I keep coming back to this video. I rode a regular DesertX from California to the Arctic this summer and just loved the bike and the experience. After I saw the DesertX Rally in person and watched this video and others again, I ordered one (despite the fact I am about Chad’s height and so have to concentrate on the one-foot-down bit). After owning both, I have to say that the upgraded suspension does make a huge difference, including how well you can corner on the road. Typical Ducati; excellent handling (and the base model was already great). What a gem of a bike and what an inspiring video.
Thanks for the review! I think the Rally's suspension would be wasted on the average rider, so to save money I'd buy the base X and tune/respring the suspension to my weight. And while I love Chris's reviews in the Welsh forests, I also appreciate Chad's perspective. I hate dakar sand as well. I love hardpack, rocks, forests, mud. But I try to avoid deep sand. So It's nice to hear from someone who feels the same way. Not everyone has to adore deep sand, I know my bikes don't. It gets everywhere.
I trimmed down the set about 1.5 inches and flattened it out. It made a huge difference. So far it an awesome bike. Probably the best in 30 years of riding.
Chad's real nice with a sportbike but he can't Dakar. Now Chris, Chris can definitely Dakar. Too bad he missed this launch. Can't wait to see what he can do with this thing.
Thanks for the great video on this bike. I live in the desert in Arizona, tri-state area of California, Nevada and Arizona so I have found my GSXR 750 when I had it out here years ago was fun as any sport bike but dirt can be on the roads quick here with a good wind, same with my CBR 900, fun bike but not necessarily in a small town with lots of surrounding dirt roads, especially if you want to take some of the off road trials out to the lake. Currently I have a 2006 Ducati MultiStrada 626. Fun bike, I love it, full Ducati bag set up, I can go anywhere, for the most part, hahaha. But horrible gas mileage and really top heavy, especially if I forget that it's not one of my street bikes and I can't lean it down to the ground as much . I thought about changing the tires to Scorpions because my Ducati slips out in the sand on the blacktop often. Then I made an executive decision with myself to just get a nice adventure bike that I can travel on the highways and back roads comfortably but handle these harsh desert dirt roads much better and more comfortably. I've seen some really nice adventure bike in my researching online and made my decision thanks to your video. It solidified my current decision of buying a Desert X Rally to replace my MultiStrada. Especially hearing your years of experience. I've been riding for over 10 years but mostly on paved roads. I'm totally new to the adventure biking but I'm in! Thanks again for the great video!
Great test of an incredible machine, but my biggest take away from your video was watching how you corner, on the tarmac, specifically your elbow position, shoulders and where you're looking - I put these to the test this past weekend and my on road cornering improved drastically - thank you to you guys for an incredible channel.
Great video as always. This looks an awesome bike. I have decided on the std Desert X, albeit a used one. I will do a few mods to make it mine, but the standard bike is plenty capable enough. I reckon it's one of the best looking ADV bikes out there by some margin...👍
@@BikeWorldTVshow it's good to hear your review & feedback about this bike after using it on a long ride. It seemed you really like it. Yah, it's quite understood that if you consider a Ducati. You should expect for a pricy bike. However #Ducati have still something to improve in their next year's Desert X. Like the unavailable heated Grips, quite smaller Windscreen, Weight of the bike which is a bit too much, it's low front Fender on the non Rally base model & the chosen stock Tires which could have been at least closer quality to Scorpion Pirelli all terrain tires. If all of those would be corrected. This bike would be Terrific. Especially if you replace the exhaust with an aftermarket one. I guess the height of the bike is just enough because it's used after all into different terrain especially in rough roads. For some who can't able to reach the floor with their two feet. It's fine I think they could just adjust height into their preference. There are also some taller guys who wants this bike so it makes it even. Anyway, opting for shorter is way difficult as it makes their leg cramp in a long ride. On a side note why is this bike's red bar frame is bulging at the tail end. It really upset the looks which isn't normal to an adventure bike or it's rivals. Yes, it helps a bit when you need to yank the bike, but the Factory can able to put it on the side or maybe not. It doesn't matter anyway.
Hi Chad, haven’t heard you being so impressed with a bike for longer than I can remember. Even at 6’2”, I’ll struggle with the height as I do with my off-road only bikes with trick suspension. Interested in giving this one a ride purely based upon your opinion. At least it possible will enable me to leave the car and bike trailer behind to go and explore off road with a street legal machine as everything else on the market is purely a compromise. As I’m fortunate enough to have bikes for specific situations. Track/race, touring, off road. This just might at least make my CFO happy as I’ll be able to reduce the number of bikes I have. Great review. 👍😎
Good review again Chad. Only thing though … last review sounded like you were working for the Triumph marketing dept and this time Ducatis. Chris has always been objective and hasn’t gushed too much about a new bike until he’s put it through its paces at home.
