Ducati Scrambler Sixty2 (MY2016) — Scrambler
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2016–2020 · Scrambler · Buyer's Guide

Scrambler Sixty2 (MY2016)

3.5 / 5 NastyNils Rating · against its class

Real Ducati, Learner Friendly

The Machine's Character

The Sixty2 is the way into Ducati's Scrambler family, and it takes that job seriously instead of treating it as a stripped-down afterthought. A 399 cc air-cooled L-twin makes 42 hp at 8,750 rpm and 25 lb-ft at 8,000 rpm through a six-speed box and a chain. Around it sits a genuine scrambler chassis: 5.9 in (150 mm) of travel at both ends, an 18-inch front wheel, a single 320 mm front disc, and ABS as standard equipment. At 403 lb (183 kg) wet with a 31.1 in seat, the numbers describe a bike built to be ridden often, not admired from a stool.

It rides the way it looks. Light steering, low mass and a seat you can reach the ground from mean you stop thinking about the machine within a few blocks, and that ease holds up over a long Sunday loop. This is for the rider who wants Italian style and real character without a power figure that demands respect every time the throttle opens. The honest caveat: 42 hp arrives high in the rev range, so it wants to be revved to feel alive, and there is no traction control or ride mode to lean on when the road turns greasy.

Hard Numbers

Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.

Show full specs & equipment Hide specs & equipment
Key specifications
Power 42 hp (31 kW) @ 8,750 rpm
Torque 25 lb-ft (34 Nm) @ 8,000 rpm
Displacement 399 cc400cc Motorcycles →
Engine 90° V-twinMotorcycles With V-Twin Engines →
Cooling Air-cooled
Gearbox 6-speed
Final drive Chain
Fork Telescopic
Front brake 320 mm
Front tire 110/80-18
Rear tire 160/60-17
Wheelbase 57.5 in (1460 mm)
Front travel 5.9 in (150 mm)
Rear travel 5.9 in (150 mm)
Seat height 31.1 in (790 mm)
Wet weight 403 lb (183 kg)
Fuel capacity 3.7 gal (14 L)

Equipment check

Chassis

  • Manually Adjustable Rear Suspension Standard

Comfort

Safety

  • ABS Standard
Aerial panoramic view of Dead Horse Point State Park near Moab, Utah. The Colorado River winds through deeply layered red-rock canyons and mesas characteristic of the high desert terrain. The arid landscape extends toward distant mountains under a partly cloudy sky. Daylight conditions, good visibility.
Drew Burks / Pexels

The Truth on the Street

This part isn't measured, it's listened to. Years of pit lane talk, dealer lot conversations, club nights, and a steady inbox from people who own one. What comes back on the Sixty2 lines up from one rider to the next: easy to get along with, good to look at, short on muscle when the pace picks up.

What Riders Praise Without Prompting

Four things come up again and again. Riders call the L-twin smooth and unthreatening, an engine that stays predictable even while a newer rider is still learning. Handling gets one word more than any other: nimble. Light to steer, balanced in traffic, settled enough through a set of corners that confidence builds fast. Owners rate the styling and finish well above what they paid, steel tank included. The front brake gets the same steady credit, strong and dependable.

Where The Chatter Turns Critical

Two complaints recur, and they're just as steady. Riders say the bike runs out of push on the highway and when a pass needs to happen quickly, describing the acceleration as leisurely rather than urgent. The other note is ride quality: with no adjustment at the fork and preload only at the shock, some owners find it harsh once the surface breaks up.

Known issues

  • Side stand pivot bolt defect (recall)

    chassis common Recall

    The side stand pivot bolt may fail, causing the stand to deploy unexpectedly or the sensor to malfunction, potentially leading to engine stalling or riding with the stand down.

  • Oil leaks from filter or loose bolts

    engine occasional

    Some owners report oil leaks, often traced to a loose oil filter or improperly torqued engine bolts from the factory.

The Expert Benchmark

Where this Ducati Scrambler Sixty2 pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.

What kind of bike this is — character vs. the class

This bike Class average

Head-to-head: Ducati Scrambler Sixty2 vs. its rivals

The 'Should I Buy It?' Score

Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the Scrambler Sixty2 is actually built for.

A scenic view of Angeles Crest Highway winding through rugged Southern California canyon terrain. Rocky mountainsides with golden earth tones frame the asphalt road with tight sweeping curves. Double yellow center line visible, sparse vegetation along the shoulders, clear blue sky with white clouds. Daylight, dry conditions. Iconic location for canyon-road enthusiasts.
Josh Sorenson / Pexels

Best retro motorcycle for road trips?

Small towns, easy pace and roads like the Kancamagus suit this bike well. Just plan around a 3.7 gal tank and no factory luggage system, because both will shape your day.

Made for Park Loop Road · Handbuilt Motorcycle Show · Blue Ridge Parkway

Best motorcycle for Texas Hill Country?

It will happily string together the Hill Country loops if you keep the revs up. Riders chasing outright pace will run out of engine long before they run out of road.

Made for Texas Hill Country · Texas Hill Country BDR-X · Twisted Sisters

Alternatives to the Ducati Scrambler Sixty2

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 Sixty2. “cheaper/pricier” is what that bike costs second-hand, not how worn it is.

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