Ducati Desert X Air Filter change in about 20 minutes

In this video i will explain how to change the air filter on a Ducati Desert X in approximately 20 minutes
P.S. I am not a motorcycle professional ...
Instagram account:
@ducati_ducatidesertx
@sergiorosario_photographer

[@whinstonwhoodle6373]

Nice. Still laborious, but this is by far the most efficient procedure I’ve seen.

[@MrSergioRosario]

😊 thank you for the feedback

[@jonathan6035]

45 minutes first try - THANK YOU! Out West, things are very dusty and the filter needs attention every 1000 miles or so. Draining the gas is not necessary, as long as your fuel level is at least below 3/4 - so it doesnt spill out the vents.

[@MrSergioRosario]

@@jonathan6035 all right!! Yes. It’s not necessary take your the fuel. But if the fuel tank is full of ⛽️. Is better take it out for better handling

[@gorygray]

Thank you for your time creating this, and sharing with us. You are getting pretty good at this.

[@MrSergioRosario]

thank you Greg :)

[@jamesfairmind2247]

Thank you for posting this. I cannot understand how such a brilliant bike has such a badly designed air filter set up. A filter swap should be a 5 minute job tops. It puts me off the bike.

[@MrSergioRosario]

You welcome. I think it’s about aesthetics and v twin engine

[@jamesfairmind2247]

@@MrSergioRosario Totally with you on those 2 points. Most beautiful adventure bike out there and the best performer. Just irritates me that the air filter is such a faff. Places I go the filter needs cleaning every 1000 km.

[@MrSergioRosario]

@@jamesfairmind2247 yes ...completely!! me. too...I know some companies are working on it.... Team Kapriony @teamkapriony already made divided fuel tank, like ktm 450 rally factory have ...like this it will be perfect

[@jamesfairmind2247]

@@MrSergioRosario Wow± Great news thanks.

[@Rust_valley_adventures]

It's just the same to change air filter on a sports bike 😂

[@El-matador787]

Thank you for the video! I'm about to buy a Desert X and this is great information to know. Keep up the great work.

[@MrSergioRosario]

Thank you !! It’s a great bike

[@jamesbarratt593]

I got one. Just done 600 mikes. She awesome.

[@skipole09]

Followed this today. Took me about 1.5 hours in total. Will obviously be easier the next time. Not a good design, but it’s worth it for how good of a bike the DX is.

[@MrSergioRosario]

Keep up the the good work

[@nigelpratt7141]

That is much quicker than removing all the fairings. Thanks for sharing

[@MrSergioRosario]

🙏🏻

[@QuackLoud]

This was a really insightful video. Thank you very much. I have been considering getting a DesertX but after watching this video, there is No Way I am going to get a bike that takes 20 minutes or more to change the air filter. This is supposed to be a bike that goes offroad, albeit occasionaly. You made up my mind, I'm getting the KTM. Thanks.

[@MrSergioRosario]

@@QuackLoud hello. For me it’s not a big issue … the air filter is on the front of the bike … don’t get any dust unless you road a lot behind other bikes. I have friends with ktm 790/890 and they need to change air filter after a 3 day ride. With Desert X I do a lot of off road and I change air filter each 5 000kms and not so many dust.

[@ssmith954]

Agree that basic air filter service on the DDX is a pain, but the air filter positioning is actually pretty good. There's a good video on MADTV when a rider who crossed Australia shows his used filter. Would never buy a KTM again... great bikes but too many issues and quality control is really lacking.

[@MrSergioRosario]

@@ssmith954 yes. …and I know what you mean …

[@goturnlex]

Both Dessert X and Multistrada had the same process changing air filter kinda hassle… this is why i like scrambler/Sled.. easy access for quick maintenance 😂

[@DMugsP]

Unfortunately painful, but you did a great service for showing us this .🎉

[@MrSergioRosario]

Thank you Diego :)

[@mindfulmunchkin1215]

The 2 vax tubes are a pain, used a pair of pliers in the end as the new pipes are stuck tight, Putting a bit of grease on them now to make it much easyier to remove next time. Thanks for the VIdeo !

