Ducati Desert X Digging Deep | Hidden Benefits and Drawbacks

#Ducati #Desertx #adventuremotorcycle
︾ Hey Riders,
Welcome to another video in our Motorcycle Review Series. Today we are talking with our lead instructor here in Bend about his new ADV bike the Ducati Desert X. In this bike review we cover some of the highlighted specs along with a fair pros and cons assessment. As an Icing on the top we also cover what accessories might you need or want if you were to pick one of these bad boys up today. So sit back, relax and let us talk shop over the Ducati Desert X and hopefully we can help you get to know this bike a bit better.
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Host: Eric Lange
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[@jamescampbell4334]

I have 9k miles on my DesertX in 8 months. Got the full race Termignoni de-cat exhaust and EVO tune. Great power and sound. Went with the 5 year unlimited miles warranty, it's a keeper. 😊

[@markmoss5565]

Thanks guys good interview got my DDX 1 week ago love it

[@riendetout8812]

I bought one this summer to replace my too-heavy Africa Twin. I'm not an expert/fast offroader so I love everything you mentioned about stability and easy handling. Mine came with a bad weld on the gas tank that slowly dripped gas. When I brought it in for the 600 mile service they replaced the tank too. No problems since then.

[@user-wn1fc6zq8o]

I had an issue with a different Ducati and Ducati NA really stepped up on my behalf.

[@asecret900]

I agree completely the DDX is an instant hit I've loved owning this 937 powerplant for the last 7yrs in a Hyper, and now this new chassis is a great compliment for it. I recently bought a 2nd hand DDX with low Ks and its so impressive I'm definitely keeping it, and I just sold the tard! And I should add a PS: The 937 is obviously ideal power-plant for the DDX, IMHO it was nowhere near enough engine for the HyperMotard.

[@signore-solomonare1818]

Exactly what I want to say. As a matter of fact, Hyper 937 L-twin is more of road riding and the 17 inches wheel (F&R) is meant for the reason. However, the Desert X is more of Offroad ride, so as we know the 937 must be adjusted for the size and shape of the bike. I own the Hyper 939, and I love it wholeheartedly

[@comfortablyunknown700]

I made the mistake of making a Ducati my first bike. I learned very early why Japanese is the best way to go. Love my T7.

[@RIDEAdventures]

Hey bud nice to see you again

[@comfortablyunknown700]

@@RIDEAdventures Haha. I have been hear. Just been quiet. I would LOVE to join one of your courses. A bit far for me at the moment. Hopefully I will be closer soon.

[@alberto-cg7ox]

Same mistake here, but making tenere my first bike.. for enduro it's ok.. but If you want fo fast and go hard ... Jesus... No power on a 700cc.. ddx .. it's Fire now .. the point Is: if you have lot of Power you can have few CV or all the CV, when you need.. but If you can have only a bunch of horse Power... You can only of these ..

[@adventurespec]

Thanks for the mention

[@RIDEAdventures]

You bet

[@paulvanhout9695]

12,000 miles on my DesertX. I did have the brake rotor warpage issue that Ducati took care of; other than that a positive customer experience and a great overall adventure bike. No disagreement with any of the mentioned pros and cons.

[@paulg4213]

I don't have a DesertX at the moment (early spring maybe). I spoke to a dealer about the rotor issues and he mentioned that a few have been cured by cleaning and ensuring brake rotor bobbins are free to move. Apparently sand can be an issue with them.

[@paulvanhout9695]

@@paulg4213 - I have heard the same and have added that to my maintenance schedule. That said, no issues with approximately 6,000 miles/10,000 Km in the replacement rotors. Really the only issue I have had.

[@jamescampbell4334]

I've got over 9k miles on my '23 DesertX. No rotor warping, but not much sand riding. Have a set of Scorpion Trail II tires on it now, dialed up the suspension and riding it SuperMoto style. The most versatile bike I've ever owned. Backs into corners, slides out, and wheelies all remain super-composed.

[@jaybarron3186]

How often are you changing/ cleaning the air filter with frequent off road use?

[@paulvanhout9695]

@@jaybarron3186 - At approximately 9,000 miles/15000km I replaced the filter. Surprisingly clean and could have gone another several thousand miles/kilometers. Probably 30% off-road and 70% on-road. Have not ridden in severely dusting conditions yet. Getting to the filter is a pain but maybe less exposure to dirt and dust.

[@verdonrocksphotography3510]

love that machine, nice overview cheers V!

[@RIDEAdventures]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@AlexFuturemark]

Would love to ride this on one of your tours!! Baja down still ranks as top 5 trips I’ve ever taken in my life! 💪

[@MrSergioRosario]

really nice video

[@stevemartinez4180]

Great job,,

[@RIDEAdventures]

Thanks! More videos ahead.

[@bens5186]

Airfilter under the tank immediatly made this a no go for me... When offroad I clean my filter nightly... Ironic that the Desert X isn’t suitable for dusty (desert) conditions... I was hanging for this bike... I instead picked up a 901 Expedition.

[@dionoliveira4058]

thanks

[@RIDEAdventures]

Glad it helped! Thank you

[@northeastadventuremotorcycleri]

I'll go after the bike that has good dealer support.. for me, that's Honda Africa twin

[@paulg4213]

Great review gentlemen. Would you recommend the WRS Screen and winglets do they interfere with the steering lock ( some do if the more robust Ducati hand guards are fitted).

