Ducati Scrambler: The Italian retro V-twin in all its guises

The Ducati Scrambler is a family of affordable, retro-styled V-twin roadsters launched by the Italian superbike brand as entry-level machines into the marque. Inspired by Ducati's historic, 1960s and ‘70s single-cylinder Scrambler trail bikes, the machines are modern but modest-powered V-twins ranging from an A2-compliant 400 up to 1100cc, and coming in a variety of styles and spec levels.

To date, over a dozen different Scrambler models have been offered, with six remaining in the current line-up and many being updated as recently as 2023. These now range from the basic 800 Icon to the high-performance 1100 Sport Pro. All offer a modern, easy, heritage-style introduction to bikes with a distinctive V-twin delivery and characterful Ducati exhaust note.

History of Ducati Scrambler

• Ducati Scrambler 800 2015-date
• Ducati Scrambler 400 Sixty2 2016-2017
• Ducati Scrambler 1100 2018-date
• Next Ducati Scrambler

Ducati Scrambler 800 2015-date

Ducati Scrambler is the generic name given to the Italian firm’s family of heritage inspired, entry level, 800cc retro V-twins which was first introduced in 2015, been updated at least twice since and has evolved and expanded to include an A2 compatible 400 and, more recently, a more powerful, highly-specced 1100cc version.

The arrival of the new Scrambler had long been expected after the models was teased at various Ducati events and a prototype was spotted undergoing testing in 2014. 

The production version was officially unveiled at the end of that year and went on sale in 2015.

Initially, four variants were offered, all based around the same air-cooled, 75bhp, 803cc V-twin engine and tubular steel chassis, with the 2015 Scrambler Icon being the core model.

The other variants were the scrambler-style Urban Enduro and wire-wheeled Classic, both of which were short-lived, and the flat tracker styled Ducati Scrambler Full Throttle.

In 2016 a sportier version of the Full Throttle, the Flat Track Pro, was launched along with the smaller-engined, 400cc Sixty2, which was A2-licence compatible and which we'll deal with more fully further down the page. 

Further variants of the 800 Scrambler followed in 2017. These comprised the Scrambler Mach 2.0, along with the Scrambler Café Racer.

The third new Scrambler 800 model for 2017 was the eagerly awaited Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled, which was the most radically different Scrambler in so far as being ‘70s-inspired trail bike with genuine off-road ability thanks to its long-travel suspension and larger off-road wire wheels.

The 2019 Scrambler Icon arrived as the model's first significant update in 2019.



The Scrambler 800s were updated again in 2021, largely in order to meet the new Euro5 regulations, while the Nightshift model, a sort of urban trail bike, was added.

While in 2023, the remaining Scrambler 800s, now comprising the Icon, Full Throttle and Nightshift, received further, subtle updates.

Ducati Scrambler 400 Sixty2 2016-2017

Unveiled a year after the first four Scrambler 800s, the Ducati Scrambler Sixty2 was a significantly different model. 

The key difference was its small capacity engine, with a 399cc V-twin replacing the 803cc version. This produced less power, making it compliant with the A2 learner licence category, while slightly lower spec components helped make it cheaper, too. 

However, it wasn’t a great sales success and was withdrawn from sale after just two years.

Ducati Scrambler 1100 2018-date

A larger, more powerful, more highly specified version of the Scrambler 800 was unveiled in late 2017 and was intended to provide a heritage roadster V-twin experience to more demanding and experienced riders.

As with the 803cc version a number of different variants have been offered. In its first year three versions were available, the Scrambler, Special and Sport, all boasting 85bhp from the bigger 1079cc engine, and extra front disc for more stopping power and extra rider electronics.

In 2020 the three-bike 1100 range was changed to the Scrambler, Scrambler Pro and Scrambler Sport Pro. In 2021 the slightly cheaper, more basic 1100 Scrambler Dark Pro was added, while in 2022, the 1100 Scrambler Tribute Pro was added.

What to expect from the next Ducati Scrambler

Looking forward, with the Scrambler proving a huge Ducati success story as its entry-level range with over 100,000 machines sold, the Scrambler is sure to continue for many years to come.

The most recent updates were to the Icon 800, which gained upgraded electronics, styling and TFT dash, with similar tweaks now expected in the near future for the 1100.