[@MrSergioRosario]

thank you

[@SomeRandoInternetPoster]

A pain is putting it lightly. The 20 min job turned in to a full days job and lost skin on knuckles. Everything is simple until getting to removing the breathers, as you say, seized on solid with not enough space to get a proper grip to pull off. On the advice of one of the Facebook owners groups I went and purchased some extended length pliers, came off much easier. Putting them back on was then just as hard. I found taking the screen off and fairing top bolts and tie side panels to crash bars so out the way, putting the extended pliers through the front of the bike I could grip the hose, lay the pliers on the frame and push down on the pliers using the frame as a leaver which pushed the breathers on to the connections. I also sprayed silicon lube in to the breathers first. Complete nightmare. A few people have cut the breathers and fitted quick connects lower down so disconnect there and lift the tank off with breathers still attached.

[@MrSergioRosario]

@@SomeRandoInternetPoster 😳😳😳

[@kai-uweoch1159]

20min is a serious improvement over the 2h I saw in another video. However it still proves how bad this is designed compared other bikes. It literally takes me 1/10 of the time to get out the air filter of my Norden 901 (same for the 790 and 890) and another two, maybe three minutes to get the new one in and all back in running condition. And I don't need to mess around with fuel. Take off the seats, take out two bolts, pull out the support frame and there you got got the air filter of the 901. Could not be easier. By the time the procedure is finished on the DesertX (a bike that literally has dust in the name! ;-) ) I 'll be 20km away! But congratulations for making this really informative video!

[@clarkpiper5669]

My 1090r is about the same. Luckily there are aftermarket fixes...I chose Powercell, which means that I can go about 8k between air filter cleaning and that's with a good amount of dirt riding. I should say that is with the snorkel pre- filters in use. Not sure if anyone does this with Ducati though.

[@MrSergioRosario]

yap... some brands are now developing solutions...lets wait :)

[@jettaca88]

Easiest way to change your air filter. Way to go ducati 😂😂

[@glenobrien727]

Ducati need to design a hinge system at the rear mounting point of the tank , using quick release connectors on the fuel lines and modify the wiring to allow the tank to lift up. That would reduce the time to change the filter to 10 min or less Maybe we will see a mod. on an updated Desert x in the future ?

[@MrSergioRosario]

Yap

[@redheads50]

That's a deal breaker for me. It's very dusty here in Australia, especially when riding with others. I like to change my air filter after every decent ride. Removing the tank to change the air filter seems ridiculous to me. They need to put more thought into the air filter placement.

[@davidverhoef3129]

Nice! Did you go back later and put the under-tank insulation back in?

[@MrSergioRosario]

Instagram account @ducati_ducatidesertx

[@Zerotys_ADV]

Well done Sergio! Thank you for making this video. How has the Unifilter performed since the installation and realistically how often are you either checking the filter or changing it based on your typical riding?

[@MrSergioRosario]

Hello !! You welcome. The unifilter is amazing. One trip top Marrocco (around 2 000kms Off Road) and the third layer of the filter was completely clean. The bike continuing performing well without more consumption!!

[@ChrisMcEdward]

Gran trabajo por este vídeo, se me ha cortado todo el rollo al verlo, la probé la semana pasada y estoy esperándola. Es un atraso haber puesto el filtro tan inaccesible 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@MrSergioRosario]

Sí. Entiendo la frustración. ¡¡Pero verás que incluso se hace bien !! Pero la moto es tan buena que incluso te olvidas de este detalle !! Cuanto más ando en ella más me sorprende 💪🏻

[@hypnotic1151]

Hi Sergio, Great video thanks for that... so you're not worried your 4 years warranty being voided now?

[@signore-solomonare1818]

I would clean the dust out of those interior wires and parts since it’s already opened up the space to save labor for next time 😊

[@BryanLewis1]

Did you put the heat blanket back or did I miss that part of the video?

[@thesman7918]

Nope and either did I. Took it all back apart left the right side pet cock open got gas everywhere.

