Motorcycle specifications DucatiScrambler 800 Nightshift 2023 The night passenger

As the headlights fade and calm seeks to take its place before the half-light, some dry, metallic hums can be heard. These are the sounds of a shadow of night, of a motorcycle awakening in the dark aftermath of a drunken day, of a Ducati with an occult but not fatal destiny: the Scrambler 800 Nightshift.

Introduced in 2021, this umpteenth version of the Scrambler was intended to be more classic and chunky than its predecessors. The idea remains the same for this Next-gen evolution, where the emphasis is on adding technology without distorting the concept. This kind of Ducat' is like a slice of Proust topped with a rock'n'roll madeleine.

Renewed identity

More serious than the Icon, less turbulent than the Full Throttle, the Nightshift impeccably retains its position within the family. Since the previous chapter, it has evolved in style, with more tapered number plates, a headlight where the X has escaped to the surface, spokes dipped in black, a leather saddle taking on a brownish hue, and a more colorful yet less showy dress. The gray fog has given way to a midnight-blue negligee, perfectly in tune with both name and spirit.

The handlebar-end mirrors are retained, as are the spoked rims and flat handlebars. Except that the latter is no longer encumbered by the set of throttle cables. A ride-by-wire module has been installed, streamlining the cockpit and adding new functions. The Scrambler 800 family is now equipped with two riding modes (Road / Rain) and traction control.

Because it's gone tech'. In addition to these features, a shifter and multimedia platform are available as options. The instrumentation has also changed decade. The minimalist LCD screen has been replaced by a 4.3-inch TFT color display. This instrumentation, which is as complete as it is well-groomed in terms of graphics, is a little out of place, but adds a qualitative surplus.

Fundamentals preserved

A Scrambler is also (above all) a good old-fashioned air-driven Desmodue. A motorization from another time, with a flavor and technique close to extinction, that can be savored like a light, dry, sweet cake. 2 valves per cylinder, air cooling, desmodromic valve timing... all that's missing is carburetors to recapture the flavor of the 80s and 90s. Ducati has preserved its 73 hp despite Euro5, as well as its 6.6 mkg of torque. But it's not all about compliance: the 803 cm3 weighs 2.5 kg less, the clutch is more compact and gear selection more precise.

The chassis has also been updated. The frame layout is identical - a minimalist tubular steel trellis - but lightened and with the rear loop now dissociated. The shock absorber is moved to a central position, while the swingarm is redesigned. As for the rest, the 41 mm Kayaba inverted fork and braking system have been retained. A large 330 mm disc clamped by a Brembo 4-piston M4.32 radial caliper (a convincing package), motivated by cornering ABS and complemented by a 245 mm disc at the rear.
Between the engine and chassis improvements, the Nightshift has lost 5 kilos. Not bad at all!

The new-generation Scrambler 800 Nightshit hasn't lost a step. Easy to ride, dark, classy just right, with the timeless charm of its twin, it brings to the night the sparkle that the Icon distributes to the day. The price stings a little more - it's still a Ducati before it's a Scrambler.

M.B - Manufacturer's photos