Ducati’s decision to build a bike like the DesertX turned out to be a correct one, as the adventure bike was a big hit among off-road junkies. Since its arrival, it has also amassed awards and race wins alike.
Now, the Italian motorcycle manufacturer has launched the all-new, second-generation DesertX. What exactly does it bring to the table? Ducati says this is “a motorcycle redesigned from scratch” and is a “result of extensive feedback and experience gained over years of development and competition on the most challenging terrain.”
For starters, the new 890cc V2 engine is the lightest twin-cylinder powertrain Ducati has ever produced. It has an IVT variable intake valve timing system that enables power across a wide rev range, which means the 110hp and 92Nm are felt at the twist of the throttle. In fact, Ducati says 70% of the maximum torque is already available at 3,000rpm.
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Ducati says the monocoque frame was built around the new V2 engine. The airbox has been repositioned to allow for better access to the air filter, the removal and cleaning of which are crucial for off-road riding. Other engine components are supposedly easy to access as well, with the design of the rear trellis frame.
The suspension setup features a new Kayaba fork that promises improved absorption of rough terrain. It gets independent hydraulic adjustments on both legs. The rear suspension also has full-floater progressive linkages that allow for better comfort and off-road behavior. These, along with the new chassis, should make the DesertX both easy to handle for beginner riders and sharp and precise for the pros.
Ducati has also made the 18-liter polymer fuel tank slimmer and lighter, with the fuel volume positioned lower to the ground, ultimately lowering the bike’s center of gravity. The footpegs are now further back, while the seat and handlebars are more forward, improving the ergonomic triangle for off-road riding. The side panels also enable increased grip to make stand-up riding easier, and the front mudguard is now higher to allow for more mud to accumulate without blocking the front wheel when riding on heavier terrain.
The DesertX also has an 880mm seat height that can be lowered to 840mm. It also sits on 21-inch front and 18-inch rear tubeless spoked wheels shod in Pirelli Scorpion Rally Street tires as standard.
Electronics also come aplenty. The all-new Ducati DesertX gets features such as Ducati Traction Control. Ducati Wheelie Control, engine brake control, and four-level cornering ABS. These different levels cater to both off-road and on-road use.
Ducati Quick Shift 2.0 is also available, as well as six different ride modes, namely: Sport, Touring, Urban, Wet, Enduro, and Rally. Each of the ride modes can be customized further. The new five-inch TFT display is now also more comprehensive, with an 800x480 resolution and two USB ports as standard. It features three display modes: Road, Road Pro, and Rally, and the head unit itself can be navigated using a new petal joystick on the left-hand side.
As far as styling goes, this still looks much like the first-generation DesertX. What Ducati has done here is somewhat chop off the design, with the color accents on the fairings now shorter than before. The top and bottom portions of the twin round headlamps have also been cut off. Overall, however, the original silhouette remains.
So, what do you think of the all-new Ducati DesertX? Would you like to see this launched in the Philippines?
