2023 Ducati DesertX Review - First Ride

[@davidkendall1614]

Just rode this in Spain. It rips. Also sounds freakin awesome. A throaty bark on the the throttle and the whistling thing going on when you come off the gas. An adrenaline rush for sure. It spoke to me more than the MultiStrada V4s that I rode there during the same week. Surprised by it on the asphalt with the 21 incher on the front and the dual purpose tires.

[@toltod]

When you turn off the bike, it stays with that ride mode. Simple things like that are awesome when riding off pavement.

[@merloti]

Great review! Because of you I’ll have to do the LAB2V next year through hard ways and I hope to see you there again!

[@max.fleming1045]

A largely good review of a really new interesting adventure bike I'm really looking forward to seeing in the real soon. On another note & this is just a suggestion. As KZbin & the internet reach around the world it would be really helpful if you include metric dimensions as well as Imperial for those of us tuning in from outside America.

[@cameronrussell9362]

It would be quicker to google it then it was to complain about it.

[@juanfelipearango2029]

We need another Middleweight ADV Shootout adding this DesertX, the tuareg 660 and norden alongside the tiger 900, 890 adv R and T700 but in the world raid variant. No need for the moto guzzi or the bmw 850, both are apparently outclassed in terms of performance, weight, suspension and engine by the aformentioned.

[@nbalagopal]

the drone shots in this video are very cool.. Kudos to the drone pilot!

[@Dranreb865]

Drone pilot? Is that what they call themselves now? What about drone operator instead?

[@howardkrieger8465]

I’d be very interested to know where this DesertX test ride was filmed. Maybe the Pacific northwest? The scenery and trails look amazing. Great video and overview of the bike’s niche in the market. Thanks!

[@diversityhobbit]

Hi my name is Billy. I watch all desert X vids just to point out how expensive it is and that I like Teneres!

[@rzu7120]

You're doing a great job, Billy. Keep it up.

[@The3osforos]

That is an honorable cause Billy. Keep it up.

[@epoxone]

Looks are great, weight is not so ok, price is high.

[@DakarBlues]

I rode it, I was not impressed (coming from a KTM 1290 SAS though). I lean towards the T700, she has enough torque to get the job done, and she is way lighter.

[@aries300x]

Its always the cable clutch yamaha guys hating 😂😂😂.

[@mxg709]

My last new Ducati needed an engine rebuilt after 14 months So I’d like to see some long term reviews on reliability before I even consider this brand over a Honda or something else know to be reliable

[@courtneymcgowan9561]

The engine has been around in several other bikes for years

[@brucerossonthetube]

12 year old Multistrada with 75000km, with zero troubles over here.

[@mjohn8217]

What model was your last Ducati?

[@davidcarr5718]

excellent review. Thanks

[@bshortt4244]

"and what not"....... I wish I had a bank account to support a beast like that.

[@bombombimbim440]

Good lamp design!

[@hvalour1]

what a looker, i finally would like to have a ducati.

[@angry_genius]

Watching from Philippines 🇵🇭

[@Supernova12034]

950cc is middleweight now?

[@exit9874]

Yes. Since next in line are around 1200 cc. Ktm 1290 super adventure, bmw 1250gs/gsa etc. You can both feel the different in weight and size so the desert x is middle weight

[@ToModorNottoMod]

Good review.

[@rangeroadmoto]

Great video, thanks for all the hard work. I’m curious if there is a set standard for weights that manufactures use to class their adv bikes? Like when does a bike become a heavy weight adv vs a medium weight adv. Curious if anyone has input, thanks!

[@willrector9716]

So it has off road suspension and a super bike motor? 9k rpm to make power? That would be hard to maneuver off road it seems like.

[@defylifeadventure]

I read a great article on the MV Lucky Exporer 9.5. Again another 'heavyweight' adventure bike, but is makes about 90% of max torque from 4,500rpm. The problem with manufacturers just repurposing engines, like the Ducati motor, or the one in the T700, and the MV too, is the low down torque. Ideally you want good torque right from low down the range. The T700 gets around this with gearing, but then it suffers on highway with high RPMs at cruising (130km/h). The Tuareg is the same.

