With a new appointment at the Ducati World Premiere 2026, the Borgo Panigale manufacturer presents the second generation of the DesertX, the bike that marked the Borgo Panigale manufacturer’s entry into the world of the most demanding off-road riding thanks to its 21-inch front wheel.
Born from a concept presented at EICMA 2019, the DesertX went into production in 2021, immediately winning over many maxi-enduro and adventure touring enthusiasts thanks to its off-road performance.
The second generation of DesertX is the result of extensive feedback and experience gained over years of development and competition on the most challenging terrain, including the Erzbergrodeo, the Rally of Albania, the Transanatolia and the 1,500 kilometres of desert in the NORRA Mexican 1000 Rally. The new DesertX was created with the specific aim to further improve off-road performance without sacrificing the riding pleasure typical of Ducati motorcycles.
The result is a motorcycle redesigned from scratch, with an unmistakable design, easy to ride in everyday use and enjoyable on both road and off-road journeys, thanks to more efficient suspension and a new, more ergonomic and lighter fuel tank. The new DesertX is designed around the new Ducati V2 engine and its monocoque frame to be more modern, more powerful and capable of enhancing the riding skills of every rider, from the simple enthusiast to the off-road professional.
The perfect engine for the DesertX
The new 890 cm³ Ducati V2 is the lightest twin-cylinder engine with four valves per cylinder ever produced by Ducati and, thanks to the IVT variable intake valve timing system, unique in its segment, it delivers generous power across the entire range of use with a prompt response every time the throttle is opened.
Its 110 hp is the perfect power to combine off-road effectiveness and on-road riding enjoyment. It has a maximum torque of 92 Nm, with a more sustained curve than the previous model: 70% of the maximum value is already available at 3,000 rpm, ensuring quick response and great acceleration when exiting corners. The gear ratios specifically designed for the DesertX offer shorter first four gears to overcome even the most challenging obstacles, and a longer sixth gear to improve fuel consumption and comfort during fast transfers. Finally, the class-leading service intervals (45,000 km for valve clearance checks and oil changes every 15,000 km or two years) underline the reliability of this engine and keep maintenance costs down.
Monocoque frame and racing suspension
The monocoque frame, unique in its segment and developed specifically for the DesertX, uses the engine as a structural element and also acts as an airbox, ensuring maximum compactness and increasing the rigidity of the frame to improve handling and intuitive riding. The new position of the airbox also offers better access to the air filter, which can be easily removed and cleaned after every off-road ride.
The rear trellis frame is sturdy and reliable and is a clear reference to Ducati’s styling tradition. It has been designed to offer easy access to the engine components, facilitating operations and reducing maintenance costs. The aluminium swingarm, on the other hand, has been developed specifically for the DesertX and ensures the necessary strength to tackle any obstacle.
The braking system is by Brembo, with M4.32 monobloc calipers, new 305 mm discs, dedicated pads and an axial pump with a newly designed lever, offering the rider greater modulation off-road and improved lever feel, while maintaining optimal braking power for road use. The new braking system also allows even the most off-road-oriented enthusiasts to fit the high front mudguard without the need for additional kits.
The new chassis guarantees better off-road performance while preserving the balance and precision on the road that have made the DesertX a benchmark in its segment. Easy for beginners and high performing in the hands of professionals, the second generation DesertX is equipped with rear suspension with progressive linkages, a solution that improves both comfort and off-road behaviour. The new Kayaba fork is smoother and better absorbs rough terrain and is equipped with independent hydraulic adjustments on both legs, offering more experienced riders the ability to more effectively customise the bike’s behaviour over obstacles.
The 21-inch tubeless spoked wheels at the front and 18-inch wheels at the rear are fitted with Pirelli Scorpion Rally Street tyres in sizes 90/90 and 150/70, the best choice for all-round motorcycle use. However, those who want to enhance its off-road or on-road capabilities can choose alternative solutions in the Pirelli Scorpion range thanks to DesertX’s triple homologation.
Off-road ergonomics
The riding position is specialised, as befits a true off-road bike: wide handlebars, narrow between the legs, light and responsive. The new ergonomic triangle has been defined by moving the footpegs back and the seat and handlebars forward, resulting in a less seated position for the rider to improve sport riding on the road and controlled use of the bike off-road.
The new 18-litre polymer fuel tank is slimmer and lighter, facilitating movement in the saddle, and thanks to the protective crash pads, it is also very resistant in the event of typical low-speed falls during off-road use. In addition, its structure positions the fuel volume very low, thus reducing the height of the bike’s centre of gravity and enhancing its handling and maneuverability.
The side panels are designed to complement body movements and feature a texture that increases grip and feel with the bike, making standing riding easy and fun. The front mudguard is positioned higher than on the previous model to provide greater clearance above the tyre and allow for more mud accumulation without blocking the front wheel when riding on heavy terrain.
