Rust removing from the AJP exhaust. DesertX brake and clutch levers upgrade.

We spend our time wisely and the best time is the one you spend in the garage. So now that is exactly what is happening to me. Ducati DesertX has got a brand new clutch and brake levers, the old broken chain guard was changed and some other little good things were addressed in this part of the video. Enjoy and thank you for being with me!

[@gradocchio]

Nice job my friend, for the PR7 stainless I would hit it with some soap-infused steel wool (like is used in the kitchen) and I think the surface tarnish will come off and it will polish up like new. You do show something else that may be a good thing to address, the header pipe is very close to the radiator hose, some heat tape on that might be a good idea..

[@PeterR0035]

Stainless steel wool, otherwise it will become worse. I used heat tape (aluminum) around the radiator hoses on my 701 (=690) and some other tricks (exhaust wrap + heat shields) and it got water temps down a few degrees C. But I doubt nemo will do all this; he's going to sell the bike.

[@nemoltu]

Hi there, the only thing with that steel wool would be that we would have a problem reaching the places between the frame, so we would have to dismount the pipes for sure. It was interesting to try this way and I was so surprised it worked so good and with such a little effort. Good point about the heat, but as Peter mentioned I'm selling this bike so not gonna address this issue.

[@PeterR0035]

Hi Nemo, The AJP engine looks really beautiful; the whole engine layout looks "skeletonized". The red DOHC covers, waterpump accessible, twin radiators, but... when it comes down to "real" engineering, ( like how is easy it is to maintain and access parts) that is where you get to see the difference between cheap and expensive motorbikes. Some Chinese bikes are very good quality & value but maintenance overall, is usually really difficult (like they use odd not standardized size bolts; a M8 bolt with a 12mm socket head !). I guess the AJP is somewhere in the middle; between BMW and Chinese bikes? I'm not a BMW fanboy but maintenance is really easy on my BMW R1200R... On the AJP; like you point out; getting the exhaust off could have been better engineered. Also the expansion container for cooling is at a very vulnerable place and maybe some other improvements should have been made too. Not just outside, easy access maintenance, but also inside the engine. For instance , I know that on the KTM 690 / Husky 701 there are some extra / better ball bearings installed on the crankshaft (compared to some other mono cylinder engines). I do believe you get what you paid for, even if it is not always obvious. I think in 2024-2025 manufacturers might try to fill in this gap of medium/light weight adventure bikes, like your AJP/the 690/701, there are very few in this category of light weight + long service intervals (oil change & valve clearance check). The DesertX would not be my cup of tea (heavy). But I'm curious; are you happy with the whole engineering/maintenance thing on the Ducati? (I heard changing the air filter is a PITA?) Thanks for the video! Take care!

[@nemoltu]

Hey Peter, after reading this I feel like I need more time to think about what I'm writing before the answer I mean so much good info) :) But a really quick answer about the Ducati. No, I don't like the way they engineered the air filter I did it once (already), or even this gas cap. It's cool that you can fill up the tank to the very top, but it eliminates an easy quick lock tank installation. I'm not a very big fan of the desmo0 system as well, cause this boo-boo word enables Ducati dealers to take your pants off together with your wallet. But it's a fun bike to ride, it looks awesome and that is a factor. Plus, It will be a fun challenge to ride this bike in places that will be way out of my comfort zone and try to concourse the nearly possible trails. 2025 looks like a promising year for light adventure bikes, at least I think, but for me, it should be a year of trying to push the DesertX through some fun places, and his year I will be squeezing my wallet towards the best and fun upgrades on it. Will see how and where we will end up and the videos will be coming along :)

[@PeterR0035]

@@nemoltu Thanks for your reply and🤣 hahaha; "desmo boo-boo word" PS.; Fortnine made a really great video about it; "The Best Adventure Motorcycle - Ducati DesertX Review" the end of the video is very funny. Yes, the Italians know a thing or 2,3,4... about design, it does look very cool! Well, have fun with the tinkering & upgrades and I wish you safe rides! Take care.🙂

[@nemoltu]

@@PeterR0035 Since I was one of the first buyers of the DesertX I was always interested in all the videos that were coming out about this bike and definitely have seen Fort Nine one. I wish I've had so much talent and time to make my videos like they do :) Thanks for your good words again and enjoy your so-called riding season as well!

[@martinvang6352]

Hahaha, good humor man 👍🏼👍🏼

[@nemoltu]

Thanks! 😃

[@boxerridersgsa]

Nice job my friend!

[@nemoltu]

Thank you!