Ducati SCRAMBLER 800 Desert Sled 2019 — Specifications

Can a Ducati really play the adventurer without making a fuss? With the Scrambler 800 Desert Sled, the brand from Borgo Panigale answers in the affirmative, offering much more than a simple retro makeover on dirt roads. This model, available from 2017 to 2020 and for which beautiful used examples can now be found, is a clear statement of intent: dust and tarmac can share the same passion.

Beneath its vintage adventurer look, the Desert Sled hides a serious mechanical reinforcement. The steel tubular frame is specifically reinforced, and the swingarm is modified to absorb impacts. The 46 mm Kayaba inverted fork and the single shock absorber offer a generous 200 mm stroke, increasing ground clearance. With a 860 mm seat height, it commands respect, but this arrangement is the price to pay for its true off-road capability. The displayed weight, 209 kg fully fueled, is forgotten once in motion thanks to a well-controlled center of gravity.

The engine, for its part, is a familiar acquaintance. The 803 cm3 L-twin delivers its 73 horsepower with that mischievous character and its charming torque of 67.7 Nm. It doesn't have the brute power of an adversary like the Triumph Scrambler 1200, but it has soul. For the Ducati Scrambler 800 Desert Sled test, we especially retain its immediate pleasure, its ability to bring a smile on any type of course. Injection has been refined over the years, especially on the 2019 version, for smoother operation, while respecting Euro 4 standard.

On the equipment side, the evolutions are significant on recent models. Hydraulic clutch command, adjustable levers, and a dashboard enriched with a fuel gauge and gear indicator are welcome. Discreet but effective electronics offer ABS with Cornering function and an “Off-road” mode to release the rear wheel. The brakes, with a four-piston Brembo radial caliper at the front, inspire absolute confidence. And to personalize the machine, Ducati offers a multitude of accessories, including Ducati Scrambler 800 Desert Sled silencers that will unleash the unique voice of the L-Twin.

The Ducati Scrambler 800 Desert Sled does not claim to be an extreme rally machine. It rather targets the adventurous globetrotter, the one who seeks a stylish companion, capable of leaving the asphalt for a forest track without trembling. Its new price, around 12,000 euros at the time, placed it in a niche where style and character were paramount. Today, on the used market, it represents a compelling proposition for those who want a motorcycle with a strong identity, as comfortable in the city as on country roads. It is a motorcycle that has panache, and fully embraces its heritage of sand scramblers.