LCD dash is easy to read, and the new switchgear assembly is a delight to
“The engine has a crisp throttle response that feels well at home cruising in just about any gear you fancy, but due to the bucket load of torque on offer it still picked up nice and quickly when I wanted to give it the berries.”
The engine and set up is near enough identical, and after just a few miles of riding I have to say it definitely doesn’t feel down on power. The engine has a crisp throttle response that feels well at home cruising in just about any gear you fancy, but due to the bucket load of torque on offer it still picked up nice and quickly when I wanted to give it the berries.
That wasn’t much of a surprise though as we all know that the chassis and engine duo is a winning combination, but thanks to the new hydraulic clutch control slow speed manoeuvring was even more of a doddle than before. The clutch was delicately light and easy to use, while at the very bottom end of the rev range the Scrambler Icon wasn’t jerky or erratic… it was just easy, and confidence-inspiring.
Thankfully though, due to the high bars and foot peg placement the Scrambler Icon didn’t feel like a toy; there was more than enough space for a bigger frame than mine, and you do get the impression that it’s a real, quality machine from the smooth Italian finish.
Thankfully the quality is carried through into the ride as well; although the forks and shock remain the same, they’ve been sprung completely differently for a softer feeling and added comfort, which means as we rode through towns, traffic or while just generally cruising the Scrambler was like a comfy armchair, absorbing some questionable road surfaces and handling speedbumps and potholes like an absolute champ.
In all honesty throughout the slow speed stuff the Scrambler Icon was near enough faultless; it was comfy, composed and nimble – all the ingredients necessary to create a quality city hack. This is ultimately where the Scrambler Icon was at its comfiest though, as the softer sprung suspension did start to show itself up slightly as we did some peg scraping through the mountain twisties.
It’s worth mentioning though that it was only when really pushing on that the front would be diving hard giving a slight wallow through to the rear, and when gunning it the Icon was a little loose. But then again, it was never built to beat a Panigale! Credit where credit is due though, as even so the Scrambler offered huge levels of stability in a straight line, which is always a concern with a bike of this nature.
Even the braking power was particularly strong here and it was incredible how much I was able to rely on the Bosch cornering ABS, which isn’t just a gimmick and does serve to make fast riding that much safer. At points when I was carrying too much speed mid-corner the ABS offered monumental peace of mind, meaning I was able to grab a bucket load of front brake and just let the internal IMU sort the rest, doing all the necessary calculations within fractions of a second to keep me upright without being too intrusive; although if you aren’t a fan of the tech, there’s no way of switching it off through the dash.
Impressively, the Pirelli off-road style MT 60 RS rubber held up incredibly well too, offering ample amounts of grip and feedback and doing a grand job of complementing the Icon’s plush chassis.
Ducati has been pitching the 2019 Scrambler Icon as a casual, easy or entry level machine; think T-shirt rather than shirt and tie – and thankfully, they’ve delivered an absolute corker which does exactly what Ducati intended. Okay, it’s not enormously different but it has a great basis that oozes as much style as it does substance. Yes, it’s not too happy when going mightily fast and it gets a little hot, but thanks to the stunning finish, features and price, the Icon really shouldn’t be sniffed at. If you’re reading this and you’re on the hunt for a slice of simple fun on two wheels, you won’t be going far wrong heading down to your local Ducati dealer…