Big bikes are dream machines. Posters on our bedroom walls, loud revs in our heads, and usually… confined to Sunday rides and biker cafés. But what happens when you strip away the gloss, the reel-worthy corners, and just live with one? Every single day. Rain or shine, traffic or twisties. That’s exactly what Living with the Big Cats is all about testing whether these big cats can purr through everyday chaos, not just roar on weekend runs.
And our first contender? The beautifully minimal, muscled yet friendly Ducati Scrambler Icon. We had it with us for a month in Mumbai, and what followed was a journey filled with stares, burbles, the occasional splatter of monsoon, and a whole lot of joy. This wasn’t just a test, it became a relationship.
It’s the kind of bike that doesn’t shout, it smirks. The Scrambler Icon has a visual presence that’s minimalistic yet unmistakably premium. Especially when seen from the side, the wide handlebar, stubby proportions, clean lines and exposed trellis frame create a profile that’s both old-school cool and modern tight.
From the get-go, the 795mm seat height was welcoming. I didn’t have to tip-toe or wrestle with the machine — I just sat, pressed the starter, and got on with it. That low saddle, combined with the compact body and manageable 185kg kerb weight, made it feel almost… too easy. And that’s not a complaint.
My daily route? Malad to Andheri in the morning, and the reverse in the evening — which meant medium traffic in the A.M. and soul-crushing congestion post 7 PM. This is where most big bikes fail, turning into heat-spewing monsters. And the Scrambler Icon, being air-cooled, isn’t immune to this.
In peak stop-and-go traffic, especially with Mumbai’s humid 35-degree evenings, the engine heat does build up around the thighs. It's not unbearable — but it’s there. Manageable for 20-25 minutes, annoying if you’re stuck longer. That said, it’s a bit unfair to expect an air-cooled L-Twin to be chill in a metro inferno. Ride it like it’s meant to be ridden keep airflow moving, and the heat rarely crosses into discomfort.
The 803cc L-Twin engine pushing 73 bhp and 65 Nm has a beautifully linear power curve. No sudden lunges, no jerky delivery. Just torque — smooth, predictable, and always there when you need it. The wide handlebars and upright seating made filtering through traffic a breeze. Thanks to the 18-inch front and 17-inch rear alloy wheel setup, it was surefooted yet agile in every tight gap.
Yes, I took it to the supermarket. And no, I wasn’t embarrassed. In fact, I felt a bit smug.
Doing everyday chores on the Scrambler was shockingly convenient. The clutch isn’t heavy, the throttle isn’t snatchy, and the bike’s lightness means you’re never second-guessing tight U-turns or parallel parking outside tiny Kirana shops. Ducati’s Kayaba suspension setup — 41mm USD forks up front and a preload-adjustable monoshock at the rear soaked up potholes and undulations like a champ. I began trusting it blindly over broken patches of road.
The 18+ kmpl fuel efficiency figure (yes, from an 800cc twin!) also ensured my wallet didn’t cry every week. On weekends, I stretched its legs to Lonavala and Igatpuri, dancing through the misty ghats and watching the Pirelli MT 60 RS tyres grip with absolute confidence — even in the monsoons. Those tyres? Serious heroes. Wet roads, corner exits, puddles, never once did they throw me off.
But let’s talk about the soul — that exhaust note.
Crack the throttle and you’re greeted with a bassy, throaty growl. Not the obnoxious kind. The sophisticated, goosebump-inducing kind. And when you shut the throttle, oh boy — the burbles and pops on the overrun sound like gentle fireworks behind you. It turns heads. Every. Single. Time.
There were moments where strangers rolled down windows to ask what bike it was. One even asked, “Is that a custom build?” That’s how distinctive it looks and sounds.
The electronics suite is well thought-out, not overbearing. You get ABS, traction control, and riding modes. But the real charm? You can switch it all off (except for rear ABS, sad). And that’s exactly what I did once I got used to the bike. The mechanical confidence of the chassis is so good, you rarely feel like you're being helped by invisible forces. And when you do need them, like on slippery monsoon roads, they come in subtly and effectively.
The instrument cluster and software interface are refreshingly simple and easy to use. No unnecessary clutter. Just the info you need, without needing a PhD in menu navigation.
Yes, it wasn’t all sunshine and throttle crackles. The rear mudguard design is minimal, but during the rains, it leaves your back looking like a Jackson Pollock painting. There’s noticeable splatter, and I had to clean my jacket and helmet more than once.
Another small nitpick — I wished for a wider tank to grip with my knees during enthusiastic cornering. But that’s a personal preference and far from a dealbreaker.
Absolutely. In fact, I didn’t just live with the Scrambler - I bonded with it.
It’s a big cat that’s been tamed, but not declawed. It has enough power to thrill, enough poise to survive the urban grind, and enough comfort to make you reach for the keys every morning. Even after 30 days of riding it across all kinds of chaos, not a single squeak or hiccup. Ducati’s build quality has genuinely evolved.
This isn’t just a Sunday special. This is an everyday exotic. One that blends Italian flair with Bombay resilience. Would I recommend it to someone who wants to buy their first premium big bike? Without a second thought. Will I miss it? More than I thought. It’s not every day you meet a big cat that curls up next to you like a pet, but still knows how to roar.
A surprisingly domestic Italian with a wild heart….. And what’s next?
Specification
Power: 71.8 Bhp @ 8250 rpm
Torque: 65.2 Nm @ 7000 rpm
Price (Ex-Showroom Onwards)
₹ 10,39,000
Engine
803cc Air Cooled L-Twin Engine
