2022 Ducati DesertX Review | Road & Off-Road Test

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Ducati has produced its fair share of drool-worthy machines over the years and the DesertX concept was no different when it was first released to the public in 2019. However, under that scintillating exterior was a not so off-road capable Scrambler platform. Seeing the fantastic response the concept received, the brand decided it was worthy of a completely new chassis to match its rally-inspired look.

At the heart of the package is a 937cc Testastretta V-Twin with Desmo valvetrain, pulled from the Multistrada V2, pumping out 110 horses and 68 ft-lbs of torque. First and second gear get lower gearing for more grunt on the trail, and it receives a 5.54-gallon fuel tank with the option to expand the capacity with a 2.1-gallon rear tank. It also receives a full suite of the latest and greatest rider aids all managed through a vertically-oriented 5" color TFT screen.

Is this new Adventure Bike from Ducati a serious contender in the off-road focused ADV class or just another dressed up sport touring bike? Does it still perform in the twisties like you'd expect from a Ducati? Check out our video review for answers to all your burning questions and more!

You can also read our 2022 Ducati DesertX Review at:

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Nice review !
Being an owner myself (got it early september), being a former enduro rider, and using this bike like I stole it on and off road, I'll add that, to me :

It's a real 50/50 bike !
I've tried all the other bikes in the range (except for the tiger and africa which have never been an option to me) and this one is the only one being a real blast both on and offroad.

-On road, the V2 engine SPEAKS. This caracter it has is what lacks all the competitor with their similar L2 engines. The chassis works great, the brakes are roadbike level. You can ride it as a supermoto, foot down and slide it from braking point to power sliding exiting a corner (DTC off of course) or ride it like a naked bike, with proper lines and assistances on. It's a wheelie machine, should I add. You can feel the road DNA of Ducati.

-Off road, the more you ride it, the more you get confident, the more you go for it. It's impressive how light yet planted the bike feels. At some point you feel like you could go anywhere the enduro 450's would go. I'm not a huge fan of electronic assistance, yet I suprised myself using it a lot ! Especially the DTC (Ducati thorttle control or ESP) which is like no others. Enduro mode with only 75hp is extraordinary in muddy wet conditions. The rally mode is... well : 110hp offroad... It's nowhere to be necessary or faster, but damn is it joyfull.
Suspension wise, I'm a light and small guy (174cm and less than 80kg all geared up). Had to realease slightly the preload on the front, rear was fine from factory. Reduced a bit the compression setting on both fork (left leg) and shock, too. Now it's just fine. Where the 890r has excellent suspensions, I'd say this one has very good ones. Position and ergonomics is perfect, I felt at home right away which was not the case on any o the other bikes I tried.

- Technically : air filter is well located when it comes to getting clean air versus dusty air, but it's true that it's a pain to access. Takes about 45min when you are used to doing it. Other issue is the torque spec of the rear wheel. Other than that, it's just like the other bikes. My dealer lets me work on the bike and won't void the warranty for it. It's wel built and pretty easy to work on, actually.
I'll add here that the shifter is great on mid and high rpm's but sometimes won't work on low rpm. Hey, it's a v2 engine... That's normal. It's also normal that it won't be as smooth as an L2 on low rpm, yet I found myslef tractoring that thing on very steep hills whith no issue. This bike won't stall.
In other words, tehcnically there is nothing to be affraid of.

- Price wise : It is up to everyone to decide whether this bike is worth spending the amount versus another cheaper bike. Tuareg is a great choice for the buck if you plan on riding mostly offroad or if road performance isn't important to you. Reliability may be a bit of a problem with the aprilia though, time will tell. That said, ktm 890's have plenty of issues as well. T7 is a rock.

So I'll conclude the same way I started. You pay more for this bike, but you get a REAL 50/50 bike that'll put a smile on your face no matter where you take it.
Hoping this will help people make a decision.
Please bear with me : this message is only a perspective : My perspective.

virgile

thanks for taking enough attention to the most important thing - suspension instead of blabering 80% of time about electronic gizmos like most "reviews"
Thats proper review 👍👍

Angry-Lynx

Has it been put around your test circuit? I remember when the 790 Adv came out, the ADV Pulse website has a write up on it vs. the 990. The 990 was already some 7 seconds faster around your test circuit than an Africa Twin, but lost out to the 790. Would love to see an update of that including the 890, Tiger 900, DesertX etc..

defylifeadventure

Great work! Two questions: is the cog better than the t7 maybe? Also, if Ducati gave you that Desert X, would you sell the 990? 😅

XLAdvRider

I find it a bit strange that this Desert X has no oil cooler, like it’s Multistrada cousin, ??, Ducatis always run Hot, and I’m wondering why they left it out, ??🤔

elithegreat

Problem is no service manuals, they want you to take it to the dealer for service and very few dealers along the TAT... I'll pass

rickvann

i love this bike and i own one but the buffeting is horrendous, you can also read about it.I And it definitely has a vibration over 135 km per hour. There is some heat from the seat. the rest you say is true

armandoloureiro

11:48 main reason i want the DDX: my GS has astronomically high 1st gear . 2nd too. ridiculous

Roberta_Esposito

How would you compare it to the Tiger 900?

swedbear

Just made the final payment for the Desert X.
Skipped the T700 because of the range, the Tuareg because of the single frame, fake vents and the engine leak (also the dealer told me not to change the riding mode), the Afrika Twin because thedealer had only the 2022 18l DCT version and it was awful even with sport mode and suspensions felt like rocks (no assistance from the dealer with the riding setup).

I wanted to go for the 18l Honda non DCT, but the ride with my gf felt way better on the Desert X.

ciocanelwar