We’ve ridden a fair few versions of Ducati’s Scrambler over the years and when the opportunity to sling a leg over the energetically named Full Throttle spec version of the latest generation model came along, we couldn’t say no.
There are currently three versions of the latest Scrambler 900 on sale, each offering a slightly different flavour of retro (and there’s still an 1100 in the range too). We’ve already reviewed the entry level Icon and the café racer themed Nightshift, and enjoyed them both. Like the Nightshift, the Full Throttle carries a £1000 premium over the Icon, retailing at £10,995, but goes in a slightly different direction to create a flat track themed modern classic.
In truth the mechanical platform for the Full Throttle is shared with that of the Icon, and you can read all about that from our comprehensive first ride from the press launch in early 2023. It’s got the same new chassis introduced back then, the same rugged (pseudo) off-road looks and the same 803cc engine, but with some added spec and a different cosmetic treatment.
One of the most attractive elements of the Scrambler is its ability to be customised by the individual owner and aside from a few bespoke parts on the Full Throttle model, it comes standard with accessories which would cost you over £1300 if specified on the Icon. If you’re thinking of buying a Scrambler and want the Termignoni exhaust, you’re already quids in with the Full Throttle as it’s an £1100 option on the other models. Add in the up and down quickshifter (£240) and you can appreciate this is the value model for many buyers.
For me, those two accessories really enhance the riding experience. While the exhaust doesn’t change the official power or weight figures, it looks classier than the item found on the Icon and Nightshift models and gives a more distinctive tone to the classic V-twin motor. The Scrambler is one of the few air-cooled motorcycles you can buy new today and although it gets through the latest emissions laws without any significant power loss, the drive to meet Euro5 does leave the traditional desmo engine sounding slightly less fruity than it once did. The Termi slip-on adds a bit of bark back into the soundtrack although, as a fully road legal set-up, it is still extremely polite.
The Scrambler’s quickshifter isn’t the most sophisticated out there but is still a welcome addition. It allows for clutchless gear shifts and combines well with the Scrambler’s great electronics package. The Scramblers might have been designed to look old fashioned, but under the skin they are packed with the latest tech to make them safer and more engaging to ride. Standard equipment includes cornering ABS, four level traction control and two riding modes, which offer different power delivery characteristics. The electronics are easily customisable and the 4.3” TFT dashboard is very, very classy. The animated start-up sequence is really cool and just gives the feeling of a premium product, being easy to read and full of information.
We’ve written lots about the famous 803cc ‘Desmodue’ motor in other reviews and there’s not much to add here. It’s the classic Ducati design, a 90-degree V-twin (although pedants will tell you the 90-degree placement of the cylinders technically makes it an L-twin…) with two desmodromically actuated valves per cylinder. Unusually for a bike on sale in 2024, it remains a traditional air-cooled unit. Kudos to Ducati for not only retaining this classic design, but for managing to get it through the Euro5 regulations with 73bhp on tap (a few horses down on the previous generation, but otherwise unnoticeable). Other manufacturers, like BMW, Harley-Davidson and Triumph have abandoned air cooling on their retro models, so you do have to admire Ducati’s perseverance to the cause and the purity of the design.
Unlike the Nightshift, which features different handlebars and a more forward focussed riding position, the Full Throttle shares the same upright ergonomics as the Icon. With wide ‘bars and a commanding riding position, it is easy to hustle around town and on the open road. We rode the Scrambler mainly on B roads and honestly the performance was more than enough to have serious fun on. It’s easy to forget in these days of 200bhp rocket ships that 73bhp was once superbike territory. Really, it’s more than adequate, especially with that lovely lazy power delivery from the 803cc V-twin and just 185kg to haul around. Sure the chassis may not be loaded with the latest tech but it’s still extremely composed. Even when riding with friends on more powerful machines I never felt lacking on the Scrambler, and I am far from a riding god. It might be considered by many as a city bike, but that does the modern day Scrambler a disservice. Its weakest environment is on dual carriageways, where the upright stance and lack of weather protection hamper its comfort and ability, but even then there are much, much worse out there. As a tourer, the seat is a bit firm for day-long comfort, and the heat generated by the rear cylinder can be a bit uncomfortable on hot days, but it’s as versatile as you want it to be.
The other key difference between the Icon and Full Throttle is in the styling. Don’t get us wrong, there’s a similar vibe going on but the flat track theming sees a different, shorter, front mudguard, an alternative fuel tank design and distinctive side panels with number boards. The relevance of the number 62, emblazoned on the rear panels, is that 1962 is the year Ducati launched its first Scrambler. It was originally built for the American market at the behest of the US importer. The original models featured a 250cc single cylinder engine from the Ducati Diana, although 125, 350 and 450cc versions (all still singles) would also appear in a 12 year production run. A bit of pub ammo for Scrambler owners…
And if you are thinking of joining the modern day Scrambler set, the Full Throttle is definitely worthy of consideration. It’s essentially the same bike as the Icon, but when you consider how common a modification changing the exhaust is on its own, you can see that the £1000 price difference between the two won’t be a factor for many would be owners. Like all Scramblers it provides a fun and easy to access platform, which provides a great base for further modification to make it stand out even more.
2024 Ducati Scrambler Full Throttle specification
Price: £10,995
Engine: 803cc, 90° V-twin
Power: 73bhp/53.6kW @ 8250rpm
Torque: 65.2Nm/48.1lb.ft @ 7000rpm
Transmission: Six-speed, chain final drive
Frame: Tubular steel trellis frame
Suspension: Non-adjustable 41mm Kayaba upside down telescopic fork. Preload-adjustable Kayaba rear mono-shock
Brakes: Radially-mounted, four-piston front brake callipers and 330mm discs with Bosch Cornering ABS. Single-piston floating calliper with 245mm rear disc.
Wheels: 18” front, 17” rear, cast alloy
Tyres: Front 110/80-18. Rear 180/55-17.
Wheelbase: 1,449mm
Seat height: 795mm (780mm with low accessory seat or 810mm with high accessory seat)
Kerb weight: 185kg
Fuel capacity: 13.5 litres
Contact: scramblerducati.com
