DUCATI DESERTX REVIEW - Waste of money or Groundbreaking bike?

[@RedRupert64]

Li ion batteries don't like the cold, but try starting when cold a few times, then leave it a minute or so before trying again. The first attempts will warm the battery inside so that its power is restored.

[@marco_rides_away]

I know, tried multiple times but same results

[@RyanStewartUSA]

Or better yet just turn ignition on for a minute or two, especially if you turn the headlight on (if its an option). I have lithium on all my bikes and have ridden below freezing many times and they will start right up after this.

[@RedRupert64]

@@RyanStewartUSA It's no different, is it - any form of battery activity will do the job?

[@LimitEdit]

Turning on the light fire a while may helps warm up the cells. What’s Ryan f9 video about the batterie. Has a lot of nice infos in it.

[@jamescampbell4334]

I have over 18k miles on my '23 DDX in 16 months. Has been flawless.

[@marco_rides_away]

I got a LOT of problems in mine lately... But i think it's the dealership falut.

[@bobcomm8070]

Great review thanks, I test rode one a few weeks ago and thought it was a great bike (no off-road though) but felt it was light and easy to handle. I was going to buy one here in the UK, but the price here puts it above a BMW 1250 GSA. once you add all of the extras I would want to take it touring and off-road, so I might wait until there are a few more used ones available that would make them more affordable. Thanks again, great review, that agreed with my own experience.

[@mortarman81guns]

Ciao, Marco! Thank you for the video presenting your real-world experience with the Desert X. I really, REALLY like the Desert X, but I was agonizing between the V4 Rally and this model, and ultimately decided on the Multistrada because I don't see myself doing the kind of hardcore off-roading a DX is built for - and to be honest I wanted the power of the V4! Still, great video and a real service to folks trying to figure out what bike to buy. If I had seen this prior to buying the V4 I might have seriously re-considered my thinking. Grazie Mille!

[@thebigmuskie]

Agree! Mine has 14000km and I can assure it is a great bike : stunning on street as well off road. Sure I would buy it again .Only little issue is about the throttle which has a little too much on off

[@RedRupert64]

The DesertX is almost as good as the old KTM 950. The DesertX is a little heavy, and top-heavy, especially when you add the crash bars that you absolutely need. You simply can't beat carburetors for perfect fuelling. Older bikes make better adventure bikes as they can repaired in the field unlike many modern bikes that a full of electronics.

[@guypurdy654]

Thanks Marco, nice concise review which says it all!

[@hypermotardking]

Thanks for this.. im tempted to get the new Rally X

[@marco_rides_away]

Nice bike! For me all those upgrades are even too much, I'm not a professional so I would not feel such a difference. So I think the RallyX is great but it's too expensive

[@hypermotardking]

@@marco_rides_away Ducati never shy to add a premium to thier bikes.. because there is always some retired middle age man to buy them

[@kirillromazenko2799]

2200 km done on my DDX. Great bike. Apart from the wind protection. Still struggling to find a proper solution. Are you using stock windshield or it’s an aftermarket?

[@marco_rides_away]

The stock for me was too small so I bought the extended windscreen from Ducati. That is better since it covers my shoulder completely and raises the air to the upper part of my helmet. It's good but there are probably cheaper options around.

[@briangc1972]

I had the same problem with my Aprilia Taureg 660 lithium battery. I replaced it with a $30 lead acid battery from Amazon and been trouble free ever since. Anyone concerned about the extra weight (1.5 kg) of the lead battery should look at their body and decide how to remove the weight from themselves.

[@patrickhd34]

I like mine. Handles very well. But may add some compression to the forks to reducing diving under heavy braking. The roads where I live are mainly "off road" anyway. Lots of holes, sections missing, off-camber, gravel, mud etc.

