A motorcycle born to enhance the adventure thrill without setting any limits
· 21” front wheel and 18” rear, long travel suspension and generous ground clearance: the DesertX is designed to perfectly tackle the most demanding off-road
· Powered by Testastretta 11° engine, the new DesertX guarantees a comfortable, easy and safe ride in a variety of travel situations thanks to the obsessive attention to ergonomics, in-depth aerodynamic studies as well as latest-generation technological features
In the sixth episode of the Ducati World Première 2022, the new DesertX was unveiled to all motorcycle enthusiasts.
The new DesertX is a bike with an intense off-road attitude, that
effectively enlarges the boundaries of what can be done with a Ducati.
Desert dunes, narrow off-road paths, gravel roads and mountainous twisties:
with DesertX travellers dreams know no more limits.
Fitted with 21” front wheel and 18” rear, the new DesertX has been designed to
tackle even the most demanding off-road. The specifically off-road-focused
development matched with Ducati valuable road expertise give life to a
responsive, easy-to-approach bike, at ease on any route and asphalt.
The DesertX project was born in 2019 when Ducati presented the eponymous
concept to the public, generating a strong and positive reaction from
motorcyclists around the world. This important feedback gave the Bologna-based
manufacturer the decisive push to transform that concept into this functional,
competent and effective motorcycle.
The design of the DesertX represents a contemporary interpretation of the lines
of the Enduro motorcycles of the ‘80s, created by the Ducati Centro Stile in keeping
with essentiality and robustness criteria.
The bike is visually composed of 3 macro elements: a unique volume that
includes the tank and the side shields, the saddle and the windshield that
embodies the distinctive double headlight and further reinforces the uniqueness
of this bike. Additionally, stylistic emphasis is given by the use of black and
white areas. The surfaces in contact with the rider are properly large and
harmoniously connected to better support every off-road riding phase.
The chassis layout of the new Ducati DesertX includes a new steel trellis
frame, which works in combination with long travel suspension with
dedicated settings , to ensure effective operation even in the most
demanding off-road conditions. The optimisation of all components led to an
efficient bike, all packed in 202 kg (dry weight). The choices in terms of
chassis make DesertX an easy bike to ride and able to give the right dose of
feeling and safety on any surface. Furthermore, the new DesertX offers a great
capacity to absorb road imperfections.
On suspension front, the DesertX stands out for its premium fitting. It is
offered with 46 mm diameter upside-down Kayaba fork with 230 mm travel and
Kayaba monoshock. Both elements are adjustable in compression, rebound and
preload. The Kayaba monoshock is perfectly married to the aluminium swingarm
and allows a rear wheel travel of 220 mm. In addition, the new DesertX has
a generous 250 mm ground clearance, which results particularly
suitable for more extreme off-road adventures.
It is noteworthy that the new DesertX features unprecedented tyres size
for a Ducati: 21” at the front and 18” at the rear. The original equipment
tyres are the Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR, 90/90-21 and 150/70 R18: the perfect
choice for a brilliant all-round use of the bike. DesertX will also be
homologated to fit both off and on-road-oriented tyres.
Like all Ducati motorcycles the braking system of this new bike benefits from
ABS Cornering function. The front features Brembo M50 monobloc radial calipers
with four 30 mm diameter pistons, axial pump with adjustable levers and double
320 mm discs with aluminium flanges. At the rear there is a single 265 mm
diameter disc on which works a twin-piston floating caliper, always by Brembo.
The braking power setting has been conceived to offer great modulability in
off-road driving as well as on slippery surfaces, not to mention the fact that
it grants the right dose of power in road use.
The ergonomics of the new DesertX have been developed over long and
demanding off-road and on-asphalt test sessions. The
saddle-footrest-handlebar triangulation gives its best in stand-up riding and
offers a good level of comfort even on on-road riding. The result is a bike
with an extremely slim fitting area and perfectly linked surfaces that
guarantee the rider maximum control and handling. Saddle is 875 mm high. The
combination of a particularly narrow inner leg curve and initial suspension
compliance ensures good contact with the ground. The saddle height can still be
reduced by means of a lowered saddle (available as an accessory) and can be
further lowered thanks to an ad hoc kit.
Ducati technicians have also worked hard on a full suite of contents, that make
DesertX a true enjoyable tool on every road. The riding position,
for example, results even more comfortable for rider and passenger alike,
thanks to the definition of shape and padding targeted for each of the two
seats. Heat management is studied in detail with openings and flows of fresh
air whilst aerodynamic protection is ensured by the great care taken in
defining the shape and size of the original windshield and the even more
protective accessory one.
Proper range to face longer journeys is guaranteed by the fuel tank
with over 21 l of capacity and thus offering the opportunity of
mounting a second tank (available as accessory) in the rear area, adding
further 8 l of fuel. Fuel transfer from the rear to the front tank is enabled
when the fuel level in the main tank falls below a certain level and can be activated
from the dashboard.
DesertX also has an excellent load capacity, almost 120 l of volume available
including bags and aluminium top case. The specific choice of tubeless tyres is
functional to the journey and to safety. It allows a combination of greater
reliability, greater safety in the event of a puncture and easier repair.
The admired 937 cc liquid-cooled Testastretta 11° Desmodromic
valvetrain engine is the heart of the new DesertX. Characterized by an
excellent reliability, this engine delivers 110 hp at 9,250 rpm and a
maximum torque of 92 Nm at 6,500 rpm* in Euro5 configuration.
