2024 Ducati DesertX

Dream Wilder

Exploration. Fun. Performance. And a great desire to take and leave towards the horizon. The identity of this bike leaves no room for doubt: just looking at it, it brings you into the atmosphere of Dakar racing.

DesertX is the first modern Ducati with 21 "front wheel and 18" rear, long stroke suspension and a new frame designed specifically for the off-road experience.

CHASSIS

• DesertX was developed for the most demanding off-road, and therefore has all the essential contents for this type of use: spoked wheels, 21 '' at the front and 18 '' at the rear and generous ground clearance. Thanks to the various homologations obtained, DesertX has various types of tires available, up to those dedicated to the off-road world.
• 21"/18" WHEEL COMBINATION: DesertX is equipped with the iconic wheel combination for the enduro segment: spoked wheels, 21'' at the front and 18'' at the rear. Ready to easily tackle any type of obstacle and asphalt.
• GENEROUS GROUND CLEARANCE: A fundamental feature for off-road use, DesertX has a ground clearance of 9.8 in, which is particularly favorable for more extreme off-road riding.
• WIDE CHOICE OF TIRES: The DesertX is equipped with Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tubeless tires that combine greater reliability and safety in case of puncture with easier repair. Thanks to the different approvals obtained, there is a wide choice of alternative tires.
• KAYABA LONG STROKE SUSPENSION: The 1.8 in upside-down fork and fully adjustable single shock absorber were developed with the Japanese brand Kayaba, a successful producer in the off-road world.
• SUSPENSION: As far as the suspensions are concerned, we have worked with a brand of proven success in the off-road world: the Japanese company Kayaba, with whom we have shared several days of testing in the definition of the best setup, using top-level components. Quality and adjustments of these components allow us to meet the needs of each rider in different riding conditions.
• FRONT FORK: The 1.8 inch diameter upside-down Kayaba front fork offers a whopping 9 inches of travel and is adjustable in compression, rebound and preload.
• REAR MONOSHOCK: The single shock absorber, also Kayaba, is adjustable in compression, rebound and preload and, through the aluminum swingarm, allows 220 mm of rear wheel travel.
• BRAKING SYSTEM: The DesertX is equipped with Brembo brakes with ABS Cornering function. The braking power setting has been studied to offer the right power for road use, but also good mouldability in off-road riding and on difficult terrain.
• FRONT SYSTEM: The front system is characterized by the presence of Brembo M50 monobloc radial calipers with 4 pistons of 1.1 inch diameter, axial master cylinder with adjustable levers and 12.5 inches double front disc with aluminum flanges.
• REAR SYSTEM: At the rear we find instead a single 265 mm diameter disc on which works a double-piston floating caliper, always Brembo.
• ERGONOMICS: In off-road riding, it is not only the hardware you have at your disposal that determines performance but also, and above all, the confidence and feeling that the bike gives you, which translates into control and safety in all conditions.
• RIDING POSITION: The ergonomics of the saddle, handlebars and footpegs are designed to make the transitions from sitting to standing, typical of off-road riding, as natural as possible.
• SHAPES AND SURFACES: The shape of the tank, saddle and other components ensure better control of the bike.
• SADDLE: The seat height is 34.4 inches and can be reduced thanks to the seat and lowered suspension kit available as an accessory.
• LONG DISTANCE TRAVELING: We worked on a number of features that make the DesertX truly enjoyable on all types of asphalt.
• RIDER AND PASSENGER COMFORT: A comfortable riding position for both rider and passenger, thanks to targeted form and padding for each seat.
• AERODYNAMICS AND HEAT MANAGEMENT: The management of heat, with openings and flows of fresh air studied. Aerodynamic protection with great care taken in defining the shape and size of the original and accessory windshield.
• TANK RANGE: Adequate autonomy for longer journeys thanks to the fuel tank with a capacity of over 21 liters and the possibility of mounting a second tank at the rear of the bike as an accessory.
• LOAD CAPACITY AND TIRES: The excellent load capacity, almost 120 L of volume available between bags and top cases, made of aluminum. The tires are the tubeless Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR that combine excellent off-road performance with grip and confidence in all asphalt conditions.

