Ducati DesertX Rally TEST: 110 cavalli in fuoristrada sono troppi? Ecco la risposta!

We'll tell you how the new Ducati DesertX Rally rides. It's the version with the high fender, true off-road suspension, and enduro wheels. It has a lot of horsepower (110), and to test it out properly, we went to Morocco: here are the pros and cons. DesertX Rally: what's changed? We find new fork clamps made from billet aluminum. The Kayaba fork has Kashima Coating on the sliders and DLC-treated stanchions. Wheel travel increases by 20 mm, for a total of 250 mm. To further improve stability, the DesertX Rally features an adjustable Öhlins steering damper, secured to the handlebars with billet brackets. The aluminum swingarm has a different attachment point and an adjustable shock absorber with a larger piston (+6 mm). Rear wheel travel increases by 20 mm, for a total of 240 mm. Ground clearance also increases by 30 mm, now 280 mm. The hubs are machined from solid, while the central spokes are steel. Takasago Excel rims house the inner tubes. The dry weight increases by only one kilogram, bringing it to 211 kg. The seat height is 91 cm from the ground. DesertX Rally: Engine and Electronics The DesertX Rally is powered by a 937 cm³ twin-cylinder Ducati Testastretta 11° engine with desmodromic timing. Maximum power is 110 hp at 9,250 rpm and maximum torque is 92 Nm at 6,500 rpm. Maintenance intervals for the DesertX Rally are every 15,000 km or 24 months, with valve clearance checks every 30,000 km. The DesertX Rally will be available from January 2024 at Ducati dealerships and will also be available in a 35 kW version for A2 license holders. The price is €22,490. How does it ride? Let's start with ergonomics. Can a tall fender change it? Obviously not, but the longer-travel Kayaba suspension can, which raises the seat (not a little). The ground clearance is 91 cm, and you have to be over 1.80 m tall to comfortably put your feet on the ground. The side stand, however, continues to provide unstable support, because the DesertX Rally always remains a bit too upright when parked. The saddle is comfortable. The fuel tank is wide between the knees, but not so much as to be uncomfortable, and the standing posture is perfect for riding even over long distances. Wind protection, considering off-road use, is decent, but vibrations can be felt on the tank. Their frequency doesn't reach the point of being annoying. The instrumentation is very comprehensive, but some numbers are too small, and navigating the menus requires some practice. The standard trip computer is a nice touch, handy for those who take off-road excursions with a roadbook. You already know all about the Desmo V2 Testastretta engine. It's smooth from 2,000 rpm, pushes smoothly up to 4,000 rpm, but its true power explodes at 6,000 rpm with a dual intake/exhaust sound that gives you goosebumps. The 110 horsepower is there and makes the DesertX Rally fly, served by an excellent electronically assisted gearbox. Off-road, I liked the full-power Rally map and the excellent traction control that can be customized by the rider. The ability to tailor the bike to your needs with the electronics is one of the great strengths of the maxi from Bologna. The 75 horsepower Enduro map offers a somewhat sluggish response in the mid-range, but it can be useful for complicated enduro. Certainly not on the desert pistons of Morocco. This is where the quality of the new long-travel suspension comes into its own. The fork is amazing: it handles small bumps, but also handles jumps and chasms. Spectacular. The shock absorber has also made a significant leap forward, ensuring optimal traction even in rocky areas. I liked the braking on the road, but off-road the power is almost too much, leading to significant pitching and abrupt fork compression if you don't pay attention to the lever. The DesertX Rally comes standard with Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tires, but the manual also allows for the off-road Rally Scorpion tires. With them, the Ducatona becomes a bike for even the most demanding desert raids. Sure, 110 horsepower is a lot, but you don't have to use it all. This version is quite expensive, but it's aimed at adventure-minded riders. For this mission, it features high-quality suspension and wheels, suitable even for racing. And you can bet someone will take it to the Italian Motorally Championship: a few big names are already circulating, and it seems to have made waves at the Erzberg Rodeo 2023 Prologue... Let's see if you can guess who I'm talking about in the comments! By Andrea Perfetti 00:00 Intro 06:00 The new suspension 11:00 How it handles off-road 26:50 Final pros and cons Find your used bike: https://www.moto.it/moto-usate IG:   / motoit   FB:   / moto.it   Telegram: https://t.me/+SI91PIKXQSLJtnRw