Solid Ducati performance is combined with regular and always manageable
delivery, providing the rider with a bike capable of tackling any route with
great confidence.
The engine can count on all the improvements already seen on the Monster and Multistrada V2, including the extremely light and compact 8-disc clutch and the gearbox equipped with a geardrum mounted on bearings to reduce friction and improve precision and smoothness while shifting. This contributes also to a reduction of the total weight of the engine of 1.7 kg compared to the previous version.
To offer the best performance in off-road riding and in various uses, the
Testastretta 11° has been specifically optimised. In fact, the gearbox
has different dedicated ratios with respect to those of the
Multistrada V2. As a matter of fact the ratios have been shortened overall on
all gears up to fifth, to ensure the best off-road behaviour. First and second
gears, in particular, are much shorter, in order to facilitate the low-speed
driving phases of certain difficult passages typical of off-road use. Sixth
gear is properly long to facilitate highway handling while maintaining low
engine speeds; this means a contained fuel consumption and an increased level
of comfort.
A special mention is deserved by state-of-the-art electronic systems, which
offer first-rate performance and safety also in terms of rider aids. New
DesertX in fact comes with 6 Riding Modes working in combination with
4 Power Modes - Full, High, Medium, Low - that modify the power and
responsiveness of the Testastretta engine. The main new features are specific
settings for the Enduro Riding Mode and the introduction of
the new Rally Riding Mode, in addition to Sport, Touring, Urban and
Wet.
To be precise, the Enduro Riding Mode, thanks to the reduced power and the
specially designed control settings, allows the rider to tackle the most
demanding dirt roads with greater safety and makes it easier for less
experienced users to ride off-road. The Rally Riding Mode, on the other hand,
with full engine power and reduced electronic controls, is designed for more
experienced riders who want to make the most of DesertX's off-road performance.
Each Riding Mode, also thanks to the presence of the Bosch IMU (Inertial
Measurement Unit), can change the character of the bike according to the
rider’s input, by acting on the intervention levels of the various electronic
controls: Engine Brake Control (EBC), Ducati Traction Control (DTC), Ducati
Wheelie Control (DWC), Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) Up & Down and ABS
Cornering.
ABS Cornering, in particular, can be set on 3 levels to be able to adapt to
whatever situation and rider skill. In the Riding Modes dedicated to off-road
(Enduro and Rally), ABS Cornering can also be completely deactivated via the
switch cube with a specific button.
The dashboard of the DesertX, vertically oriented and positioned to offer clear
information also in stand-up riding, features a high resolution 5” full-TFT
colour display. The instrumentation is predispose to integrate the Ducati
Multimedia System which allows the rider to connect the phone, thus activating
new functions such as music and incoming/outgoing calls or Turn-by-Turn
navigation** (optional), which displays directions directly on the dashboard.
The rider is offered the opportunity to choose between two as-standard Info
Modes: Standard and Rally. The Standard option provides for all the road
information: tachometer and speedometer are clearly visible, as well as the
engaged gear, fuel level and other useful journey information. The trip master
function is part of the Rally Info Mode. This simulates the operation of the
trip master used in rally motorcycles and allows to manually adjust the
odometer indication, using the buttons on the left switch cube.
Premium technological features are also represented by the lighting system,
which is full LED . The double front headlight has two twin-function
poly-ellipsoidal modules with Daytime Running Light (DRL) and has been designed
to ensure excellent visibility, particularly important for a motorcycle capable
of travelling in all conditions. The rear light is equipped with the Ducati
Brake Light, a particular system that, in the event of sudden braking,
automatically activates the flashing of the rear light to alert the following
vehicles, a solution that further improves rider’s safety.
Such multi-faceted motorcycle can be further customised by the riders according
to their own spirit and mood by drawing on the broad range of Ducati
Performance accessories . Among the most appealing items: the rally
saddle, which marries the rider and passenger seats for greater effectiveness
in off-road activities, and the additional 8-l tank. Touring experience can be
further improved with the aluminum side panniers which, combined with the top
case, give the bike a total load capacity amount of 117 l, additional LED
spotlights, central stand and heated grips. Termignoni exhausts are also
available, both homologated and racing. The latter increases the values of
power and torque of +7% thanks to the dedicated mapping.
Ducati DesertX intense character deserved a special homage. That’s why the
Ducati Centro Stile designed, for the first time, a dedicated capsule
collection that takes up the livery of the bike. An outstanding line
inspired by the iconic “Dakarian style” and named 21/18, a celebrative tribute
to this bike’s tyres size. The technical suit includes jacket, trousers and
helmet and will be available in a limited edition. Part of this exclusive
collection is a range of lifestyle apparel, specifically designed for this
model, consisting of a sweatshirt, two T-shirts and a cap.
The DesertX will be available at dealerships in the Ducati network starting
from May 2022. The motorcycles will also be available in a depowered version
for A2 license holders. The Bologna-based motorcycle company offers the
exclusive "4Ever Ducati" warranty, valid for 4 years with unlimited
mileage that relies on the service offered by the entire network of dealers***.
The video-presentation
of the new DesertX can be viewed on the Ducati YouTube channel. Star of this exciting video is five-time Enduro world
champion Antoine Meo, who had the pleasure of appreciating the excellent
potential of this bike at the Fossil Rock in the Sharjah Desert of the United
Arab Emirates.
#DesertX #DreamWilder
New Delhi, India, 10 December 2021