Ducati Rolls Out Paint and Parts Refresh on 2021 Scramblers

Ducati touts new colorways as new models, this time making minor tweaks to its Scrambler line. Again, we covered the hell out of the changes last week, and again: A new paint job isn’t a new bike.

First, Ducati trumpeted the arrival of the Scrambler Nightshift as if a new dawn of motorcycle fashion was breaking. In reality, it stuck number plates, matte black paint, and cafe racer mirrors and bars on a regular-old Scrambler. Along the way, Duc let go of the Scrambler Full Throttle and the Scrambler Cafe Racer.

So, OK. The Nightshift is a new nameplate in the Scrambler line. But mechanically, and frankly stylistically, it’s the same-old 803cc Scrambler rebadged, repackaged, and sold as a new experience.

Moving to the Desert Sled, the changes are more of the same. Ducati stopped short of calling it “all-new,” but the “new” 2021 Desert Sled is just the 2020 bike with a throwback livery and grippier seat. It’s still cooler than legions of its competitors, and it’s still a phenomenally capable machine, but… There’s just nothing new about it. You know what we’d like to see? A real dirt bike-size 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheel combo.

It takes a hot minute for changes to gestate, and there’s always the chance that you drop a new model and internet aficionados skewer you for changing the old bike. But there is a wide gulf between that and passing off paint and accessories as new motorcycle models.

If the bike didn’t change, awesome! The whole line are competent machines that are absolutely guaranteed to generate grins. So just come out and give us the straight dope: The paint and accessories are being updated for ’21, but we’re sticking to the winning formula. There’s no shame in it, and as a bonus you’re way less likely to get bagged on by a two-bit pundit like me.