[@marco_rides_away]

I did that too, found the forks way too soft when I bought it

[@kirillromazenko2799]

Nice review. Short and useful. How are the Ducati crash bars ? I’ve read someone complaining about it. Thinking about other after market solution. Also some said that during crash the seat went off. Are you experience such issue ? Ciao ciao

[@marco_rides_away]

Hi, thank you! For the crash bars, I don't have any complaints! I just came back from an off-road trip in Turkey and crashed a couple of times, one of which was very horrible and violent; only some scratches and no bending! Looking back though, I would have bought a more protective skid plate because the paint on the front piston engine head is coming off (probably due to dust, little rocks, and rain pouring all the time). I never heard that the seat is coming off and like I said, I did some extreme off-roading and had no problem with it. I also know that there are some ways to make it less wobbly without buying a new seat.

[@kirillromazenko2799]

@@marco_rides_away Thanks for reply. Which air filter are you using ?

[@marco_rides_away]

@@kirillromazenko2799 ​ I used the OEM one for the past 30k km. Now I'm using the Sprint Filter P08. I choose this one because it's made with polyester, meaning it can be washed, unlike the cotton ones.

[@LaDolceAdventure]

I have 10000km on my DX and only one issue - it was sth wrong with kill switch - I couldn’t start the bike - I had to call two truck and transfer it to Ducati service… I will tell the story in my next movie.

[@martinbarabe4643]

Now at 4000km on my DDX, cannot find anything against it aside from the original scorpion tires. They are not suitable for my off-road riding. I also have the oem crashbar and performance rocker guard. Opted for outback motortek side racks and enduristand monsoon 30L. Waiting on barkbreaker hand guards because the original plastic will eventually break and cause issues.

[@Tec2Nut]

I hope to buy one of these in the nxt two years, Husqvarna 901 is another option and 6 k cheaper??

[@marco_rides_away]

It's not that much cheaper

[@carlossheppard1745]

The lion battery placed in an adventure bike along with Ducati requiring all Ducati bikes here in Japan have their oil changed every 3,000km. Two of the many reasons I bough a KTM 1290 instead.

[@marco_rides_away]

Interesting!

[@martinbarabe4643]

Oil change recommendations is at 10000km here after the initial break in.

[@Flatlower]

USA desert X recommend every 18000km, but i think that's a selling point not what's best for longevity. I will be doing 6000km 3000miles at most. After break in. @@martinbarabe4643

[@allistairneil8968]

A 1290 in Japan? Sick😂

[@BlueAlgon]

Thanks. Helpful in gathering some info on this bike.

[@josealbero5688]

Cia Marco! Where did you buy the structure for panniers and the top case? Thanks in advance.

[@marco_rides_away]

Hi, it's an accessory from Ducati. It's made by GIVI, so the top case and right pannier fits with other GIVI bags but the left pannier does not because of the indentation of the pannier frame (exhaust passing under the pannier)

[@Satans6666]

I have Multistrada 950('17) with 90k km and no problems!

[@marco_rides_away]

Good to know!

[@marcblasco]

Hi Marco, thanks for the video, I have a question: I never did off road before and I would like to start, I thought to do a training course before, and maybe go for a cheaper bike as the royal himalayan, what do you think about it? Or should I go for a biger bike as the ducati? Thanks for the answer and your videos that I enjoy ❤

[@marco_rides_away]

Hi, I went with the Ducati and really never took a professional off-road course and I'd say I'm a little better than the average rider (both on and off). What you really need to be good off-road is (of course techniques) mainly boldness. I was so scared of dropping the bike and hurt myself that I always went slow and not really good. After dropping the bike a few times and having some guys teach me a little bit I became much better. The Himalayan it's a good bike to start to learn but after a while if you like to go fast and do stupid stuff it will be boring. The Ducati on the other hand is easier than any other midsize adv on the market but it's still a 230kg bike. I found that the easiest way to ride this bike it's either stupidly slow (which is boring and can be done with anything) or try to be bold and ride fast (for fast I mean depending on the terrain, on soft sand 35km/h is faster than 80% of the rider and people I have seen trying and it's very sketchy but fun for me). So it really depends on you; but if you are only riding off-road then I would not suggest the Ducati. I mean it's super good both on and off and if you are only going off it's kinda useless to have that too; maybe a 890adv r or the Tenere 700 it's a better choice; likewise if you are mainly on the road a v-strom 800 or Tiger 900 it's a better choice. If you just want to try off-road and you are not really sure then the Himalayan is very good because it's cheap

