Ducati launched the adventure thriller DesertX at the sixth episode of the Ducati World Premiere 2022. 

The new DesertX is built to take on even the toughest off-road challenges including desert dunes, tiny off-road pathways, gravel roads, and alpine twisties. When Ducati unveiled the DesertX idea to the public in 2019, it received a strong and positive response from bikers all over the world. This critical input from the Bologna-based manufacturer was the driving force behind the development of this functional, competent, and effective motorcycle.

The new DesertX is powered by a 937 cc liquid-cooled Testastretta 11° Desmodromic valvetrain engine delivers 110 hp at 9,250 rpm and a maximum torque of 92 Nm at 6,500 rpm. 

All of the innovations observed on the Monster and Multistrada V2 engines are included in the engine, including a very light and compact 8-disc clutch and a gearbox with a geardrum mounted on bearings to decrease friction and improve shifting precision and smoothness. The Testastretta engine has been optimized for off-roading. To ensure the optimum off-road performance, gear ratios have been reduced overall on all gears up to fifth. The first and second gears, in particular, are substantially shorter, to help with the low-speed driving phases of some challenging off-road crossings. Sixth gear is long enough to aid highway handling while retaining low engine speeds, resulting in reduced fuel consumption and improved comfort.

New DesertX boasts cutting edge technology enhancing safety and performance. It has six Riding Modes that work in tandem with four Power Modes – Full, High, Medium, and Low – to alter the Testastretta engine’s power and responsiveness. The key new features include Enduro Riding Mode specific settings and the addition of a new Rally Riding Mode to the Sport, Touring, Urban, and Wet Riding Modes.

Each Riding Mode can alter the bike’s character based on the rider’s input by adjusting the intervention levels of the various electronic controls, including 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 adjusted to three levels to adapt to any situation and rider skill. ABS Cornering may be be turned off fully in the off-road Riding Modes (Enduro and Rally) by pressing a specific button on the switch cube.

The DesertX’s dashboard boasts a high-resolution 5″ full-TFT color display with Ducati Multimedia System, which allows the rider to connect the phone and activate new functionalities including music and incoming/outgoing calls, as well as Turn-by-Turn navigation.

The new lightweight steel trellis frame of the Ducati DesertX improves ride quality and maneuverability. Suspension is handled by a fully adjustable 46mm upside-down Kayaba fork with 230 mm travel and a Kayaba monoshock. The Kayaba monoshock, in conjunction with the aluminum swingarm, enables for 220 mm of rear wheel travel. The new DesertX has a 250mm ground clearance, making it the obvious choice for tough desert adventures.

Brembo M50 monobloc radial calipers with four 30 mm diameter pistons, an axial pump with adjustable levers, dual 320 mm discs with aluminum flanges at the front, and a single 265 mm diameter disc with a twin-piston floating caliper in the rear, are used to provide braking force.

The double front headlamp features two twin-function poly-ellipsoidal modules with Daytime Running Light (DRL) for increased visibility. The rear light is fitted with the Ducati Brake Light, a unique mechanism that automatically triggers the flashing of the rear light to alert following vehicles in the event of rapid braking, further enhancing rider safety.

DesertX features 21” tire at the front and 18” at the rear. The original equipment tyres are the Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR, 90/90-21 and 150/70 R18. DesertX can be further customized by using Ducati Performance accessories, including the rally saddle, additional 8 liter tank, LED spotlights, central stand, heated grips and Termignoni exhausts. 

The DesertX will be available at dealerships in the Ducati network starting from May 2022. 

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