Ducati Scrambler Archives

BIKES: MID-WEEK FEATURE – 2019 Ducati Scrambler Icon Reviewed! Is This The Most ‘Complete’ Bike From Ducati?

It takes more than just a beautiful-looking machine with an impressive list of specifications to pull-off this feat that most folks would consider as ‘complete’. All the exact elements must blend in perfect harmony and this requires more than just fabricating machines and internal combustion engines when it comes to motorcycles. Ducati managed to pull off this feat by including spirit, joy, passion, people, lifestyle, and most important of all, satisfaction to the senses.

Our most recent trip to Bologna, Italy really showed us Ducati’s true colours not only in manufacturing some of the world’s most impressive high-performance motorcycles, but also showcasing how these bikes were born and bred to represent their lifestyle filled with fun, adventure, and the incarnation of the free-spirit.

The highlighted bike of the trip was none other than the 2019 Ducati Scrambler Icon and with Tuscany placed as the heart of the entire showcase, the entire Ducati Scrambler team brought the event to a whole new level when it comes to their latest evolution and addition to the ‘Land of Joy’ line-up.

It did not take us very long to experience the ‘magic’ behind the new 2019 Ducati Scrambler Icon. After 12 hours on two different aeroplanes, a 3-hour transit layover, and 2 hours on a bus from Borgo Panigale all the way to Borgo San Luigi, we had little time to prepare for what’s to come next.

It was only a short 10km ride up to Colle di Val d’Elsa for a short film showcasing the story behind the Ducati Scrambler and the new Icon but riding out from the hotel when the sun was setting with dust flying up from the gravel road couldn’t have been more epic. That perfect moment was more than enough to school me into believing that the Ducati Scrambler Icon is more than just a bike. It was a lifestyle meant to be experienced at its finest.

Two different riding routes were planned for us on the very next day where we tackled the winding hill road of the world famous Chianti Hills in the heart of Tuscany and an even more stunning panoramic route through Casole, Sovicille, and back up again through Monteriggioni.

Starting with the overall looks of the new Scrambler Icon, there’s not that much of a difference which can be seen which is what the Scrambler design theme had in mind. The previous was already impressive but it was lacking something that we couldn’t really comprehend at the time. This can be translated to a dash of ‘premium’ which is what the new Icon has at a level that is just right.

Upon inspection when compared side by side with the 2015 Scrambler Icon, all of us definitely noticed these said changes that not only elevated the machine but pulling off a timeless look but also maintained its modern classic appeal. Changes such as its new front headlamp with Daytime-Running Lights and a cool-looking ‘X’ feature really did set the tone for a good day of riding.

Other new external changes which add up to a more ‘premium’ package include:

Beefier aluminium side panels
LED indicators with auto turn-off feature
Styling updates for the wheels, exhaust headers, and muffler
New black gloss finishes for the engine cases

All these changes were welcomed with open arms as they brought a whole new look and feel to the Ducati Scrambler without sacrificing any of the elements that pay homage to the original spirit of the Ducati Scrambler. The true Italian spirit of adventure still resides in the new generation of Scrambler which will cater brilliantly to the masses.

As for the 2019 Ducati Scrambler Icon’s overall riding experience, the team had their sights on making the already versatile bike even more comfortable. These include a flatter seat that offers better riding positioning, a hydraulic clutch for ease of use, and a wider flat handlebar which houses new ergonomic switches.

The display panel looks exactly like the one found on the previous model but it has been updated with two new features which we simply adore; a gear indicator and fuel gauge! These may be modern features but catering to the free-spirited riding community, the last thing bike owners would want to worry about is how much fuel is left by peeking into the tank and sloshing the bike around for signs of petrol.

A host of internal upgrades also gave the new Icon a great riding experience that offers comfort, fun, agility, as well as safety. The suspension package has been revised which seemed excellent to some media members but a bit on the softer end for some. After 140km of riding, it seemed almost impossible to find any fault with the brand new machine.

The safety aspect has been elevated as well as the bike is meant to tackle a variety of road condition such as city streets and minor off-road excursions. The addition of an six-axis IMU (inertial measurement unit) and Cornering ABS taken straight from the Ducati Panigale superbike series, the Scrambler Icon is now safer than ever.

The 2019 Icon still retains its 803cc L-Twin Desmodue Euro4-compliant engine offers smooth response and linear torque through the gears. Tackling the winding hill sections was great fun and worry-free as most of us only had to maintain it in third for some fun in the sun.