[@MusicalMemeology]

Where do you drain the fuel from? It’s not clear at the beginning of you can help pls? I’d like to do this same filter change this week I’m hoping before a ride next week. Thanks for the great video much appreciated! 🙏

[@MrSergioRosario]

through the tank faucet, I put a tube from the faucet into a bottle

[@MusicalMemeology]

@@MrSergioRosariook thanks might try it tomorrow!

[@MrSergioRosario]

@@MusicalMemeology great. let us know

[@mototomcambodia]

3 minutes 40 on my Royal Enfield 659 😂 I was sure my bike could be faster somewhere 😅 Man I had the first gen MTS, this is what I didn't like on it. Always was a struggle to look anything under its 'whole body' (under seat and front) tank. Servicing the Ducati is always...a mess...

[@blairknight7793]

I heard it was bad, a friend chose to not buy one because of the air filter. Now Ive seen it Im of the opinion its simply inexcusable of Ducati to produce this. My KTM is maybe 30 seconds and the primary filters are in my hands, lift the seat and its right there. Just madness to disturb all these fittings, hoses and plugs on a regular occurrence, just asking for trouble.

[@klausmlm]

Thank you for this video. But,where is the heat insulation blanket under tank?

[@MrSergioRosario]

You welcome. I did not put. After I dismounted again and put some different insulation under the fuel tank

[@RaulLopez-wb9lm]

How often do you clean the air filter? When doing enduro I used to do it every month. Considering the DX is a trail bike, 50% off road let's say ... What do you think about? I'm currently only 3000 kms but I started feeling the bike less nervous than before getting high revs so I'm planning to check the air filter. Thanks for the video!

[@MrSergioRosario]

Hello. It depends on whether you usually go behind other bikes in the middle of the dust...if yes, it is better to check the air filter. If you walk alone there is not much problem because the air filter is well placed. In this area it only receives the air that comes from the front. It does not suck the air that comes from the rear wheel like the Ktm 790 / 890. Cheers

[@andreglomm9843]

Nice 👍 That Bike is so AWESOME

[@MrSergioRosario]

thank you

[@fronzenjonasconcentrate]

Thanks for putting this together!

[@MrSergioRosario]

My pleasure!

[@neilrose6558]

This is extremely painful to watch…on my bike (rival to Desert x) I’d have already taken the air filter out by the time it takes to unbolt the steering damper…and having to drain the tank of fuel too…Ducati Muma Mia 🤌 if you are on the side of the road or track in a remote location, this is just crazy what were you thinking Ducati designers? Props to this guy for showing how it’s done and it will help the Desert X owners 🙏

[@jamesbarratt593]

I hope this message finds you before tomorrow. I have a day off and need to install my alarm system to my desert x. Told its plug and play and goes beneath the fuel tank. Would you agree. Have you seen a connector laying there dormant? Thanks mate, James

[@MrSergioRosario]

Hello James. Thank you for your message but I did not check that. Sorry I can’t help you

[@xs433]

What's the cotton cover like thing at 8:20？and didn't put it back？

[@MrSergioRosario]

I think is a heat shield

[@thomaserken9581]

Where did you get the unifilter? Don‘t want to buy in Australia.

[@MrSergioRosario]

@@thomaserken9581 in Australia

[@my_ride_1157]

Great job bro thanks 🙏

[@tainteddesires19]

wondering if replacing the regular air filter with "DU-9321 K&N REPLACEMENT AIR FILTER" would be a good idea? would it help reduce the number of change cycles for this cumbersome process?

[@MrSergioRosario]

hello. depend...if you do road...kn is good ...but not for off road...if you do road...the interval between air filter changes is big

[@lukeduncan6718]

Thank you for the video. I am about to buy Desert X but now i changed my mind.

[@MrSergioRosario]

hummm and you do off-road?

[@zampanorama5423]

Yeah, better Vespa for real city adventurers 😎

[@MrSergioRosario]

@@zampanorama5423 😊💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻

[@ciarandunne7884]

You changed your mind because of a 20 minute job that has to be carried out roughly once a year?????

[@pedrosimoes6041]

Excelente video, muito útil. Já agora, se me permites a pergunta, tens decat e ponteira, fizeste remap? como funcionou com a garantia? Abraço.

