Ducati DesertX Rally: Adventure Without Limits

With the third episode of the 2024 World Première, Ducati unveils the new DesertX Rally.

From the DesertX, the first Ducati equipped with a 21-inch front rim and 18-inch rear, now comes the new DesertX Rally model. Characterized by the best race-bred components, the DesertX Rally adopts high-quality solutions that are both specialized and effective in off-road use and sophisticated, as with every Ducati.

Developed and tested also on racetracks, the DesertX Rally prototype was the protagonist of the Iron Road Prolog at the Erzbergrodeo 2023 with Antoine Meo (multiple Enduro World Champion and European Supercross Champion), who took it to the top step of the podium in the twin-cylinder category (video illustrating Meo’s achievement here).

Like every Ducati, DesertX Rally has a unique and distinctive style. Thanks to the new livery and solutions typical of the off-road world that characterize its appearance, the DesertX Rally communicates its character from the very first glance. However, it is in the technical equipment that the Rally becomes an even more capable off-road motorcycle.

The high front mudguard, the Kayaba suspension with increased travel with closed cartridge fork and the big piston shock absorber are derived from the world of motocross and allow the rider to overcome any obstacle, while the new spoked wheels with sizes and characteristics specific to off-road racing make the Rally an unstoppable motorcycle on any type of terrain. These solutions together with a light, impact-resistant forged carbon sump guard, gear pedal and rear brake lever machined from solid, unequivocally identify the Rally as a motorcycle designed to tackle the most extreme adventures.

Chassis

The DesertX Rally’s suspension is designed to tackle even the most difficult obstacles, improving the DesertX’s already high off-road capability. Both the fork and the shock absorber contain the same technologies used on professional Motocross and enduro bikes.

At the front end, the DesertX Rally is equipped with new billet aluminum triple clamp, rigid and light. The fork is a closed-cartridge KYB, a technology used on motocross and enduro racing bikes. This solution involves pressurizing the oil inside the cartridges to avoid fluid cavitation to deliver consistent behavior of the front suspension performance during the most extreme of uses.

Furthermore, to reduce friction and increase resistance to wear, the fork tubes are equipped with Kashima Coating and the sliders with DLC surface treatment. Wheel travel increases by 0. inches (20 mm), for a total travel of 9.8 inches (250 mm).

The rear is fitted with an aluminum swingarm with a different attachment point compared to the standard DesertX, with a fully adjustable large piston shock absorber to improve the bike’s behavior in the most demanding off-road use. Rear wheel travel also increases by 0.8 inches (20 millimeters), for a total of 9.4 inches (240 millimeters). Finally, to improve handling on the most demanding off-road terrain, the DesertX Rally is fitted with an adjustable Öhlins steering damper, fixed directly to the handlebars with supports machined from solid.

The new enhanced suspension has allowed the DesertX Rally to increase the ground clearance, which is now 11 inches (280 millimeters) 1.1 inches (30 millimeters) more than the standard, enabling it to overcome even the most difficult terrain.

To further improve off-road performance, the DesertX Rally is equipped with wheels in specific dimension for off-road, being more robust and lighter thanks to hubs machined from solid, carbon steel central spokes and high-strength Takasago Excel rims with inner tube.

Finally, to underline the versatility of the DesertX Rally, as with the DesertX, it is homologated with three style of tires, with Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR as original equipment. To enhance its off-road capabilities, it is possible to mount Scorpion Rally, while for those who prefer to ride the bike on asphalt, Scorpion Trail II is available.

Thanks to the use of high-level components, the DesertX Rally has a dry weight of just 1 kilogram more than the standard model despite the increase in length and size of the suspension.

Engine and Electronics

The DesertX Rally is equipped with the 937cc Ducati Testastretta 11-degree twin-cylinder with desmodromic distribution. Maximum power is 110 horsepower at 9,250 rpm and maximum torque of 68 pound-feet (92 newton meters) at 6,500 rpm. This engine, characterized by linear and manageable power delivery, has been optimized for off-road use with dedicated gear ratios and specific strategies and calibrations of the electronic system.

