[Waspune]

The words ‘easy’ and ‘fun’ don’t usually coexist in the big bike universe. You either get something easy and uninspiring, or fun and borderline terrifying. But every once in a while, the moto gods sprinkle a bit of magic — and the Ducati Scrambler Icon 803 is one of those rare unicorns. And I, dear reader, was lucky enough to lasso one.



Circa 2014: The Vespa Era — When 100 km/h Felt Like Hyperspace

Fresh out of B-school, newly placed in Pune, I decided it was time to treat myself. Enter my first steed — a fiery little Vespa S125 aka ‘Italian Wasp’ (now you know the story behind my TBHP handle).



It had style, it had flair, and more importantly, it was one of the few scooters back then that could hit a legit 100 km/h (while sounding like it might disintegrate doing so).

It even took me to Goa once. You can read all about that caffeine-fuelled madness here - https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/trave...m-vespa-s.html (Pune -> South Goa -> Belgaum on a Vespa S!)

Circa 2020: Caught the Motorcycle Bug (Thanks, Surja Sir!)

I used to catch up with BHPian Surjaonwheelz (Surja Sir) during office breaks. He, being a 2-wheeler aficionado started infecting me with two-wheeled dreams. Our daily ritual included strolling through the office parking and ogling bikes like teenagers outside a superbike showroom.

That’s when I first saw the black BMW G310R. Love at first sight. Did some research, liked what I read: beginner-friendly power, nimble handling, and the magic BMW badge. They were running an offer where the on-road price was the same as the ex-showroom. If that’s not destiny, I don’t know what is.

One short test ride later (with the missus, whose only reference point was a Vespa), we were sold. We brought home the red G310R.




… and then COVID happened.

What followed was a long, slow love story. Took me a couple of years to truly understand the bike, appreciate its Indo-German quirks, and ignore the annoying vibes around 4.5K-5K RPMs. The engine’s low-end coarseness wasn’t romantic either. But overall, it was a gem.

Circa 2022 : The Leh Infection

With just about 2400 km of riding experience under my belt, the wife and I decided we had to do Leh. After all, what’s a budding biker without a Himalayan pilgrimage?

We took the “relatively sane” route — Srinagar to Leh via Kargil. Because let’s face it, Manali-Leh sounded more like a death wish than a vacation for my skillset.

Our steeds in the Leh trip:




And the ride:


At the end of the adventurous trip which included absolute smooth roads, off roading and some water crossings, my confidence grew by a couple of notches.

Weekend rides were now happening and how!











Meanwhile the Beemer got humbled by BHPian Sukiwa’s (Suhas Sir) shooting skills:



Circa 2023: From Bavaria to Britain (Almost)

Three years and 6700 km later, I sold the BMW and booked the RE Super Meteor 650. Why? Because that engine! The sound, the torque, the retro vibes, and the ability to carry a pillion without turning her into origami.

But… the honeymoon ended before it began. The bike’s rear suspension felt like a medieval torture device — my lower back filed a restraining order. The ergos didn’t help either and made sure that lower back isn’t spared! I kept testing it from the Viman Nagar RE showroom, and though I loved many things about it, I cancelled the booking. Had the Classic 650 existed then, this story might’ve had a different ending.

Enter the V-Strom 250SX — Budget Brawler

Bike-less and mildly depressed, I needed a rebound. The Suzuki V-Strom 250SX came calling. Suhas Sir had already picked one (his “Kaali Peeli”), and after a quick nudge from him and Surja Sir, I pulled the trigger on the Orange one.



What a surprise package it turned out to be! Smooth, rev-happy, and punchy despite the spec sheet saying otherwise. It even outclassed the BMW in daily usability. I did a Goa ride, a bunch of breakfast blasts with the crew, and even a few pillion-friendly rides with the wife — who gave it a solid thumbs-up in the comfort department.




Enroute to Goa with a friend:


Rides continued:





In its home turf?



Only complaints? That engine note after long rides — sounded like it needed therapy (seemed to be an E20 specific issue). Power with a pillion was also… let’s say “ambitious.” Can't fault the bike though!

[Waspune]

Circa 2024: The Scrambler Itch Returns

By mid-2024, the itch for more power was back. I flirted with the Triumph 400s, Duke 390 (Gen 3), Harley X440, and even fancied the Honda NX500. But Surja Sir, the voice of reason, said: “These are lateral upgrades. You’ll be bored again in a year.” Even Suhas Sir said that I should go for a big capacity bike.