[@MrSergioRosario]

Boas. Sim tenho decat e ponteira mas homologada pela Ducati. Vem com mapas específicos para a mota. Fica brutal. E continua c garantia

[@pedrosimoes6041]

@@MrSergioRosario Obrigado pela resposta. Já agora, foi muito caro o escape todo e o mapa na origem? e as temperaturas? abraço 👍

[@MrSergioRosario]

sim. nao foi nada barato...o mapa faz parte... as temperaturas da mota baixam drasticamente...fica outa mota ..muito melhor , mais leve :) e com uma resposta bastante melhor@@pedrosimoes6041

[@panagoskakatosis5314]

how much centimeter is the front light i want cover with this prodection mask

[@joras18]

As you were reinstalling the steering damper you said “don’t forget to use glue “. Did you mean lock-tite?

[@MrSergioRosario]

hello. yes. thats it

[@miltwempley]

Should have removed the ECU to get the whole cover off and grease the perimeter for a better seal since switching to the Uniflow. Otherwise, great tips.

[@simonzhang100]

Thank you for the video! A question: do you find lots of vibrations after installing those crash bars and hand guards? My DesertX has a lot more vibrations after doing this

[@MrSergioRosario]

Hello Simon. No vibrations. I just fell a little more vibration only when I take out the insert of the muffler. But is a more about the sound Resonance. It’s strange that vibration !!

[@_hold_the_line_]

Thanks for sharing, this is the bridge too far to cross for an otherwise great looking bike. The sad thing is that it wouldn't be difficult to engineer a proper solution for fixing it.

[@MarouanBernoussi]

How come and why did engineers put an air filter in a complicated location for a bike that is meant for offroad. Airfilter should be cleaned regularly. That is painful and a blocking point to buy this bike for offroad usage.

[@panagoskakatosis5314]

frend i have the xtz 750 super tenere i se this prodection panel for lights can fit to my bike?? can masure the distance of lights in cm??? maybe is the same like my xtz 750 then i will buy for my self thanks...

[@MrSergioRosario]

hello. sorry I don't understand what is your need

[@aerowenn433]

It’s not the best but a lot of people complain like this breaks the bike. 99.999% of you don’t ride in conditions where changing the air filter is common.

[@MrSergioRosario]

Yes. That’s it … lot of people never change the air filter but like to to have something to say 🫣

[@ppracchi]

Well done and thank you so much 😊

[@MrSergioRosario]

You welcome

[@droommotor]

Hi Sergio, can I use part of your clip (I will link to it) in one of my video's?

[@MrSergioRosario]

hello. yes you can ...if you also want ....my instagram is @ducati_ducatidesertx

[@droommotor]

will link them both! @@MrSergioRosario

[@MrSergioRosario]

@@droommotor sorry. Is @ducati_ducatidesertx I already put the right name above 👆

[@Enduro-Life]

What a mission to change an air filter

[@GuidoCeola]

Where can i buy this filter ? Thank you

[@MrSergioRosario]

@@GuidoCeola South Africa 🇿🇦 😅

[@asecret900]

Good video mate! FYI the monkeys at my local dealer (in Australia) refuse to honour the global fuel-hose recall because they say "it takes 4.5hrs to remove/replace the tank - and Ducati will only reimburse them 30mins for that recall job". Total morons...

[@Bitchone73]

What kind of skid plate and crashbar you have?

[@MrSergioRosario]

From CrossPro

[@philippeboue7787]

Le changement du filtre à air est un frein pour moi pour l'achat de cette moto. Vraiment dommage ☹ mais pour du offroad il faut avoir un acces plus rapide pour le nettoyage. Dommage car la moto me plaisait beaucoup. Je vais opter pour une 700 ténéré.

[@aerowenn433]

Sure… that’s why you are opting for a bike not even in the same class lol.

[@philippeboue7787]

Quand on fait du offroad on ne regarde pas que la classe lol....@@aerowenn433

[@antcarsilmen]

Sérgio como tiramos o banco do pendura?

