Ducati Scrambler Icon Vs Honda Rebel 500 Comparison

The Ducati Scrambler Icon vs Honda Rebel 500 is one of the most prominent comparisons between the two coolest urban commuters available in the market. Both these motorcycles have an old history, dating back to the 1970s and 1980s when they were first introduced with a fully classic silhouette. In the mid-2010s, both the Ducati Scrambler Icon and the Honda Rebel 500 received numerous cosmetic changes to transform them into a modern sporty bike with performance that will attract young and new riders.

Both the Ducati Scrambler Icon and the Honda Rebel 500 are two trademark motorcycle brands with an enormous worldwide presence and growth potential. Ducati may not compete with Honda in terms of size, production capacity, market hold, and sales but when it comes to unique and bold styling, innovations, and incorporating hi-tech features, Ducati has overshadowed several notable global motorcycle brands.

Comparing these two motorbikes, the Scrambler Icon is a more powerful option with stunning trendy looks, vibrant color options, and modernized performance elements. Meanwhile, the Rebel 500 may look simple and has basic performance parts and figures, but it is off the charts with the extraordinary value for the money it provides. Continue reading this article to learn more about the detailed looks and performance comparison between the Ducati Scrambler Icon and the Honda Rebel 500.

The Ducati Scrambler Icon is one of the liveliest motorcycles in the market with vibrant color schemes and matching fenders. It has quite a spark in its design that can attract many riders looking for an exceptional sporty-style road bike. You may not be able to judge the type of motorcycle it is due to its versatile look which makes it more mysterious and appealing.

Though branded as a Scrambler, the Icon is categorized as a pure urban commuter with a touch of neo-retro styling, a naked bike-style exposed engine, and several sporty elements. Being popular with the name “Scrambler”, it will not disappoint you in slightly forgiving off-road conditions thanks to its sufficiently knobby and chunky tires.

To make it versatile and tolerate harsh conditions, it features several flexible plastic items, including the front and rear fenders and body cover kits/panels. However, it can be a major turn-off point for several riders not willing to compromise over the metal parts and exceptional finish.

The use of cover kits/panels allows the proud owners of the Ducati Scrambler Icon to transform the look of this bike whenever they want by easily changing the kits within 30-45 minutes. There are numerous cover kit options with vivacious and bright color schemes to match your personal style every time you go out for a ride.

The exposed blacked-out Desmodromic L-Twin engine guarantees a rugged and contemporary look. Towards the front, there is a large round-shaped LED headlamp with a tube-style daytime running light (DRL) engraved at the border. The less-protruding binnacle carrying the headlamp, along with the black cross mark on top ensures its distinctive identity.

The Ducati Scrambler Icon features a one-piece wide saddle with less cushioning. To provide this bike with scrambler aesthetics, it comes with a distinctive twisted exhaust pipe style with aluminum tailpipes and covers.

You should be proud if you own a Honda Rebel 500 as you made the right choice. This motorbike is what you can call simplicity at its perfection. The Rebel 500 may be the most basic motorcycle you will ever come across but almost everything about it is exceptionally well-balanced. You will fall in love with this bike if you have a good know-how of motorcycling. It is a miracle in the field of engineering thanks to Honda’s R&D which made it possible and produced a highly functional bike available at an affordable price.

The Honda Rebel 500 is a naked-style cruiser with a sportier touch. Despite this bike having nothing more than an optional ABS in terms of technology, the look and aesthetics of it can still get you awestruck with its extremely modern vibe. The naked view of the engine and machinery is the best part of the Rebel 500, giving it a head-turning attitude. The Rebel 500 has an authoritative character with a taller front end and distinctive headlamp design. Though it carries a punched-face usual round headlamp, it features four main LED bulbs placed symmetrically inside the light cover.

The gas tank looks like a part of the motorcycle, neatly fitted diagonally on top of the frame’s backbone. The Rebel 500 is quite a well-known bike for solo riding thanks to its simple and wide solo rider seat. This bike has a small and lightweight front mudguard and a midsized broad and chopped rear fender with a stylishly integrated tail light and neatly engraved Rebel signature. What brings the most attraction in terms of the Honda Rebel 500’s styling and cushiness is its fat tires wrapped around 10-spoke gold-anodized wheels.

Performance-wise, the Ducati Scrambler Icon has almost stayed unchanged since its introduction in 2015. Only a few tweaks have been made but the overall character and performance figures are almost the same. The Scrambler Icon carries the iconic 803 cc Desmodromic L-Twin engine with air-cooled technology. It produces an exceptional 73 hp of horsepower at 8,250 rpm and 65.2 Nm of torque at 7,000 rpm, making it extremely punchier on the road.

