Ducati Desert X Review
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 19 ต.ค. 2024
- 2023 brings a new level of compact-middleweight-Adventure-Bike. Seriously when did 937cc's become the new 750 twin? What I can say is the Ducati Desert X feels better than anyone sub-1000cc bike in the Adventure category, thanks to its purpose-built frame, 21/18 wheelset, narrow width peg-to-peg feel, and a balanced composure, paired with a narrow L-twin motor tuned to perfection! It feels that good. It's layout is that smart. The character just oozes out of itself. This vs everyone...... you should go with probably any bike in the similar size and cost range.... if it were for me? For me, I always choose hyper-offroad focus and in stock form, the Ducati Desert X is at the top of my list.
![Long term [50.000 km] DESERT X review - the PERFECT adventure bike? Q&A - GEAR - 2 YEARS ON THE ROAD](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/tbIYt6yU8O4/mqdefault.jpg)
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Dude, nice job stepping up the production quality. Thanks for giving the rundown - I always look for your word on bikes. Can't wait to get mine.
Thank you and congratulations
If Steve thinks it is good then you know it has to be. He races big bikes like the Triumph 12 XE in the desert and he doesn't take any prisoners. This review is the one that has decided me to test ride this bike.
Really appreciate your review style. Honestly excited about the whole package and clear about why you felt the way you did. Thanks for not slicing this up and letting your unedited thoughts come through.
Ducati single handedly made one of the most versatile bikes in the world thumps up to them and these incredible riders who have shown us that here on this day
I can only agree, the DesertX has some magic! I didn't think ti was possible to get a bike in this weight as nimble and well balanced. ...and it is a beauty! 💪❤✊🏻✊🏻
Like the original Elefant. One of the most well balanced great handling bikes I have ridden.
@@falcn12 unfortunately i have never tested the Elephant. Butvseen some of the on the roads. Iconic 🙌 I had a DR800 myself as first road bike 😂🙌
I’ve got mine loving it…. The riding is sublime….
Thanks for a fantastic review. That bike looks incredible. I love the high ground clearance. Can't wait to see one here in South Africa.
Having tested that Desert X, as well as the Africa Twin 1100, the Norden 901, and the Tuareg660, I fully agree with your review: best handling offroad, perfect ergo, smooth yet powerful engine, very efficient suspension, good onroad performance. I did feel the heat on my right foot and lower leg. I could buy it BUT , the Tuareg660 is very close in performance , handling, ergos, weighs 20kg less, and costs 5000 less ! I used to have an Africa Twin 1000 but the 1100 feels like an elephant after riding the DesertX. The Norden901 is more of a sporty roadster with some offroad capabilities. The KTM890R is better offroad but worse onroad than the DesertX, and seat height is a problem. The Tenere700 is good but the Tuareg660 is better with more modern electronic features like the DesertX. The right price for the DesertX should be 15000 not 17000. Tuareg660 at 12000 is the nowadays best bargain for an adventure bike.
All true. I just don’t trust the time it would take to get parts and warranty issues for the aprilia. Ducati is also premium but I trust Ducati. Plus they have much more dealers In The states
Wish that were true here in Asia. With the import taxes, the Aprilia is nearly 5k USD more than the Ducati! Since Ducati's are made here, parts are easier to get..so oddly, it's actually the affordable/practical bike for us LOL
Awesome review dude. Thank you for all the good info. How does it perform in comparison with a 890R off-road ?
Less serious than the 790/890. Pretty similar though.
@@steve_kamrad5216 thanks Steve !
By far the best detailed analysis about this bike in TH-cam👌
Great video as usual Is that big white tank on the Duc plastic?
Just guessing the the actual tank and airbox are under the white plastic. Another guess - it is rotation molded plastic as the shape of these things is pretty complex to squeeze it all in.
Steel tank.
@@jawoo0326 yeah - I was wrong.
Awesome video as usual👍
Is it comparable with the 890 r ? Thinking about an exchange...
So you referenced the T7. We know you have a lot of midsize triumph hours logged. Not sure how much time you’ve spent on a 790/890 Ktm. Really curious where you slate this in that lineup. I’ll go read the adv pulse article next.
790/890 is a good bike but for the "feeling" I don't like the KTM parallel twins. Plus they're wide at the bottom. At some point a 690/701 is a better choice but at the 500 pound level, an adventure bike is an adventure bike and then I would choose based on the feeling rather than raw numbers. Wait and see if anyone does a direct back to back comparison.
