DESERTX

Dream Wilder

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. 

Off-road chassis

21 ”front and 18” rear wheels, long stroke suspension, generous ground clearance (250mm) and an off-road frame designed and tested to withstand the toughest conditions.

Ergonomics optimized for every condition

Ergonomics and aerodynamic study give life to a motorcycle that has off-road as a natural territory and at the same time remains comfortable, easy and safe for urban commuting and long travels.

Advanced electronics, dedicated to versatility

The versatility of DesertX is also reflected in the Riding Modes: there's 6 of them, with Enduro and Rally dedicated specifically to the off-road riding experience.

Lightweight engine tuned for off-road use

DesertX is equipped with the latest evolution of the 937 cc Testastretta 11th desmo, lighter by 1.7 kg compared to the previous generation and equipped with a new gear ratio to ensure the best off-road behavior.

Post-heritage and digital.

DesertX presented a completely new challenge to the Centro Stile. The opportunity to experiment with a new design language, seeking inspiration in the history of African Rally.

The result is a solid, clean, modern design, based on shapes taken from the most adventurous off-road world. It is a bike that wants to be solid and functional at the same time. 

Technology for the adventure of a lifetime.

We worked by drawing on the best of our knowledge in terms of ergonomics, engine, aerodynamics and electronics. And we developed a new specific chassis for off-road.

DesertX is functional, a 'sport tool', competent, technologically advanced and effective like all Ducatis. 

Post heritage and digitale The Ducati DesertX is designed as a tool: essential and robust. Style is driven by functionality. That's why we pushed for a minimalist aesthetic.
VEHICLE DEVELOPMENT DesertX is a versatile bike, adaptable to different context of use: it has been specifically developed to cope with the most demanding off-road riding, but it is also safe and comfortable for touring, and at home on everyday trails.
ELECTRONICS FOR VERSATILITY 6 riding modes, 5 ”color TFT and full LED lights. DesertX, like all Ducatis, has advanced electronic equipment aimed at safety and performance in all conditions.
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. 

01
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.

02
Generous ground clearance

A fundamental feature for off-road use, DesertX has a ground clearance of 250 mm, which is particularly favorable for more extreme off-road riding.

03
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.

04
Kayaba long stroke suspension

The 46mm upside-down fork and fully adjustable single shock absorber were developed with the Japanese brand Kayaba, a successful producer in the off-road world.

Engine

The new DesertX is equipped with the latest evolution of the water-cooled 937 cc Desmodromic 11° Testastretta engine with 110 horsepower and 92 Nm of torque.

It’s the well-known twin cylinder already appreciated on our other models for its double soul: very manageable and smooth at low revs, but with a torque that is always ready and able to release all the Ducati character with a great extension. 

Type
Ducati Testastretta 11°, L-Twin cylinders, Desmodromic valvetrain, 4 valves per cylinder, liquid cooled
Displacement
937 cc
Bore x Stroke
94 x 67.5 mm
Compression Ratio
13.3:1
Power
110 hp (81 kW) @ 9,250 rpm
Torque
92 Nm (68 lb-ft, 9.4 kgm) @ 6,500 rpm
Fuel Injection
Bosch electronic fuel injection system, Ø53 mm throttle bodies with ride-by-wire system
Exhaust
Stainless steel single mufler, catalytic converter and 2 lambda probes
State of the art electronics

DesertX, like all Ducatis, has advanced electronic equipment aimed at safety and performance in all conditions. 

Riding mode

The versatility of DesertX is also reflected in the Riding modes: up to six options, two of which are specifically dedicated to the off-road riding experience.

Riding assistance systems

The electronic equipment is completed by the package of riding assistance systems: Traction control, Wheelie control, Engine brake control, cornering ABS, Quickshifter up & down and Cruise control, to make riding on long journeys even more relaxing.

Lighting system

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.

TFT & Connectivity

DesertX is equipped with a high resolution 5 ”color TFT display oriented vertically and positioned to offer the best visibility even in standing riding. This display is designed for integration with the Ducati Multimedia System which allows you to connect your smartphone via Bluetooth and activate Turn by Turn navigation by receiving directions directly on the dashboard.

Warranty

4Ever Ducati

Ducati offers you a 4-year warranty on the new DesertX with Ducati's 4Ever Ducati.
Developed to push you to the limit

Take your wildest dreams and make them come true. Bring some friends and get ready to enjoy the adventure of a lifetime.

DesertX will take you all the way. 

The rider and the engineer

Meet Antoine Méo, 5 times Enduro world champion who rode the DesertX in the desert for the first time, and Pierluigi Zampieri, Ducati R&D Vehicle Director. The rider and the engineer. Friends and Enduro World Champions.

DesertX was born to create adventures, and this one is good to tell. 

A collection inspired by the desert

The bike has such a strong identity that, for the first time, we decided to design a dedicated apparel within the Ducati Centro Stile. We named it 21/18.

Get ready to go for your next adventure, discover the exclusive garments dedicated to DesertX.

Accessories

DesertX is already very complete with standard equipment, but can be further enriched thanks to a wide range of accessories dedicated to off-road or touring use. 

Off-Road accessories

For off-road use, the rally saddle is available, which combines the rider and passenger seats for greater effectiveness in off-road driving, reinforced handguards, protective grilles for headlight and radiator, a further reinforced engine guard and tubular protection bars.

Touring accessories

For touring, aluminum side cases and top cases, the central stand, heated grips and additional LED lights are available.

For the first time on a Ducati, we also have an 8L rear tank, a truly functional and evocative accessory that increases the bike's range by over 150 kilometers.

The transfer of fuel from the rear tank to the front tank is suggested to the rider through the dashboard when the front tank reaches a sufficiently low fuel level. It can be easily activated through the handlebar controls.

Also available are the homologated Termignoni titanium silencer and the racing exhaust, also produced by Termignoni, which reduces weight and further improves the performance of the bike thanks to the dedicated mapping.

Design

DesertX presented a completely new challenge to the Centro Stile: the opportunity to experiment with a new design language, seeking inspiration in the history of African Rally.

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Design

Post-heritage and digital

“A design out of time and fashion."

Jeremy Faraud, Product 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-centre 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.

Ducati DesertX

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 by looking at it, it brings you into the atmosphere of dakarian competitions.

Discover More
Discover More

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.

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