2023 Ducati DesertX On and Off-Road Review | Adventure Motorcycle Review

[@Rust_valley_adventures]

There's a campaign now with the side stands being replaced, my bike is a black RR22 2023 bike and has the diffrent side stand, diffrent shaped mudguard that protects more of the fork and the fork seals and has the plastic part on the rear of the swing arm that protects the rear shock at the bottom where ot bolts to swingarm . Collecting mine march 1st when the 23 plates are avaliable

[@nerdbikes3841]

I have a Tiger 900 Rally Pro and have been very happy with it. It was $17,200 or so here in the US. The Desert X is listed at almost $20k so while the weight is about the same with the Ducati edge on the engine power I would probably buy the Triumph again. The price makes a big difference but also I find myself on the road a lot more and the Tiger 900 is very comfortable and still powerful enough to get me a very big speeding ticket. The Ducati maintenance cost is also a concern although it does certainly look and perform the part very well.

[@jamescampbell4334]

DDX is around $17.5k in the US. How am I sure? Picking mine up in a few days. As for maintenance cost.......oil changes are at 9k miles, desmo service is at 18k miles. Desmo belt replacement is at 36k miles. Have the full exhaust w/cat delete and EVO engine tune option on mine. Drops wet weight to around 485 lbs and almost 120hp. More torque across entire RPM range.

[@ADVBCAT]

I did 670 miles on my DesertX yesterday, and 450 the day before, riding from Death Valley back home to Vancouver. Can confirm it is not comfortable for long distances. It was like sitting on a doorstop.. 😂 PS I am 6'5" and sometimes I struggle to get my feet planted as quickly as I need to when offroading.. I don't know how anyone shorter than me could ride this with the stock seat height. I suppose better offroad riders don't need to put their feet down so often.

[@sib610]

Ive got one, the lights need adjusting up (easy Allen key adjustment) , the seat beds in after 1000 miles, the screen is fine up to 75mph then in my view for my height and helmet combo ideally needs to be cut down by an inch. I’d like more exhaust note but that’s being picky. Oil change can be done at home with the right filler removal tool. Wheel torque is 180 ish and doable at home or roadside with an extending lever but who carries that stuff day to day so no problem as all recovery or tyre places will have the kit. Side stands are now shorter and being retro fitted to early bikes. It’s a good all rounder and more fun than my GS’s I’ve had unless you’re doing 200+ mile days regularly.

[@asecret900]

Nope that wasnt he's problem... he said "the round LED lights are dull"... what a fktard

[@northerncousin7862]

Most reviewers really like the handling of this bike but it also appears that the cost and difficuty of service and maintenance (changing the air filter comes to mind) should be included in a full evaluation of the bike.

[@michelarboleda6395]

Totally agree, that aspect in terms ownership cost must be included.

[@chrishogg9235]

Great review.........side stand has now been recalled and sorted, lights must have been set up wrong on your demo, (as were mine) but once adjusted they are great!

[@Iron883NZ]

I have ridden the x on several 3-4 day rides on the road .. I found the seat really comfortable for the first 4 hours … started skirming around on the seat by 6 hours. Note I also have the lower seat option fitted. So I didn’t find it that bad … and any seat after 6 hours isn’t going to be that comfortable. I have ordered a lower suspension to help with my only issue … and that is that it’s tall and top heavy at stand still or really slow manoeuvring. Also considering getting a 1cm added to my riding boots … I have about 30” inseam … and all The adjusted listed above should get me near flat footing (I hope :)

[@Iron883NZ]

Re the side stand … I agree. I ordered (and still waiting!!) for the lowering kit which come with a shorter side stand. So you might be able to order just the shorter factory stand? My concern is that the bike is top heavy so putting on shorter stand without lowering the bike might allow it to topple over. I also ordered the centre stand to use that if on flat slightly off flat ground … also think it will be handy when maintaining the chain etc.

[@nickrider5220]

A very nice bike to ride, didn't you find the turbulence really bad on the open road Toad ? I might be tempted to buy one used in a couple of years. I like to do my own servicing, but Desmo valve adjustments would really put me off - the KTM 890 would be far more straightforward.

[@Iron883NZ]

I put the touring screen on … improved buffering … enough to make it good enough. If a clip on is developed for the fitted screen I’d probably get it.

[@paul.vanhout57]

Ducati does have a service bulletin for the sidestand - definitely needs to be shortened.

[@chrissnoett3060]

I noticed that the brake line crosses over the back of the front fender. If you get into sticky mud, it will rip off the front fender. Leaving the brake line exposed and getting caught in the knobs of the tire and tossing you off.

[@Firestorm637]

These adventure bikes can be great touring bikes

[@Firestorm637]

You do not need a separate 900 pound Harley tourer

[@hindra8]

How bout the pillion for the longer ride is still comfortable?

[@markduncan525]

My question also

[@GarryMcGovern]

I rode this at the NEC, and I thought the ABS in Enduro mode was WAY too restrictive, kept running me wide on the corners be triggering. I didn't know this until afterwards, but it spoiled the whole ride of the bike for me. That and the snatchy throttle at low speeds - very hard to find the biting point. I'm a total Ducati fanboy (I own 3) and was so looking forward to riding this there (having ridden everything from the RE Himalayan to the Tiger 900), and this was the most disappointing bike I've ever ridden around that course. Ducati..... wanna give me another go on a proper off road course with the Enduro mode off? ;)

[@StefanSu91]

You can customize all modes to whatever you want them to be.

[@Firestorm637]

Love accessory gas tank

[@FridrikBerndsen]

Just get the new Ducati Desert X Rally....that is the real thing

[@brunosousa1977]

Nx dominator 650 or x-cape 650 moto morini

[@MashiroMartinez]

Desert4

[@Firestorm637]

This or Honda version

[@GIGABACHI]

0:01 Look at all that caked & encrusted MUD and ROAD RUBBISH in a $470 radiator . . . 😬

[@ed.t.hansen6499]

Over 33k USD in thailand!!!

[@vagabondmatt5152]

Says he’s doesn’t know why the kickstand is so tall. Proceeds to demonstrate exactly why is that tall by pointing out its sunk into the mud…

[@alastairtheduke]

The manual doesn't even show you how to change oil. The right to repair is lost on this bike and ducati

[@Nick-wp9rx]

Not to mention the 50 million newton meters of torque you need to undo the rear wheel

[@Rust_valley_adventures]

Why do you need a manual to change the oil lol its just like any other bike to do work on lol as for the rear axel yes it's alot I certainly won't be torqueing it up to what they recommend, anything oher 120lbs is enough

[@alastairtheduke]

@@Rust_valley_adventures that was the show that even the minimum work you need to get done on the bike is not shown to you. There was also no mention of how to do the valves or really much else as far as your own repairs and maintenance on this bike

[@Rust_valley_adventures]

@@alastairtheduke the desmo service needs some specialist tools and give ot time a online pdf will be leaked at some point in the future

[@alastairtheduke]

@@Rust_valley_adventures That's my point, there shouldn't be a leak in order to be able to work on your bike.

[@Firestorm637]

This or Multistrada

[@Iron883NZ]

I have the x … got a alarm fitted … and they gave me a ms v4s for the day. For normal touring and any off road sections the x was much more smoother and enjoyable to ride. The main thing I enjoyed about the ms was that it was lighter at standstill and manoeuvring. Other than that … I preferred the x. I would say test ride both. But I wouldn’t enjoy going off-road with the ms unless it had better dirt tyres.

[@xXRedEyedStrangerXx]

KTM 990 still wins