DESIGN

• The aesthetic of the DesertX manages to combine the suggestion of homage to the "Dakarians" with a decidedly modern "look and feel". This Adventure bike was designed by the Centro Stile Ducati following the criteria of essentiality and sturdiness. The designers have pushed for a minimalist aesthetic that communicates resistance, once again managing to combine form and function in the best possible way.
• POST-HERITAGE LOOK: The DesertX pays clear homage to the Enduro bikes of the past, but every reference has been reinterpreted by Ducati with the aim of making the bike absolutely contemporary.
• DIGITAL SENSATIONS: The dual full LED DRLs are integrated into the windshield, without any other visible structure. It almost looks like a touch interface. It's post-heritage and digital at the same time.
• ROBUST-DESIGN GUIDELINES: The effect of "Robust Design" is rendered by a studied alternation between large and small curvatures. Lines that, from the first glance, tell of the sportiness of a bike that conveys the pleasure of adventure.
• FUNCTIONAL ERGONOMICS: The surfaces in contact with the rider are large and well connected, allowing movement in various directions with the highest level of comfort, especially in off-road riding.
• ENJOY THE DETAILS: We put the emphasis on a few, decisive elements that enhance the technological character of the bike. For example, the front end creates a completely new composition that makes an impression from the first glance. The windscreen merges with the headlight.
• ASYMMETRICAL TANK DESIGN: The authenticity of the DesertX is underlined by the tank, a real metal tank with a large capacity and an off-center cap.
• AERODYNAMICS: We thought about the rider's thermal comfort by creating fresh air ducts hidden behind the side guards, while hot air from the radiator is exhausted from underneath.
• ROBUSTNESS: The aluminum cowl, standard on this bike, covers most of the engine, creating visual continuity with the front of the bike.
• DEDICATED CAPSULE COLLECTION: The motorcycle has such a strong identity that, for the first time, we decided to design a dedicated clothing line in-house at the Centro Stile. We named the capsule collection 21/18. These figures refer to the size of the wheels, which characterize the off-road use of the bike. We wanted them to be represented also on the clothing, using them to name the collection.

ELECTRONICS

• ELECTRONICS AT THE SERVICE OF SAFETY, VERSATILITY AND STYLE: DesertX, like all Ducati models, has advanced electronics for safety and performance in all conditions.
• 6 RIDING MODES: The versatility of the DesertX is also reflected in its Riding Modes. It has 6 modes, 2 of which are specifically dedicated to the off-road riding experience: Enduro and the brand Rally Mode, in addition to the Sport, Touring, Urban e Wet modes.
• THE FLEXIBILITY OF THE RIDERS ASSISTANCE PACKAGE: The electronic equipment is completed by a package of rider assistance systems: Traction Control, Wheelie Control, Engine Brake Control, Cornering ABS, Quickshifter Up & Down and Cruise Control, to make long distance riding even more relaxing.
• FULL LED LIGHTING EQUIPMENT: The bike’s completely Full LED lighting system equipment is of the highest level. The double front headlight has two bi-function polyellipsoidal modules with Daytime Running Light (DRL) and has been designed to ensure excellent visibility, which is particularly important for a bike that can ride in all conditions. The rear headlight is equipped with the Ducati Brake Light. The system, in the event of sudden braking, automatically activates the flashing of the rear light to signal the condition of sudden slowing to following vehicles, making a further contribution to rider safety.
• DISPLAY AND CONNECTIVITY: The DesertX is equipped with a 5" TFT color display ready for integration with the Ducati Multimedia System (and oriented vertically to offer the best visibility even when riding standing up.
• LIGHTING SYSTEM: The front headlight, which features the unmistakable sector DRL, is full-LED, as are the rear light and the direction indicators to ensure the best visibility and the most decisive look. There is also the Ducati Brake Light system which, in the event of sudden braking, automatically activates the flashing of the rear light in order to signal a potentially dangerous condition to the vehicles following.
• DISPLAY: The DesertX is equipped with a high-resolution 5" TFT color display oriented vertically and positioned to offer the best visibility even when riding standing up. This display is prepared for integration with the Ducati Multimedia System that allows you to connect your smartphone via Bluetooth and activate Turn by Turn navigation by receiving directions directly on the dashboard. The display offers the possibility to choose between two standard Info Modes: Standard and Rally.
• 6 RIDING MODES: The safety and performance of the Ducati model are also guaranteed by the electronic systems, which represent the state of the art in terms of performance and safety. There are 6 riding modes available for the rider, each with its own specific destination of use. Beside the already known Sport, Touring and Urban are the Wet Riding Mode for use on wet asphalt and the two Riding Modes dedicated to off-road riding: Enduro and Rally. Each riding mode can act on the character of the engine through the 4 power modes: full, high, medium and low, which change the power and responsiveness of the Testastretta.
• STANDARD INFO MODE: In Standard mode, all necessary information for road riding is displayed, with RPM and speed in the foreground.
• RALLY INFO MODE: Rally Info Mode, on the other hand, brings up the remaining range and the tripmaster function typically used on rally bikes during navigation.
• ENDURO RIDING MODE: The Enduro Riding Mode, thanks to the reduced power and the specially designed control settings, makes it possible to tackle even the most demanding off-road terrain with greater safety and facilitates riding for novice riders.
• RALLY RIDING MODE: Rally Riding Mode, with full engine power and reduced electronic controls, is designed for experienced riders who want to get the most out of their DesertX off-road performance.
• SETTING ABS: The ABS can be set to three different levels - Level 3: suitable for road use, always safe and stable. Level 2: a bit more permissive, designed for off-road use. Level 1: still off-road, but acting only on the front for even more intense use. Finally, it is possible to completely exclude the ABS system only on Enduro and Rally riding modes. A detail dedicated precisely to the most experienced off-roaders and maybe a little aggressive in driving.