Ducati DesertX ridden and rated in the Apennines.

[@jamescampbell4334]

I'm throughly impressed with my DesertX. It has 8k miles (2k off-road) of Texas riding (summer temps of over 110 F) in under 8 months of ownership. Replaced the worn STRs with a set of Scorpion Trail II tires. The DesertX inspies confidence while getting backed into corners and powersliding out supermoto style. Ducati worked their magic on the design/development of the DesertX. I'm 6'1", 225 lbs. The ergonomics are spot on for someone my size. I rode dirt bikes as a teenager in the '70s and sport bikes in the '80s. Quit riding around 3 decades ago. The DesertX brought me back to motorcycles.

[@sierrarider]

this bike is by far the best looking adventure bike out there IMHO

[@stopper90004]

Triumph scrambler 1200?

[@sierrarider]

@@stopper90004 well I will give you that for a close second - it is a beautiful bike especially the green tanked one

[@patrickhd34]

Just bought a DesertX. Brilliant, handles like a 400cc dirt bike. I don't take pillions, so removed the rear pegs - they are quite heavy, so good for weight saving. Very good for filtering and urban stuff and plenty fast enough for motorways etc. I have not taken it off road yet, but will probably be some simple stuff, nothing technical, as my skill levels are not there. The tyres work very well and have much more grip than you would imagine. Getting the bigger touring screen to reduce wind noise. Heated grips are not great compared to other bikes. Plus I think there may be an issue with the tank venting as get a lot of pressure build up on warmer days as the fuel lievel goes down, much more than should get. Overall, it's a really fun bike to ride, handles and goes much better than you would expect. Looks good too. Other upgrade would be a full system to cut some weight...but I could just eat fewer burgers instead.

[@sgtunix]

And Ryan from Fortnine bought one.

[@leward]

He did! I witnessed him taking the sacred Ducati oath!

[@alanprice9938]

A great review, and gotta say I agree….. I’ve ridden many bikes of all types, and I ain’t exaggerating when I say I think it’s the single best bike I’ve ever ridden, with an ability for everything. On tighter “scratching” roads, I don’t think much can beat it, for riding fast or comfortably, so easily. My only additional point, is that I’ve been lucky enough ride two examples….. and they did feel different, even in the same settings…. So set up counts.

[@RJ-yn3nu]

I only demo'd one bike, so thats interesting. I expeceted a month to get it set up perfectly.

[@lhurst9550]

Had mine since last fall, I can say it is one of the best bikes I have ever had and a true joy to ride.

[@1DavidS67]

Have you been off-road a bit? I'm in Arizona and have a lot of dirt roads behind me. I currently have a 1250GS and I'm not super confident with it on dirt and slightly sandy roads. I'm wondering if this would fit the bill?

[@lhurst9550]

@@1DavidS67 The bike is more than capable, but it will not make you a better rider by just having it. Bikes are tools meant for specific purposes, the DS is in a sweet spot of big powerful enough for long distance highway travel, even two up, and light enough for serious off-road use. Off road lighter is better, that said the DX is 450lbs, it has the geometry and suspension to do if the rider does.

[@RJ-yn3nu]

Thanks for the down to earth review. I just ordered mine for riding in Bangkok and out in the rural areas. I currently ride my BMW R1250GS here, and it is a bit of a handful in the constant heavy traffic. But a delight on the highways. I get a little tired after an hour of city riding on the GS, so i am hoping this will be my perfect daily ride! But keeping the GS for the long rides :-)

[@davereinhart9933]

This bike seems to be favorable with so many! Thank you for the review!

[@johnwust9230]

Superb review with great quality images, I hope to pick mine up in the next week or so.

[@patshes1951]

Cool review thanks.

[@richardho5955]

A very good review, Matt! Cheers 👍🏍🇿🇦

[@bobvincent5921]

Thanks. Living the dream hey!. My nearest Ducati dealer is a mear 3 miles away, i can only view the bikes as i look through their windows.

[@IanTed]

It’s a brilliant engine and looks good but being short of the leg I’m happy with my Multi V2S for road touring and general use, sure it shares the same feeling of adequate power and awesome handling.

[@nikosdanelakis3613]

very good

[@avdmer]

Matt are you going to do a video on your camper? I’m fascinated by the setup. Awesome video on the Minion-looking Ducati as well. It seriously makes me want to park it in my garage next to the Teutonic lady.

[@1990-t1j]

When I was a fan of bikes like these, I half-wanted a Cagiva Elefant. I had an Africa Twin RD04 for four years. I don't like this type of bike now. I bet this bike's good, though.

[@yiannishayabusaofficial]

AWESOME VIDEO AMAZING SUPERB ! ! ! ! !

[@sahelhabashieh]

Please go to Cape Town and test it there!! and the sand dunes are not that far from the city :)

[@rideswithhoover9789]

Great review sadly missed.

[@sally5371]

The achilles heel, the shark gill on the side of the tank directs any water from the ground or rain straight across the tank into your lap?

[@jamescampbell4334]

I ride in central/west Texas heat. That shark gill cools the rider.

[@sattvicvelo3506]

Great and honest review thanks. Would you take this over the BMW S1000R for mountain / twisties /back road riding? I plan on test riding both to make up my mind, but would like your take on those two knowing that you've ridden and reviewed both. Thanks heaps!

