Writing about bikes for 20 years. Published in dozens of titles on five continents. Mildly obsessed with discovering how things work.
Whenever Ducati adds the word ‘Dark’ to a model you can be sure of two things. First, it will be black. Second, it will be cheaper than otherwise similar models. So you probably know what to expect from the new 2020 Scrambler Icon Dark.
As the name suggests, the Scrambler Icon Dark is based on the normal 803cc, air-cooled, two-valve, twin-cylinder Scrambler Icon. It’s marked out by its black frame, black seat and matte black bodywork. Only the silver tank sides provide a break from the unremitting gloom.
However, your mood might be lightened by the price at £7595 – a full £700 cheaper than the more colourful Icon that’s otherwise very similar in specification.
Like all 2020 Ducatis, the Icon Dark gets cornering ABS, and about the only concessions to price – other than the paintwork – come in the form of simple, round mirrors instead of the more stylish ones on the normal Icon, and traditional bulb indicators instead of LED units.
The Icon Dark is due to reach dealers next month - November 2019.
There’s more exciting news headed to the Ducati Scrambler line at next month’s EICMA show in Milan, where Ducati will be showing two concept bikes that illustrate where it could take the range next.
First, there’s the Desert X (above). Based on the Scrambler 1100, it breaks with the normal 1970s-inspired Scrambler look by featuring the style of a 1980s Paris-Dakar rally bike, complete with a fairing and screen. A large front wheel – perhaps as big as 21 inches – is clear to see in the teaser image here, along with knobbly tyres and a single seat with a luggage rack behind.
The second concept is the Motard (below), based on the Scrambler 800. Fitted with slick or semi-slick tyres and a motocross-style beak and number board, it’s clearly a supermoto-style machine. Look out for both at EICMA on 5th November.