[@MrSergioRosario]

Tiras o banco do condutor e depois desapertas 2 parafusos que ficam por cima entre os dois bancos. Super facil

[@timesarrow100]

I thought the Africa Twin had the worst design for filter maintenance! This makes the AT look like a breeze! 😮

[@mototomcambodia]

My old Multistrada has a tank below the seat and is a hell to remove. I hate it. The new Desert X should have solved this because the tank design is different and allows for other options to access an air filter. But I am puzzled to see that changing my Royal Interceptor's air filter takes about 5 minutes when a premium ADV big bike takes a minimum of 20 minutes (when well organized). Come on Ducati...

[@MrSergioRosario]

Yap. That’s it 😅

[@tobanhoffmann8347]

you have to take the engine out to open the fuel cap

[@chrisvantassel8867]

Great vid but what a nightmare, what if you need a filter change in the middle of a trip. What a massive design flaw. Such a great bike but no way would I buy over a KTM if off-roading is my primary use. You need to change the filter after every other ride. Doing this would be a nightmare each time

[@kai-uweoch1159]

PS: this is probably one of the reasons why Ducati asks owners in the manual even for simple maintanance tasks to go to a workshop.

[@robsonenduro3316]

it should take 3 minutes on adv bike...

[@alexgrey1079]

could you give me the serial number of the unifilter spare part? Thank you

[@MrSergioRosario]

Yes. It’s AU 5306 ST , but I think they have only in Australia for now

[@miscel761]

Sergio did you oil the unifilter or you use it dry?

[@MrSergioRosario]

He come already with oil … but we need to put oil after clean Always

[@miscel761]

@@MrSergioRosario thank you, also did you find any difference in performance and fuel consumption?

[@MrSergioRosario]

@@miscel761 all the same. I change for do offroad. Foam filters are much better for offroad use

[@zampanorama5423]

The only downside of this otherwise brilliant bike... if you dont have the money to have it done with regular service. Still good to know if I ever gonna cross Australia nonstop twice 😅and need to cope with the red problem by myself. Thanks a lot👍

[@MrSergioRosario]

you welcome...its mot a 5 min thing ...but not a big thing

[@MrSergioRosario]

and its one amazing bike to ride

[@tinozampano]

@@MrSergioRosario i'll get mine this week 🤗

[@MrSergioRosario]

@@tinozampano you will love it for sure

[@MrSergioRosario]

@@tinozampano top

[@Lecruque]

Disconnecting the steering damper to change the air filter. Italian engineering for ya😂

[@kalpetkoff]

Every good offroad motorcycle has easy access to battery and air filter. The location of the air filter on the Desert X doesn't mean that.

[@MrSergioRosario]

Yes. The access it’s not easy … but the bike is really good off road … and on road

[@mdmeltdown9245]

Make sure you don't drink out of that water can ever again, lol Do they not color code liquid containers in Italy? Red=gasoline, Blue=water, yellow=diesel

[@MrSergioRosario]

No. Color

[@joselouru]

Doesn’t seem too bad I wonder what the dealer charges for this job 😂

[@MrSergioRosario]

Maybe one hour

[@soap9867]

thx

[@12masterr]

This only shows how stupid this is, to have to do that to a motorcycle to just change a air filter, in a "adventure motorcycle " ! This makes no sense at all, and only shows that ducati designed this bike to be service by a dealer only! ,there are so many things that can go wrong connecting and disconnecting all that wires and hoses, try that when you traversing Africa! Lol

[@sspirito3130]

Unfortunately this seems to be overlooked by many manufacturer. Used to take me a good 45 minutes to change the filter on my Africa Twin. The KTM 890 is also quite painful. I like the air filter design of the Aprilia Tuareg, not only takes no more than 2 minutes to access the filter, but it is also placed high on top of the fuel tank to avoid water ingress

[@MrSergioRosario]

I go to Africa end of this month...I let you know :)....but of course something can go wrong with that you mention...we need to be carefully !! it one amazing bike..love to ride

[@SKgeostrat]

It does not matter. This is still a bad design and nobody who goes far without dealer support will accept this. You have to be able to do air filter and oil change on your own and without an impossible process.