Fair.

Meanwhile, I was secretly building a case for a Superbike to my wife. The Ducati Scrambler kept popping up in my dreams — that design, that sound, that madness! But in my head, it was filed under “wild dreams” because:
• It’s expensive
• It heats up like a tandoor
• Maintenance is costlier than my MBA

One Fine Evening…

With a drink in hand and stars aligned, my wife agreed to a superbike budget of 6-6.5 lakhs. I almost spilled my drink, pinged Surja Sir faster than you can say “L-twin,” and the hunt began.

We looked at Z650RS, Trident 660, Tiger Sport… but nothing tugged at my heartstrings.

Z650RS — the torque really came alive post 4,000 RPM and had me grinning like a kid with a sugar rush. The twin analog clocks screamed retro cool, and that sculpted tank? Gorgeous enough to hang in a gallery. The bike felt friendly and easygoing, like a labrador on wheels. But… it didn’t exactly set my soul on fire. More of a polite handshake than a passionate hug.

Tiger 660 — with the Missus riding pillion. Somehow, neither of us vibed with it. I kept waiting for the bike to wake up below 4-5k RPM, but it felt like it hadn’t had its morning coffee yet. My wife wasn’t thrilled either — something about the ergonomics didn’t sit right with her (literally). Sure, it’s a triple and probably needs to be revved a bit to show off its charm, but I was hunting for a bike that could also handle the city grind and office runs — at least during the cooler months.

The Scrambler Test Ride — And The Hook Was Set

Ducati Pune only had the new-gen Scrambler Icon (2G), but Surja Sir insisted I test ride it anyway, given the engine hasn’t changed much. They gave me the top-spec Full Throttle variant with a Termignoni exhaust and… oh boy. That raspy bark, the light handling and the instant torque had me grinning like a kid on sugar.

Checked out a 2021 Scrambler Icon (Euro 5/BS6) at Preowned motorcycle dealer with Surja Sir, Suhas Sir and the Missus. It had around 3,800 km on the clock and came kitted with some nice accessories — Barkbusters, crash bars, and even a PPF job. The wife and I took it out for a quick spin, and I’ve got to say, it felt even better to ride. The cable-operated throttle had a more direct feel, and the whole experience was a tad raw which I liked.

But then came the plot twist. The bike was wearing a Mumbai number plate, and sure enough, it brought a little beachside souvenir — rust spots around the chain and sprockets. I wasn’t sure how deep the rust rabbit hole went. I even asked if I could get it inspected at Slipstream for peace of mind, but that request was politely shot down. So, like a true romantic who just dodged a bad Tinder date, I walked away and kept searching for my Scrambler.

Though, one thing was now clear: it had to be the updated 2019+ model.

Why?

Because:
• Better fit and finish - The switch cubes were taken from its bigger brother (Scrambler 1100), the wheels and engine casing got some bling, the HL got a revamp etc.
• Improved (read - calmer) throttle, thanks to bigger throttle bodies
• Cornering ABS - The way the Scrambler puts down the torque, I am not complaining!
• Gear position indicator
• Actual fuel gauge (finally!)
• Different tank design that allowed better tank grip
• LED DRLs + self-cancelling indicators.

The Turning Point: Nashik or Nothing!

Then came the OLX listing — a 2019 Scrambler Icon in Atomic Tangerine, only 4.7k km on the odo, in Nashik. The quoted price was steep, but the heart wanted what it wanted. So off we went (me and a non-enthusiast friend, bless his soul) in my trusty Punto.

Somewhere on the excellent Nashik highway:


Saw the bike. Fell in love. Test rode it for a good 25-30 mins (left my friend as collateral ). It ran a little rough, tyres were cracked, pointing towards less usage but on the flip side there wasn’t any visible rust and it was serviced at Ducati Pune only, which provided some peace of mind.



Sadly, we couldn’t agree on the price and returned to Pune… heartbroken.

Three days later, I caved. Sent the owner a long, heartfelt message with a revised quote… and he agreed! Advance transferred. The dream was alive again!

The Retrieval Mission: Punto to Scrambler

On the next breakfast ride with Suhas Sir and Surja Sir, the plan was set that all of us will drive to Nashik and get the Scrambler home.