The horizontal dashboard, with the standard utility bar, frees up space in the upper part of the fairing to mount navigation instruments and offers greater visibility of the area immediately in front of the bike, allowing for more accurate identification of obstacles when riding standing up off-road.
The new DesertX has a seat height of 880 mm, which can be reduced to 840 mm by adopting the lower seat and suspension kit.
Advanced electronics for total control
The new Ducati DesertX is equipped with a latest-generation electronics package based on a 6-axis inertial platform and developed specifically for off-road use thanks to the experience of Ducati riders and testers. This system detects roll, pitch and yaw in real time, allowing for rapid, precise and calibrated intervention of all controls, such as Cornering ABS, Ducati Traction Control (DTC), Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) and Engine Brake Control (EBC). Each of these can be adjusted to multiple levels of intervention, allowing the setup to be adapted to any situation, favouring performance in sport riding, on the road or off-road, or stability and safety in touring use.
Each electronic control is specifically configured within the six predefined Riding Modes (Sport, Touring, Urban, Wet, and the two designed for off-road use: Enduro and Rally) to modify the behaviour of the DesertX according to the situation and can of course be modified by the rider to customise each mode according to their riding style.
All information is displayed on the new, more comprehensive 5″ TFT dashboard, with a resolution of 800 x 480 and two USB ports as standard. The three display modes, Road, Road Pro and Rally, each with automatic switching from day to night display, are called Info Mode and can be selected using the petal joystick on the left block. Each mode displays the most relevant information for each context to maximise readability. In Road and Road Pro modes, the display gives evidence to the most important info for road riding, while in Rally mode, the display becomes a true navigation tool complete with tripmaster.
The DesertX has four levels of Cornering ABS. Levels 1 and 2 are designed for specific off-road use, with level 1 dedicated to faster riders and level 2 allowing less experienced riders to become familiar with typical off-road manoeuvres, while reducing braking distance on dirt roads and ensuring the stability and safety criteria of our ABS. Levels 3 and 4 are optimised for road riding, offering maximum safety without ever being invasive. The ABS can be disabled for off-road use, in Enduro and Rally riding modes only.
The new Ducati Quick Shift 2.0 makes gear changes more direct and precise, and with no external sensors, it is less exposed to impacts, mud and dust. Thanks to this advanced electronics, the DesertX is fun and safe to ride on the road and performs well off-road, where it offers a more modern riding experience and significantly superior performance compared to the previous model.
Modern and essential, a true adventurer
The DesertX is a modern and lightweight off-road bike, and its style communicates this at first glance, following the principle of form follows function. The front end, which is 20 mm lower, makes the bike more dynamic and lightweight.
The side view of the bike, the cut of the fairing and the front light cluster reinterpret the concepts of the previous model in a more modern and dynamic way. Solutions such as the ducts that direct airflow to improve thermal comfort and the slimmer fuel tank protected by plastic covers make the bike more suitable for off-road use and enhance its aesthetics.
The tail has a technical and minimalist design. It allows accessories such as an auxiliary tank, passenger grab rail and side case frames to be fitted, leaving all the most important technical elements of the DesertX visible, such as the progressive rear suspension. The lack of body panels and the design of the rear light further emphasise the bike’s off-road personality.
Ducati Performance to enhance the DesertX
For those who want to enhance the versatility, comfort or off-road performance of the DesertX, Ducati has developed a range of Ducati Performance accessories. The rear auxiliary tank improves range, increasing the total capacity by 8 litres, and is designed to be a first point of contact, thus protecting the most critical components of the bike in the event of a fall. The radiator guards and bull bar help make the DesertX even more unstoppable, while the larger plexiglass and reinforced hand guards improve comfort and protection for the rider.
More traditional travellers will appreciate the capacity and robustness of the aluminium panniers with dedicated frames, while off-road adventure enthusiasts can choose the soft bag kit without frames, developed in collaboration with Mosko Moto.
On the electronics front, accessories designed for everyday use are available, such as the Ducati Multimedia System (DMS) for Bluetooth connection with your smartphone, and the Turn-by-Turn navigator, for continued connectivity whilst riding. Sports enthusiasts will also appreciate the approved silencer with titanium liners and carbon end caps, developed in collaboration with Termignoni.
Availability and colours
The new Ducati DesertX will arrive in European dealerships in April 2026. Distribution will then continue in the United States in May, followed by Australia and Japan in June. Of course, for A2 licence holders, a version with power limited to 35 kW is available.
In the UK the DesertX V2 is going to be offered at a special launch price of £14,995 for orders placed within 30th June, 2026. Clients can locate their closest dealer on Ducati.com using the official UK Dealer Locator.
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About Ducati
Ducati is an Italian motorcycle manufacturer founded in 1926 in Bologna, known for high-performance motorcycles with distinctive designs and powerful engines, particularly the 90° V-twin, which it brands as the “L-twin”. The company has a strong racing heritage, competing and winning in MotoGP and WorldSBK championships. Ducati was acquired by Audi in 2012 and is part of the Volkswagen Group.
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