With its 8-valve Testastretta engine, Paris-Dakar styling, dirt bike features and adventure bike capabilities, the new DesertX looks like being an incredible bike for those talented enough to throw such a big, powerful bike around sand dunes.
Check out Ducati’s 25 minute introduction video:
Surprisingly affordable at $24,200 ride away, this 110hp machine might give away some power to the bigger adventure bikes, but this is more dirt bike than adventure tourer.
It reminds us more of the KTM 950 Super Enduro of 20-odd years ago than anything currently available, although Ducati is offering such an array of accessories it looks like it’ll make a very handy off road tourer and would have to be a front runner for the right bike to ride around the world.
It’s got around 9 inches of wheel travel in the trick Kayaba suspension, big Brembo brakes, 21/18 inch wheels, an 875mm seat height, ergonomics designed to work seated or standing, a 21 litre fuel tank (with an innovative optional 8L accessory tank which mounts at the rear of the bike).
Accessories include full aluminium panniers with 120L of capacity, crash protection parts and riding gear. Lowering kits are also available if the seat height is intimidating.
The engine has been lightened and gear ratios altered for the DesertX, there’s a heap of riding modes, Ducati’s modern electronics including cruise, traction, wheelie and engine brake control in addition to a standard quickshifter.
There’s a 5-inch vertical TFT display featuring Ducati Multimedia for bluetooth integration and turn-by-turn navigation, and a rally mode nav too.
For long distance riders concerned about getting a Ducati maintained in the outback, service intervals are now out to 15,000km with valve checks at 30,000.
The DesertX should be here in May 2022.