[@marcblasco]

@@marco_rides_away thanks Marco! 🙏🏻😃

[@nickg2431]

@@marco_rides_away What you really need to be good off-road is (of course techniques) mainly baldness.-so what you are saying Marcos is that you should be bald or shaved head to be best off road rider.Thank you,i am the best in that case😀

[@marco_rides_away]

If you are bald you get a 12% horsepower bonus (source: trust me) :D

[@ewetho]

Beautiful bike

[@TeamStruggleBunny]

How is wind protection on the highway? Any buffeting?

[@marco_rides_away]

@@TeamStruggleBunny with the standard windshield is very buffeting for me (6'5 or 195cm). With the extended I have a little bit of buffeting in the top of my helmet but not much noticeable

[@TeamStruggleBunny]

@@marco_rides_away I'm 6'2 and have an 890 Adv R, fun bike but the buffeting it terrible.

[@marco_rides_away]

@@TeamStruggleBunny have you tried with the new windshield with the hole in the middle? I heard from some guys that that saved the problem!

[@TeamStruggleBunny]

@@marco_rides_away Not yet, going to give that a go. I have been using the Puig clip on and that's been ok but still not great. Mines a '22 so not sure the new windshield with the hole fits, but will look into it.

[@brucerossonthetube]

Not only does Ducati make you pay the dealer after a certain # of km to turn off the service light, now they do it annually too!

[@marco_rides_away]

To be fair, every dealer except KTM does this. Anyway if you want to remove the service light you can do it yourself with the ODB2 reader

[@brucerossonthetube]

@@marco_rides_away My latest Hondas do not require the dealer to reset. My wifes Tiger 900 can be done at home. As far as I can tell, the Ducati requires proprietary software to reset. If not, I would love to hear what people are having success with.

[@jamesfairmind2247]

Oil changes are 9000 miles but is the first service 9000 miles please?

[@marco_rides_away]

First service 600 miles like every bike, then 1 after 9000 and valves (desmo) check every 18000

[@pouya4116]

Does the engine and exhaust put a lot of heat on the feet and legs?

[@marco_rides_away]

No, the bike is very cool. I only had a bit of heat in summer when standing still on a red light

[@RaulLopez-wb9lm]

Did you feel vibrations on the OEM crashbara?

[@marco_rides_away]

A guy asked me the same question on IG. I do not have any vibrations on the crashbars. From what I understand it's a problem for bikes outside of EU, so not really sure what is causing it

[@pets4489]

Norden 901 Expedition seems like a better buy to me. The stock 901, not so much.

[@marco_rides_away]

901 Expedition is definitely a competitor. The standard has very bad suspension so I do not recommend that one

[@panbyku5249]

Hei! What kind of navigation bracket do you use for Zumo XT? Peace

[@marco_rides_away]

The OEM from Ducati. I think there are same quality option for cheaper price but when I bought the bike that was the only one available

[@brucerossonthetube]

I seem to be the only one who has had problems. I wish I would have kept my Africa Twin.

[@randytait1667]

Is it a better Adventure bike then the KTM 1190?

[@marco_rides_away]

Can't say, I haven't tried the 1190

[@RedRupert64]

How did you make the suspension harder - change springs?

