New Ducati DesertX
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Joined Oct 2021
126 Posts | 65+
New Brunswick Canada
It's an interesting departure for the company. Also interesting engine choice. I like the ability to ditch the passenger seat and use the location for storage or add an extra fuel tank. It has some other nice bits and bobs also. Worth watching as time will tell the tale. Here's the vid for anyone interested.
For the time being, i'll stick with my 950.
For the time being, i'll stick with my 950.
If I had the garage space and $$ I'd get this and keep the hyper and it'd be like having both sides of a Multistrada but with each bike more refined for a specific purpose. In no way would this thing ever replace my Hyper, it'll never be the nimble canyon carver the hyper is, but it'd be a great middle weight bike for more dirt focused adventure rides.
Joined Mar 2013
3K Posts | 161+
Naples, IT
If I had a ranch or state park close by, it would be an option. The enduro design never particularly struck my fancy, but admittedly not an off road guy.
Really smart design. Ducati has really stepped up there technical game, which is crucial in today's automotive market. It's certainly the most off road focused bike they're making and I'm glad they didn't just slap new plastic on a Scrambler.
But the 937cc L-twin...yikes. For a bike that will spend a lot of time negotiating rugged terrain in the low-band, I'd certainly be cautious. I mean, how many threads do we have on "low rpm fueling issue"?!
Really smart design. Ducati has really stepped up there technical game, which is crucial in today's automotive market. It's certainly the most off road focused bike they're making and I'm glad they didn't just slap new plastic on a Scrambler.
But the 937cc L-twin...yikes. For a bike that will spend a lot of time negotiating rugged terrain in the low-band, I'd certainly be cautious. I mean, how many threads do we have on "low rpm fueling issue"?!
From what I have read, this motor, same one that's in the Hyper 950, is pretty good in that respect, almost makes me wanna trade up to a 950... almost.
This bike has piqued my imagination. My biggest complaint with my DRZ is that getting it to the dirt is a slog. This bike would probably be fine with a 1 - 2 hour ride to get to dirt and then rip dirt roads and some easy trails, but, I'm sure once I got on dirt I'd much rather have the DRZ as I'll never be sad if I drop it so long as it starts and can get me home and I could care less about scratches as those just add style points. I'm not sure how pretty the DesertX would look after a week of backroads adventuring.
IF you seriously go off road, the bike is WAY too heavy for tight technical trails.
For most "adv'ers" (fire roads, highway, Starbucks, etc) this should be very good as it's basically our hypers but with bigger wheels.
But man that's a LOT of HP for being off road (I'm not a pro...). But most "big " adv bikes have this "issue" imo.
For most "adv'ers" (fire roads, highway, Starbucks, etc) this should be very good as it's basically our hypers but with bigger wheels.
But man that's a LOT of HP for being off road (I'm not a pro...). But most "big " adv bikes have this "issue" imo.
Whether or not the specification is appropriate for the suggested use, would any Ducati enthusiast actually buy a bike like that and ride it through deep sand? The thought of what that would do to the transmission, wheel bearings and brakes, quite apart from the air filtering provision, would break my heart! It's not as if my bikes are kept sparkling-clean either because they probably only get washed once a year. Surely dirt riding needs a beat-up old bike that you really don't care too much about? Ducati playing to the market as usual. I guess that's business.
Nick
Nick
Joined Mar 2013
3K Posts | 161+
Naples, IT
We should probably wait to see if it actually competes in something like the Dakar before judging it's capability. To me, looks like they finally took aim at the GS, which has similar weight and power, albeit much different approach to engine layout and drivetrain. I like these shakeups. Like the new Bronco turning the heads of Jeep die-hards. BMW has been way too comfy in the end of the world bike category. For the past couple decades, if you were planning to go around the world, you bought a GS.