Great review. Is it even on top of the Tiger 1200 RP off road?
I'm torn between these two bikes and can't freakin seem to make up my mind.
Go with the 900 rp! Much more manageable, the new 1200 is good but significantly larger so it will be harder offroad
Great to meet you at DD this year Steve (I'm the guy who was at the BBQ truck). Now you've got me checking out the Desert X. I'll have to see if I can find one to take a spin on at some point. Separately, can you remind me which company (not Taco) has the maps you recommended for a KTM 500 aftermarket ECU? I may be picking up an Athena GET over the winter.
Hey yeah! So Blaise racing is the one
@@steve_kamrad5216 awesome, thanks
Once again Steve, great stuff! I liked seeing your Dakar shirt (billys or Wolfeys?) at the beginning!
Ahhhh wolf man's! Good eye. Pato Patrick spotted it in the press room.
Great work! Videography just keeps getting better. Dual-droning now? I appreciate that you add your personal preferences, such as settings and use.
Thank you but that's the video team. Later I shoot my own stuff and I still do all the editing!
I'm going to need one of these!!!
I can't believe you were in Aspen and didn't invite me. I saw the Ducati trailer in the Buttermilk parking lot and thought, "Hmm. What's that all about?"
Ahhh so cloase
Excellent video..!!!
Did you have a chance to ride it much on road…? Wondering how it would do on an extended trip…
Yes I did and 937cc on the highway would be no problem
110HP and cruise, you'll survive. 🤣
Great review as always
Looking for, and found all I needed from you on this review Steve And didn’t disappoint on close out comment. Hope to see you at DD?
See you there Bill
I'm riding the COBDR next week, on my new Tuareg. You going to be in CO still by then, and have interest in throwing a leg over one?
I'm back in NJ already
Great review dude, 1st time watching your channel.
Thanks dude!
How is the seat? Is it comfortable enough for multi state trips? I’m also 220 lbs.
Probably just fine. Me too 220
Excelente vídeo parabéns 🇧🇷
Steve, rapt in your videos and thoughts on the bikes. Have an XE 1200 with worked suspension like you and also interested in the Desert X. Any comparisons between the 2 for general ADV riding and having fun?
The DX is really versatile as an adv bike. I'm swapping the bars on my scrambler soon. Something with less rear sweep. Will know after that but really just ride what you have
Have you turned your XE bar mounts around so the bars are a bit further forward. Improved the handling for me. Interested to see what bars you pick!
Like the level 2 ABS - that is a step up from every ADV bike I know of.
The world needs more Steve Kamrad!
Working on it
that bike looks tasty
Great review, you have an envious job. Did you notice the weight at all as its still quite a heavy bike for this class.
It's lighter than the rest
First of all, Steve’s reviews are the best. I trust him more than just about any other reviewer out there. Will admit Steve, you could have added more about street performance- the desert x is a killlller road bike too. I would know, I just bought one!
I rode my buddies toureg before I bought it. That’s also a great bike, but frankly the ducati feels far more premium in almost every category except maybe suspension.
It’s not a GS when it comes to touring, but as an overall package, I think it’s the best adventure bike out there right now. Go get one.
Did you ride the Turaeg 660 for ADV pulse. I would presume the big difference would be power and weight between the 2 or does the desert x handle that much better.
I haven't but from talking to people who have, the desert x is a better choice
Great review! Thanks!
Thank you! Hopenitnhelps
Best bike review I ever watched by an Amish motorcyclist. But my question is when did the Amish start riding bikes? I knew they use lawn mowers with motorcycle handle bars.
Hahahaha. Thanks man. Needed that laugh
@@steve_kamrad5216 truly was a great review
Very much respect your reviews and evals. I have a 900 RP, and admittedly only use it off road probably 35% of the time. However, it's important to me to have something very capable that 35%. I've been considering getting the new Tiger 1200 Rally Explorer as I'm a bigger guy and want to go on bigger adventures. Should I give this Ducati serious consideration? How would it stack up going 4-5 days through New Mexico and Colorado on the regular? Thank you, I'll take your answer off the air.
Keep the tiger 900rp.
I have one of the new Tiger 1200 RPs and now I'm seriously thinking about the Desert X. The 1200 RP is just such a big bike that I find I'm really hesitant to take it a lot of places I want to explore. And the ergos are not what I was hoping either. But I like the shaft drive and cargo capacity and windscreen and other stuff. I'm really on the fence about trading.