[@marco_rides_away]

The suspensions are fully adjustable by the factory. You just need a screwdriver to set the multiple parameters like you prefer/need

[@petme3122]

What about the rider's height? Will it be 1,75cm long enough? (I know that inseam matters)

[@marco_rides_away]

1,75 it's too little imo. The bike has his pegs in the way of where you will put your feet so it feels even higher. I've been in a T7 with a high saddle (900mm) and I felt more confident than with mine (875mm). My suggestion is that you lower the bike with the kit they sell

[@Mattventuring]

How easy and costly is the servicing? I'm thinking oil and air filter mainly

[@marco_rides_away]

If you want to do it by yourself it's more or less like a T7 - 890 or any other bike of that category. At 30k you have to do the desmo valve and it's a little bit tricky if you never done it. I would suggest to do the service at a Ducati dealership anyway for warranty and free road assistance

[@goatman86]

4:15 reminds me of Mr Bean and his luggage piling on the roof of his car

[@marco_rides_away]

Well there isn't any other place to put it when you travel with a pillion 😅

[@motorcycle-man]

I'd reckon somewhere in between.

[@paulthompson4932]

Hi, have you got the own Ducati gps and rack?

[@marco_rides_away]

Yes! The rack is from Ducati and the GPS is a Garmin Zumo XT branded as Ducati

[@shum5387]

😍😍😍😍😍😍

[@mesi10-ronaldo]

Goog man...

[@shum5387]

I could buy this moto after your review if I’d like to ride a moto and have enough money 😅😅😅😅

[@marco_rides_away]

If you don't have enough Money it's ok! This bike is very expensive and if you wish to spare money you can buy used tenere or 890 for almost half the price

[@Rust_valley_adventures]

Suspension is too soft offroad for me and on road, the chain is very cheap , the engine is known to leak on this and the other models that use this 937cc engine, on my bike the forks failed at 3500 miles and had a oil leak behind timing belt cover, the seat is uncomfortable after a few hours riding and the wind screen is not good, apart from that it's a good bike ❤

[@marco_rides_away]

The engine has no problem after 25000 km; the forks are soft but you can harden them and set as you want (I set them not even in the hardest settings); the seat is not as comfortable as a GS but definitely better than a Tenere 700; the chain is "cheap" like any other OEM bike chain. I did some stupid stuff on this bike and never had something leaking (maybe your bike was a faulty one?). For me it is a great bike and if you didn't even know that the suspensions are adjustable I'm really asking myself why you are blaming them to be soft... Edit: I forgot to mention that you get a 4 year warranty so if the engine is known to be leaking as you said (never heard any of the Multistrada v2 or DesertX owners have this problem btw...), why would Ducati make the warranty so long? Also If the bike breaks in warranty you get it for free: repair, transport to the nearest Ducati authorized dealer, hotel for the night, plane/train ticket to go home, bike ship at home. Pretty expensive it would be if the engine is known to be leaking

[@allistairneil8968]

The only real challenge to the Africa Twin perhaps?😅

[@marco_rides_away]

The Africa Twin has many challengers, I think this is more Off and less touring compared to the Africa

[@allistairneil8968]

@@marco_rides_away You think so? Name one bike with a similar pedigree. Only "Lucky Strike" dood. The Yamaha is only a 700. What's left? And if you say V Strom I'll puke🤮

[@marco_rides_away]

KTM 890, Tiger 900, Norden 901, GS 850...

[@queenslander954]

Big ,heavy & awkward , bit like Trump

[@Isz2134]

Lighter then Africa Twin😂

[@mehmetgurdal]

Man everyone seems to love this bike and I can't even look at it. I mean yes it might be handling like Jesus walking on the water but it looks goofy AF. Seriously who designed this thing?

[@streetbob8607]

Sorry….big heavy bikes off road are a marketing ploy….wouldn’t trade my Husky 501…. For nothing….stay away from the big bikes off road….seriously they aren’t enjoyable.

[@marco_rides_away]

They are if you know how to ride... Maybe take a training course?

[@OldeDog_NewTricks]

​@@marco_rides_away bingo

[@allistairneil8968]

Sez it all... 'STREET'bob