Ducati DesertX adventure motorcycle revealed

The Ducati DesertX is the Italian motorcycle maker’s newest and the most hardcore adventure motorcycle so far. And why won’t it be? It takes its inspiration from Ducati’s rally motorcycles, which ran the gruesome Dakar in the 1990s.

Ducati has taken the wraps off the new DesertX. We would have loved to call the DesertX a more hardcore Multistrada V2, but despite the fact that they share the engine, the new adventure motorcycle is very different from the Multi V2 adventure tourer.

The DesertX has been inspired by the Ducati motorcycles that competed in the Dakar in the 1990s, and you can find the resemblance in the way the headlamp unit has been styled. The fairing sports a very ‘retro-rally bike’ styling, and just like the Dakar rally motorcycles, the DesertX has two fuel tanks as well, but we shall get to that later.

As mentioned earlier, the Ducati DesertX gets the same 937cc 11-degree V-twin engine from the Multistrada V2. The power is rated at 108bhp at 9,250rpm, and peak torque is marked at 92Nm and 6,500rpm. While the engine is the same unit that powers the Monster, Supersport 950, and Multi V2, the gearbox that the DesertX gets is totally different. The ratios are closer, which improve acceleration, while the six gears are spread wider, which helps in cruising and high fuel efficiency.

The suspension components are sourced from Kayaba. The DesertX gets 46mm upside-down forks up front and a mono-shock at the rear. Both units are adjustable for compression, rebound, and preload. The Ducati DesertX has a ground clearance of 250mm. The braking hardware includes two Brembo with four-piston M50 callipers at the front – as it has a twin-rotor set up up front.

The DesertX gets large spoke-wired wheels, just as any other rally motorcycle. The rim size up front is 21 inches, while the rear is 18 inches. The tyres on offer are a pair of Pirelli Scorpion Rally STRs.

In addition to the top-shelf hardware and cycle parts, Ducati has kitted the DesertX with multiple electronic aids and features. The DesertX is equipped with six-axis IMU-based traction control, wheelie control, engine brake control, and ABS. There are multiple rider modes on offer including Enduro and Rally modes. All of the electronics can be accessed via the 5-inch TFT screen at the front.

Other features include an optional reserve eight-litre fuel tank integrated into the tail section of the motorcycles. The primary fuel tank can hold up to 21 litres of petrol; however, the motorcycle will notify the rider on when to switch between the two tanks and when to refuel.

The dry weight of the motorcycle is 202kgs, but the kerb weight, with two full tanks of fuel, is 223kgs. The seat height of the new ADV is marked at 875mm, but Ducati is kind enough to offer a seat lowering kit as an accessory. The seat lowering accessory will bring down the saddle height between 840mm and 850mm.

The Ducati DesertX will go on sale in the international markets first, and the India launch will most likely happen in the second half of 2022. The India specific pricing of the Ducati DesertX will be in the range of Rs 16 to 19 lakh (ex-showroom).

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