@@newenglandscrambler2262 man, whelp the tiger 1200 is huge compared to the desert x but the 1200 does have shaft drive... which I could not care about less, but if you want the shaft drive and capacity and all that then you need to stay with the tiger and take some classes. Get used to the bike
@@steve_kamrad5216 yeah. Two different bikes for two different purposes really. The DX is better suited to where/how I actually ride most of the time, and I can make it work on occasional longer trips when needed. I thought the T12 would be better for trips, but it's not as comfortable as i hoped for traveling and it is a real handful in the woods, especially since I'm usually riding solo. Great bike objectively, but probably not for me long term. What I really "need" is to add a third bike, but its not an option at the moment. More classes regardless. They always help.
which one do you prefer for both, off road and on road, desert x or multistrada? which one does the adventure bike experience better?
Only the Multistrada Enduro comes close to Adv riding, and it is porky comparatively I would think.
Yeah no comparison. Desert X all the way
@steve_kamrad I love your stuff! I've got a Tiger 900 RP with upgrades for off-road. Great bike. Does really well, but has limitations, like the rake angle. Street riding is important, but I focus on off-road riding. Would the Desert X be an step up, taking into consideration I'll also upgrade the DX? Love the DX, trying to see if it's worth it and have at the next Dirt Daze...
The DX is better offroad for sure in every way. But the motor and on road handling is very different
Great review! Fair to say, somewhat of a modern ktm 990/950?
snd ducati tuned the v-twin to feel more like a p-twin....just kidding.
No better.
Wonder how it does on the freeway with wind management and handling while loaded with camping gear. Great review thanks. That exhaust note is disappointing, was hoping for more snarl . Impressive suspension, the wheels were really moving up n down while the bike stayed straight in those clips at the beginning of the video
Highway is fine. Wind protection never makes or brakes a bike for me cause there's so many windshields. Ducati had luggage made for it so I'm sure it's fine loaded up. The exhaust is quite due to the euro 5 catalytic converter so delete that and she'll be loud.
@@steve_kamrad5216 loud is a great way to make friends off road!! LOL.
PLANTED AND TRACKS WELL AS YOU NEARLY BINNED IT.
Shhhhhh, gotta push it
Did you have some notes on suspension setup by chance? Like compression/rebound clicks at your weight?
No, compression just ran in 3/4 of the way
I enjoyed review even though it seemed like a parody at times. “Eggernomics..,” aside, well done.
Thanks man, why take live seriously.
you said you would own one but if you had to choose some bike over it what would it be? just curious since im watching the tiger 900 rally pro and this one for my next bike.
A bike over the DX? Stock? Hmmm. For rowdyness I would choose my scrambler 1200xe. For adv stuff tiger 900rp, for 90% street and touring a Multistrada V4s!
@@steve_kamrad5216 I do a lot of road kms, but also like to do some offroad adventure, and im looking for a bike that would be good at both and let me learn the offroad part while doing mistakes.
@@steve_kamrad5216 I don't ied if next I have to do some upgrades also (forgot to mention it)
@@BrunoAlexanderSilva get a dirt bike and a tiger 900
Best bike 2022 overall.
Agreed
great review, big money but you only live once right !! 👍👍👍
It's worth the money too
I totally get that it's good, but is it as good as a Africa Twin?
Much better stock.
@@steve_kamrad5216 true dat, seems to be typical of the Hondas.
@@LifeFlight101 I'd buy a used atas1000 for the suspension and swap the tank to a standard size
I’d like an updated desert sled with similar spec suspension and wheels.
That would not be far off but it would be a "desert sled X" .... mother of god!
Amen
These testastretta engines are fantastic. Tested a scrambler and there is no comparison. Also the maintenance schedule is way better.
HI Steve, just a comment about cooling fans for off-road bikes. Most of the time when they are operating in the tough stuff, they are on.
My Sherco's fan is set to 60C/140F and it sings. A bit of insurance compared to other brands who don't fit a fan, yet the bikes are expected to perform, but give in and boil.
If Steve says its good,its good.Thanks.
Thanks bruce
Bro, that choice of music tho....
Ducati have done a good job in it's influencer promotion of this bike, it's all over social media for anyone who's into bikes
Yeah I don't think they've done too much of that. I think it's more people who have bought the bike, or are posting in their own
@@steve_kamrad5216 wasn't being negative, just happy that what's a small company in the scheme of things is nicely on the front foot (again) as they have to be .
