2016 Ducati Scrambler Sixty2 – first look at Ducati’s 400 cc pop icon in Malaysia

With the impending launch of the 2016 Ducati Scrambler Sixty2 – Ducati’s first 400 cc machine since the Ducati Monster M400 of 1994 – the Italian manufacturer has now made another foray into the beginner rider market. Drawing on the DNA of the original Ducati Scrambler, made in 1962 to 1974, the Sixty2 looks somewhat off-road ready but is clearly intended for road use.

Carrying a 399 cc version of Ducati’s venerable air-cooled 90-degree V-twin, the Sixty2 carries on the heritage of Desmodromic valve actuation, operating on four-valves in this iteration. Power is claimed to be 41 hp at 8,750 rpm, while torque rated at 34.6 Nm at 8,000 rpm.

Certified as Euro 4 compliant, quite possibly one of the last air-cooled engines to do so, the Sixty2 is fuelled by EFI, using a single 50 mm throttle body. A six-speed gearbox drives a chain to the rear wheel.

Basic is as basic does, and like its bigger 803 cc sibling, the Sixty2 does away with most of the accoutrements installed on modern motorcycles. Aside from ABS – courtesy of Bosch’s 9M system – there are no rider aids here, with everything the bike does relying on the connection between the rider’s brain and the throttle hand.

The upside down fork from the bigger Scrambler is now gone, obviously on the grounds of cost, replaced with a 41 mm Showa telescopic unit. A single Kayaba absorber mounted to the left of the frame takes care of the rear suspension, with adjustable pre-load.

Another cost-cutting measure is the replacement of the cast aluminium swing-arm from the big Scrambler with a pressed and welded steel unit. Braking is with a dinner plate sized 320 mm disc in front and 245 mm disc at the back, grabbed by double- and single-piston calipers, respectively.

Clocking in at 183 kg wet, the Sixty2 is no lightweight for a 400, but that bit of extra bulk will count for road stability during highway cruising. Seat height is a reasonable 790 mm, comparing favourably with other retro-bikes. Available colours are Atomic Tangerine (pictured), Ocean Grey and Shining Black.

LED head- and tail-lights are a nice touch, in common with the big Scrambler, and the circular LCD instrument panel is also carried over. With the launch of the Sixty2, a media test ride is being arranged, and we will be bringing you our ride impression in due course.

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