Even worse, dropping it without the crash bars (which are a weighty extra) puts a hole in the tank. The Aussies at MAD TV covered that during the launch there. Still a nice bike though.
I would love to see a drop test with max fuel capacity with every manufacturer. Could it be timed? I'm just saying... Great review and nice-looking bike!
I am 5 feet 10 inches in height. Can I ride on this high and monster bike? The only power to compete with KTM 890 Adventure R (2024 model or 2023 model both).
Not worth 19k to me, although its cool that you can account for that additional cost in the upgrades they've made, more or less. Left feeling even more impressed with the new KTM 790 Adventure (my bike, so complete bias). Manageable seat height, very comparable electronics (all the pros you've mentioned the KTM has too), closer difference power wise than others in the budget adventure class...only real practical downside is the suspension imo, which wouldn't cost me 9k to upgrade. Oh, and the looks, I guess ;-)
Lovely looking bike but stupid price and it's not the only bike you can change modes on the fly my Honda ATAS and my Triumph Scrambler 1200XE can both do it. Those press bikes are probably the only ones that will go off road🤣 Ducati are really taking the piss with the price of their bikes. I think the new BMW F900GS will do them all when you test them all together off road in the UK.
Why send someone to ride and review bike like this in terrain like that who can't and doesn’t like riding in sand! Seems a bit counterintuitive to me? Where's Chris to do this bike justice?
Things are changing, because the UK market is shrinking manufactures invite less and less people to the launches, Chad is our man. Chris will be riding one very soon here in the UK.
Unless you’re planning on launching it at speed into big hits and jumps, all that suspension travel is pointless. I’d sooner have a lower bike with really top quality suspension with less travel. But nobody makes that bike… so it’s buy a lower bike, and then spend lots of $ on a custom suspension. Oh well…
None of this truly matters. You'll have to deal with the Ducati ownership experience which won't be as enjoyable as owning a Japanese bikes. It will run hot, it may have problems, dealer service will be expensive, parts availability and speed to obtain will not be comparable. T7 has plenty of power offroad. Future classic.
I love the original Desert X. When I saw this new version last year, I felt the same about that too. The cost is part and parcel of Ducati Life. You gotta pay to play.
I keep coming back to this video. I rode a regular DesertX from California to the Arctic this summer and just loved the bike and the experience. After I saw the DesertX Rally in person and watched this video and others again, I ordered one (despite the fact I am about Chad’s height and so have to concentrate on the one-foot-down bit). After owning both, I have to say that the upgraded suspension does make a huge difference, including how well you can corner on the road. Typical Ducati; excellent handling (and the base model was already great). What a gem of a bike and what an inspiring video.
designwise, they're best in class
I already have a truly lovely adventure bike (an original 1989 Super Tenere) and yet I still Lust after this Ducati. What a beauty!
Great review again, Chad. Beginning to think you and Chris are the dream ticket in motorcycle videos. 😁 Keep up the great work!
Thanks for the review! I think the Rally's suspension would be wasted on the average rider, so to save money I'd buy the base X and tune/respring the suspension to my weight. And while I love Chris's reviews in the Welsh forests, I also appreciate Chad's perspective. I hate dakar sand as well. I love hardpack, rocks, forests, mud. But I try to avoid deep sand. So It's nice to hear from someone who feels the same way. Not everyone has to adore deep sand, I know my bikes don't. It gets everywhere.
The standard bike is good, only need this for serious off road
I trimmed down the set about 1.5 inches and flattened it out. It made a huge difference. So far it an awesome bike. Probably the best in 30 years of riding.
Chad's real nice with a sportbike but he can't Dakar. Now Chris, Chris can definitely Dakar. Too bad he missed this launch. Can't wait to see what he can do with this thing.
