Ducati DesertX Off-Road Video Review

Ducati’s DesertX at a glance:

The 937 cc Testastretta engine produces 110 hp and 92 Nm of torque at 9250 rpm and 6500 rpm respectively.
The Euro5 engine benefits from the improvements seen on the latest Monster and Multistrada 950 V2, with a compact eight-disc clutch and shortened first and second gears specifically for off-road use. Sixth gear is kept tall to help with longer distances at higher speeds, ensuring minimal trade-off.
New from Ducati is the use of a 21-inch front and 180-inch rear, spoked rims clad in Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tyres, a 90/90 front and 150/70 rear, tubeless.
Kayaba suspension set-up, comprising a set of 46 mm USD forks with 230 mm travel and a monoshock offers 220 mm of travel. Both are fully adjustable, with compression, rebound and pre-load adjustment.
Total ground clearance is 250 mm and the dry weight being quoted by Ducati is 202 kg, with the kerb weight 223 kg with a 21 L tank of fuel.
Brembo provide the braking system with M50 radial calipers up front on 320 mm rotors, while a dual-piston caliper on the rear grips a 265 mm rotor.
Electronics include six riding modes, with four power modes from Full through to Low that offer different levels of both power and responsiveness. Specific settings are run for the Enduro riding mode, will a new Rally riding mode is also new, joining Sport, Touring, Urban and Wet.
Keeping the rider informed is a 5 inch TFT full colour display, designed for both regular seating viewing angle, as well as when standing on the bike.
The Ducati DesertX is priced at $24,200 Ride Away.

Why I like the Ducati DesertX:

What a pretty looking thing. Very stylish. A fresh take blending retro Dakar and modern themes
Once settled in and setup it’s quite the blend of agility and poise
That proper V-Twin note is hard to beat, especially with the Termi full system

I’d like the Ducati DesertX more if:

Should have a rear luggage rack I’d have thought
Adjustable screen would be nice. And heated grips should come as standard
That Termi full system bumps the price up a bit though doesn’t it… and the crash bars… which I’d put in the must tick option

Ducati DesertX Specifications

2022 Ducati DesertX Specifications
ENGINE	Ducati Testastretta 11°, L-Twin cylinders, Desmodromic valvetrain, 4 valves per cylinder, liquid cooled
DISPLACEMENT	937 cc
BORE X STROKE	94 x 67.5 mm
COMPRESSION RATIO	13.3:1
POWER	110 hp (81 kW) @ 9,250 rpm
TORQUE	92 Nm (68 lb-ft, 9.4 kgm) @ 6,500 rpm
FUEL INJECTION	Bosch electronic fuel injection system, Ø53 mm throttle bodies with ride-by-wire system
EXHAUST	Stainless steel single mufler, catalytic converter and 2 lambda probes
Transmission
GEARBOX	6 speeds
PRIMARY DRIVE	Straight cut gears, ratio 1.85 : 1
RATIO	1=38/14, 2=31/17, 28=28/20, 4=26/22, 5=24/23, 6=23/25
FINAL DRIVE	Chain, front sprocket Z15, rear sprocket Z49
CLUTCH	Slipper and self-servo wet multiplate clutch with hydraulic control
Chassis
FRAME	Tubular steel trellis frame
FRONT SUSPENSION	KYB Ø 46 mm upside-down fork, fully adjustable, 230 mm
WHEELS	Cross-spoked, tubeless, 2.15 x 21in, 4.50 x 18in
REAR SUSPENSION	KYB monoshock, fully adjustable, remote preload adjustment, aluminium double-sided swingarm, 220 mm travel
TYRES	Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR, 90/90 – 21 M/C 54V M+S TL (A), 150/70 R18 M/C 70V M+S TL,
FRONT BRAKE	2 x Ø 320 mm aluminum flange semi-floating discs, Radial mount Brembo monobloc 4-pistons calipers, Bosch Cornering
REAR BRAKE	Ø 265 mm disc, Brembo floating 2 pistons caliper, Bosch
INSTRUMENTATION	5’’ TFT colour display
Dimensions & Weights
DRY WEIGHT	202 kg (445 lb)
KERB WEIGHT*	223 kg (492 lb)
SEAT HEIGHT	875 mm (34.4 in)
WHEELBASE	1608 mm
RAKE	27,6°
TRAIL	122 mm
FUEL TANK CAPACITY	21 l (5.54 US gal)
NUMBER OF SEATS	2
Equipment
SAFETY EQUIPMENT	Ducati Safety Pack (Cornering ABS, Ducati Traction Control), Riding Modes, Power Modes, Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC), Engine Brake Control (EBC), Ducati Quick Shift up/down (DQS),
STANDARD EQUIPMENT	Cruise control, full LED lighting system, DRL, Ducati brake light, (DBL), USB power socket, 12V socket, self canceling turn, indicators, Steering damper
READY FOR	Ducati Multimedia System (DMS), Antitheft system, Turn by turn navigation via app, fog lights, heated grips, auxiliary fuel tank
Warranty & Maintenance
WARRANTY	24 month, Unlimited mileage
MAINTENANCE SERVICE INTERVALS	15,000 km (9,000 miles) / 24 months
VALVE CLEARANCE CHECK	30,000 km (18,000 miles)
Emissions & Consumption
STANDARD	Euro 5
CO2 EMISSIONS	133 g/km
CONSUMPTION	5.6 l/100 km
RRP	$24,200 Ride Away