More mouthwatering than a glass of Chianti, chock full of off-road attitude, and dressed in fine Italian styling, the new Ducati DesertX adventure motorcycle is designed to tackle even the most demanding off-road landscapes. The DesertX represents a modern interpretation of classic 1980s enduros and is loaded with premium features to make easy work of whatever terrain you throw at it.
The DesertX is powered by a 937 cc liquid-cooled Testastretta 11° Desmodromic valve train engine that pairs perfectly with a glass of sangiovese after a long day of riding. Characterized by excellent reliability, the engine delivers 110 hp and 68 foot-pounds of torque. The chassis features a new steel trellis frame, which works in combination with the long travel suspension, to perform in the most demanding off-road conditions.
With a dry weight of 445 pounds, a 21-inch front wheel and an 18-inch rear, the DesertX promises to be an easy bike to ride. Ducati paid close attention to ergonomics in the DesertX and the triangulation between the footpegs, seat, and handlebars is designed for comfort and control both standing and sitting. The seat comes in fairly high, at 34.4 inches, but the combination of a narrow inner leg curve and initial suspension compliance will give the vertically-challenged rider a shot at decent contact with the ground.
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As for the fully adjustable suspension, the DesertX has upside-down Kayaba forks on the front and a Kayaba monoshock on the rear. Both the front and rear can be tuned for compression, rebound and preload. The whole bike has a generous 9.8 inches of ground clearance, which is particularly suitable for more extreme off-road adventures.
If you’re a long-haul sort of adventurer, you’ll appreciate the DesertX’s 5.54-gallon fuel tank. Additionally, you’ll be able to add a 2.1-gallon accessory tank that transfers fuel to the main tank with a touch of a button on the dashboard. The dash is a full-color TFT display with all the state-of-the-art standards, including ride modes to adjust things like ABS, traction control, and the music playing in your helmet.
Beyond all the latest technology and seething off-road performance, the DesertX just looks good. Between the bold body paneling, bright red seat, and the distinctive double headlight, it’s almost too pretty to drop in the dirt. But you’ll have your chance to beat one up beginning in June of this year. Every scratch and ding will be sure to show nicely on the Star White Silk livery and pricing begins at $16,795.
