It’s been boomtown in Bologna ever since Ducati unveiled its Scrambler household of bikes, with its numbers rising to fill loads of niches within the phase. The one which began all of it was the Scrambler Icon, which continues to be using a wave of reward from its 2019 refresh with highlights that embody cornering ABS, suspension tweaks, new sprint performance, a reshaped saddle, and a lighter clutch.Two seasons in the past, the Italian model reached into its bag of methods and revealed its most reasonably priced mannequin but—the Scrambler Icon Darkish. The intense hues typically seen in Ducati’s Land of Pleasure are exchanged for a pretty black visage and a decrease $8995 MSRP.
We put the 2022 Ducati Scrambler Icon Darkish to the check on the highways, byways, and backroads to hit you with the Quick Information.
- Much less is extra with Darkish fashions. Ducati has an extended historical past with the “Darkish” moniker, courting again to the 1998 Monster M600 Darkish, forgoing flashy shade choices for sable-draped parts and saving you coin on the until. Mechanically, the 2022 Ducati Scrambler Icon Darkish ($8995) is an identical to the Scrambler Icon ($9995); solely minor beauty variations set them aside. The Icon Darkish takes on glossy gloss and matte-black finishes, ditches machined gildings on its 10-spoke cast-aluminum wheels, and opts for spherical mirrors, in addition to a black ring mounted to its brilliant LED DRL (daytime working mild). That’s fairly a little bit of scratch again in your pocket if the darker theme appeals to you.
- An air-cooled 803cc L-twin engine captures the traditional Ducati vibe. The Scrambler’s tried and true beating coronary heart pumps out a good 73 horsepower at 8250 rpm and a wholesome 49 ft-lbs of torque at 5750 rpm—loads of punch to allure salty veterans whereas making certain newer riders can absolutely embrace its user-friendly wallop. This spunky twin-cylinder mill dolls out its energy through an especially welcoming torque curve, delivering its beautiful sampling of energy with simply the correct amount of zest. A boisterous exhaust burble is your soundtrack when twisting the graceful throttle and retains it old fashioned with no fiddly experience modes. It’s a flexible, one-size-fits-all powerplant that works nicely throughout the board.
- The straightforward-going nature carries on by way of to the six-speed gearbox. Properly-spaced ratios and a pleasant serving of torque constantly ship energy when requested, however with all that accessible bottom-end shove, short-shifting and letting your throttle-hand do the work is a strong method. Add in a light-weight hydraulic clutch pull with an adjustable lever and a slipper clutch to maintain wheel-hop at bay, and you may see how the Scrambler builds on an inviting motif.
- Comfy ergonomics swimsuit the Scrambler’s many functions. The Icon and Icon Darkish’s informal using place begins with a large handlebar that props you bolt upright, although there’s nonetheless wiggle room to get your elbows out within the canyons or on a path. Complementing that facet is a flat 31.4-inch-tall saddle that allows you to scooch from side to side as wanted. The slim chassis accentuates the accommodating seat top, aiding shorter-statured riders in reaching the deck. Rounding out the contact factors are rubber-mounted footpegs low sufficient to stop knee-bend whereas not compromising cornering clearance.
- Playful dealing with is what this bike is all about. The 2022 Ducati Scrambler Icon Darkish’s comparatively small dimension pays off in a giant means because it interprets to a motorcycle that may thread the site visitors needle, whip by way of canyons gleefully, and even go for a cheeky rip on a hardpacked grime highway with little to no effort. Stout and steady by way of the corners due to relaxed geometry, the Scrambler scoots alongside fortunately and is kind of able to working a respectably brisk clip on the twisty routes. These traits encourage the enjoyable and lean angles, which may result in scraping the exhaust defend, reminding you to reel it in a hair.
- The 2022 Scrambler Icon’s plush suspension holds as much as the duty at hand. Putting a steadiness is all the time difficult, but the non-adjustable fork and preload-adjustable shock stand as much as the trials of the highway handily. A compliant setup gobbles up no matter might cross your path. Whereas that may appear at odds with sustaining composure when cornering, good damping prevents the pleasantly plush suspenders and chassis from feeling unfastened on the sting of the tire. You must shade aggressively exterior the traces for the suspension limits to indicate, however that’s not the kind of using the Scrambler is about anyway.
