Ducati‘s Ready 4 Red Tour recently stopped in Los Angeles, one of 29 cities scheduled to showcase the latest ballistic and brutal machinery born of the renowned Bologna factory and making its first public appearance, the hotly anticipated Desert X adventure bike.
Jason Chinnock, CEO of Ducati North America, hosted Ready 4 Red at the new sister location of The Bike Shed Motorcycle Club. Established in the hip Shoreditch district of Central London in 2015 by Anthony “Dutch” Van Someren, The Bike Shed is a social club aimed at a younger crowd of riders and billed as a “Soho House for Bikers.” Scheduled to open this month, the new Los Angeles Art District location includes a restaurant, bar, lounge, retail emporium, barbershop, and tattoo studio.
I went along to get a closer look at Ducati’s new model lineup, and although the Desert X is the only completely new model for 2022, there have been a lot of exciting changes to many of the brand’s leading models.
The Multistrada Gets A World’s First
Ducati first launched the Multistrada back in 2003 and the model has received numerous updates culminating in its two most exciting iterations yet. On show at the Ready for Red event were the new Multistrada V4 S and Pikes Peak, at the heart of which lay Ducati’s new V4 Granturismo engine. To the diehard Ducatisti, the replacement of the cam-driven valve train may seem a travesty, but modern valve springs have long been capable of avoiding ‘float’ at high revs. Additionally, Jason Chinnock pointed out the resulting valve-clearance maintenance schedule now stretches to 37,000 miles. The powerful, compact, 1160cc Granturismo also boasts a claimed output of 170 horsepower at the crank and peak torque of 92 foot-pounds.
With the new 2022 Multistrada V4 S unveiled, Chinnock announced to the packed room that “the Multistrada is the first motorcycle in the world to have front and rear radar.” This allows Ducati to offer owners adaptive cruise control and a blind spot detection system incorporated into the side mirrors. Exclusive to the V4 S, an optional Minimum Preload system drops the monoshock to its lowest preload setting when it senses the bike is coming to a stop or moving at crawling speeds, mirroring an innovation first debuted on the Harley-Davidson Pan American, to help less lofty riders to get their feet firmly planted on the ground.
The Pikes Peak Multistrada stretches the boundaries between full-on sportbike and sport-tourer. Squarely aimed at the street and readily identified by its single-sided swingarm and 17-inch front wheel. Ducati went as far as adjusting the chassis’ geometry, besides adding a shorter fork, to ensure uncompromised handling. Further sports credentials include Brembo Stylema brakes, carbon fiber components, and a titanium Akrapovič exhaust system.
Limited Edition XDiaval
Chinnock also unveiled the latest Diavel 1260 S, arguably the oddball in Ducati’s lineup. The belt driven, naked cruiser design is nonetheless a popular machine. On display, the 1262cc Testastretta L-twin driven Diavel in its latest Black and Steel livery, matte black and gloss gray with yellow accents, disappointing those hoping to get a glimpse of the XDiavel Nera. “We’re only making 500 of them,” said Chinnock, “and they’re as rare as hen’s teeth.”
Designed in conjunction with Poltrona Frau (think Herman Miller), the highly stylized XDiavel Nera Edition has customizable ergonomics and accessories, finished in a matte and gloss, “Black on Black” livery. The handmade leather seat is available in five colors, there are three options for locating the footpegs, forward for a cruiser feel, neutral, or back for a sporty position, and variously shaped handlebars to match.
A More Refined And Powerful Panigale
I rode the original 1199 Panigale back in 2014, and although I have never experienced the feeling of riding a 500cc two-stroke sportbike, I imagine that the frantic and somewhat unforgiving 1199 might be the closest I will ever get. The 1299 was a big step forward, and the first of the V4 Panigales, with its improved weight distribution and fueling, while not exactly taming the wildly revvy track beast, made for better handling in the ham-fisted clutches of mortals like myself.
The Panigale has been the subject of further tinkering. Unveiled at Ready 4 Red, the new V4S’s 1103cc Desmosedici Stradale engine is now a structural member of the frame, and Ducati’s engineers have managed to squeeze yet more power out of it, and claim 210 horses now strain at the bit. The addition of a DP3 Akrapovič track-only exhaust system increases output to 228. To put that into perspective, we’re talking 930 horses per ton. The V4 S equipment list includes Brembo Stylema monobloc brakes, Öhlins semi-active suspension, a full suite of rider and track aids, which promises to be the friendliest (and fastest) Panigale yet.
The New Nakeds
The market for naked motorcycles, characterized by higher, wider handlebars, is hotter than ever. The new Street Fighter V2 and V4 SP were on display, and both bikes take their core design cues from their fully faired Panigale cousins. Engines are load-bearing extensions of the chassis and develop class-leading power, supplemented by premium electronics.
The 955cc Superquadro engine in the V2 makes a claimed 153 horsepower. I can’t wait to test it; all I can do for now is try out the new seat. Ducati has been at lengths to improve the smaller Streetfighter’s ergonomics, which for 2022 has a wider, plusher, seat and a slightly more relaxed footpeg position. Although the Streetfighter V2 will undoubtedly be fun on a track, its longer swingarm adds improved stability for the street.
Dreaming Of Dakar
Chinnock segued from the new model lineup to announce MotoGP hero Danilo Petrucci’s return to the Ducati Corse fold. “It has long been our goal to return to Superbike racing in the US,” said Chinnock, “and with Danilo and the Warhorse HSBK Racing Team we have an exciting season ahead of us.”
And while Petrucci is still capable and young enough to compete in Superbike, it is worth noting that he performed well during his recent debut in the Dakar Rally Raid, despite issues with his factory KTM. Did someone say DesertX?
Ducati’s First True Dual Sport
We ran through the key facets of the new DesertX back in September, but in case you missed it, here’s the brief: The adventure bike market has been the biggest growth sector for some time now, and lately manufacturers have been tapping demand for more dirt-oriented models. It’s a competitive field, and with its 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheel, elevated suspension, and yawning ground clearance, the new DesertX is ready for the fray.
Powered by the 937cc, twin-cylinder Testastretta 11-degree engine, which promises healthy torque across the rev range with a claimed maximum of 69 foot-pounds and 110 horsepower, making the DesertX one of the most powerful in its class. Fly-by-wire throttle management and a Bosch six-axis IMU provide the basis for a suite of rider aids and six riding modes. Brembo M50 monobloc brake calipers and fully adjustable KYB suspension front and back make for a premium package.
The styling of Ducati’s first true dual-sport machine is, at first glance, contemporary and understated, and yet it’s possible to squint and imagine you’re looking at a Cagiva Elephant from the ’70s. I don’t think it can get much better than that. Ducati, to its credit, has held off plastering the bodywork with graphics, and the subtle livery enhances the bike’s appeal. If the DesertX rides nearly as well as it looks, Ducati will be on to a winner.
As for their intent to compete on the DesertX, Ducati would only hint at potential plans, but with Petrucci back in red, and the opportunity to contend with established teams such as KTM, it can only be a question of when.
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