That breakfast ride:



The team (including that friend, remember?) drove back to Nashik. Final checks done. Chain cleaned. RC transfer initiated. Riding gear on. Monsoon in full swing. And I rode it home with the Punto trailing behind, driven in turns by Suhas Sir and Surja Sir.

Wearing that ‘holy crap, this is really happening!’ smile!


Along the way, I:
• Did light off-roading (read: pothole hopping in Chakan) and appreciated decent ground clearance and suspension travel
• Battled Pune traffic like a Roman gladiator
• Tanked up with whatever fuel I could find (XP95 still elusive)
• Fell deeper in love

A couple of pics of that ride:





Reached home at 8:45 PM. The Scrambler was finally in my garage. Victory! The Punto? Arrived fashionably late.

Post-Acquisition TLC

First stop: Slipstream for a full service and some love.

Mods & Accessories added:
• Evotech frame sliders + bash plate (because Ducati oil filters beg to be exposed)
• Zana rack + guards (cost-effective and surprisingly tough)
• Tyres: Metzeler up front (borrowed from Surja Sir), Vredestein rear — factory spec

Then came the finer tweaks:
• Belinassu Smart IAT sensor — tricked the ECU to run richer = smoother throttle
• Domino grips + CNC bar ends — added grip and bling
• Modified seat — added comfort for the rider as well as the pillion, sacrificed style (worth it!)
• Throttle cable + ignition switch replaced — cured cranky starting and jerky throttle
• Fork oil change(7.5W to 10W) — stiffer front, more confidence
• National Cycle windscreen — reduced blast, increased noise (but helmet upgrade, from a LS2 to Airoh , fixed that)

Meanwhile the V-Strom found another home. Getting its last wash. Check the ODO when it got sold - doesn’t it reaffirm the Ducati Scrambler connection?




Suddenly breakfast rides became way more fun!




The crew posing with the Scrambler
(L-R) BHPians Sukiwa, Jomson13, Nilesh5417, Yours Truly
Pic taken by Surjaonwheelz







Mandatory solo Goa ride:

















Scrambler bringing some character to the office parking lot:



The Present: Scrambling in Style

Now with regular weekend rides and most mods dialed in, the Scrambler feels like an extension of me. But of course, a biker’s wishlist is never complete…

Upcoming mods:
• Front fender extender (monsoon prep): Seems I am running late here as the rain gods have planned to arrive earlier, this year.
• G2 throttle tube (multiple cams = multiple moods): One for aggressive ride and the other for a more sedate one (especially when riding with the Missus)
• Lower handlebar (to shift more weight to the front)
• Free-flow slip-on (Termignoni Race with remap key = wallet damage incoming or a more affordable aftermarket exhaust?)

A little elbow grease at home — the first of many because this bike’s so naked, it should probably come with a PG rating:



As I type, the Scrambler is on the verge of completing 10k kms and has just returned from its Partial Desmo service — Ducati’s version of a full-body check-up that also checks your bank balance. Will share the details in the subsequent posts.

Final Thoughts
The Scrambler Ducati isn’t perfect. It’ll cook your thighs(in stop go traffic), demand pampering(and love), and throw maintenance bills like confetti. But twist the throttle and it roars to life — not just mechanically, but emotionally.

It’s raw, it’s real, it’s rebellious.

It doesn’t whisper — it sings, shouts, and sometimes even coughs… but always with soul.

Whether it’s revving hard, cruising easy, blasting down canyon twisties or slicing through traffic — it takes it all in stride.

To me, it’s not just a motorcycle. It’s a feeling. A statement. A constant reminder that riding isn’t about numbers, it’s about the grin that refuses to leave your face.

It’s freedom, funk, and fury—all wrapped in Atomic Tangerine.

[Nilesh5417]

I don't know many who are so fussy and in love with their bike! And ride it like everyday!! Wishing you tons of fun rides on the Scrambler.

[Waspune]

Originally Posted by Nilesh5417

I don't know many who are so fussy and in love with their bike! And ride it like everyday!! Wishing you tons of fun rides on the Scrambler.

Well, I run a single-bike garage—something the Scrambler knew before it moved in! We’ve had our quirks and compromises, but we’ve kept each other happy so far

[jomson13]

Very interesting list of upgrades Rahul, can't wait to hear that exhaust!

I remember riding your bike during the Mulshi ride and to be very frank, I was a bit intimidated the first time I opened up the throttle a bit. I can only imagine what fun it must be to ride this in a spirited way.

Have loads of fun and ride safe!

