Given the off-pavement popularity of the new-this-year DesertX adventure bike, Ducati is upping the dirt ante with the 2024 Ducati DesertX Rally. Tested by five-time Enduro World Champion Antoine Méo at the Iron Road Prolog to Erzbergrodeo 2023, where he won the twin-cylinder class, the DesertX Rally is designed for those serious about dirt performance from the mid-size V-twin ADV bike. Let’s roost through the upgrades and remind ourselves of what hasn’t changed from the standard DesertX we have tested.
- The KYB suspension on the 2024 Ducati DesertX is upgraded for off-road performance. The inverted fork is now a closed cartridge design. The fork tubes get Kashima coating, and the sliders have a DLC finish. The shock has a 46mm piston and is highly adjustable—high- and low-speed compression damping, rebound damping, and spring preload. The fork is restricted to damping adjustments. Fork travel is increased to 9.8 inches, and the rear wheel travel is boosted to 9.4 inches. Rake and trail are unchanged, though the wheelbase is up 0.7 inches to an even 64 inches.
- With the long travel suspension comes 11 inches of ground clearance, up 1.1 inches from the standard DesertX. Should an obstacle get high enough, the Testastretta 11° engine is protected by a forged-carbon skid plate. The seat height moves up 1.4 inches to 35.8 inches; an accessory lower seat drops the height by an inch.
- Stability is enhanced by an Öhlins steering damper. It’s adjustable and handlebar-mounted.
- The Rally has heavy-duty wheels. Billet aluminum hubs are laced to the Takasago Excel tube-type rims via carbon-steel spokes. As with the standard DesertX, the Rally has a 21-/18-inch wheel combination.
- Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tires are standard on the DesertX Rally. There are two optional choices—the Pirelli Scorpion Rally (more dirt-oriented) and the Pirelli Scorpion Trail II (more street-oriented).
- The front fender is high-mounted on the bottom triple clamp. This prevents mud buildup from a fender mounted near the 21-inch front wheel.
- The foot controls on the Rally are machined from solid aluminum. They are adjustable to rider preference.
- The motor and frame are unchanged. The Testastretta 11° engine gets 110 horsepower from 937cc at 9250 rpm. Torque peaks at 68 ft-pounds at 6500 rpm. The motor also has an extensive suite of electronic rider aids, including a quickshifter for the six-speed transmission. The frame is a tubular-steel trellis design with an aluminum swingarm. Fuel capacity stays at 5.5 gallons. Weight is increased by 2.2 pounds over the standard edition, still tipping the scales at under 500 pounds.
- The Erzbergrodeo-inspired Iron Giant livery is exclusive to the 2024 Ducati DesertX Rally. The MSRP is $22,995, and the Rally is due in dealerships in March 2024.
2024 Ducati DesertX Rally Specs
ENGINE
- Type: Testastretta 11° L-twin
- Displacement: 937cc
- Bore x stroke: 94 x 67.5mm
- Compression ratio: 13.3:1
- Maximum power: 110 horsepower @ 9250 rpm
- Maximum torque: 68 ft-lbs @ 6500 rpm
- Fuel delivery: Bosch EFI w/ dual 53mm throttle bodies
- Transmission: 6-speed
- Clutch: Hydraulically actuated wet-multiplate w/ assist-and-slip functions
- Final drive: Chain
CHASSIS
- Frame: Tubular steel trellis
- Front suspension; travel: Damping-adjustable KYB 48mm inverted closed-cartridge fork; 9.8 inches
- Rear suspension; travel: Fully adjustable KYB piggyback-reservoir shock; 9.4 inches
- Wheels: Tubeless wire-spoke w/ aluminum alloy rim
- Front wheel: 21 x 2.15
- Rear wheel: 18 x 4.0
Tires: Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR (Pirelli Scorpion Rally and Pirelli Scorpion Trail II optional)
- Front tire: 90/90 x 21
- Rear tire: 150/70 x 18
- Front brake: 320mm discs w/ radially mounted Brembo 4-piston calipers and axial-pump master cylinder
- Rear brake: 265mm disc w/ Brembo floating 2-piston caliper
- ABS: Bosch Cornering ABS
DIMENSIONS and CAPACITIES
- Wheelbase: 64.0 inches
- Rake: 27.6 degrees
- Trail: 4.8 inches
- Seat height: 35.8 inches (low seat option: 34.8 inches)
- Ground clearance: 9.8 inches
- Fuel capacity: 5.5 gallons
- Curb weight: 494 pounds
- Color: Iron Giant
2024 Ducati DesertX Rally Price: $12,995 MSRP
2024 Ducati DesertX Rally Photo Gallery
