Ducati's DesertX, released in 2022, was a breath of fresh air in the adventure bike segment. With its aggressive styling, potent Testastretta engine, and long-travel suspension, it quickly won over the hearts of riders looking for a bike that could handle anything from pavement to sand dunes. For 2024, Ducati has taken the DesertX to the next level with the all-new DesertX Rally.
The DesertX Rally is essentially a DesertX on steroids. It boasts a host of upgrades designed to make it even more capable off-road. The most obvious change is the longer-travel suspension, with 270mm of fork travel and 260mm of rear shock travel compared to the standard DesertX's 230mm and 220mm, respectively. This extra suspension travel gives the Rally the ability to soak up even the gnarliest terrain with ease.
Other off-road-focused upgrades include spoked wheels (instead of the cast aluminum wheels on the standard DesertX), a skid plate, and a longer swingarm for increased stability. The Rally also gets a larger fuel tank, 21 liters compared to the standard DesertX's 18 liters, for extended range.
I had the opportunity to take the DesertX Rally for a spin in the dunes of Morocco, and I can tell you that it's a beast. The long-travel suspension soaks up bumps and jumps with ease, and the 110-horsepower Testastretta engine provides plenty of power to get you out of any sticky situation. The spoked wheels and knobby tires offer excellent grip in sand and loose terrain, and the longer swingarm makes the bike feel stable even at high speeds.
The DesertX Rally is not just about off-road prowess, though. It's also surprisingly comfortable on pavement. The ergonomics are relaxed, and the engine is smooth and refined. Even with the knobby tires, the handling is surprisingly sharp.
Of course, all of this performance comes at a price. The DesertX Rally is priced at $22,995, which is $5,000 more than the standard DesertX. But if you're looking for the ultimate Ducati adventure bike, the DesertX Rally is worth the extra dough.
Here are some of the key takeaways from my first ride on the DesertX Rally:
- The longer-travel suspension makes it incredibly capable off-road.
- The 110-horsepower Testastretta engine provides plenty of power.
- The spoked wheels and knobby tires offer excellent grip in sand and loose terrain.
- The longer swingarm makes the bike feel stable even at high speeds.
- It's surprisingly comfortable on pavement.
Overall, the Ducati DesertX Rally is a stunning machine that's sure to appeal to adventure riders looking for the ultimate bike to take them anywhere. If you're in the market for a new adventure bike, I highly recommend checking it out.
I hope this blog article has given you a good overview of the 2024 Ducati DesertX Rally. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment below.
In addition to the above, here are some other things to keep in mind about the DesertX Rally:
- It is available in two colors: Ducati Red and Star White.
- It comes with a two-year warranty.
- Ducati is offering a variety of accessories for the DesertX Rally, including a luggage rack, hand guards, and a tank bag.