2023-on Ducati Scrambler 800 Icon Review: Ride Dynamics, Features, Statistics, and Troubles

The Ducati Scrambler made an immediate impact when it was released in 2015. Agile, perky and brilliantly user friendly, the 803cc air-cooled V-twin was an undeniably fresh take for Ducati - establishing a brand within a brand, with its semi-enduro look aimed squarely at the trendy urban market.

But whether you bought into the hipster retro bike image or not, the original Icon set the Scrambler ball rolling because it was a fun, easy-going and charismatic bike to ride and to own.

Multiple Scrambler variants (and a kazillion accessories) followed the Icon along with sales figures that at times topped any of Ducati’s more potent machines. The Scrambler has been tweaked and updated, most noticeably in 2019, but now for 2023 some 80% of the bike is new, including an electronics package to help usher it into the modern era.

• Related: Get the look! Check out MCN's round up of urban riding boots.

There are improved rider aids, featuring Bosch cornering ABS and lean-sensitive traction control. A ride-by-wire throttle also brings two modes - Road and Sport - which are accessed by a crisp new 4.3-inch TFT dash. The characterful and free-revving 72.2bhp V-twin has been made Euro5 compliant too, despite retaining its authentically classic air-cooling.

Meanwhile, a revised frame, new swing arm and wheels, along with a lighter, more refined clutch, reduce the bike's weight by a claimed 4kg.

While the 'next-gen' Scrambler looks outwardly similar to its predecessor, the Icon's, erm, iconic retro styling is brought subtly up to date, while the rear shock is now centrally positioned, rather than side-mounted, and the seat is flatter and supposedly comfortable for longer for both rider and pillion.

All of which adds up to an even more involving ride. The Scrambler Icon is hard to fault, particularly when ridden in isolation, and the chassis and electronic updates simply inject a brisker edge to the ride, as well as providing a new and reassuring layer of safety. New riders will continue to love it as much as more experienced heads.

A key ingredient in the Scrambler success story is the degree to which owners can customise, personalise, tweak and generally configure their machines with factory kit. In fact, there are so many options available you'd be extremely lucky to see two identical bikes together. Not many production bikes come with three base colour options and six choices of secondary paint.

The first Scrambler was a relatively cheap stepping-stone into the Ducati brand. Prices have increased since 2015 obviously but the 2023 Icon remains just under £10,000 in its standard configuration. Build quality and finish are classy for any machine in any price bracket while the desirability of Ducati ownership permeates into the Scrambler range too.

One difference between 2015 and today is that the ten-grand market is now packed full of fun and interesting bikes. The Scrambler has much more competition and we have much more choice. For many, though, there is no other option; the Scrambler has a following and culture that can’t be ignored or replicated elsewhere.