2025 Ducati Desert X Review - First Ride

When it comes to making good looking motorcycles Ducati lead the pack - but how does the gorgeous looking Desert X actually ride? Stay tuned for my first ride review to find out!

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My current motorcycles are:-
2014 BMW R1200GS
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2019 Triumph Speed Twin
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Please be aware I am not a professional journalist or otherwise claim to be an expert in any way in motorcycles or anything else. I'm just an ordinary biker like you probably are. Please regard my videos as entertainment only and if information presented is important to you, please verify it via a knowledgable third party....the videos I post are just my opinions and are no more valid than anyone elses.

[ducatidave.b]

I've had my DesertX Discovery since the end of November last year and have done nearly 800 winter miles on it. It's a brilliant all round bike - super comfortable and very capable suspension. I was on a ride out this week across a Fen road and it was so bumpy a friend of mine who was following on his BMW S1000XR had to back off and he disappeared in my mirrors! I was just sailing along with no issues at all! It is expensive but you get what you pay for. I'm 6' 1" and get a bit of wind buffeting from the screen but it's not too bad. I love the induction roar, and as you say, Ducatis just make you smile. In this current world, that's a great thing and I am fortunate to also have a Streetfighter which makes me smile even more....

[Nick_of_Time]

I've been a DesertX owner for a bit over a year. It's my first Ducati, and I love it. The Pirelli Scorpions are surprisingly grippy even on wet roads. It's comfortable for touring and is better on dirt roads than I am, which is the main thing. I noticed you stayed in Touring. 'Sport' turns up the grin factor but may result in conversations with the Highway Patrol. Ride all, enjoy Spain!

[buddha-on-a-bike]

Hi Andy
I've done 10, 000 miles on mine, gearbox was a bit tight at first but no problem now. I also thought the seat was uncomfortable at first but after doing 300 miles in one day it didn't seem to be a problem ! Mine is all white without the hard panniers, I wanted soft luggage to keep the weight down. I never had a Ducati before but so glad I bought this one, love it. All the best mate .

[D-WFR]

I test rode a GS 1250 from BMW Wolverhampton to Ducati Worcester (now sadly in administration), and then jumped on the Desert X and rode around the Malvern hills. The wind buffeting on the Desert X and the gear hunting to be in the sweet spot, made me purchase...you guessed it, the GS.

I really wanted to go Ducati, but it wasn’t meant to be.

[terrellgarren]

Mr. Fly is one of the few reviewers that will give a bike a no go. Most all of the others gush to keep the wine & dine demo invitations coming. The recent 2025 Multi V2 rollout reviews were near embarrassing in their fealty. Norton is still convalescing from Mr. Fly's review. Well done once again Mr. Fly.

[PaladinLewis]

Perfect timing for this video I went to check out a desert x today and still needed more information.

Thank you for all your review videos and keep up the good work 👍

[ZJK]

Great looking bike. I love that shield shielding the exhaust from the pannier. More manufacturers should do that.
Nice review.

[barryrose]

Most of the bikes I like these days have a retro look about them, this one is up there with the best of them. Good review 🍻

[alanprice]

I think they’re an incredible bike. I’ve said before, that if i were only allowed one bike for the rest of my life, I’d choose this.
It works well in every scenario, and handles great on the road. I’m 6ft4 and didn’t get any of the wind buffeting you experienced….or at least i found it better than most adventure bikes in that regard.

[peterparker]

What's a Saturday breakfast without a TMF bike review ? Thanks for the show 🙏🏼
To me this looks like a luxury Yammie Téneré, and supposedly very capable for the advanced swamp rider. I'm out 🤷🏼‍♂️
In the sunlight it looks like they put some unvarnished stickers on the tank. Not what I would expect from a premium manufacturer.
Anyway, looks great 👍🏼

[YangCalgary]

I had my Rally for 5, 000 kms now. The buffeting with the stock screen almost prevented me from buying it. there are after market screens. I got the small Wunderlich screen, and now there's clean air to my helmet, which is how I like it. perfect bike for my riding needs. Thanks for the review!

[omifireshani]

Wanted to put this on my bucket list when it was launched but then as I was going through the reviews it made more sense that the multistrada v2 made more sense, but after seeing tmf review desertx is becoming more likeable. The practicality pointed by tmf does make sense, the sharp turning radius, at least the version driven seems balanced between road & off-road. Looking forward to the next video.

[paul.vanhout]

I am 5’9” or 175cm and while I get a fair amount of wind noise I am not noticing any turbulence. Shoei X2 Hornet helmet. My 2023 has 18, 000 trouble free miles and has been a great adventure bike. Very stable and responsive off-road and a good traveler with reasonable comfort, range and suspension compliance.

[Hugo_WP]

Love this adventure bike, it’s so much fun wherever you ride it 🔥👌🏻

[tony-ypqk]

Nice bike

Another great video has always andy and carol 👍

[sebastianlastra]

Just got to 12k miles on mine and is the best, super versatile and fun engine. Electronics are very good, tires don’t las too long but that’s understandable. With the termignoni is perfect

[ThiefOfNavarre]

Glad you changed your mind about the looks of the bike. Wind buffeting / turbulence would probably be the deal breaker for me

[paulwatson]

A refreshing review! Genuine and not bothered about manufacturer loyalty. Top editing aswell. I do like the desert x it gives you the world concurring feel even if its just a pop down to tesco.

[rostl]

I’ve got one of these and I love it.

Only issue is the wind turbulence, that seems to be the bigger touring OEM screen. Smaller OEM screen also has turbulence.

I’ve tried a few of the aftermarket screens and seems going smaller is the solution - you get more air but it’s “clean”, so no turbulence to blur your vision!

[zweispurmopped]

Noraly´s mate Charly Sinewan has taken his DesertX through hell and back. He has proven the bike to be really robust on the way as well.