We can already imagine ourselves leaving rooster tails in the Thar Desert on this Ducati DesertX. With that old-school design and modern electronics, this off-road-ready machine is surely one stunning piece of design by Ducati!
Powering the DesertX is the 108-bhp Testastretta engine which produces 9.38 kgm of torque. This engine is the same one that you see on the Multistrada V2, although in a different state of tune. Moreover, the gearings on the DesertX are shorter from first to fifth, whereas the sixth one is taller.
Since this is a proper off-roader, it’s got an all-new strellis frame chassis and runs on 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wire-spoked wheels wrapped in Pirelli Scorpion STR tyres. It is using a fully-adjustable 46-mm fork with 230 mm of travel by Kayaba and has a monoshock offering 220 mm of travel. Also, braking duties are carried out by big Brembo brakes. All this results in massive 250-mm ground clearance, but shorter folks will have to compromise on its high 875-mm seat height.
Now, Ducati’s saying that the DesertX can go touring, too. With a 21-litre primary fuel tank, whose range can be further extended if you slap in an 8-litre accessory tank that’s mounted at the rear of the bike. This isn’t the cool part, though. Flick one switch, and you can get the fuel transferred from the optional tank into the big one. Oh, another cool part about the DesertX is its vertically oriented 5-inch TFT console; fitted with navigation, message or phone call alerts, and showcases all the riding modes. Very much Dakar-like.
In a parallel universe, the DesertX would be an apt choice for a rogue storm trooper. Well, in this universe, we’re eagerly waiting for our turn to ride one! Ducati India, we hope y’all are listening.