[@veeken777]

If you go into Dakar territory is it wise to carry a spare wiring loom and electronic bits? Cuz ya know.. Italian.

[@stopper90004]

Maybe 30 years ago...

[@jamescampbell4334]

You didn't get the memo? VW/Audi owns Ducati now. 👍 Did you get the memo that Lucas stopped producing electrical systems for British automobiles? British vehicle owners don't need to stock up on bottles of Lucas Smoke anymore.

[@gregorizi]

Tale motorček je večji brat Aprilije touareg.

[@motovloggingwithvman2188]

This is a road review 😄😄

[@keyboarddancers7751]

Ducati's Desert X and Multistrada are sort of bike equivalents of an Urus. If you regard them in that light, with everything such a choice could possibly imply, then you're in for a treat because that Desert X looks like a real weapon. However this is not the bike for you if you're concerned about the costs of parts, accessories and maintenance.

[@PowerYacht]

the cost is not much different especially with the latest mills and valve clearance at 30k. A BMW would not be much cheaper for example. Still I do think they should make the manual be more helpful then anything written being, please find a dealer near you.

[@Flatlower]

18k demso service being that long. It's really not much to maintain. I still change my oils at 2500 miles. I do lot of off road riding and i like my engine super clean on the inside. These bikes will last over 100k miles if maintained. Pain in the butt is just having to go to ducati dealership 3 hrs one way. It two day trip to drop it off and pick it back up.

[@WillPower46]

Nice bike but it would be hard to pick this over an AT.

[@vintagerocket6814]

I just sold my Africa Twin to get a DX. The AT is a fantastic bike, but with weak suspension, and a seriously annoying TFT dash in the 1100. I'm hoping i made the right choice.

[@jamescampbell4334]

Looked at both, picked up a DesertX. Not a fan of overly soft suspension. The AT leaking fork seals, rusting fasteners and rusting unfinished frames (in the first year) were the deal breaker. Honda won't do anything for the owners who experience these issues. Discussions on AT forums are worth seeing.

[@beer3029]

How is the heat from the motor on this bike?

[@wpatton5894]

None to note. I have 600 or so miles and it is not "hot".

[@beer3029]

@@wpatton5894 how hot is the temperature there? I have a Desert Sled and you don't notice it until after it's above 85°f. I had a 1199 and in the summer it was so hot it was almost unbearable to ride.

[@jamescampbell4334]

​@@beer3029 I ride in Texas. Those large vertical vents route lots of cool air to the rider.

[@AustrisPhoto]

What helmet You are running? Looks like Arai, but says Shoei 🤣

[@saddle8bag]

Utility yes. Pretty? Well, at least it comes with dual white boards where you can draw out your routes with erasable markers.

[@ottocubed9520]

Too many restrictions by Ducati’s warranty + the cleaning of the air filter is a super bitch.

[@adventurehungry]

Great bike but If it weighs more than 150kgs im not interested

[@brucekendall52]

Pity you have to take it to the dealer to have your air filter cleaned/changed.Imagine doing that every week in SA?Ridiculous.Spoils it all.Thanks

[@elithegreat6463]

A Bike that good looking, I would never take it off road. It would be a totally street/touring bike. Because frankly, one tip over on this bike will cost you thousands in repair, and lower it's re-sale value, cause we all want nice/new toys

[@tubejorrit]

for offroad the ktm 890 adventure is the better option.

[@lipsee100]

@@tubejorrit for off road Royal Enfield Himalayan is the best option.

[@elithegreat6463]

@@lipsee100 I agree you could beat that bike to no end and not feel guilty about breaking it 🔨🔨⚙️🛠️

[@11breaper68]

Air filter 👎👎👎

[@Steve-motorcycles]

Yeah, I’d like to see if you’d actually spend your own hard earned on it. I bet you will never own one.

[@jamescampbell4334]

It's the same price as an Africa Twin AS.

[@MattFromDaNorth]

first :)

[@skipole09]

Next time grab a guy who knows what he’s doing off road..

[@stevejones1318]

He's probably a lot better than you think you are. I bet you're one of those attention seeking #?*!?s who rides around town standing up.

[@terenceokeeffesmotorcyclestuff]

He did say it was a road based review.

[@spencervidal3168]

Yaaa, well Ducati's are notoriously unreliable.. I would hate to drop $20k on this thing only to be stranded some where in central or south America...

[@aaronphillips2728]

Iv owned one fore three weeks now, waiting on crashbars for thr off road. But that's why picked this over the ktm 890 r. The motor has a good reputation. But we'll see

[@spencervidal3168]

@@aaronphillips2728 I know people that have been stranded just because the rain got into the electronics... Really??? On a motorcycle??? And its a legitimate concern with the KTM 790/890 both of which are made in China..

[@IanTed]

Used to be an issue, I live in a very cold and wet part of northern England and have had zero problems with my Multi V2S which shares many components including donor engine and more electronics, not the case with previous GSs.

[@vintagerocket6814]

I owned a Multistrada 1200 for a decade and 74000km with zero problems. I ran knobbies and ran it pretty hard off road too.

[@flamintasty]

@@spencervidal3168You’re talking crap. Yet another moron that has never owned a Ducati yet feels qualified to give us his anecdotal opinion 🙄 GTFOOH