The retro-styled ADV packs in a 21-inch/18-inch wire-spoke wheel combo and a massive 250mm of ground clearance.
Ducati has launched the DesertX adventure bike in India at Rs 17.91 lakh (ex-showroom, India). By virtue of its displacement and output levels, it goes up against the likes of the Triumph Tiger 900 and BMW F 850 GS. For reference, the Tiger is priced between Rs 13.7 lakh for the road-biased GT version and Rs 15.5 lakh for the range-topping, off-road ready Rally Pro variant, while the Beemer will cost you Rs 12.50 lakh in standard form, and Rs 13.75 lakh in adventure guise, with a large fuel tank.
The substantial excitement around the DesertX is down to the fact that this is the Italian manufacturer’s first truly serious adventure bike in the modern era. To back up this claim, it comes with a 21-inch/18-inch wire-spoke wheel combo, 230mm and 220mm of suspension travel at the front and rear respectively, and 250mm of ground clearance. These are impressive numbers that not only dwarf those of the erstwhile Multistrada 1260 Enduro, but are also class-leading on many fronts. The X stays true to its Ducati roots in the frame department, using a traditional trellis frame to hold everything together.
Hauling around this purposeful newl chassis is a rather familiar motor – the 937cc Testastretta L-twin motor that does duty in the Multistrada V2, Panigale V2, Monster and Hypermotard 950. Output figures, at 110hp and 92Nm, are a wee bit lower than on some of the other Testastretta-powered bikes, and we found it to have a rather mellow state of tune when we got a short spin on it in its homeland.
As standard, you’re seated a rather lofty 875mm off the deck, but that can be brought down to 865mm using an accessory low seat, and an even lower 845mm when the seat is clubbed with a low suspension kit too.
Also in true Ducati fashion, the electronics suite matches the scale of the suspension travel and ground clearance, with a total of six riding modes on offer(!), including Enduro and Rally modes dedicated to off-road use. You also get four power modes, and a Bosch IMU to assist the electronics do their job irrespective of the bike’s orientation.
Everything is controlled via a slick-looking 5-inch TFT dash with optional Bluetooth connectivity. Other optional extras include a raft of aluminium luggage options, heated grips, fog lamps and even an 8-litre auxiliary fuel tank. With the standard 21-litre fuel tank (and all other fluids) topped up, the DesertX tips the scales at 223kg.