As for power and speed, the 803cc engine simply delivers without overwhelming the rider. Just kick it into fourth and fifth and you’ll easily find yourself flying at exciting speeds which was thoroughly enjoyed by the whole lot.

Other aspects of the Icon have been retained from the previous generation in which the Ducati design team figured that the new updates are capable of bringing out the best of the hardware already on offer in the recent years. The Icon was never meant to be a full-fledged off-road machine but thanks to specs like the Pirelli MT60 rubbers and more, the latest-generation Scrambler will not be able to stop those with the heart to explore and venture into slightly rougher terrains.

All in all, the new Ducati Scrambler Icon is the true representation of the Italian culture, spirit, and adventurous lifestyle for those who seek something exciting and bold yet youthful. Having met the people and explored the wonderful roads of Tuscany, we finally understand how the Scrambler Icon is not just a bike but a true statement of passion and joy in a culture that demands to be free.

As for pricing, the current generation is priced at RM55,900 (recommended retail price sans road tax & insurance) and we expect a slight hike for the 2019 model considering all the extra bits fitted onto it like the Cornering ABS plus more.

The new 2019 Ducati Scrambler Icon is without a doubt Ducati’s ultimate bike when it comes to evoking the true sense of emotions, pleasure, and culture of the true Italian spirit that is the Land of Joy. While the brand is widely-known for some of the world’s most impressive motorcycles ever made like the Ducati Panigale V4, the true form of #Joyvolution is represented the most in the Ducati Scrambler range. – Sep Irran, Editor @ MotoMalaya.net

BIKES: What Were You Doing At 22? Henry Crew Is Riding Across The Globe On A Ducati Scrambler!

At just 22 years of age, Henry Crew is on his way to set a new Guinness World Record as the youngest person to circumnavigate the world, covering 35 countries over 35,000 miles on a motorcycle. Well-known for its durability and iconic style, it comes as no surprise for Henry to choose a Ducati Scrambler bike as his road companion.

Hailing from South London, Henry set off on his extraordinary quest on 3^rd April 2018 and has since visited 17 countries, including France, Switzerland, Italy, Russia, Kazakhstan, Myanmar, India, Thailand, and then Malaysia. He will be continuing his journey to Australia before crossing into Africa and heading up to the Americas before completing his journey home to England.

The inspiring young adventurer is also raising funds for the Movember Foundation; a global charity organisation that addresses some of the biggest health issues faced by men including prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health and suicide prevention.

Inspired by his own battle with mental health, Henry has been actively raising funds for the Movember Foundation. Since 2014, he raised a total of £4,300, with £2,430 raised from his current initiative of travelling 35,000 miles around the world.

To encourage Henry’s meaningful quest and to inspire other youths to be bold enough to achieve their dreams, Ducati is lending their full support towards Henry’s mission around the world with country distributors facilitating his journey in their respective countries. Ducati also presented Henry with the Scrambler Desert Sled that is accompanying him on his expedition.

The Scrambler Desert Sled was built for those with brave hearts who enjoy the travel lifestyle. With its reinforced light frame and build, it withstands harsh road conditions making it the ideal companion to circumnavigate the world. The self-expression, iconic style and flair for fun that the Scrambler brand stands for also perfectly complements Henry’s wanderlust personality and love for phenomenal challenges.

During his stay in Malaysia, Next Bike Sdn Bhd, the sole distributor for Ducati in Malaysia, serviced and checked Henry’s bike to ensure it stays in top notch condition for the rest of his journey. Next Bike also planned out his Malaysian travel route; navigating through Penang to Ipoh, Perak and Cameron Highlands before manoeuvring right down to Tanjung Piai, the Southern-most tip of Asia, then heading northwards to Kuala Lumpur.

Next Bike Sdn Bhd recently launched the Scrambler 1100 Special and Scrambler 1100 Sport retailing at RM83,000 and RM85,000 on-the-road without insurance (0% GST) respectively. Ducati Scrambler fans are encouraged to take advantage of the extended tax holiday and head over to the nearest authorised Ducati dealership to view the powerful and durable new Ducati Scrambler bikes.

To further enhance the premium after-sales experience for owners, Ducati offers the Ducati Smart Service Program, a two-year free service for parts and lubricants, or up to 30,000km including Desmodromic service. This free service program is additional to the current two-year unlimited mileage warranty and is available at all authorised Ducati dealerships nationwide.

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