Back in September 2018, Ducati first unveiled the updated Scrambler Icon 800 for 2019. It features cosmetic tweaks, tech, and features as part of the update. This model will go on sale in India on April 26, along with other variants of the 800, like the Desert Sled and the Café Racer. Ducati has discontinued the Urban Enduro worldwide, but the other variant – Full Throttle – will be launched in India at a later date.
One of the biggest changes on the new Scrambler Icon is the addition of cornering ABS, which, as Ducati explains, allows “you to make a panic stop while at full lean, without crashing.” Interestingly, this will make the Scrambler Icon the most affordable model in India to feature this tech. The bike also gets 10-spoke alloy wheels that appear to be borrowed from its larger sibling – the Scrambler 1100. Ducati has opted to equip the Scrambler Icon with a flatter seat than before, too.
Other changes include LED DRLs, some revisions to the instrument cluster (fuel gauge and gear indicator), more premium switchgear, revised side panels, exhaust muffler and a brushed finish on the engine casing. Other mechanical changes include a hydraulic clutch control with adjustable levers, both of which are seen on the Scrambler 1100 as well. Lastly, the new Icon can be equipped with Ducati Multimedia System (Bluetooth connectivity) as an optional extra. When paired, the screen will show data like calls, messages and music information. Ducati has added a new ‘atomic tangerine’ colour to the Icon as well.
The outgoing Scrambler Icon is priced at Rs 7.28 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) and, for all the new equipment, Ducati could possibly charge you an extra Rs 30,000-40,000. We could even see the company surprise us like they did with the Scrambler 1100 and price the 800 more competitively. A move like this would also not hinder the popularity of this motorcycle. To give you an idea of its popularity, the company sold 55,000 units worldwide of the Scrambler range since its debut around four years ago.
Azaman Chothia
Vishal Venugopal
