Ducati Scrambler 800 (2015+) Complete Maintenance Schedule
This is the maintenance schedule for the Ducati Scrambler 800, otherwise known as just the “Ducati Scrambler”.
The Ducati Scrambler family started in 2015 with the 800 series (with an 803cc L-twin engine), and has expanded today to include smaller ones (the Sixty2) and larger (the Ducati Scrambler 1100).
It’s all based around an 803cc air/oil-cooled L-twin that Ducati has had since the mid-2000s, in bikes like the Ducati Monster 800, Ducati Monster S2R800, Ducati Hypermotard 796 and Ducati Monster 796.
It’s not officially known as the Ducati Scrambler 800… it’s just known as the Ducati Scrambler. But then the bigger one came along in 2018, and “800” helps disambiguate.
The maintenance schedule for most of the Ducati Scrambler motorcycles is the same — even between the 800 and 1100 series (though they have different parts). They are both powered by air- and oil-cooled L-twins with 2-valve/cylinder desmodromic engines, just with different capacities.
The schedule below does not apply to the Ducati Scrambler Sixty2. That schedule is almost identical — but the intervals are different.
Thus this maintenance schedule applies to all models of the Ducati Scrambler from 2015 onward.
This includes the Ducati Scrambler Icon, Dark, Full Throttle, Desert Sled, and Urban Enduro — the changes between the models are outside the engine/drivetrain and don’t impact the maintenance schedule.
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What you need to maintain the Ducati Scrambler
The Scrambler is a pretty easy motorcycle to maintain, apart from the valve adjustments. But even replacing the belts periodically is not hard. Just make sure you get the right belts, and don’t leave it too late!
If you’re worried, a good (and affordable) companion is the Haynes manual.
Firstly, you may need the following tools to service the Ducati Scrambler: Essential Motorcycle maintenance Tools.
Secondly, you’ll need the following specific consumables to replace on any Ducati Scrambler with the 803cc motor.
| Part | Ducati Scrambler 800 spec |
|---|---|
| Engine oil | Ducati recommends Shell Advance Ultra motorcycle oil. You need 3.7L for a complete oil change. It’s hard to find and expensive so people suggest Mobil 1 Synthetic. A lot of Ducati owners use Shell Rotella T6… check out the forums. |
| Oil filter | Genuine Ducati part is 44440037A the Ducati Scrambler. I’d suggest removing that and using a Hiflofiltro HF153RC oil filter which can be changed with a normal wrench. |
| Brake and Clutch fluid | Ducati recommends Shell Advance brake and clutch fluid, but that’s quite hard to find, so Castrol DOT 4 Synthetic is a good and very high-quality alternative. |
| Timing belt | Is it time to change the timing belt? Don’t put it off… a broken timing belt will cost you a lot (bent valves)! You need part number 73740242A (replacing 73740281A). |
| Front brake pads | OEM part number for the front pads is 61341021A. You can also use EBC FA630HH for more bite and less fade as you apply pressure. |
| Rear brake pads | OEM part number for the rear pads is 61340761A. You can also use EBC FA213HH for more bite and less fade as you apply pressure. |
| Air filter | You can also use K&N part DU-8015 for Ducati Scrambler 800 models up to 2018, or K&N part DU-1006 for 2019+. |
| Spark plugs | NGK code for the Scrambler 800 is DCPR8E. Note they’re sold individually. |
| Grease | Use lithium soap-based grease for external pivot points. |
| Chain maintenance | Use a Motul chain care kit or just Motul chain paste to maintain your chain. |
Ducati Scrambler Maintenance Schedule
Below is the overall maintenance schedule for the Ducati Scrambler. Each item has a distance interval and a time interval — you should do whatever’s sooner. E.g. if you get to the 12 month mark and you haven’t done 12000 kms/ 7500K miles, you should change the oil and filter anyway.
The table is from Ducati’s “Transparent Maintenance” service schedule sheet, just rearranged a bit to make it easier to understand.
Generally Ducati Scrambler maintenance is broken up into three parts
- Initial service at 1,000 kms or 600 miles
- Minor service every 12,000 kms or 7,500 miles where you check valve clearance (and pretty much everything else)
- Major service every 24,000 kms or 15,000 miles where you change timing belts and spark plugs
You have to change the timing belts every 15,000 miles or 5 years — whichever comes sooner.
There’s also the fork fluid, which is recommended to be changed after a set distance travelled.
