Ducati Scrambler - your in-depth guide to Bologna's retro roadster, including special editions and future concepts

The first Ducati Scrambler models arrived in the UK for 2015, having been launched at the Intermot motorcycle show in Cologne, Germany in late 2014.

Inspired by the Ducati Scrambler 450 of the 1960s, this new breed of gentle roadsters were designed to cash in on the booming retro bike craze sweeping across Europe – with riders ditching traditional nakeds and hunched over sportsbikes in favour of a more relaxed, stylish ride, with plenty of opportunity for customisation.

The Scrambler family promised this in abundance, and the original 800 model was available as a standard Icon, plus a Full Throttle, Classic and Urban Enduro flavour. This was followed by countless more iterations, accessories, and tie-ups with high profile customisers like Roland Sands.

All four originals were powered by an 803cc air-cooled twin-cylinder motor from the Monster 796 naked, producing a claimed 75bhp at 8250rpm, and 50.2lbft of torque at 5750rpm – meaning they could be restricted to fit an A2 licence.

It was hoped that they would appeal to a new wave of younger riders, as well as existing Ducati customers.

Since that initial quartet appeared, the Scrambler name has remained a constant in Ducati’s range – with the Bologna brand adding larger and smaller capacities along the way. The 10-year anniversary of the name has been marked in 2025 with a £13,095 Scrambler 10° Anniversario Rizoma Edition model, limited to 500 units.

• Related: Ducati Scrambler Van Orton bodywork launched

In late 2022, the Scrambler 800s got their first major overhaul, with a new frame, swing arm and wheels. In fact, some 80% of the bike was said to be new, including an electronics package. It came available as an Icon, Full Throttle, or Nightshift.

As of 2025, only the Ducati Scrambler 800 remains in Ducati’s range, however the Bologna brand launched a pair of official concept models at the 2024 Bike Shed Moto Show in London, suggesting more could be on the way very soon.

Ducati Scramblers over the years

Jump to:

• Ducati Scrambler 800 (2015-2018)
• Ducati Scrambler Sixty2 (2016-2022)
• Ducati Scrambler 800 Mach 2.0 (2017-2018)
• Ducati Scrambler 800 Desert Sled (2017-2022)
• Ducati Scrambler 1100 (2018-2019)
• Ducati Scrambler 800 Icon (2019-2022)
• Ducati Scrambler 1100 (2020-2024)
• Ducati Scrambler 800 Icon (2023-on)

Ducati Scrambler 800 (2015-2018) overview and key specs

The Ducati Scrambler story began in 2015 with four 800 models, powered by an A2 licence restrictable 803cc air-cooled V-twin. The first four models were the Icon, Full Throttle, Classic and Urban Enduro.

Given the immediate success of the model line, Ducati expanded to include further 800 models including an £8995 Ducati Scrambler Flat Track Pro just a year later.

Read our in-depth Ducati Scrambler 800 (2015-2018) review.

Ducati Scrambler Sixty2 (2016-2022) overview and key specs

The Ducati Scrambler Sixty2 was powered by a smaller 399cc V-twin engine, producing an A2-ready 41bhp. It shared a similar look to the 800, but was more affordable and easier to ride – created with the soul intention of attracting younger riders to the Italian brand.

Although its performance was criticised by some, it was arguably way ahead of its time – with 350-400cc retro roadsters currently dominating UK sales charts.

Read our in-depth Ducati Scrambler Sixty2 (2016-2022) review.

Ducati Scrambler 800 Mach 2.0 (2017-2018) overview and key specs

The Mach 2.0 took the standard Icon Scrambler launched in 2015 and applied the legendary Roland Sands name, a special paint scheme and dropped bars, as well as over £1200 to the asking price.

Ducati Scrambler 800 Desert Sled (2017-2022) overview and key specs

The Desert Sled arrived in 2017 to take over from the largely unpopular Urban Enduro. Unlike its predecessor, it was capable of some off-road adventures, and featured looks reminiscent of the legendary Yamaha XT500.

Built on the air-cooled 800 platform, it used a 19in front and 17in rear wheel and was one of the longest-standing members of the Scrambler family.

Two versions of the Sled were available, with updates coming in 2021 to achieve Euro5 compliance. It was discontinued during the Scrambler 800’s radical overhaul for 2023.

Also arriving in the same year was a Scrambler Café racer, which used road-biased 17in wheels, and clip-on bars. It’s no longer found in the line-up after being deemed too extreme of a riding position for the traditional Scrambler clientele.

Read our in-depth Ducati Scrambler 800 Desert Sled (2017-2022) review.

Ducati Scrambler 1100 (2018-2019) overview and key specs

With a number of larger capacity retro machines arriving from Ducati’s rivals such as the BMW R nineT and Yamaha XSR900, the Italian brand launched a Scrambler 1100 family for 2018.

It was first available in three variants; the standard 1100, the 1100 Special and the 1100 Sport.

Much like the original 800 recipe, the 1100 models shared the same base and 1079cc 4v V-twin engine, with a twin disc set-up at the front, plus additional electronic aids.

Differentiating features included a special seat, lower tapered handlebars, plus fully-adjustable Öhlins suspension for the Sport.

Read our in-depth Ducati Scrambler 1100 (2018-2019) review.

Ducati Scrambler 800 Icon (2019-2022) overview and key specs

To keep the Scrambler 800 fresh, Ducati gave it some light updates for 2019. Changes included daytime running lights, and lean-sensitive, dual channel cornering ABS, with the bike remaining simple and easy to ride as before.

In 2020 the Ducati Scrambler Icon Dark was introduced to the line-up, featuring a black and silver paint scheme.

Read our in-depth Ducati Scrambler 800 Icon (2019-2022) review.

Ducati Scrambler 1100 (2020-2024) overview and key specs

The second-generation Scrambler 1100 twins were updated for 2020 and Euro5 emissions regulations. The same air-cooled 1079cc Desmo twin remained, available as either a Pro, Sport Pro, or Pro Dark flavour.

An 1100 Tribute Pro joined the party in 2021, before the entire family was discontinued at the end of 2024 – failing to meet more stringent Euro5+ regulations.

Read our in-depth Ducati Scrambler 1100 (2020-2024) review.

Ducati Scrambler 800 Icon (2023-on) overview and key specs

The latest update to the Scrambler 800 dynasty came in late 2022, ahead of the 2023 riding season – with around 80% of the parts changed over the previous design.

Still an 803cc air-cooled retro roadster, there is now improved rider aids, featuring Bosch cornering ABS and lean-sensitive traction control.

A ride-by-wire throttle brings two riding modes, plus a new 4.3-inch TFT dash, and Euro5 compliance. There was also a revised frame, new swing arm and wheels, along with a lighter, more refined clutch, and a claimed 4kg less weight.

It’s currently available as an Icon, Icon Dark, Full Throttle, Nightshift, and limited-run 10° Anniversario Rizoma Edition.

Read our in-depth Ducati Scrambler 800 Icon (2023-on) review.

Ducati Scrambler long-term tests

In 2015, Production Editor Simon Brown spent a year with the original Ducati Scrambler Full Throttle and loved it so much that he bought one himself!

In 2019, Simon once again lived with a new Scrambler – this time the clip-on clad Café Racer model, even taking a spin out on track. Although enjoying his time with the bike, he didn’t make another purchase.

In 2018, former Sport reporter, Oli Rushby also spent the year with the Ducati Scrambler 1100 Special – pushing it past its comfort zone with a 2500-mile round trip to the Austrian Grand Prix.