Ducati has launched a refreshed version of their Scrambler Icon internationally. The motorcycle gets fresh cosmetic upgrades as well as some new electronics.
On the design front, the bike now shares the LED headlamp, DRL, and LED turn indicators with the bigger Scrambler 1100. The blacked out cylinder heads and 10-spoke wheels too are derived from the 1100. It sports new interchangeable aluminium side panels, aluminium belt cover and redesigned exhaust muffler. It also gets a new ‘Atomic Tangerine’ color option.
Though, the most important of the new features has to be the dual channel cornering ABS sourced from Bosch. In fact, when launched in India the Icon will be the most affordable premium motorcycle to be equipped with cornering ABS in our country. There’s also a new hydraulic clutch with adjustable lever, to ensure that the lever-handlebar gap can be adapted to individual preferences.
There are minor upgrades in the dimensions of the bike. The seat height is increased by 8mm while the bike’s maximum width has grown by 10mm. The 2019 Icon weighs 186kg (wet) which makes it 3kg heavier than the current Icon.
Nonetheless there are no changes to the engine as it will be powered by the same 803cc L-twin that makes 72bhp @ 8,250 rpm and 67Nm of torque @ 5,750 rpm and all the power will be transmitted through a standard six-speed transmission and the new hydraulically controlled slipper clutch.
In 2015 the Ducati Scrambler became the world’s 10th best-selling bike over 500 cc, an absolute first for the Bologna-based bike manufacturer. And four years on from the brand launch, more than 55,000 Scrambler bikes have been sold worldwide. So the updated Icon is surely a value addition to the Scrambler family and we expect it to be launched in India soon. The current bike is priced at Rs 7.27 lakh (ex-showroom, PAN India) and because of the additional goodies on the new Icon, it will be priced slightly higher.