LAB2V 2022 with the Ducati Desert X - Highlights

Highlights video (18 minutes). Full video is also available. Links in video.
Great fun in the desert on this ride (former desert race) starting in Palmdale, California (I guess people consider Palmdale as Los Angeles?), stopping for one night in Barstow, Calif., then finishing in Las Vegas, Nevada.
There were 400+ riders this year, the great majority on 500cc dual sport bikes. Only a few of us on big adventure bikes. Amazingly, there were 4 Ducati Desert X's, including mine.
The rider chooses easy or hard ways (from the perspective of a dual sport dirtbike). This was my first year and I decided to take the easy ways.
It's a lot of dust, speed, and fun.

[@ppracchi]

Well payed there mate!

[@merloti]

Thanks!

[@dariocaminotto8093]

Hi Padu. Seems a great ride. Are you happy with your Desert X? Best regards. Dario

[@merloti]

Couldn't be happier my friend!

[@reiner8178]

Hallo Padu, grüße aus Deutschland. Super was ihr da macht.

[@merloti]

danke

[@davidleblanc1964]

Glad this video surfaced,,,what was the story on the helicopter?

[@MeerkatADV]

Rider got knocked unconscious, bad concussion but was otherwise ok.

[@paulvanhout9695]

Very impressed how you handled a 500 pound motorbike in the sandy sections. Demonstrates the capabilities of the DesertX, but more so your riding skills👍. Now let us know how the air filter cleaning goes🙂

[@merloti]

I had an air cleaning done right before the event (by the dealer). I'm taking the courage to take that tank off and see how it is after. Maybe I'll video the entire thing

[@issackhoo2684]

Great share! Were you on the stock filter and have you had it replaced after the event? How was it’s condition when replaced?

[@merloti]

Yes, stock filter. I haven't checked it yet.

[@thebigmuskie]

Wish I had the same places to ride ! Actually I have only the same bike ... Cheers from Italy 👍!

[@merloti]

Ciao! I'm Italo Brasiliano and my dream is to do an adventure rally in Italy, like the Gibraltar race. In what part of Italy are you in?

[@thebigmuskie]

​@@merloti I'm in northern Italy , Piedmont . Gibraltar race seems to be really a tough one ! Wish you realize you dream !

[@merloti]

@@thebigmuskie my family is from provincia di Mantova, but I'm seriously thinking about buying some property in Piedmont and retire over there. One of the most beautiful regions of Italy!

[@thebigmuskie]

​@@merloti Wow ! Great ! If you ever move here , let me know : maybe we can plan some dual-desertx ride together ! Here , between Asti and Alba we have great food and wine !