- The Pirelli MT 60 rubber does double responsibility on the asphalt and grime. By Ducati’s admission, the Scrambler Icon Darkish and most of its siblings will not be off-road bikes—centered fashions such because the Desert Sled fill that position. But, it’s nonetheless greater than able to hitting a groomed hearth highway when the event arises, due to its steady chassis, tractable engine, and importantly, nod-worthy off-pavement grip achieved by the Pirelli MT 60 RS tires. That blocky rubber additionally purchases fairly a little bit of traction on the road.
- Brembo braking is aided by cornering ABS. The identical braking {hardware} returns, with a single disc arrange at both finish. Fortunately, the honking 4-piston caliper and 330mm rotor handily haul this 417-pound bike to a cease. The preliminary chunk is delicate and unintimidating, letting you dig into the brakes with out trepidation. Within the rear, it’s the identical story. ABS by no means flinched on the highway and solely made itself conscious when within the grime. Having the ability to disable it could be good, ought to scrambling alternatives come up. Fortunately, you may nonetheless cease safely in case your inputs are managed.
- The vintage-themed LCD sprint has loads of performance. You’ll have every part you laid earlier than you, from a gasoline gauge, gear indicator, rpm, velocity, and extra. It’s additionally appropriate with the Ducati Multimedia System, although you’ll want an non-obligatory Bluetooth accent to pair as much as 5 units. LCDs aren’t the brightest in direct daylight, and the 2022 Scrambler may sustain with the Joneses with a fresher-looking shade TFT show—they’ve just lately spiked in reputation on different bikes at this worth level.
- The 2022 Ducati Scrambler Icon Darkish continues to be the superior all-around bike we all know it to be. There’s not a lot to finger wag on the Scrambler Icon Darkish, contemplating it wears fairly a number of hats with out ever seeming misplaced. Furthermore, it may fulfill riders from throughout the ability spectrum whereas fulfilling its duties as a commuter, canyon compatriot, and rabble-rouser with out lacking a beat. So long as you take pleasure in Matt Black, it may be had at a pretty worth.
Pictures by Don WilliamsRIDING STYLE
- Helmet: Arai Regent-X
- Jacket: Spidi Originals Enduro
- Pants: Spidi Pathfinder Cargo
- Gloves: Spidi Clubber
- Boots: Spidi X-Village
2022 Ducati Scrambler Icon Darkish Specs ENGINE
- Sort: 90-degree L-twin
- Displacement: 803cc
- Bore x stroke: 88 x 66mm
- Most energy: 73 horsepower @ 8250 rpm
- Most torque: 49 ft/lbs @ 5750 rpm
- Compression ratio: 11:1
- Valvetrain: Desmodromic, 2vpc
- Fueling: EFI w/ 50mm throttle physique
- Cooling: Air and oil
- Transmission: 6-speed
- Clutch: Hydraulically actuated assist-and-slipper
- Closing drive: Chain
CHASSIS
- Body: Tubular metal trellis
- Entrance suspension; journey:Non-adjustable KYB inverted 41mm fork; 9 inches
- Rear suspension; journey: Spring-preload adjustable KYB shock; 9 inches
- Wheels: 10-spoke aluminum
- Entrance wheel: 18 x 3.00
- Rear wheel:17 x 5.50
- Tires: Pirelli MT 60 RS
- Entrance tire: 110/80 x 18
- Rear tire: 180/55x 17
- Entrance brake: 330mm disc w/ radially mounted Brembo caliper
- Rear brake: 245mm disc w/ single-piston floating Brembo caliper
- ABS: Cornering-aware customary
CAPACITIES and DIMENSIONS
- Wheelbase: 56.9inches
- Rake: 24 levels
- Path: 4.4 inches
- Seat top: 31.4 inches
- Gas tank capability: 3.6 gallons
- Curb weight: 417 kilos
- Estimated gasoline consumption: 45 mpg
- Coloration: Matt Black
2022 Ducati Scrambler Icon Darkish Worth: $8995 MSRP
2022 Ducati Scrambler Icon Darkish Evaluation Picture Gallery