Riding a multistrada myself but looking at this one too
Seems that it’s really as impressive as most everyone is thinks it is. Ducati is brands that some like to dislike for various reasons. It costs more to get a product that is designed and built to a higher standard compared most everything else.
you forgot to say it looks fuckin cool
True
Sick wheelies bro …
Were the riders 5’7” and under on the stock suspension or lower suspension option!
Stock.
Ducati took DX project very seriously. I cant wait to ride DX.
Hey hey hey! Chicken Killer is already taken from Conserve the Ride! Haha
Immediately thought of you guys!
Did anyone come looking for them that night at dinner? 👀 🤣
OCK (original chicken killer) checking in... 😅
Serious question though, what about the 5'1" adv riders? 33" is better but still a bit high...I mostly crash because I can't touch the ground 😂
@@mangeldbug slap on a set of 17/19 rims
@@mangeldbug yeah you need a Honda adv scooter
Where was most of the filming done?
Aspen CO
@@steve_kamrad5216 good to know.
I always thought that area was to fancy for me.
nice bike DUCATI
Stay the trail?
Closed course ski resort. We all good
@@steve_kamrad5216 that's national forest not private. None of the ski resorts in Colorado own the property they're on (except where the buildings are).
I hope Ducati have nailed reliability. It would stop me from getting this over a Tenere 700
How about much better than KTM, , on par with the other euros. not as good as the Japanese.
I don't care about the bike. I just care about the intro song 😂
Lmfao! Thanks
How many dealers going down the PanAm Hwy or thru Fairbanks, Duc dealer in Anchorage. Like the size
Your dealer can get things to you and if you're traveling panam highway and have trouble your dealer will definitely be interested in getting you back home. As well as Ducati north America would be. So I'd say your fine.
How many dealers of other brands in those places?
@@falcn12 exactly I haven't seen any stories of a bike left in Peru. But plenty of DHL delivery stories
Nice talk.
You are NOT HELPING! 🤣🤣
Just do it now and get it over with
@@steve_kamrad5216 it's just a 17000 bandaid... Ha
Hey Steve,
This was a great review interspersed with your riding exploits on the Desert X.
Love that you didn't go too much into the tech details. The "feel of the ride" is truly the clincher for most of us.
Which would you recommend - Africa Twin 1100 DCT or the Desert X for a 50/50 riding?
17082022
Thank you and desert x would be my first choice but both are fine
@@steve_kamrad5216 Great. Thanks mate!
14092022
Why people hating on the music? Go polish your harley chrome and stick to the pavement
I know right
Not beat a husky mate 👍🍻
Definitely beats the 901 with the adventure S type wp suspension and the L twin motor has way more character.
@@steve_kamrad5216 nah
@@steve_kamrad5216 me on a 901 I'll show you character ,Ducati,s just a toy ,expensive if you crash it aswell ,😏😂
@@cliff1551 maybe but for feel and if it was my money, I'd buy the DX no kidding
If you fix the 901 suspension it isn’t cheaper. Sweet bike though!
I usually don't care or comment much on song selection, but the dissonance with that intro song is extreme :(
Sorry it wasn't butt rock
@@steve_kamrad5216 hahahaha
Butt rock has my vote...that music in the beginning sounds like poop
I’m just glad it wasn’t the usual super loud techno/electronic music that most content creators use when the video switches to drone footage. Great review @Steve_Kamrad
Ah whatever. I've had songs about how cheerleadering will save the world stuck in my head since I binge watched Disney's Zombies 1, 2, and 3 with my wife. Doesn't make me feel insecure. Fun music is fun music. We don't all have to listen to Born to be Wild on repeat all day long to conform to the 'biker' stereotype.
Good review. 940cc do not a "mid-sized ADV" make though.
Right but this thing is smaller than the tiger 900 by a literal class level. And so much better at speed than the t7. So where do I put it?
@@steve_kamrad5216 in the trailer and take it home
Hi, Steve. Thanks for getting back. I dunno, maybe "...full size ADV that feels and rides like a midsize...." I was just pushing back that you volunteered "mid-size" when it ain't.
Definitions have become very blurred in ADV Land. I think there's value in naming discipline but overall not critical.
I now see other reviewers also calling it "mid-size." Maybe BMW defines the "ADV mid-size" term with their 850? IOW, maybe I'm wrong.
