2019 Ducati Scrambler 800: Variants Explained

Pin-up poster motorcycles that made you tremble at the thought of misusing the throttle, that was what Ducatis were meant to be. In order to attract more members into the Ducati clan, the Bologna boffins decided to temper down the manic nature, keep its stylish roots intact and offer it at a reasonable price. And what a bike the Scrambler turned out to be. Not only did it receive immediate acceptance, it also turned around fortunes for Ducati for the better.

It received a mid-life update for 2019, gaining small yet significant upgrades to make the riding experience better. It continues to come in different guises, four to be precise. What makes each one special? Here’s your guide:

Scrambler Icon
With styling reminiscent of the original 1962 Scrambler made by Ducati, the Scrambler Icon is the most common avatar that you will see on the roads. It is neither fancy nor capable of crushing boulders. But it is easy to ride and manage, especially in our city conditions. We rode the updated Icon in Thailand recently and were impressed with the upgrades. It has ditched the old red for a funky new tangerine colour.

Cafe Racer
As the name suggests, this version of the Scrambler is not really a scrambler but a cafe racer. It ditches the upright riding stance for a more committed one, thanks to the aluminium clip-ons and a new single-piece seat. The new cool blue livery is inspired from the 125 GP racer which carried a similar colour for its racing efforts. It does get 17-inch wire spoke rims shod with grippy Pirelli Diablo Rosso III rubber. It is sharper than the Icon, making it a hoot in the corners.

Full Throttle
Not only does the Italian marque have a rich racing heritage, it also has dabbled with flat track racing. To celebrate its flat track success, the Full Throttle gets a special Black and Yellow colour scheme. It gets side number holders to stick your racing number onto in case you ever decide to go flat-tracking. Plus, the wide bars and lower seat setup offer you that perfect riding stance for dragging your inside leg while the bike is sliding sideways.

Desert Sled
If you want a harcore off-roader and are not interested in adventure motorcycles, the Scrambler Desert Sled is one befitting motorcycle for the job. With long-travel suspension, knobby Pirelli tyres wrapped on 19-/17-inch wheels and a new tubular chassis with more reinforcements, this Scrambler is one of the truest representations of its genre. Mind you, it is a nutter and can be a handful when it comes to managing it on a daily basis.