DesertX development, behind the scenes with the Ducati team

2022 Ducati DesertX

In December, Ducati ripped apart the DesertX racing/adventure motorcycle in Dubai in December, as a foray into the mid-power off-road oriented adventure bike segment.

We are now looking at what went into the design of the Ducati DesertX, from inspiring the new machine through to making it happen. Video is in Italian, but with subtitles for those of us who aren’t fluent in Ducati’s native language. You can also see below for details on the new model.

Crafting Ducati DesertX

While we’ve seen the big Multistrada more terrain-focused in recent years, this is a brand new move by Bologna to launch a more challenging adventure option in its own right, starting with an engine-sharing option from the Multistrada 950 and is said to cover the ‘mid power’ adventure car segment.

It is a 937 cc Testastretta engine, producing 110 hp and 92 Nm of torque at 9250 rpm and 6500 rpm. Running in the same direction and with a much sturdier underbody visible trellis frame, the new model features an integrated fuel tank and front bumper, taller exhaust, rear-mounted fuel tank and a tall display .

That rear fuel tank is an accessory, but it will be an accessory that will prove popular among Australian adventurers as it adds an additional 8 liters of fuel capacity, along with a standard fuel tank. 21 liters, which will give the DesertX a great touring range.

The Euro5 engine benefits from the improvements seen on the latest Monster and Multistrada 950 V2, with a compact eight-disc clutch and shortened first and second gears specifically for off-road use. The sixth gear is kept high to help cover longer distances at higher speeds, ensuring minimal trade-offs.

There’s a bit of Desert Sled style to the tail with a visible brace, but we still get a lower front guard instead of a full dirt bike style guard setup. The saddle appears to be a two-piece unit with a seat 875mm off the ground to the rider, but benefits from the narrow construction between the legs and Ducati also says some compliance in the suspension should help when Lower bike with a racer on board.

New for Ducati is the use of 21-inch front and 180-inch rear spokes, wrapped in Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tires, size 90/90 front and 150/70 rear, tubeless, with manufacturer Bologna declared it ‘the best. protection from punctures’.

Also specially selected for this purpose is the Kayaba suspension, which includes 46mm USD forks with 230mm of travel and a single fork with 220mm of travel. Both are fully adjustable, with adjustable compression, rebound and preload, with shock absorbers combined with aluminum swingarms that look like a new design and a wheelbase of 1608 mm.

Total ground clearance is 250 mm and the dry weight is quoted by Ducati as 202 kg, curb weight is 223 kg with a 21 L fuel tank.

Brembo offers braking with M50 radial brake calipers up front on the 320 mm rotor, while dual-piston calipers at the rear clamp onto the 265 mm rotor. Both are powered by ABS with cornering and Ducati notes that the axial master cylinder is part of the off-road setup for excellent tuning.

Driver-focused and lightweight comfort provides plenty of seat cushion. The thermal management system is managed by openings while the glass screen helps protect the driver, which can be replaced by a larger accessory version. For those looking to pack up for travel, Ducati also promises up to 120 L of luggage capacity but you’ll have to dig through the accessories catalog to get there.

Electronics includes six drive modes, with four power modes from Full to Low offering varying levels of both power and responsiveness. Specific settings are run for Enduro driving mode, a new Rally driving mode will also be new, joining Sport, Touring, Urban and Wet.

Enduro reduces nerfs for harsh conditions and focuses on safety for the less experienced. Rally, on the other hand, offers full power and minimal intrusion from the electronics, designed for experienced riders who want control.

Drive modes include settings for Engine Brake Control, Ducati Traction Control, Ducati Wheel Control, Ducati Quick Shift and ABS during cornering, with the IMU providing cornering functionality. In particular, ABS has a dedicated off-road mode but can also be turned off with a specific button.

In total that’s six modes, four power modes, three power levels, eight DTC levels, three levels of ABS as well as Engine and Wheel Braking, with a quick shift lever operating in both directions and equipped standard of Ducati Cruise Control.

Informing the rider is the 5-inch full color TFT display, designed for both the normal occupant’s viewing angle, as well as that of standing on the bike. There are two display modes, Standard and Rally, with Rally adding a trip master function, with manual adjustment to replicate the total trip system used in racing motorcycles.

TFT is also available for the Ducati Multimedia System, allowing phone connectivity, call management, music and turn-by-turn navigation, although these are not standard accessories.

Other features include an all-LED lighting system, with dual multi-function elliptical headlights including DRLs. The rear has a Ducati Brake light that flashes during emergency braking for better visibility.

Ducati promises a service interval of 15,000 km or every 24 months, with valve clearance checked every 30,000 km.

The Ducati DesertX 2022 will be available in Australia and New Zealand in Q3 2022, and suggested prices for the long haul in Australia will be $24,200 or $24,995 for New Zealand. DesertX will be available in a dedicated Star White Silk color. See Ducati Australia website for more information.

2022 Ducati DesertX Specifications