Ducati Scrambler 800 ICON: Test at the Balkan Rally 2024

Ducati has created a series with the Scrambler range that not only looks good but also provides real riding pleasure. But what happens when you pull this lifestyle bike out of its urban comfort zone and send it on one of the toughest tests – the Balkan Rally? That's exactly what we did. Over 2500 kilometers across passes and through dusty cities, accompanied by rain, heat, and even some gravel. Can the Ducati Scrambler 800 ICON withstand all of this?

What is the Balkan Rally?

The Balkan Rally is not your ordinary motorcycle tour; it's a blend of adventure, retro charm, and exclusive enjoyment. Originally designed for vintage automobiles, the event has opened up over the years to include classic motorcycles and retro bikes. The starting point is traditionally in Budapest, from where participants travel through picturesque routes across the Balkans to the coast in the Kotor region. The organizers emphasize maximum comfort, with stages ending in selected luxurious hotels. Accompanied by an espresso-mobile and evening champagne and wine tastings, the rally offers a stylish program that encourages interaction with automobile and motorcycle enthusiasts. But that's not all: during the daily stages, participants must determine their arrival time by solving puzzles and mastering photo challenges. Riding too fast or too slow results in penalty points, so it's all about finding the perfect balance. Despite the rally's automobile-oriented focus, motorcyclists feel welcome, as the relaxed atmosphere and diverse tasks make the rally a unique experience that goes far beyond a regular tour. In 2025, the Balkan Rally will once again feature new routes and challenges—an event that should be on every retro and motorcycle lover's bucket list.

More information about the rally here.

The 1000PS Crew's Gear for the Balkan Rally 2024

The entire crew opted for casual retro-style clothing from Held during the trip. Noteworthy is the Sirmione Gore Tex Sneaker and the cool leather jacket Jester.

We used the same luggage solution for all motorcycles: the Legend Gear tail bag from SW-Motech. It offers various attachment options and is very affordable and compact. The bag had to withstand almost 3,000 km on 8 different bikes under adverse weather conditions!

Before the rally, we thoroughly waterproofed our clothes with the PROTEX Spray from MOTOREX. During the rally, we used the small and refillable mini chain spray cans from MOTOREX.

Communication worked excellently this time. The entire team was connected with Cardo Packtalk devices. The batteries lasted all day, and the devices were 100% waterproof. The sound quality was great, and the combination of "navigation instructions" + "music" + "communication" worked seamlessly. Even occasional phone calls didn't overload the system. Highly recommended for big group adventures!

The entire team used the HJC V10 helmet. The helmet offers various design options and matched our beautiful motorcycles perfectly. On the long tour, we enjoyed the high wearing comfort.

For navigation, we had roadbooks from the race management. However, we tried to trace the course of the route as accurately as possible with Calimoto. On the way to Budapest and especially on the return journey from Kotor, we chose the "fastest" option via the highway due to weather conditions. Anyone who wants to follow the tour in good weather should set the sliders on Calimoto to "twisty" for these sections. Here is the link to the rough route.

The 1000PS Crew at the Balkan Rally 2024

• Amelie
• Mex
• Poky
• Philipp
• Carlos
• Marcel
• Wolfgang Weiß
• Micha
• Nils

When you hop on the Scrambler 800, your pulse immediately drops. This bike has something relaxing, almost Zen-like about it. It’s the opposite of nervous sports bikes that constantly scream for adrenaline. With its slim handlebars, clear instruments, and minimalist design, it harks back to the golden era of motorcycling when life was a bit simpler.

But the design is not everything—it also reflects functionality. The Ducati Scrambler 800 is surprisingly light and nimble, with a wet weight of just 188.5 kg. This makes it ideal for tight city streets and short trips. But how does it fare on long-distance rides?

At the heart of the Scrambler 800 lies an air-cooled V-twin engine with 803 cc. This might sound like a modest power output, but 73 hp at 8250 rpm and 65 Nm of torque at 7000 rpm are more than enough to have fun on twisty roads and in the city. This engine is a masterpiece of simplicity: no overly complicated electronics, no exaggerated performance figures – just go full throttle and enjoy.

Thanks to modern electronics, the throttle response is smooth and precise. Especially at low revs, the engine feels like a well-tuned carburetor, providing a genuine retro feeling. It's simply fun to command this engine – whether in the city or on country roads. However, at higher speeds and on long highway stretches, the Scrambler shows its limits, as we will see later.

The Ducati Scrambler 800 ICON shines with a nimble chassis, making it perfect for twisty roads and urban traffic. The Kayaba USD fork at the front with a 41 mm diameter and 150 mm travel, along with the adjustable monoshock at the rear, provide comfort and good damping on uneven surfaces. However, at higher speeds and on bumpy roads, the chassis shows slight weaknesses. The Scrambler tends to become a bit nervous – nothing dangerous, but enough to challenge fast riders on long stretches.

Especially in long curves on the highway, you notice that the Scrambler 800 is more designed for urban environments and dynamic rides. It is lively, but this comes at the expense of stability at high speeds and on longer distances. You can simply tell: its true home is the city and the twisty country roads of the Balkans.

One of the biggest highlights of the Scrambler 800 ICON is the brakes. At first glance, the single-disc brake might seem a bit unspectacular. However, at the front, there is a 330 mm disc with a radially mounted Brembo 4-piston caliper. At the rear, there is a 245 mm disc with a 2-piston caliper. Both brakes are equipped with a Bosch cornering ABS system that operates depending on the lean angle. In practice, this means full control, even in challenging situations. Especially on the narrow and twisty roads of the Balkan Rally, the braking system was able to fully showcase its strengths.

But beware: the maximum lean angle has its limits. While the bike is absolutely practical in the city, at particularly steep lean angles, pegs, brake levers, and the exhaust cover can scrape. Ducati might have considered installing feelers on the pegs to warn riders before the really important parts start to scrape.

The Ducati Scrambler 800 ICON stays true to its philosophy: Less is more. However, there are a few modern aids that enhance the riding experience. Two riding modes (Street and Wet) provide the right setup depending on the weather conditions. The lean-angle-sensitive traction control also does a great job, especially on slippery roads.

The 4.3-inch TFT display is easy to read and offers the most important information at a glance. There is no USB port – something that modern adventure bikes often offer. On the Scrambler, a USB-A port can be found under the seat.

During the Balkan Rally, the team faced some tough challenges, and one moment that particularly stands out was Wolfgang Weiß's involuntary 14-hour ride. In pouring rain and bitter cold, Wolfgang had to take a 4-hour detour on the Scrambler 800 because he chose the wrong border crossing. Yet, instead of cursing the bike, he only fell more in love with the machine. The Scrambler 800 ICON has a way of conveying a sense of ease that is not lost even in the toughest moments.

The Ducati Scrambler 800 ICON is not a bike for ultra-fast highway stretches. But that's exactly what defines it. It's a motorcycle for people who want to enjoy life, who seek small adventures in everyday life, and who are ready to push their limits. In urban environments, it plays to its strengths – agility, nimbleness, and pure riding pleasure. On long distances and at high speeds, it may become a bit jittery, but it never loses its charm. It's a bike that evokes emotions, one that you don't just ride, but experience.

For experienced riders looking for an uncomplicated, fun, and stylish bike, the Ducati Scrambler 800 ICON is a great recommendation. It's not a bike to be judged rationally – you simply have to feel it.