[@willrector9716]

@@defylifeadventure all the reviews...... I've never ridden one... on the t700 says it makes torque down low? Is that not the case with that bike? Everyone raves about it... just curious

[@briancorreia2923]

Saw it in the flesh last week. Am I wrong to be worried about the valve cover with its mounted sensors leading the way in front of the bash plate behind the front tire? What happens if you get a log hop wrong?

[@MrMAKFoto]

How high/tall it is? is the seat height taller than Yamaha T-700?

[@briancorreia2923]

@@MrMAKFoto I’m guessing you mean with my weight comprehension? I don’t know, it had a sold sign on the seat so I took that to mean I couldn’t sit on it. I wonder how long it might be before a dealership has an unsold Desert X that they would allow a potential customer to test ride?

[@wallytangofoxtrot4721]

Looks like the Star Wars Stormtrooper.

[@defylifeadventure]

Interesting, you said 'middleweight' what are you classing as 'heavy weight' then? Does weight matter or are you going off displacement, or power, or torque?

[@exit9874]

Bmw 1250gs/gsa, ktm 1290 super adventure, yamaha 1200 super tenere. Heavier, more cc.

[@defylifeadventure]

@@exit9874 Agreed. That though would make the old KTM 950 adventure a middleweight.

[@MrMegaPerez]

Nice review 👍 I still prefer my Tenere 700 ;)

[@Crust2013]

Yuk t7 KTM1090R

[@rckptt0076]

I'm 6'5, 230lbs. Do you think this bike would be too small for someone my size

[@michaelhayden6936]

No sir. It's huge in person.

[@skipole09]

It’s funny, because he talks about the DX feeling heavier than other bikes in the segment..not my experience at all. Think this bike wears its weight very well.

[@augustjustlastname1976]

is it noiseless?

[@EvansBrasfieldMotojournalist]

Unfortunately, the video Ducati provided us with was mostly without sound, which is a bummer.

[@fishingwcp]

I like it..my ktm1290s got stolen recently so....

[@2wheelLove]

That sucks man. I am sorry to hear. I am always paranoid that my bikes will get stolen. I love the 1090 R myself. Awesome bikes!

[@johnvellis5148]

Beautiful bike the perfect off road the second a like Yamaha 700 tennere

[@5dobang9]

멋지십니다~굿굿

[@AutoDIY]

It is pretty, looks like most Tenere 700's after spending time (and money) dialing them in.

[@markchristianson8178]

Looks like a Africa twin .

[@roysyntageros4191]

I'm going to "Demo day" to test this bike, but if I bought one I'd change the looks with a graphics kit as find it a bit ugly with the plain white and a couple of strips.

[@MrDnajvirt]

This white fuel tank can't wait for a Lucky strike sticker like on original Cagiva Elephant Dakar

[@terrellgarren7125]

So outside of the bike being amazing, wonderful, and incredible, I learned nothing more than reading the Ducati website.

[@kennypool]

Wow I'm getting paid 7.50.

[@chrisusmcvet3435]

Had a 2016 Eduro 1200.that Desert X is Hideous. They need a new 1200+ Enduro V4

[@skyworks1621]

From the looks I like the Husky Norden more.

[@kristopherbell7158]

Vfr 1200x for me even though its older, single sided swingarm..or an africa twin

[@mentalframer]

Absolutely no interest going off road just wanna have one. Looks as cool as F

[@ed.t.hansen6499]

does not appear to be good for passenger and road riding

[@elithegreat6463]

This Bike is going to get so banged up and broken into pieces when all you Squids start taking this on the Dirt. And then getting parts from Italy to replace all the broken bits will take 3 months to reach the USA. A Bike this good looking, just use it to tour with and Pose...otherwise, you'll just break it, and you'll be out of a Bike for the entire season. And where's the oil cooler on this Bike ???, it doesn't have one, and Ducati's Run Hot...WTF ???

[@rupiec]

This bike is not even close to middleweight. Stop embarrassing yourself for Ducati money.

[@epoxone]

True. Same goes for the soon to be released Honda Transalp or Suzukis ADV bike...they are just too damn heavy.

[@EvansBrasfieldMotojournalist]

If only we received the money we’re accused of taking from the manufacturers, we’d all have vacation homes by now…