Din Borgo Panigale to the desert dunes. Ducati continues the expansion of the range by presenting new models such as the new DesertX, unveiled in Dubai and simultaneously with the digital Ducati World Première. Series version of the concept presented in 2019, the novelty created by the Ducati Style Center brings to mind the enduro motorcycle of the 80s. Equipped with a 21 “front wheel and 18” rear wheel, the DesertX starts from this feature to challenge rivals such as Honda Africa Twin and Yamaha Ténéré, as well as winks at the BMW customer who is looking for a greater off-road attitude without sacrificing road skills. The new bike costs 16 thousand euros.
The scheme adopted for the chassis includes a new steel trellis frame, which works in combination with long-travel suspension capable of guaranteeing optimal behavior even in the most demanding off-road vehicles also thanks to the dry weight contained in 202 kg. The DesertX is powered by the 937 cc liquid-cooled Testastretta 11 ° desmodromic distribution engine, with 110 hp of power at 9,250 rpm equipped and a maximum torque of 92 Nm at 6,500 rpm. To offer the best possible performance in off-road driving and in various uses, the engine has been optimized specifically for this bike. In fact, the gearbox has different dedicated ratios compared to those of the Multistrada V2.
On the suspension front we find a 46 mm diameter Kayaba upside-down fork has 230 mm of travel and is adjustable in compression, rebound and preload. The single shock absorber, also Kayaba, is adjustable in compression, rebound and preload and, combined with the aluminum swingarm, allows a rear wheel travel of 220 mm. Ground clearance is also promoted, with 250 mm available.
Returning to the tires, the bike is equipped with Scorpion Rally STR tires as original equipment, with sizes 90 / 90-21 and 150/70 R18. Under brakes, the system is equipped, like all Ducati motorcycles, with the ABS Cornering function. The front is equipped with Brembo M50 monobloc radial calipers with 4 30 mm diameter pistons, axial pump with adjustable levers and double 320 mm discs with aluminum flanges. At the rear, on the other hand, a single 265 mm diameter disc on which a twin-piston floating caliper, again from Brembo, works. Also developed for standing riding, typical of off-road riding, it features a saddle positioned at 875 mm from the ground and also available lower thanks to the accessories available.
The autonomy suitable for longer journeys is guaranteed by the tank of over 21 l and the possibility of mounting a second tank in the rear part of the bike as an accessory, adding a further 8 l of petrol. As for the load capacity, there is almost 120 L of volume available between bags and aluminum top cases. Moving on to electronics, there are 6 Riding Modes available on DesertX and they work in combination with the 4 Power Modes that modify the power and responsiveness of the Testastretta: Full, High, Medium, Low.