Apart from its comparatively powerful specs and figures, the engine is also equipped with EFI technology and is managed by a ride-by-wire throttle system. To enable a modern and customizable experience, you can select between two ride modes, including the Road and Sport modes on the Ducati Scrambler Icon. The ride-by-wire system is supported by the Bosch Cornering ABS and switchable four-level Ducati Traction Control (DTC) to make the engine behaves in a particular way preferred by riders. The ride customizability features have been recently introduced in this motorbike, making the smoothness and responsiveness quite noticeable.

Though there are only two rider modes installed on the Ducati Scrambler Icon, you can feel the difference between the two. The exceptional power-to-weight ratio allows riders to enjoy a ballistic experience on the road with an admirably quick throttle response.

On the sheet, the Honda Rebel 500 may seem like an average motorcycle but as soon as you get to ride this motorcycle, you will truly become an admirer. Undoubtedly, it is an exceptional motorbike with a great value for the money. The Rebel 500 features a beginner-friendly 471 cc parallel-twin engine but it is an extremely fun-to-ride motorcycle. Doesn’t matter how expert you are as a rider, you will love the experience of riding this bike. The parallel-twin engine is liquid-cooled and generates a decent horsepower of 46.9 hp at 8,500 rpm and a torque of 43 Nm at 7,000 rpm.

The punchiness and smoothness come from the incredible engine technology used in the Rebel 500. The throttle response is also decently abrupt, making the engine highly responsive. You will feel so satisfied and overwhelmed with the amount of power it produces. The Rebel 500 uses a programmed fuel injection system which ultimately leads to a brilliant fuel economy of 67 mpg, making it an ideal choice for riders looking for a highly economical bike.

The Honda Rebel 500 is not a superbike with a large-displacement power mill, so you must not expect this bike to win you track races. Nonetheless, it promises a highly entertaining riding experience and possesses a sufficient oomph for even skilled riders. Considering its design and engine performance, it is well-suited for real-world riding conditions, making it one of the best urban commuters.

Try opening the full throttle on highways, the Rebel 500 will never make you feel shaky. It ensures a smooth, yet predictable throttle response. The power delivery is linear for versatile riding conditions. The output gradually builds up as you keep pushing its boundaries.

latest Ducati Scrambler Icon offers the lightest clutch pull action thanks to the hydraulically controlled slipper function and self-servo wet multi-plate technology. The adjustable lever option also ensures that you feel the best while riding this motorbike.

The transmission also feels silky smooth in terms of gear shifting. The Scrambler Icon gets a six-speed transmission and a chain final drive for better acceleration and response. If you are still looking for a more forgiving experience, you can install a Ducati quick-shifter.

Considering the price point and base-level features, the Honda Rebel 500 is amazingly soft and smooth in terms of clutch pull action and gear shifting. The slipper & assist function and the transmission are incredibly plush, making rides smooth and less distracting. This is another great feature that can make learning easier for new riders. The Rebel 500 also encompasses a six-speed gearbox and a chain final drive, suited for highway cruising.

The previous generation model had an offset classic-looking small round-shape digital meter which is replaced by a stylish 4.3-inch TFT color display with a almost every information and setting easily visible on it. You also get to connect your mobile phone using this TFT display.

The instrument panel on the Honda Rebel 500 is one of the compromised elements installed on this bike, most probably to keep the price on the lower side. It is an old-style, small, and round-shaped gauge with a digital display. The actual display size is not more than almost 60% of the total instrument panel size and it also does not contain a tachometer.

To start with how this motorcycle handles and performs around the corners, it must be first mentioned that the Ducati Scrambler Icon has shed almost 4 lbs of its overall weight compared to the previous generation. The trail size has also been reduced which has imparted several benefits, including improved agility and cornering performance. It now feels more flickable and easy to turn around the corners.

The Scrambler Icon’s low weight plays an exceptional role in making this bike maintain its nimble behavior. The overall performance capabilities of this bike ensure that it gives the same vibe and feel it is built for. Another notable feature of the Scrambler Icon, helping riders gain better control of the bike and improving its flickability is its wide handlebars.

To be clear, the Honda Rebel 500 may look dapper when it is fully dressed up with useful parts but it is a very plain and simple bike with no tech gadgets. However, one thing that makes the Rebel 500 a true modern performer is the superior rideability it offers. This bike handles quite smoothly on the road, ensuring nothing can go wrong while riding this bike. The confidence comes from its low seat height and authoritative riding style. Thanks to the marvelous engineering and its technical design which makes the Rebel 500 feel extremely lighter than it is.

The overall lightweight design and confidence-inspiring steering allow beginners to comfortably ride the Rebel 500 without being intimidated by its punchier 471 cc engine. Due to having certain characteristics of a naked bike, it is one of the best sports-style cruisers with superior flickability.