Thanks for the great video on this bike. I live in the desert in Arizona, tri-state area of California, Nevada and Arizona so I have found my GSXR 750 when I had it out here years ago was fun as any sport bike but dirt can be on the roads quick here with a good wind, same with my CBR 900, fun bike but not necessarily in a small town with lots of surrounding dirt roads, especially if you want to take some of the off road trials out to the lake. Currently I have a 2006 Ducati MultiStrada 626. Fun bike, I love it, full Ducati bag set up, I can go anywhere, for the most part, hahaha. But horrible gas mileage and really top heavy, especially if I forget that it's not one of my street bikes and I can't lean it down to the ground as much . I thought about changing the tires to Scorpions because my Ducati slips out in the sand on the blacktop often. Then I made an executive decision with myself to just get a nice adventure bike that I can travel on the highways and back roads comfortably but handle these harsh desert dirt roads much better and more comfortably. I've seen some really nice adventure bike in my researching online and made my decision thanks to your video. It solidified my current decision of buying a Desert X Rally to replace my MultiStrada. Especially hearing your years of experience. I've been riding for over 10 years but mostly on paved roads. I'm totally new to the adventure biking but I'm in! Thanks again for the great video!
Great test of an incredible machine, but my biggest take away from your video was watching how you corner, on the tarmac, specifically your elbow position, shoulders and where you're looking - I put these to the test this past weekend and my on road cornering improved drastically - thank you to you guys for an incredible channel.
Great video as always. This looks an awesome bike. I have decided on the std Desert X, albeit a used one. I will do a few mods to make it mine, but the standard bike is plenty capable enough. I reckon it's one of the best looking ADV bikes out there by some margin...👍
It is good looking, we were close to buying a standard one ourselves, did you know you can get the upper front mud guard as a kit.
@@BikeWorldTVshow Yes I know you can get high front mudguard. Have also found some decent graphics kits too. 👍
@@BikeWorldTVshow it's good to hear your review & feedback about this bike after using it on a long ride. It seemed you really like it. Yah, it's quite understood that if you consider a Ducati. You should expect for a pricy bike. However #Ducati have still something to improve in their next year's Desert X. Like the unavailable heated Grips, quite smaller Windscreen, Weight of the bike which is a bit too much, it's low front Fender on the non Rally base model & the chosen stock Tires which could have been at least closer quality to Scorpion Pirelli all terrain tires. If all of those would be corrected. This bike would be Terrific. Especially if you replace the exhaust with an aftermarket one.
I guess the height of the bike is just enough because it's used after all into different terrain especially in rough roads. For some who can't able to reach the floor with their two feet. It's fine I think they could just adjust height into their preference. There are also some taller guys who wants this bike so it makes it even. Anyway, opting for shorter is way difficult as it makes their leg cramp in a long ride.
On a side note why is this bike's red bar frame is bulging at the tail end. It really upset the looks which isn't normal to an adventure bike or it's rivals. Yes, it helps a bit when you need to yank the bike, but the Factory can able to put it on the side or maybe not. It doesn't matter anyway.
I absolutely love my Multistrada V4 Rally, but I still lust after the Desert X. I'd have one in my garage if it wouldn't lead to a divorce.
Haha same
Fantastic machines these days. But OH GOODNESS GRACIOUS the prices.
Would be interesting to hear how the size and height affect tight, slow riding, and lifting a dropped bike.
Hi Chad, haven’t heard you being so impressed with a bike for longer than I can remember. Even at 6’2”, I’ll struggle with the height as I do with my off-road only bikes with trick suspension. Interested in giving this one a ride purely based upon your opinion. At least it possible will enable me to leave the car and bike trailer behind to go and explore off road with a street legal machine as everything else on the market is purely a compromise. As I’m fortunate enough to have bikes for specific situations. Track/race, touring, off road. This just might at least make my CFO happy as I’ll be able to reduce the number of bikes I have. Great review. 👍😎
For most people 99% the standard bike will do everything just as well, the seat height is so high. Yeh how many will race it ! 900 seat height.
Great looking bike as well.
Good review again Chad. Only thing though … last review sounded like you were working for the Triumph marketing dept and this time Ducatis. Chris has always been objective and hasn’t gushed too much about a new bike until he’s put it through its paces at home.
It’s probably the adventure bike I’ve ever ridden off road. It’s good.
Bikes, all round, are just getting better and better. It's a shame the prices don't, but I suppose that's a combination of factors.
you're 5'6" riding a 910mm seat height adv bike? respect.
