2018 Ducati Scrambler Sixty2

The last time Ducati produced a motorcycle this small, Richard Nixon had just been impeached and velour jumpsuits were a thing. True facts! Anyway, back then, the 350 GTL’s power came from a soulless 350cc air-cooled parallel twin with a chain-driven overhead camshaft, while today, the Scrambler Sixty2 has a smooth 399cc air-cooled V-twin with belt-driven overhead cams and desmodromic valve actuation. In reality, the littlest desmo is a honey of an engine and unique in motorcycling. Rated at 40 hp at an easy 8,750 rpm, it’s adequate for pushing the claimed 403-pound-wet bike to around 100 mph.

Necessarily built to a price, the Scrambler Sixty2 uses a conventional Showa fork and side-mounted Kayaba shock, and pedestrian two-piston front and single-piston rear brake calipers. ABS, however, is standard. To help fit a variety of rider sizes, three seat heights ranging from 30.3 inches to 31.9 inches are available. And the paint color? Atomic Tangerine. Sounds like the 1970s, all right.

Likes: Jewel-like 399cc V-twin, dearth of electronic gewgaws

Dislikes: Needs a wire-spoke-wheel, high-pipe, dual-sport brother

Verdict: Absolutely, Ducati's entry-level machine