[@michaelhartleib7923]

He forgot to put that insulation back around the air filter.

[@panagoskakatosis5314]

the dimmesion of dront lights

[@bfranco1519]

Pathetic. A bike with desert in its name should a 5 minute job tops!

[@PeterBaumgart1a]

20 min? Video length, yes, but work time? More like 2hrs, no? (BTW, you undid the"fairings" not "paniers"...)

[@MrSergioRosario]

20 min form start to finish the job

[@glenobrien727]

Ducati made a mistake having labour intensive air filter access , unlike the the Aprilia Tuareg 660 , Tenere 700 and KTM890.

[@MrSergioRosario]

yes its a bad point for Ducati...but the Desert X is so good....so good....I don't like this but ...

[@MusicalMemeology]

@@MrSergioRosarioagree the bike is so awesome I’m willing to overlook this or almost any other issue like wind buffeting of the screen at high speeds cause it’s such a fun and amazing bike. Thanks for the video going to try this myself!

[@MrSergioRosario]

@@MusicalMemeology yes !!!

[@hindra8]

More like triumph tiger 800 so long to take out the air filter...

[@ninefoldgoose429]

That is a lot of work to check/change an air filter. Terrible design Ducati

[@infoman1881]

ktm airfilter change 4 min

[@robertlinton9379]

🎵👂😢

[@YeahMate07]

Oh f@k that

[@ebiebrahimi7472]

This is one of the inconvenience of this bike. This is so hard and time consuming so you procrastinate it then it causes the engine problems and fuel consumption .

[@MrSergioRosario]

Yes. No one likes Chang air filter in bikes like this one. It’s not ok … but it take around 20 minutes of your life. It’s not ok …. But if we think how many time we spend on internet 😅😅😅🫣🫣 And the bike is awesome… I spend 10 days in Morocco last month .. hard off road. In Atlas was really challenge … lot of rocks and mountain…single track… more to the south … in high speed tracks the only issue we have ( 2 desertx) was the rear shock … start to be eat and start to bottoming a lot. Even with more pre charged spring

[@ricard9162]

And how many times did you clean it during the trip? Thank you

[@MrSergioRosario]

@@ricard9162 zero 😊. I use a 3 layers Unifilter I buy from Australia 🇦🇺… we this kind of filter the bike runs really well and never start to fail … so I did not change the air filter. I have some photos of the filter in the end of the trip

[@Gorilladome4664]

What a nightmare...why wpuld amyone riding offroad ever buy this bike re poor air box design.

[@chuckmurphy5701]

On my Transalp it takes 1 min 😆😆

[@florislok]

On my BMW R100R 5 minutes, haha...

[@petertrout7866]

What should’ve taken two minutes took twenty minutes. Shame on you to Ducati

[@tenerebaraudeur7359]

With the yamaha T700, 2 min max.

[@MrSergioRosario]

Yes. We know !! But this is not a contest. Is just for help people how can do it in a more easy way 🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@tenerebaraudeur7359]

@@MrSergioRosario i know i kidding you 😄

[@MrSergioRosario]

@@tenerebaraudeur7359 😊

[@jededge]

that's a lot of faffing , but thanks

[@piotrknapczyk103]

Coś strasznego!

[@michsky46]

Un catastrofe !!!!

[@JohnSmith-ef8nr]

Lol, what a poor design, you can change a T7 airfilter in 1 minute.

[@spencervidal3168]

Naaaa, The Tuareg takes 5 min.. and it much higher intake location. Just another expensive half cocked turd from Ducati..

[@MrSergioRosario]

Ok. Did you try this bike ?! You can not compare with Tuareg

[@spencervidal3168]

@@MrSergioRosario I would NEVER by a Ducati. Its the Italian version of a Harley Davidson. Over priced unreliable turds. I tried it, way to heavy... Tuareg is lighter and with a couple upgrades a much better bike..

[@jimsalabim9203]

Ridiculous

[@Denmangoat]

I was thinking about getting a desert x, until I found out about this stupid ass system, don’t take into a desert it will be to dusty 😂.