The six Riding Modes of the DesertX Rally (Sport, Touring, Urban, Wet, Enduro, Rally) have cornering anti-lock brakes (ABS), Ducati Traction Control (DTC) and Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) recalibrated according to the new chassis and for more challenging off-road use.

The electronic functions of the DesertX Rally are managed through the vertically oriented, high-resolution, 5-inch color TFT display positioned to offer optimal visibility even when riding standing. This display is designed for integration with the Ducati Multimedia System, which allows you to connect your smartphone, thus activating new functions, such as music control, call management and Turn by Turn navigation* (optional) with road directions directly on the dashboard. Furthermore, the DesertX Rally offers the Utility Bar as standard for mounting the satnav.

Service intervals for the DesertX Rally are every 9,000 miles (15,000 kilometers) or 24 months, with valve clearance checks every 18,000 miles (30,000 kilometers).

Accessories and Apparel

The DesertX Rally has all the essential components for off-road use as standard, but those wishing to customize it further can do so by choosing from the Ducati Performance accessories catalogue. To extend fuel range, it is possible to mount an additional 2.1 U.S. gallon (8-liter) tank, which provides 40% more total fuel capacity, fit perfectly into the natural lines of the motorbike. Aluminum side cases are available, which, combined with the top case, give the motorbike a total load capacity of almost 120 liters. For travelers who never stop, there are also additional LED spotlights and heated grips.

The steel tube engine guards protect the tank and engine from falls or impacts during off-road use. Finally, enthusiasts who wish to make the image of their bikes even more racing focused can choose the Termignoni homologated exhaust. Anyone wishing to use the DesertX Rally in competition can improve the power and torque values by 7-plus% by means of a racing exhaust, again by Termignoni.

Enthusiasts who want to complete their looks will be able to choose from various specialist apparel proposals with graphics coordinated with the DesertX Rally livery. The collection, which also includes the women’s line, is made up of the Explorer jacket-trousers set, Atacama gloves, Explorer T7 boots and Arai Tour-X5 helmet.

The DesertX Rally will be available in U.S. and Canadian dealerships starting from March 2024. The U.S. pricing will begin at an MSRP of $22,995. For Canada, the pricing will begin at an MSRP of $26,295 CAD.

Main Standard Equipment

Testastretta 11-degree 937cc engine with 110 horsepower at 9,250 rpm and 92 newton meters at 6,500 rpm
Tubular steel trellis frame with cast aluminium double-sided swingarm
Tank capacity 21 liters
High front mudguard with split brake line*
Spoked rims with billet hubs 21-by-2.15 inches and 18-by-4 inches, carbon steel spokes and high-strength Takasago Excel rims with inner tube*
Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tires in sizes 90/90-21 at the front and 150/70 R18 at the rear (alternatively: Pirelli Scorpion Rally, Pirelli Scorpion Trail II)
KYB Ø 48-millimeter closed cartridge fork, 250-millimeter travel, adjustable compression and rebound, Kashima Coating treatments on the fork tubes and DLC on the sliders *
Fork clamps machined from solid*
KYB shock absorber with 46-millimeter piston; 240-millimeter travel; adjustable in compression at high and low speeds, in rebound and preload*
Ground clearance of 280 millimeters*
Adjustable Öhlins steering damper fixed to the handlebar*
Six customizable Riding Modes (Sport, Touring, Urban, Wet, Enduro, Rally)
Four Power Modes on three power levels
ABS Cornering Bosch adjustable on three levels
Ducati Traction Control adjustable on eight levels
Ducati Wheelie Control
Engine Brake Control
Ducati Cruise Control
5-inch color TFT instrumentation with Ducati Link App support and turn-by-turn navigation
Utility bar
Ducati Brake Light
Ducati Quick Shift Up & Down (DQS)
Full LED lighting system
Dedicated Iron Giant livery*
Adjustable brake and gear pedals machined from solid*