Ducati SCRAMBLER 400 Sixty2 2017 — Specifications

Who would have bet on a Ducati under 40 horsepower? Yet, with the Scrambler 400 Sixty2, the Bologna manufacturer took the bold gamble of attracting novices and A2 license holders under its aura, without compromising on style. The result is a motorcycle with a dual personality, as seductive as it is frustrating, which deserves more than just a glance at the badge.

From the first look, the magic works. It inherits the entire nonchalant charm of its larger 800 sibling: this trellis frame, the LED corona headlight, this low and relaxed silhouette. At a standstill, it’s impossible to distinguish it from a high-end model, and that’s the art of Ducati. The 79 cm seat height is a real asset, making the motorcycle accessible to all body types. But open the hood, and the compromise appears. The air-cooled L-twin sees its displacement reduced to 399 cm3 to deliver 41 horsepower at 8750 rpm and 34.3 Nm of torque. A power output perfectly calibrated for the A2 license on the Ducati Scrambler 400 Sixty2, but which sounds just short of the Icon’s 75 horsepower. The soul is there, the sound too, but with less fire.

This philosophy of accessibility is also felt in the chassis. Farewell to the inverted fork, replaced by a classic 41 mm one. The Brembo radial caliper gives way to a two-piston axial one, and the swingarm goes from aluminum to steel. Ducati even trimmed back on the details, with simpler mirrors and a 160 rear tire instead of 180. These choices, assumed for the segment, are justified up to a certain point. The braking, although less bitey, remains effective, and the motorcycle, with its 183 kg fully fueled, retains incredible agility in the city. The weight of the Ducati Scrambler 400 Sixty2 is well mastered, contributing to its playful side.

And that’s where the shoe pinches. Because the test of the Ducati Scrambler 400 Sixty2 reveals a pleasant, easy and stylish motorcycle, its price of 7990 euros at the time made teeth grind. It then cost only 600 euros less than the Scrambler Icon, much more generous in terms of equipment and performance. At this price, you can feel the paradox of a low-cost motorcycle that isn’t really. It positions itself as a high-end rival to the Royal Enfield 650 or the Honda CB500X, but with a purely emotional argument. Its top speed, around 150 km/h, is sufficient for occasional highway use, but confirms its role as an urban or countryside touring machine.

So, who is it for? For the aspiring motorcyclist for whom the Ducati badge is a dream, and who is willing to pay a premium for the design and image, even if it means having less hardware. For those looking for a deal on the Ducati Scrambler 400 Sixty2 to enter the family without breaking the bank. It’s a love-at-first-sight motorcycle, not a rational choice. It charms with its look and approach, but irritates with its price positioning which seems to contradict its uninhibited spirit. A small Scrambler yes, but at a high price.