Jesus, £20k! Nuts…imagine dropping it, as one would, if used properly 😮
Even worse, dropping it without the crash bars (which are a weighty extra) puts a hole in the tank. The Aussies at MAD TV covered that during the launch there. Still a nice bike though.
no doubt a great bike, but unaffordable to 99.9% of bikers…to take it into the Namib desert where I live would be nerve wrecking…and the insurance 😂
That interesting as I wanted to take my 890 Adv to Namibia, Botswana and SA. I agree, pricing is getting silly these days.@@justsmashing4628
Stunning looking thing (The Ducati) Its just that brand for off road I struggle with.
I would love to see a drop test with max fuel capacity with every manufacturer. Could it be timed? I'm just saying...
Great review and nice-looking bike!
Cool adventure: Sick bike!
Sand is a different colour in this vid compared to the Bennet's one. Hope you got paid double...and 2 T shirts
How tall are you? Did you find the seat height to be challenging in any way?
Top notch ducati !
I am 5 feet 10 inches in height. Can I ride on this high and monster bike? The only power to compete with KTM 890 Adventure R (2024 model or 2023 model both).
Damn, it’s the B Team 😜
B?
B team?
@@Chad76Media Tongue in cheek that Chris N didn’t go 😜
I wonder how reliable Ducati is compared to Honda ?
Does anyone know what excel rim sizes this uses ?
Would absolutely love this bike but firstly to expensive and to tall but what a weapon
Kayaba better than Ohlin
in rally mode
?
Not worth 19k to me, although its cool that you can account for that additional cost in the upgrades they've made, more or less. Left feeling even more impressed with the new KTM 790 Adventure (my bike, so complete bias). Manageable seat height, very comparable electronics (all the pros you've mentioned the KTM has too), closer difference power wise than others in the budget adventure class...only real practical downside is the suspension imo, which wouldn't cost me 9k to upgrade. Oh, and the looks, I guess ;-)
Aprilia Tuareg just to name one allows you to change riding mode while riding.
Looks the business 😎🍻
Riding the best components one can possibly buy on a well designed bike results in riding fun. Of course it costs la peau des fesses 😍
19" grand and price fully upgraded it reach way over 20", I would go for the Northern Expedition instead
250/240 suspension travel 280 ground clearance. Wow!!!!! Wow!!! Wow!!!!! KTM 890 Adventure R please do not cry ok. hehe...
Are they going to do another desert sled. Its not a purely adventure bike as the desertX. I bir mire practicle in my option
Not sure, we’ve just bought one ourselves, great bike.
Desert Sled.... a bit of a tall scrambler?
Need to see this up against the 890 R Rally version for a fair comparison. I bleed orange but the ducati is 1000% better looking
What happened to your belly pan?😊
Sir how tall are u. For reference
He not very tall, 5,6 ish…
Nearly 5’7
51 years old, no electronics need, if you know ride a bike you enjoy happy moments from the past
in Austria nearly 30k… too much 😉
The seat height is high but not 945 mm KTM 640 high.
Nice SUV - would be ideal with pannier boxes going to the shopping centre for a coffee and manicure...😉
Oh, great. So this Dakar race thing - 450s wide open, but you need a huge cow to ride there. Haha....
Lovely looking bike but stupid price and it's not the only bike you can change modes on the fly my Honda ATAS and my Triumph Scrambler 1200XE can both do it. Those press bikes are probably the only ones that will go off road🤣 Ducati are really taking the piss with the price of their bikes. I think the new BMW F900GS will do them all when you test them all together off road in the UK.
Why send someone to ride and review bike like this in terrain like that who can't and doesn’t like riding in sand! Seems a bit counterintuitive to me? Where's Chris to do this bike justice?
Things are changing, because the UK market is shrinking manufactures invite less and less people to the launches, Chad is our man. Chris will be riding one very soon here in the UK.
Ducati will sell a boat load of these, its just not for me. Tenere or Tuareg for my money.
Unless you’re planning on launching it at speed into big hits and jumps, all that suspension travel is pointless. I’d sooner have a lower bike with really top quality suspension with less travel. But nobody makes that bike… so it’s buy a lower bike, and then spend lots of $ on a custom suspension. Oh well…
None of this truly matters. You'll have to deal with the Ducati ownership experience which won't be as enjoyable as owning a Japanese bikes. It will run hot, it may have problems, dealer service will be expensive, parts availability and speed to obtain will not be comparable. T7 has plenty of power offroad. Future classic.
Remember dieselgate ? Same company….
Cracking looking and built proper. You get what you pay for with Ducati.
I love the original Desert X. When I saw this new version last year, I felt the same about that too. The cost is part and parcel of Ducati Life. You gotta pay to play.