Ducati SCRAMBLER 800 Classic 2017 — Specifications

Are you looking for a motorcycle that has character before a cluttered dashboard, a machine that smells of hot rubber and gasoline rather than electronics? Take a look at this Ducati Scrambler 800 Classic, a mischievous nod to the 1970s that hasn’t forgotten that you ride in 2017. It doesn't pretend to be an antique, it just plays the part, with its “Orange Sunshine” tank accented with black, its brown leather seat, and its spoked rims. It’s unapologetic retro, but without the old hassles.

Beneath this vintage finish, the heart beats with a welcome modernity. The 803 cm3 L-twin cylinder, partly inherited from the older Monster models, is a real powerhouse. With 75 horsepower at 8250 rpm and a torque of 67.7 Nm available relatively early, it doesn't seek a specification war. It is the last Ducati engine with air cooling and two valves, a mechanical simplicity that gives it a frank character and an immediate response. We are far from overpowered warheads, and that’s a good thing. The pleasure is in the raw sensation, the deep sound, and the linear progression. Riding the Ducati Scrambler 800 Classic is rediscovering the taste of honest propulsion, without artifice.

The platform, however, is serious. A steel frame, a 41 mm inverted fork, a Brembo radial 4-piston front brake biting a 330 mm disc, and ABS as standard. With 186 kg fully fueled and a seat height of 79 cm, the motorcycle is accessible and maneuverable. It forgives, it encourages. Pirelli Dual Sport tires and 150 mm suspension travel at both ends even allow it to leave the tarmac for a clean path, just to justify its Scrambler name. It’s a machine for those who want style without compromising on substance, for the relaxed traveler or the urban dweller seeking personality.

However, all of this comes at a price, and it stings: 10,650 euros at the time. You’re clearly paying for the badge, the aura, and the brilliant marketing of the premium neo-retro. At that price, you’re bordering on the territory of technically more advanced competitors. But the magic works. The Ducati Scrambler 800 Classic, whether from 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, or 2019, is not just an object. It’s an emotion on two wheels, a guaranteed smile with every start. A flaw? Perhaps its 13.5-liter tank is a little small for long raids. But let's admit it, we quickly forgive it, seduced by its nonchalance and disarming charm.