Though the Ducati Scrambler is an established urban commuter, perfect for city traveling and everyday rides, what makes it an exemplary road bike is its ability to easily overcome and maneuver through busy traffic lanes. However, when it comes to comfort, the Scrambler Icon offers very limited legroom and ergonomics. If you are a taller rider, you will probably want to take a break after every 20 minutes of riding this bike. The foot controls are positioned right below the rider’s seating position.

The only good thing about the ergonomics is that you can sit with an upright back if you are a taller rider. The seat on this bike is also not feasible for long or continuous rides due to being flat, wide, and less cushioned. The room for the passenger is also very tight and the pillion rider will not be comfortable on it for more than 20 minutes. If you are an average-sized rider, you must sit in a forward riding style to avoid the urge to ride on this bike with a curved back.

The Honda Rebel 500 is carefully designed to provide the best comfort for everyday riding. The rider triangle does not make you feel restricted and you can comfortably adjust your limbs. Nonetheless, you must not compare the comfort level offered by the Rebel 500 with that of a pure cruiser as it is built for a different purpose. The riding style is quite sporty and aggressive if your height is on the shorter side. If you are average-sized and taller, you can maintain an upright back posture. The legroom is decent enough to not make you feel kinked up during the ride. However, if you have a large inseam and longer legs, your knees may be positioned above your hip level which can be a problem to maintain a comfortable position during the ride.

Considering the low weight of the Ducati Scrambler Icon, the braking equipment is more than sufficient to provide consistent and reliable stopping power. There is a 330 mm single-disc brake with four-piston Brembo radial caliper towards the front and a 245 mm single rear disc brake, along with the standard Bosch Cornering ABS.

Although the braking equipment on the Honda Rebel 500 is quite basic, it still somehow manages to provide sufficient stopping power thanks to its low weight. There is a 296 mm single front disc and a 240 mm single disc towards the rear. The ABS is also an optional feature and you have to pay $300 on top of the base price if you want the ABS variant.

The suspension technology installed on the Ducati Scrambler Icon is also a well-balanced feature, offering a soft and plush riding experience. Not to forget, this bike falls under the Scrambler lineup and it has adequate potential to overcome reasonable potholes and imperfections on the road. Other than that, the suspension technology is forgiving enough to allow riders to maneuver on unpaved terrains to a certain extent. The suspension setting allows a perfect balance for a controlled riding experience, suitable for beginners.

The Ducati Scrambler Icon has a 41 mm Kayaba upside-down front fork with no adjustability and a preload-adjustable single rear mono-shock that is slightly offset. Both the front and rear suspension offer a decent wheel travel of 5.9 inches. Though good for versatility, the soft suspensions on the Scrambler Icon do not help you keep up with the thrilling sportier performance.

Like the rest of the equipment on the Honda Rebel 500, the suspensions are also not very advanced. There is a non-adjustable 41 mm front fork and a conventional-style twin rear shock setup. The front suspension offers a 5.5-inch wheel travel and the rear one has a 3.7-inch wheel travel, perfect for road riding. Hitting normal bumps on the road does not make you upset thanks to the reasonable suspension setup and fat tires.

The Ducati Scrambler Icon and the Honda Rebel 500 are two bikes from different genres. Deciding which motorcycle to buy between these two, will all be based on your preferences. In terms of usefulness, great value for the money, practical performance, reliability, daily commuting, and above all affordability, you may not find a better bike than the Honda Rebel 500. It is a way more productive and efficient motorbike than the Ducati Scrambler Icon if you are a beginner or intermediate rider. The Rebel 500 has the potential to equally attract expert riders with its punchiness and flickability.

On the contrary, some bikers will always prefer aesthetics, bigger engines, more power, and a tech package that can make riders look cool. If you are willing to compromise on fuel efficiency, value for the money, comfort, and versatility, you are good to go with the Ducati Scrambler Icon. It is one of the cheapest motorcycles in the Ducati lineup but comparing it with the Rebel 500, it is slightly on the expensive side.

However, if comfort is not your priority and you want a motorcycle that can also help you do some slightly off-road adventure, the Ducati Scrambler Icon can fulfill all your needs. It is more attractive than the Rebel 500 thanks to the vibrant color options and optional body panels/kits that you can easily purchase and install to completely transform the look of your Scrambler Icon.

Are you bored of seeing your motorcycle in its base and stripped-down form with no goodies hanging out and making it look attractive? Prep your bike for a makeover at Viking Bags’s online store. At Viking Bags, there are tons of luggage bag options and motorcycle parts to beautify your particular make and model and improve its touring capability.

In the cruiser category, Viking Bags offers sissy bar bags, tank bags, backpacks, trunk bags, tour packs, handlebar bags, and much more. If you ride the Rebel 500, the company makes specialized saddlebags that will perfectly suit your style.

In the aftermarket parts category, Viking Bags makes sure that you enjoy comfortable trips with tailor-made add-ons like sissy bars, crash bars, fairings, handlebars, backrests, and seats.