Ducati SCRAMBLER 400 Sixty2 2019 — Specifications

Can you fall in love with a motorcycle that costs you a bit? That's the question posed by the Ducati Scrambler 400 Sixty2. This is a machine that, on paper, ticks all the boxes of the accessible myth: the iconic look of the Scrambler, a 399 cm3 displacement perfect for the A2 license, and this promise of Italian nonchalance. However, as soon as you dig deeper, the picture becomes severely nuanced. With only 40 horsepower drawn from its L-twin, you are far from the ferocity of the 800. The top speed is capped at 150 km/h, which is sufficient for national roads or relaxed outings, but do not expect lyrical flights. The power of the Ducati Scrambler 400 Sixty2 is clearly calibrated for learning or quiet cruising, not for the thrill of high RPM.

The heart of the debate is its price. At 7990 euros, it sits in a price category that makes you hesitate. You can find better-equipped Japanese competitors for less, and even retros like the Mash 400 at a much more attractive price. Of course, you are buying a Ducati badge, a trellis frame recognizable among thousands, and this design that "smells of vacation and surfboard," as they say. But to make the machine more affordable, the manufacturer has made drastic cuts. Farewell to the inverted fork, replaced by a classic telehydraulic fork. The radial Brembo caliper gives way to a more basic axial model, the swingarm is made of steel, and the tank loses its aluminum plates. Even the rear tire narrows to 160. The weight? 183 kg fully fueled, which is not excessive but is felt when stationary. What is the weight of a Ducati Scrambler 400 Sixty2? Enough to remind you that you are not dealing with a simple trinket.

So, who is it for? For the wealthy and stylish novice who absolutely wants to start on a Ducati, without worrying about value for money. For the person for whom the image and emotion of the air-cooled 90° twin are worth the extra cost. After a Ducati Scrambler 400 Sixty2 test ride, you leave with a mixed feeling. The motorcycle is pleasant, easy to handle, its engine delivers its 34.3 Nm of torque smoothly. It does the job for urban riding or country roads. But it sorely lacks bite and finish considering its price tag. Looking for a used Ducati Scrambler 400 Sixty2 might be a wiser option to cushion the shock.

Ultimately, this Sixty2 – a tribute to the first Scrambler of 1962 – is a pleasant but financially miscalibrated motorcycle. It will seduce the unconditional aesthete of the brand, ready to pay the premium for the badge. But for the rational motorcyclist looking for an efficient and fun A2 machine, the comparison with the competition is merciless. Here is a beautiful object, a symbol, but not the value for money of the segment. The announced philosophy of accessibility clashes with a price that remains, objectively, difficult to justify.