In the sixth episode of the Ducati World Première 2022, the new DesertX was unveiled to the world. Check out the new adventure bike from Ducati below... Press Release: Ducati ANZ.
Ducati say the new DesertX is a bike with an intense off-road attitude, that widens the boundaries of what can be done with a Ducati. Desert dunes, narrow off-road paths, gravel roads and mountainous twisties all within its DNA to tackle!
The DesertX project was born in 2019 when Ducati presented the 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.
The bike is visually composed of 3 macro elements: the tank and the side shields, the saddle and the windshield that embody the distinctive double headlight and further reinforces. Additionally, stylistic emphasis is given by the use of black and white areas.
The chassis layout of the new Ducati DesertX includes a new steel trellis frame, which works with long travel suspension and dedicated settings. The optimisation of all components led to an efficient bike, all packed in 202kg (dry weight). The choice of chassis make DesertX an easy bike to ride, offering a great capacity to absorb road imperfections.
Ducati have kept extreme riding in mind with their chassis set-up. Putting emphasis on riding ease…
The DesertX comes with a 46mm upside-down Kayaba fork with 230mm of travel and a Kayaba monoshock at the rear. Both front and rear are adjustable in compression, rebound and preload. The Kayaba monoshock is married to the aluminium swingarm and allows a rear wheel travel of 220mm. In addition, the new DesertX has a generous 250mm ground clearance. Ducati have also fitted it with a 21in wheel at the front and 18in at the rear, wrapped in Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR, 90/90-21 and 150/70 R18 tyres… the perfect choice for all-round use of the bike.
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 30mm diameter pistons, axial pump with adjustable levers and double 320mm discs with aluminium flanges. At the rear there is a single 265mm diameter disc on which works a twin-piston floating Brembo caliper.
Proper range to face longer journeys is guaranteed by the fuel tank with over 21L of capacity and offering the opportunity of mounting a second tank (available as accessory) in the rear area, adding further 8L 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.
A secondary tank can be added at the rear of the DesertX for longer journeys, supplying an extra 8 litres!
The admired 937cc 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. 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. 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.
Updates to the powerplant also contribute to a reduction to the weight of the engine by 1.7kg over to the last version.
The new DesertX comes with 6 Riding Modes working in combination with 4 Power Modes – Full, High, Medium, Low. 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. The Enduro Riding Mode 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.”
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 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 integrates 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 DesertX concludes Ducati’s yearly “World Première” annual series and it was worth the wait!
The DesertX will be available in Australia and New Zealand within the third quarter. The recommended ride away price in Australia will be $24,200 – The recommended retail price in New Zealand will be $24,995 so keep an eye on your local Ducati dealership!
2022 Ducati DesertX Specifications
Price: $24,200 rideaway
Warranty: Two years/unlimited kilometre
Colours: DesertX White
Claimed power: 81kW@9250rpm
Claimed torque: 92Nm@6500rpm
Dry weight: 202kg
Engine: Ducati Testastretta 11°, L-Twin cylinders, Desmodromic valvetrain, 4 valves per cylinder, liquid cooled, 94 x 67.5mm bore x stroke, 13.3:1 compression, Bosch electronic fuel injection system, 53mm throttle bodies with ride-by-wire system, Stainless steel single mufler, catalytic converter.
Gearbox: Six speed, DQS EVO2 quickshifter Straight cut gears; 1=38/14, 2=31/17, 28=28/20, 4=26/22, 5=24/23, 6=23/25
Clutch: Slipper and self-servo wet multiplate clutch with hydraulic control
Final drive: Chain
Chassis: Tubular steel trellis frame
Rake: 27.6 degrees Trail: 122mm
Suspension: KYB 46mm upside-down fork, fully adjustable (f), KYB monoshock, fully adjustable, remote preload adjustment, aluminium double-sided swingarm (r)
Brakes: 320mm Brembo rotors, Brembo four-piston monobloc calipers, ABS, 265mm rear rotor, twin-piston caliper. Bosch cornering ABS
Wheels & Tyres: Cross spoked, Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR 150/70 R18 M/C 70V M+S TL
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 1608mm
Seat Height: 875mm
Ground Clearance: N/A
Overall Length: N/A
Overall Width: N/A
Overall Height: N/A
Instruments & Equipment: 5’in TFT colour display , Riding Modes, Power Modes, Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC), Engine Brake Control (EBC), Ducati Quick Shift up/down (DQS), Cruise control, full LED lighting system, DRL, Ducati brake light (DBL), USB power socket, 12V socket, self canceling turn indicators, Steering damper.
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