[Waspune]

Partial Desmo and Annual Service

The Scrambler completed 5 years in April ’25, and it was time for the annual service—this one also happened to be a partial Desmo service. Hearing the dreaded word Desmo, my wallet braced for impact!

What is a Desmo Service?

I dug into what a Desmo service actually involves and why it’s such a big deal. Basically, there are two main parts:
1. Changing timing belts (along with rollers/pulleys if required)
2. Checking valve clearances

For the Scrambler, the service intervals are:
1. Timing belts – Every 5 years or 24,000 km
2. Valve clearance check – Every 12,000 km

Since my Scrambler had just turned 5 (even though the odometer reads less than 10,000 km), it made sense to get the belts replaced now. That way, it’s good for another 5 years or 24,000 km.

Valve clearance was also due for inspection (in the next 2k kms). I was told that adjustments usually aren’t required around this mileage and only become necessary after 20,000 km, once the tappets start making some noise.

I checked with Nitin, the service advisor at Ducati Legacy—a nice chap—and he recommended replacing the belts. He quoted me a ballpark figure of ₹30–35K for the service (assuming the rollers didn’t need replacing).

To double-check, I turned to the international Scrambler Ducati forum, where I found both sides of the argument. I also spoke to fellow BHPian Nilesh5417 (he owns a Monster 821), and he too recommended going ahead, especially since I use my bike regularly.

Decision made. I dropped the bike off at Ducati Legacy, fingers crossed for the upcoming expense. The workshop was packed with Ducatis awaiting service, so my Scrambler entered the service bay after 4 days. As is the norm, a WhatsApp group was created to keep me posted on the progress.

Work Begins



Timing belt cover removed to begin the replacement process:



Rollers looked good and didn’t require replacement—phew!





Rust cleaned off:





New belts installed:


Spark plugs replaced:



Air filter replaced:



Additional Work Carried Out

• Engine oil + oil filter replaced
• Brake bleeding
• Chain cleaning and lubrication
• Throttle body cleaning

A few days later, I got a call from Nitin—“Bike’s ready and now riding like makkhan (read: butter smooth).” I wrapped up my early evening office call and headed to the dealership. The total bill came to ₹33K (a third of it being labour). Paid up and rode home. It did feel smoother, but to avoid any placebo effect, I decided to wait for a longer ride to confirm.

Scrambler, back home:



Right after that, I had to travel to Mumbai and then my parents came over—so the Scrambler sat idle for 6 days. No complaints though—I had the trusty Punto to keep me company. It’s over 10 years old now, but I still love looking at it every time I park.







Once back in Pune, I rode the Scrambler to the office, and for the first time, I could feel a substantial improvement. It seemed to have gained a few ponies and revved to the redline with far more gusto!

The Weekend Ride

That’s when Surja Sir asked if we were riding to Tamhini on Saturday. I said, “Aye Sir!” BHPian Jomson13 also joined us on his Interceptor.

The Ride:
We stopped for breakfast at Quick Bite, Mulshi:





Then we rode ahead to Tamhini and found a nice spot to click a few shots of our steeds:







After riding over 150 km post-service, I can confidently say the bike feels far more responsive and smoother . The grin factor has definitely gone up by a couple of notches! Replacing the timing belt has worked wonders.

That said, with the early monsoons rolling in, I’m not sure how much riding I’ll be able to manage in the coming days. Until then—Ciao!

[MileCruncher]

First and foremost immense congratulations on the Ducati!

What a journey from the Wasp to the Scrambler! I'm really impressed by your feat of Pune to Goa in the Vespa. That deserves a separate hall of fame for Iron Butt and what not

Wishing you many many miles of happiness on the Scrambler and may you soon graduate to a multi bike garage. May the bike gods shine on you!

[MonkOnWheels]

Congratulations and welcome to Ducati Scrambler ownership. The bike looks amazing with all the mods. I added a Scrambler to my garage last year, and have to agree with you that it’s a fun bike to ride.

Where did you get that Belinassu Smart IAT sensor from? Can you tell if it improved the performance at all?

[Waspune]

Originally Posted by jomson13

Very interesting list of upgrades Rahul, can't wait to hear that exhaust!

Me too! But that might have to wait, given the recent damage to the wallet

Originally Posted by MileCruncher

What a journey from the Wasp to the Scrambler! I'm really impressed by your feat of Pune to Goa in the Vespa.

