Ducati Scrambler 800 Full Throttle 2023 — Specifications

So, you think you’re buying a piece of history and end up with a motorcycle that had to learn Euro5 manners? That’s the dilemma with this 2023 Ducati Scrambler 800 Full Throttle. It returns after an absence, proudly displaying its large 62 on the badge, a nod to the original 1962 model, but it must contend with current realities. The result is an ambiguous machine, as seductive as it is frustrating.

Beneath its flat track rebel appearance, the heart beats with the loyalty of an old soldier. The 803 cc L-twin still spits out 73 horsepower at 8250 rpm, a figure that hasn’t changed in years, and its 65.7 Nm of torque remains a good companion for brisk acceleration. Progress lies in the weight loss: 4 kilos less on the scale, thanks in part to revised frame and swingarm, for a total of 185 kg fully fueled. You can feel that Bologna wanted to keep its soul while bringing it into the 21st century with riding modes (Road and Rain) and adjustable traction control. The 4.3-inch color TFT instrumentation contributes to this, even if its "retro" bezel feels a bit gimmicky.

But that’s where the trouble lies. The Termignoni exhaust makes a noise, certainly, but where did the wild double silencer of previous generations go, like on the 2015 or 2017 Ducati Scrambler 800 Full Throttle? It was sacrificed on the altar of homologation, hidden with a less-than-glorious de-resonating chamber. The flat track aesthetics are there, with its ridiculously short front fender, specific seat, and lowered handlebars. The cycle parts, with its 41 mm Kayaba inverted fork and Brembo brakes (a 330 mm disc at the front), are effective and identical to the Icon version. It’s solid, but a more premium treatment would have been appreciated for this supposedly "full throttle" version.

Who is it for? Not the purist looking for an opportunity to buy a 2018 or 2019 Ducati Scrambler 800 Full Throttle, more raw. No, this 2023 targets the stylish urbanite who wants scrambler attitude and modern reliability, without wanting to get their hands dirty. Its price of €12,390 places it in the demanding mid-cylinder class, facing competitors like the Triumph Street Scrambler. It has charm to spare, handling aided by a 795 mm seat, and its 13.5-liter tank offers decent range. But it also symbolizes compromise: it has gained civility what it may have lost in character. A test ride of the 2023 Ducati Scrambler 800 Full Throttle is necessary to feel if this spark survives beneath the layers of regulation.