| km x 1000 | 1 | 12 | 24 | 36 | 48 | 60 | Every |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| mi x 1000 | 0.6 | 7.5 | 15 | 22.5 | 30 | 37.5 | (Months) |
| (Ducati tech) Read fault memory with the DDS 2.0 tester, and check technical updates and recall campaigns on DCS | X | X | X | X | X | X | 12 |
| Change engine oil and filter (Mobil 1 Synthetic, HF153RC) | X | X | X | X | X | X | 12 |
| Check and clean air filter | X | X | X | X | X | 12 | |
| Change air filter (DU-8015 up to 2018, then DU-1006 for 2019+) | X | X | |||||
| Change timing belts (part number 73740242A) | X | X | 60 | ||||
| Check and/or adjust valve clearance | X | X | X | X | X | ||
| Replace spark plugs (NGK DCPR8E) | X | X | |||||
| Change front fork fluid (Every 36,000 km/22,500 miles) | |||||||
| Visually check the front fork and rear shock absorber seals | X | X | X | X | X | X | 12 |
| Check brake and clutch fluid level | X | X | X | X | X | X | 12 |
| Change brake and clutch fluid (Castrol DOT 4) | 24 | ||||||
| Check front and rear brake disc and pad wear | X | X | X | X | X | 12 | |
| Check the proper tightening of brake calliper bolts, brake disc screws, front and rear wheel nuts and rear sprocket nut | X | X | X | X | X | 12 | |
| Check frame-to-engine, frame-to-swinging arm and frame-to-rear shock absorber fasteners tightening | X | X | X | X | X | 12 | |
| Check the wheel hub bearings | X | X | X | X | X | 12 | |
| Check the cush drive damper on rear sprocket and lubricate the rear wheel shaft | X | X | |||||
| Check chain, rear sprocket and sprocket wear and check final drive chain tension, lubrication and stretch. (NOTE: It is recommended to change the final drive chain kit within 20,000 km/12,000 mi.) | X | X | X | X | X | X | 12 |
| Check steering tube bearing clearance | X | X | X | X | X | 12 | |
| Check spoked wheel as indicated in the workshop manual (where present) | X | X | X | X | X | X | 12 |
| Check the freedom of movement and tightening of the side stand | X | X | X | X | X | X | 12 |
| Check that all gaiters and visible hoses (i.e. fuel, brake and clutch, cooling system, bleed, drain hoses, etc.) are not cracked, are tight and properly housed | X | X | X | X | X | X | 12 |
| Check rear brake lever free play and handlebar lever and pedal control lubrication | X | X | X | X | X | X | 12 |
| Check cable clutch lever free play (where installed) | X | X | X | X | X | X | 12 |
| Check tyre pressure and wear | X | X | X | X | X | X | 12 |
| Check the operation of all electric safety devices (side stand and clutch sensor, front and rear brake switch, engine stop switch, gear/neutral sensor) | X | X | X | X | X | X | 12 |
| Check lighting devices, turn indicators, horn and controls operation | X | X | X | X | X | X | 12 |
| Final test and road test of the motorcycle, testing safety devices (e.g. ABS and DTC), electric fans and idling | X | X | X | X | X | X | 12 |
| Softly clean the motorcycle | X | X | X | X | X | X | 12 |
| (Ducati tech) Service coupon registration with turning off of Service warning light on instrument panel with DDS 2.0 and filling in of the on-board documentation | X | X | X | X | X | X | 12 |
Ducati Scrambler 800 Tires and Tire Pressures
Ducati Scramblers in the 800 series have different tire sizes and pressures depending on the model. A few are below.
Ducati Scrambler Icon and Full Throttle
| Tyre | Size | Brand(s) | Tyre pressure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front | 110/80-R18 MC 58H | Pirelli MT 60 RS | 2.5 bar (36 PSI) |
| Rear | 180/55-R17 MC73H | Pirelli MT 60 RS | 2.5-2.9 bar (36-42 PSI), depending on load |
Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled
| Tyre | Size | Brand(s) | Tyre pressure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front | 120/70 R19 | Pirelli Scorpion Rally Str | 2.2 bar (32 PSI) |
| Rear | 170/60 R17 | Pirelli Scorpion Rally Str | 2.5-2.6 bar (32-38 PSI) |
About the Ducati Scrambler 800
The Ducati Scrambler is Ducati’s popular retro bike, based on technology from older Ducatis but with modern style and technology.
The Scrambler is a lightweight, modestly powerful, and very easy-to-ride motorcycle. They use a 803cc L-twin engine that’s air- and oil-cooled, very few rider aids, and … not much else.
Originally, the Scrambler was a back-to-basics motorcycle in an era when most motorcycles (including most of Ducati’s line-up) have been laden with technology that some perceive as getting in the way of a pure experience.
At its core, the air/oil-cooled 803 cc L-twin makes a humble 73 hp (54 kW) at 8250 rpm, and peaks in torque with 49 ft-lb (66 Nm) at 5750 rpm.
While the Ducati Scrambler has come with ABS since the beginning, since 2019 they all come standard with cornering ABS — quite impressive for a middleweight motorcycle. They don’t have ride modes or traction control, though.
The slightly dated engine configuration does mean that the service intervals are more frequent on the Ducati Scrambler. So if you’re considering a Scrambler or a water-cooled Ducati Monster, you should know you’ll have to crack open the Scrambler a lot more often. Valve service is at 7500 miles / 12000 km, and is a little costly if you insist on going to Ducati-branded mechanics.
Other premium manufacturers have created middleweight Scramblers (Triumph having been much earlier to the market), but Ducati’s entry is lighter AND more powerful. (The bigger ones, e.g. the BMW R nineT Scrambler, are best compared to the Ducati Scrambler 1100.)
That said, despite the moniker, people advise you should never mistake a Scrambler for a dirt bike. It’s a road bike that won’t freak out on dirt roads or the occasional fire trail.
The Ducati Scrambler comes in many variants, including the basic Icon, the adventurous Desert Sled, the Urban Motard, the Café Racer, and others. They all share the same basic engine and drivetrain underpinnings.
Ducati Scrambler 800 Manual
The above was sourced from the Transparent Maintenance sheet provided by Ducati, obtained by us in 2020. You can get the original copy here.
