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You hear the word ‘scrambler’, and instantly picture a tall-ish motorcycle with off-road tyres, high-mounted exhausts, and long-travel suspension, don’t you? You wouldn’t be wrong. After all, the original idea behind scramblers was simple — stripped-down, lightweight bikes that could ‘scramble’ over fields, dirt trails, and whatever else lay ahead. So, when I first laid eyes on the petite Ducati Scrambler Icon 2G, I couldn’t help but wonder — how does this even qualify as a scrambler?

The Icon certainly tries to look all scrambler-y — with its ‘taped’ circular headlight, stubby front fender, the lack of a proper rear mudguard, a flat seat, and chunky dual-purpose tyres. But come on — with that exposed oil sump, low-slung exhaust, those puny, race-bike-style footpegs, and non-switchable ABS, it wasn’t fooling me. Still, I couldn’t take my eyes off it.

Was it that sultry red paint? The way the mid-pipe elegantly wrapped around the right side of the engine? The floating license plate holder? Or was it simply because… it’s a Ducati? Whatever it was, the Scrambler drew eyes wherever it went — effortlessly becoming the centre of attention.

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It almost seemed like it enjoyed the stares — because whether slicing through traffic or rolling up to a signal, that 803cc L-twin made sure you heard it coming. It would announce its arrival with authority, parting the crowd before coming to a halt and leaving everyone just a little bit awestruck. Pretty sure it gave everyone a free show at the green light — loud, quick, and gone before they could blink.

Sure, 72 bhp and 6.64 kgm doesn’t sound like much — at least not by Ducati standards. But it’s still a Ducati, and it reminded me of that with every twist of the throttle. No, it wasn’t scary or savage — it just felt like it was always ready to give me everything it had. On straight roads, it could hit illegal speeds in seconds, but even staying within legal limits was entertaining. The lack of wind protection only amplified the sensation of speed. And surprisingly, slow-moving traffic didn’t bother me either — there was plenty of low-end torque to keep the momentum going and, somehow, even achieve a flow state.

Flow state with a Ducati in Mumbai traffic? Surprising, isn’t it? But that was just the first of many that the Icon threw at me. For a bike that looked that puny, the Scrambler was surprisingly accommodating. The wide handlebars and the high-set footpegs set me up for a commanding-yet-comfortable riding position. And the suspension? It was just about ready to take on anything that the city’s chaos could dish out.

It didn’t need a bunch of fancy electronics or sophisticated hardware to be that engaging and fun. Yes, there are two modes: Road and Sport with four levels of traction control, but this one’s best enjoyed in Sport with the traction control turned off. And don’t worry, the Pirelli MT60 RS tyres won’t disappoint — there’s ample grip to just throw it into corners and shoot through without breaking a sweat. What worried me was the grabby front brake. It has a strong bite and gives ample feedback, too, but the lack of any initial progression made it feel a bit abrupt.

So, does it qualify as a scrambler? Maybe not in the traditional, dirt-flinging sense. But then again, today’s scramble isn’t across muddy fields or rocky trails — it’s through traffic snarls, over broken tarmac, and into the unpredictable rhythm of the city. And in that chaos, the Scrambler Icon 2G feels right at home. Sure, if you’re chasing that off-road vibe, the stubby fenders will happily oblige — by flinging muck all over you, front and back, even on a quick grocery run in the rain. It may not wear its scrambler roots on its sleeve, but in this chaotic world, this one still manages to stand tall — just like a true Icon should.