@@f18a right but the tiger 900 isn't as big as full size bike, the t7 is still mid sized, the Tiger 1200 and bmw 1250 is huge and definitely full size. Is the DX a full size bike next to a ktm 1290? Not at all. So it's more about size and feeling than displacement for me. The klr is a mid size bike as far as I'm concerned. Ktm 690... adv light but still not a sub 280 bound small dirt bike.
Let me dim the lights and light a couple of candles and see if I can get that chicken on the line... hang on a sec...
Yep, she ded.
I asked her what she remembers, she said the last thing that went through her mind was a couple of stainless steel spokes.
Despite what the chicken thinks (or used to think), that looks like a nice bike.
Rips chicken buddy
Its like KTM 1090 SAR
No better by alot
Recheck your comments, be careful to say the truth. I’m thinking 🤔 💭
Well how did I do?
The DesertX Owners Manual is useless. Ducati needs to make the service workshop manual available to owners. The notion of taking the bike to a local dealer for anything other than checking tire pressures and adding gas is absurd, especially in the Adventure bike segment.
I heat ya but first service should be done by the shop. After that. Oil changes are no big deal to do yourself without the manual. The valves? I always leave that to the pros. Ktm 7 and 890s need clutch oil jets cleared at the first service. Guess what, most people don't do that. And also shouldn't be opening up the clutch cover anyway so I hear ya but also for 17k you can afford to take it to the dealer. Otherwise yeah oil change and air filter. Maybe get access to the full service Intervals for everything. Otherwise you probably need the computer to work on it so the manual would be useless and you'd be mad about not having that
@@steve_kamrad5216 I had the first service done by a Ducati Dealer in CA for the reasons you suggest, but there are no Ducati Dealers in the Big Sky State of Montana. Things like tightening specifications, for instance, should be listed in the OM. As far as setting Desmo valves are concerned, I've been doing 4-valve water cooled Desmo valves for 30 years and do a better job at then most "professionals". I have not yet done a Testastretta motor. Ducati's "take to the Dealer" strategy is fundamentally flawed in the Adventure segment. The bike itself, however, is outstanding and refreshing.
@@BillyD851 agreed but you sir are a exception. There should be a resource for people like you though
Comment.
Good one
Seriously, wtf is that music in this video??? Lowest point, please never do anything like that again
Sick
Nah
Sick opinion bro
All fun and games until a rock makes its way under the timing belt cover and snaps the belt bahahahaha!
I mean that's specific.
@@steve_kamrad5216 Well let's be serious. Nobody uses timing belts, even on cars except for a select number of manufacturers. And Desmo heads are useless now, modern metallurgy is so good it's redundant.
There is no "under the timing belt cover" and the Alamo doesn't have a basement.
Ducatis are "Super Unreliable" no matter how good the machine is, this very factor is a turn off. . . Ducatis spend more time inside a garage, rather on the road, or off-road. I would never like to take an unreliable machine into the woods. Phew, I am tired. 😉
I hear ya but no issues. 7 riders. 3 test waves. 18k mile valve service. The multi v4s is 36k miles between valves. You might be thinking of the old 916 days. Even my brothers desert sled has 36k miles on it no issues
@@steve_kamrad5216 I would love to hear more on it, once you do a long term review. I would still pick a Yamaha T7 World Raid over this one... It's a personal choice. You are a great man, keep up the good work. . Many Miles And Health To You Mate!!
@@farmersidd no worries. Yeah the T7 is sweet and a fantastic deal here in US.
@@steve_kamrad5216 I am sure it must be a sweet deal over there in the US. We are still waiting for Yamaha to turn on the crank here in India. Triumphs And BMWs are the go to machines over here. I personally ride a KTM 390 Adventure, it has been a great motorcycle so far, a lot of fun and a value for money product from KTM. The kind of terrain and altitude we have here in the Indian Himalayas, we don't need those big bore machines anyway. . Still looking forward, to buy the T7 in the future. You should come over here in the Himalayas and ride, I am sure you won't be disappointed. 🙌🏼
KTM sets a high bar.... Ducs are reliable if maintained properly. Apart from belts and valves, maintenance is wet sump simple. !8,000 mies - bring it in for the valves and get coffee.
Well the music was so lame i could not take it/ way un cool.
Sick opinion bro!
@@steve_kamrad5216 I liked the music if that counts for anything!
@@k24a4accord counts big time