There’s another flavor of Scrambler available from Ducati, and it has a mix of urban and sporting appeal. The 2021 Ducati Scrambler Nightshift is a bobbed blacked-out model with café racer ergonomics. We’re all familiar with the basic Scrambler concept, so let’s look at what makes the Nightshift variation tick.
A narrow aluminum handlebar gives the 2021 Ducati Scrambler Nightshift a sporting riding position. Rather than going with clip-ons, Ducati employed a handlebar that sits well above the triple clamp. Ergonomics should be aggressive yet friendly.
The bar-end mounted mirrors reinforce the café theme. It also means the rider can have a decent chance of observing trailing traffic.
Traditional fenders are virtually absent. The front fender is bobbed to almost nothing, while the rear fender is gone. Instead, there’s a small swingarm-mounted fender that also is home to the license plate and brake light. The turn indicators are mounted on a stub behind the seat.
Speaking of the seat, it’s a traditional one-piece design that easily accommodates two. Nearly flat, reinforces the Scrambler’s retro theme, while simultaneously softening the sporting look.
With a 17-/18-inch wheel combination, your choices of high-performance rubber will be limited. Ducati stuck with the off-roadable Pirelli MT 60 RS tires, even though the narrow handlebar will discourage dirt excursions. The wire-spoke wheels unabashedly promote the vintage styling.
Should you want to go racing, there are number plates on both sides of the 2021 Ducati Scrambler Nightshift.
Photo by Marco Campelli
Bosch Cornering ABS is standard. Brembo supplies the calipers.
The headers are stainless steel, the muffler is aluminum. Both are supplemented by black guards.
The air- and oil-cooled 803cc desmodromic engine is black with brushed highlights, while the aluminum belt guards are machine-finished.
Lighting is LED, and instrumentation is LCD.
The 2021 Ducati Scrambler Nightshift hits the showroom floors with an MSRP of $10,995. Be patient, as the dealers won’t be getting the Nightshift until March.
2021 Ducati ScramblerNightshiftSpecsENGINE
Type: 90-degree L-twin
Displacement: 803cc
Bore x stroke: 88 x 66mm
Maximum power: 73 horsepower @ 8250 rpm
Maximum torque: 49 ft/lbs @ 5750 rpm
Compression ratio: 11:1
Valvetrain: Desmodromic, 2vpc
Fueling: EFI w/ 50mm throttle body
Cooling: Air and oil
Transmission: 6-speed
Clutch: Hydraulically actuated assist-and-slipper
Final drive: Chain
CHASSIS
Frame: Tubular steel trellis
Front suspension; travel: Non-adjustable KYB inverted 41mm fork; 5.9 inches
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