2019–2022 · Scrambler · Buyer's Guide
Italian Style You Can Ride
The 2019 Scrambler Icon takes the air-cooled 803 cc L-twin and wraps it in the cleanest expression of the scrambler look the class offers. You get 73 hp and 49 lb-ft, a six-speed box, and a light 417 lb wet weight that keeps everything friendly. This isn't a naked bike wearing costume jewelry. The USD fork, 18-inch front wheel, 5.9 in of travel at both ends, and a 31.4 in seat give it real proportions and a genuine reason to exist beyond styling. Cornering ABS comes standard, so the safety net is modern even if the attitude is vintage.
It rides the way it looks: relaxed, upright, and eager to be ridden without ceremony. The torque arrives low and the chassis stays composed at highway speed, which makes it a natural weekend companion rather than a canyon weapon. It ages well if you keep after it, and the aftermarket is deep enough to make it your own. The honest caveats are ownership details, not character flaws. The chain rusts fast without regular lube, the shift-lever pivot bolt can back off, and a few bikes seep oil around the filter or drain plug. Watch the front rotor for early warping too.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 73 hp (54 kW) @ 8,250 rpm |
|---|---|
| Torque | 49 lb-ft (67 Nm) @ 5,750 rpm |
| Displacement | 803 cc |
| Engine | L-twin |
| Cooling | Air-cooled |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
| Final drive | Chain |
| Fork | Upside-down (USD) |
| Front brake | 330 mm |
| Front tire | 110/80-R18 |
| Rear tire | 180/55-R17 |
| Front travel | 5.9 in (150 mm) |
| Rear travel | 5.9 in (150 mm) |
| Seat height | 31.4 in (798 mm) |
| Wet weight | 417 lb (189 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 3.6 gal (13.5 L) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Comfort
Connectivity
Safety
Swing a leg over and the low 31.4 in seat drops you into a natural, upright triangle that suits tall and short riders alike. The bars are wide, the reach is short, and your feet fall right under you. Fire the L-twin and it settles into that unmistakable air-cooled thrum, a lazy mechanical heartbeat you feel through the pegs and tank more than you hear. At real road pace the Icon feels light and unfussed, flicking side to side with almost no effort from the wide bars. The 417 lb heft simply disappears once you're rolling. There's a bit of vibration in the mirrors as the revs climb, the kind that reminds you this engine has character rather than the kind that numbs your hands. Wind gathers on your chest above 70 mph, but the bike stays planted and calm. It's a machine that rewards easy riding, not aggression.
This isn't drawn from any ride of mine. It's the collected voice of owners who've talked my ear off over the years, in the paddock, in casual conversations, and in the steady run of emails and messages riders send me directly. For the Icon that chatter points one direction: an approachable, confidence-building machine, with the friction showing up mainly in tight urban riding.
Riders come back again and again to how manageable the Icon feels, light and quick to change direction when they're threading through town or linking back roads. The 803 L-twin earns the same kind of praise: its power builds smoothly and predictably, approachable enough to keep newer riders relaxed while still holding the interest of those with plenty of seasons behind them. Scrubbing speed into a bend, owners note the cornering ABS working quietly in the background, stepping in without drama and leaving a clear sense of security.
The one recurring knock is bar width. The same broad bars that give such easy leverage can get in the way when traffic tightens, making it harder to slip through narrow gaps than some owners would like.
Engine hesitation and stalling
Some owners report occasional engine stalling or a hesitation before accelerating, often accompanied by popping from the exhaust.
Warped front brake rotor
The front rotor may warp prematurely, leading to pulsing at the lever.
Oil leaks from filter or sump bolt
Some bikes develop oil seepage around the oil filter or drain plug, often due to insufficient torque from the factory.
Chain rusts quickly without lubrication
The original chain is prone to surface rust unless regularly cleaned and lubricated, more so than on some other bikes.
Shift lever bolt loosening
The shift lever pivot bolt can work loose over time, causing imprecise or difficult shifting.
Where this Ducati Scrambler Icon pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the Scrambler Icon is actually built for.
For loose, sociable Saturday loops out of Austin or San Antonio, the Icon fits. It's light, easy, and stays composed on faster stretches, though it's a relaxed companion for the twisties, not a hard-charging sport tool.
Made for Austin / Texas Hill Country · Twisted Sisters · Austin / Handbuilt Motorcycle Show
This is your lane. The looks carry any small-town main street, the upright seat keeps you fresh on historic routes, and the deep aftermarket lets you shape it. Just plan the 3.6 gal tank around your stops.
Made for Acadia National Park · Austin / Handbuilt Motorcycle Show · Blue Ridge Parkway
The scrambler style and air-cooled thrum bring real presence to a rally, but this is a light 417 lb roadster, not a big-inch cruiser. If sound and low-end lope define the ride for you, it may feel small.
Made for A1A — Florida Atlantic Coast · Black Hills / Sturgis Rally Hub · Daytona Main Street / Bike Week
If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
Any price note compares both bikes at the same age — the youngest age both have on the used market — against this Ducati Scrambler Icon. “cheaper/pricier” is what that bike costs second-hand, not how worn it is.