[@user-wn1fc6zq8o]

I'm the owner and reviewer of the bike in the video. The WRS screen and wingletson my bike do not interfere with the steering lock. Depending on what mirrors you have and how they are adjusted you could see some interference but I've not had an issue with stock mirrors or the Doubletake Adventures I have mounted. Also could depend on how far forward you have the handlebars adjusted. Also I have the "Touring" screen from WRS. They have a larger size that might be a different story. Wunderlich now has a windscreen called "Marathon" that has built in Winglets...might be worth a try.

[@paulg4213]

@@user-wn1fc6zq8o thank you, info much appreciated.

[@jdman7170]

Just brought my new DesertX home tonight. What is the top case rack that you have on your bike?? Thanks!!

[@user-wn1fc6zq8o]

That's the Perun Moto V2 which has a really nice finish and rounded edges compared to some other brands. The Perun Moto V1 is pretty much the same except the V2 allows easier mounting of pannier racks such as the Outback Motortek I have on the bike in the video. Enjoy your new bike!

[@jdman7170]

@@user-wn1fc6zq8o thank you. Lots of great info!! Can’t wait to get mine out on the road.

[@Jungleland33]

I'd love a Ducati.....unfortunately I'll need to win the Lotto first. The maintenance fees would be enough to empty any wallet I'd say.

[@2fastnlight]

Nope, just too much fancy for my needs. Garage queen

[@petewatson9866]

This is a Ducati advertisement. 500lbs a middle weight , that’s dry weight. Noticed you didn’t mention the new BMW F900GSA lighter, better equipment and cheaper.

[@user-wn1fc6zq8o]

I didn’t talk about the BMW F900GS because no one here has even seen one yet. I kept the comparisons to bikes I have experience with and that I know are likely to be considered by anyone looking at a DesertX. But yes, the F900 looks very interesting and on paper appears to be a big upgrade from the present F850. I can assure you I will take any opportunity to ride that new F900 I get. I like that BMW is finally working to produce lighter and more off road capable bikes in the F900GS and the new R1300GS

[@jamescampbell4334]

My DDX weighs 488lbs with all fluids topped to the max. This was with new Trail II tires JUST installed. It also has (all Ducati options....) crash bars, bash plate, aux lights, accessory rail, GPS, bar bag, heated grips, large windscreen, Termignoni de-cat race exhaust (EVO tune). That weight even includes my wallet and garage remote (in bar bag) and my phone on a mirror stalk quad mount. Even throughly optioned a DesertX is well below 500 lbs.

[@user-wn1fc6zq8o]

@@jamescampbell4334 One thing I'm certain of is my DDX is a whole lot easier to back up out of the garage than my r1250GS, and my GS was pretty stripped down.

[@johnroethel5527]

Manners dictate when you have nothing positive to say, better to keep quiet. Engage rant, sorry. This is the most ridiculous marketing pile of steaming doo-doo I have ever seen. If you have unlimited financial resources by all means get the bike. If not run from the dealership Only.two things can be done with this bike that do not require dealer involvement, put gas in it and ride it. Additions of required parts are outrageously and inappropriately expensive. This bike while fun and exciting is a stupidly expensive, outrageously costly to maintain, and in my opinion is the epitome of F- YOU dear customer. Ducati should be truly ashamed at the cost of ownership that is involved with this particular bike. Buyer beware. Don't take my word for what I have said here, go ask your dealer about the points raised here I apologize for this comment seeming harsh but felt it important enough to write. Wishing everyone a Happy New Year And safe riding season.

[@KingJreff]

No need to exaggerate. Desmo and belts are time-consuming to deal with, the air filter sucks to get to, it's Italian so OEM parts availability and prices suck ass in USA, but don't buy the bike if that bothers you. I agree that the anti-consumer attitude of not providing adequate manuals, as well as locking stuff behind the ECU (heated grips, fog lights) is bullshit. The only thing the dealer has done for me is 600 mile service. $400 - highway robbery for an oil change and "test ride". I can (and do) everything else myself.

[@johnroethel5527]

@@KingJreff Agree to disagree my fellow rider. You have the skills and tools to service your bike, most don't. My experience on this bike was afforded to me by one of my riding group who cannot. I had his bike for two weeks while he was on vacation. Major service including oil. collant. suspension, chain and sprockets. plus valve check. After completing this work I had to ride to Ducati and be hooped in the bottom for $200 CDN dollars to reset the service light. My comment was unbiased warning at the cost of operation of this bike which is not an exaggeration. Safe travels

[@KingJreff]

​@@johnroethel5527 I think it's fine to point out the cost, because people will get sticker shock from desmo service as well as belt timings for sure. And what is a 10 hour job for the tech(s) is multi-day for most people that are willing to head it up including renting or buying specialty tools. That's something people should know up front. Admittedly dubbing it the DealerX is funny and the owner's manual is a joke. IMO seems exaggerated to say outrageously costly to maintain when, and this is definitely a "in my regional experience", every motorcycle is if you use the dealer. In SoCal I'd be bankrupt doing that. What bike(s) do you have that aren't that expensive to maintain? (not meant in a snarky way, actually curious about CAN dealer prices). No customer-accessible options to reset service lamps are BS though and I hope that gets litigated away.

[@terrellgarren7125]

Owning a Duc for on road riding is for people with money. Owning a Duc for off road riding is for people with a lot more money. The resale value of a DesertX with 15K+ miles will induce a panic attack. "...as good as a GS". Sure dude.

[@robsonenduro3316]

overpriced as hell...

[@Impedancenetwork]

I just think those Duccatis Desert X bikes are ugly as hell. If I ever sell my BMW I would get the KTM they mentioned not the Desert X.