After a few years of teasing it is here – Ducati’s dirtiest motorcycle since the 450 R / T from 1971. The Ducati DesertX 2022 may not be a pure dirt bike, but it is leaning towards the off-road / rally end of the adventure bike spectrum . Let’s take a closer look at Ducati’s shot over the bow of the KTM 890 Adventure R.
- The Testastretta 11 ° engine of the 2022 Ducati DesertX is based on the engine of the Multistrada V2 and monster. The 937 cc V-Twin with desmodromic actuated valves delivers 110 horsepower at 9250 rpm and 68 ft-lbs of torque at approximately 6500 rpm. Changes to the clutch and transmission improve shifting and save nearly four pounds. A quickshifter is standard on the six-speed gearbox. 1st and 2nd gear are significantly lower than on the Multistrada V2, with 3rd to 5th gear being designed to be gradually lower. Sixth gear remains a touring-friendly overdrive.
- Off-road Bona Fides come with a 21/18 inch wheel combo, travel suspension, and a curb weight of under 500 pounds. “It is noteworthy that the new DesertX offers unprecedented tire sizes for a Ducati – 21” at the front and 18 “at the rear,” claims Ducati, but this wheel pairing was used on the R / T. Regardless, these are the rim sizes off-road riders want to see. Aggressive Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tubeless tires are mounted on the wire spoke rims. The fully adjustable KYB chassis offers around nine inches of travel at both ends. The fork is an inverted 46mm unit, while the piggyback reservoir shock absorber is cantilevered and not supported by the deflector. The DesertX weighs in at 492 pounds with the 5.5 gallon fuel tank full. An optional 2.1 gallon auxiliary fuel tank near the rear fender extends the range of the DesertX significantly.
- The seat height is 34.4 inches and the ergonomics are standing friendly. Ducati says the midsection has been kept slim to make it easier for the rider to grip the bike while riding off-road and to bring the rider’s boots to the ground. The initially soft suspension keeps the driver closer to the ground and reduces the ground clearance by 9.8 inches. A lower seat is available as an accessory, but this affects the relative position of the handles and footrests.
- Many modes and driver assistance options allow the driver to customize the DesertX to suit their preferences and conditions. There are six driving modes plus four power modes. For the first time, a Ducati motorcycle has a rally mode that matches the Enduro, Sport, Touring, Urban and Wet modes. The four power modes – full, high, medium and low – adjust the throttle response and the power output. IMU-assisted adjustable driver aids include traction control, wheelie control, electronic engine brake adjustment and cornering ABS. The ABS on the DesertX also has three levels of cornering, plus Enduro and Rally, which defeat cornering utility.
- The Enduro mode is intended to support less experienced off-road drivers, while the rally mode is intended for the most aggressive dirt drivers. Enduro mode reduces power and speeds up the electronic aids, while rally mode unleashes full power and minimizes the ingress of electronics.
- Brembo takes over the braking tasks. A pair of radially mounted Brembo M50 monoblock calipers grip the 320mm disc. The front brake master cylinder is a direct axial pump and the lever is adjustable. The 265mm rear disc has a floating Brembo caliper with two pistons.
- The dashboard is rally inspired. The five-inch TFT display is mounted vertically to make it easier for the driver to read while standing. There are two display modes – Standard and Rally. Rally mode was developed to make navigation easier by mimicking the tripmaster display used on rally bikes. Unfortunately, GPS is not part of the system. The optional Ducati Multimedia System connects to your smartphone and offers turn-by-turn navigation. If you enjoy listening to music or making phone calls during the rally raid, the DMS makes this possible.
- The front passenger seat is optimized for comfort, the driver’s seat more performance-oriented.
- A larger optional windshield is available for riders who focus more on touring than off-road touring.
- Optional cases offer almost 120 liters of storage space.
- Ducati Centro Stile took care of the appearance of the DesertX. Terms like “Dakarian Style” and “Lines of the enduro motorcycles of the 80s” are being swirled around. Regardless of how they got there, the designers created a striking motorcycle.
- There will be many items of clothing that will go with the DesertX – both casual and technical. The off-road gear can be seen in the action photos.
- You have to wait until June to pick up a Ducati DesertX 2022. The MSRP is $ 16,795, nearly $ 2,600 more than last year’s KTM 890 Adventure R. You can have the DesertX in any color you want as long as it is Star White Silk.
2022 Ducati DesertX specifications
ENGINE
- Type: Testastretta 11 ° L-twin
- Displacement: 937cc
- Bore x stroke: 94 x 67.5 mm
- Compression ratio: 13.3: 1
- Maximum power: 110 hp at 9250 rpm
- Maximum torque: 68 ft / lbs at 6500 rpm
- Fuel supply: Bosch EFI with two 53mm throttle bodies
- Transmission: 6-speed
- Clutch: Hydraulically operated wet lamellas with assist and slipper functions
- Final drive: chain
CHASSIS
- Frame: tubular steel grille
- Front suspension; Travel: Fully adjustable KYB 46mm inverted fork; 9.1 in
- Rear suspension; Travel: Fully adjustable KYB damper with piggyback reservoir; 8.7 in
- Wheels: tubeless wire-spoke aluminum alloy
- Front wheel: 21 x 2.15
- Rear wheel: 18 x 4.5
- Tires: Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR
- Front tire: 90/90 x 21
- Rear tire: 150/70 x 18
- Front brake: 320 mm discs with radially mounted Brembo M50 monoblock four-piston calipers and master cylinder with axial pump
- Rear brake: 265mm disc with Brembo floating 2-piston caliper
- ABS: Bosch cornering ABS
DIMENSIONS and CAPACITIES
- Wheelbase: 63.3 inches
- Rake: 27.6 degrees
- Trail: 4.8 inches
- Seat height: 34.4 inches
- Ground clearance: 9.8 inches
- Fuel capacity: 5.5 gallons
- Empty weight: 492 pounds
- Color: Star White Silk
2022 Ducati DesertX Price: $ 16,795 MSRP
2022 Ducati DesertX Photo Gallery
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