Ducati DesertX Rally (2024 –) review

Design

“The result looks great, rides brilliantly and is one of the most off-road capable adventure bikes you can buy”

The DesertX is one of Ducati’s most unsung success stories in recent times. Initially it was a concept bike, inspired by sister company Cagiva’s Elefant Paris-Dakar racer from the 1980s, but the public response was so positive that it went into production in 2022. It has been such a success ever since. Ducati has now launched this Rally version with even more dirt. At its core, Ducati’s proven 937cc liquid-cooled Testastretta V-twin remains unchanged, as does the retro-modern styling and impressive all-round capabilities. But there’s a new suspension with longer travel, more dirt-optimized wheels and tires with a matching high front fender, a one-piece seat and a custom paint scheme. The result looks great, rides great and is one of the most off-road capable adventure bikes you can buy. If that’s important you won’t be disappointed, while everyone else will be better off with the cheaper, more road-suitable standard version.

Expert rating: 4/5

Driving position

“A further 20mm of front and rear travel and the one-piece off-road saddle combine for a seat height of up to 910mm”

Little has changed from the standard DesertX and no worse, except for two key areas. Another 20mm of travel front and rear and the one-piece off-road seat combine to give a whopping 910mm seat height that proved intimidating even for your 6′ 3” tester. Shaped with off-road riding in mind, the seat is also firmer and less comfortable, which will be fine for off-roaders who like to stand on the pegs, but not so good for long periods of sitting. Otherwise, the bar height and general riding position are roomy and even the small, non-adjustable screen is effective.

Expert rating: 4/5

Practical

“This Rally version loses a degree of comfort and manageability in the name of mud-drenching capabilities”

Expert rating: 4/5

Performance and braking

“Peak power is 110 hp at 9,250 rpm, plus plenty of usable torque lower down”

Expert rating: 4/5

Driving and handling

“Yes, it’s long and a little intimidating at first, but the controls are controlled, intuitive and consistent”

On the road there was nothing wrong with the standard DesertX; the combination of lush ride quality and decent off-road capability lived up to its ’80s Dakar racer style. The Rally version goes one step further, at least off-road. With lighter and more robust off-road-centric wire wheels and a more advanced KYB suspension with longer travel front and rear, the Rally combines extra ground clearance with impressive flexibility and control. Yes, it’s long and a little intimidating at first, but the steering is controlled, intuitive and consistent and the grip of the standard Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR is much better than its knobby tread pattern suggests, while more Tarmac-oriented Scorpion Trail IIs also be an option. .

Expert rating: 5/5

Ongoing costs

“That mid-level performance works in the DesertX’s favor when it comes to running costs, and it won’t have the same appetite for consumables like tires, chains or brake pads”

Priced at just £20,000, the Rally is over £4,000 more than the standard DesertX and a true premium Ducati, even though it ‘only’ has a 937cc engine. That is not much less than, for example, Ducati’s updated Multistrada V4. But that mid-level performance works in the DesertX’s favor when it comes to running costs, and it won’t have the same appetite for consumables like tires, chains or brake pads, nor cost as much in fuel and insurance as its 1,200cc stablemate . That said, you can expect these consumable parts to struggle if used as intended. But since when was running a £20,000 off-road Ducati likely to be cheap?

Expert rating: 4/5

Reliability

“The days of ‘fragile Ducatis’ are long gone and service intervals are now better than most rivals”

Although the Rally is a new version of a model that is only two years old, as with the standard bike, there are plenty of reasons to have confidence in its durability. The days of ‘fragile Ducatis’ are long gone and service intervals are now better than most rivals. Secondly, the 937cc Testastretta V-twin is long proven and continually refined in the other engines it is used on. In summary, the DesertX Rally is above all a premium machine packed with high-quality components such as KYB suspension, Brembo brakes, Excel rims and even an Öhlins steering damper.

Expert rating: 4/5

Warranty & maintenance

“The new Rally version comes with a four-year, unlimited mileage warranty that covers all parts and labor”

As with the standard DesertX, the new Rally version comes with a four-year, unlimited mileage warranty that covers all parts and labor. As with all recent Ducatis, service intervals are impressively wide, with the standard oil change due every two years or 15,000 km/9,000 miles and the more involved and expensive Desmo valve adjustment service every 30,000 km or 18,000 miles.

Expert rating: 4/5

Equipment

“All very believable, but don’t fool yourself, you get Multistrada levels of comfort”

The standard DesertX already shined in this department and the new Rally is just as good, if not better. Which it should be, considering the premium. The 5.0-inch TFT dash, advanced electronics, quickshifter, LED lights and the like you get on the standard bike are joined by lighter and stronger Excel wheels, upgraded suspension components, off-road specific parts and more. All very believable, but don’t fool yourself, you get Multistrada levels of comfort, such as radar cruise, heated grips, adjustable screens and other luxuries!

Expert rating: 4/5

Why buy?

“With its dirt-focused upgrades to the already excellent and capable DesertX package, the result is one of the best adventure off-roaders”

Expert rating: 4/5