Haha. Well, back then I was young and free and didn't think twice!

Originally Posted by MileCruncher

Wishing you many many miles of happiness on the Scrambler and may you soon graduate to a multi bike garage. May the bike gods shine on you!

I’ve toyed with this idea more times than I can count, even picked out the bikes that’d pair perfectly with the Scrambler . Let’s see if—and when—it takes shape. Thanks!

Originally Posted by MonkOnWheels

Where did you get that Belinassu Smart IAT sensor from? Can you tell if it improved the performance at all?

I had it delivered to the Netherlands from Italy, and a friend kindly picked it up for me. I’d actually used the Smart IAT earlier on my G310R as well—that time I had to import it myself and ended up paying a hefty customs duty.
It’s not really about performance gains in the traditional sense; rather, it helps make the throttle feel more predictable (almost removes the jerkiness), especially at lower revs—though it works across the rev range. It makes the AFR richer, which gives you a perceived bump in low-end torque and lets you upshift earlier without lugging the engine. The engine also runs happier and cooler.

[Entsurgeon]

Originally Posted by Waspune

it helps make the throttle feel more predictable (almost removes the jerkiness), especially at lower revs—though it works across the rev range. It makes the AFR richer, which gives you a perceived bump in low-end torque and lets you upshift earlier without lugging the engine. The engine also runs happier and cooler.

Congrats and welcome to Desmo club.
If I may, straight out of factory, most modern bikes run very lean at lower RPMs (probably to pass emission and noise notms at certain rpms.). This makes them run very jerky aka lumpy at low RPM. With such devices or piggyback ECU or remap, riders improve fuelling of the engine. Helps remove any flat spot and above all, make the ride very smooth at low RPM. First hand example- a desmo twin would jerk a lot until 20-30kmph in 1st or sec gear. Drop the speed below 30in first gear and you ll need to ride clutch.high octane fuel would very slightly improve things. But IAT or piggyback ECU makes bike run smooth at lower RPM on normal petrol.
My most recommended mod superceding a free flow exhaust and filter+remap.

[Waspune]

Been ~650 km since my last update, and there’s not a whole lot to report.
I’ve been using the Scrambler for commuting to the office and managed to squeeze in a couple of rides as well!

Milestone alert (while on the way to work):



Quick ride to RK Lonavala with Surja Sir:



About yesterday’s monsoon ride with BHPian Jomson13 and his friend:






The current ODO stands at ~10,500 km, which means I’ve ridden the Scrambler for around 5,800 km since bringing it home—and I just can’t get enough of it! It’s such a joy every time I take it out, even if it’s just a ride to the office.
Yes, I’m quite fortunate that my commute doesn’t involve too many traffic signals, and I get a decent stretch where I can open it up a bit.

Post the recent service, the Scrambler feels smoother, revvier, and even more addictive to ride. Honestly, I think Oxford should consider adding a new synonym for the word fun—Scrambler Ducati.

Best part? The engine heat in traffic has noticeably reduced (credit to the fresh engine oil, new belts, or maybe just good karma?).

The Scrambler has a nicely usable power band that can be exploited in different scenarios:
1. 2,000–4,000 RPM – Strong low-end torque that’s great for city riding. 3rd gear starts pulling from just over 2,000 RPM (thanks to the IAT mod), but I usually shift into 3rd around 3,000 RPM.

2. 4,000–6,000 RPM – This is the sweet spot, in my opinion. There’s a gamut of torque available (all of 67 NM), and the bike cruises at high speeds effortlessly on highways and works well even for some fast canyon rides. The L-twin is also in its element and makes all the right sounds.

3. 6,000–8,000 RPM – The most fun part of the rev range, where you can chase all 73 horses. That said, you’ll need to put up with some vibes.

Also picked up a new riding boot—my first tall-ish pair with some shin protection. Thanks to Surja Sir for suggesting!
Say hello to the Korda, that is waterproof and features D3O inserts for ankle protection:


How it compares to my other riding shoe - RE x TCX Capo boots:


The Korda boots got tested in yesterdays ride:

[FieryRed]

Brilliantly written
Enjoyed reading your journey on 2 wheels from vespa to the 310 to Smeteor to vstorm to scrambler complete - you have covered a lot of different profiles of bikes in a short period of time.

Is it possible that you can share the price at which you got the scrambler as i am planning to buy one big bike in a year and just want to know financially if the scrambler fits in my range.