DesertX-tra: Ducati reveal long-anticipated rugged DesertX Rally for 2024

Ducati have pulled the covers off a brand-new DesertX Rally adventure bike model, which builds on the standard £14,795 retro adventurer to become a serious off-road rally raider and takes the price up to £18,995. 

As reported by MCN back in early August, a more focused DesertX has been on the cards for some time – with Ducati taking victory on a modified version of the standard bike in the Iron Road Prolog at the 2023 Erzberg rodeo. 

Company CEO Claudio Domenicali also told our reporter earlier this year: “DesertX is… something that is properly capable off road with a 21in front wheel and an 18in rear wheel, and there is more to come in that area.” 

Already our favourite mid-sized adventure bike following a rigorous two-day group test earlier this year, the new Rally features the same 937cc Testastretta engine and tubular steel chassis as before, but now features a higher front mudguard, unique paint, and longer-travel suspension. 

Tipping the scales at just a kilo heavier than the base model, the new arrival does away with the standard paint in favour of a new red, grey, and white ‘Iron Giant’ livery (which bears no relation to the 1999 children’s film!). 

It’s also distinguished by a taller and longer front mudguard, which shrouds less of the front wheel to prevent it clogging up with dirt on a tough trail. Those carbon steel spoked rims are now also provided by Takasago Excel, wearing inner-tubed Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tyres as standard.

Elsewhere, the suspension has been changed, swapping the standard KYB hardware for a more off-road focused arrangement inspired by the technology used in motocross and enduro racing. 

Consequently, there’s now a set of 48mm closed cartridge front forks, adjustable for compression and rebound. Again supplied by KYB, they offer 250mm of travel – an increase of 20mm. At the back end, the travel is upped by 20mm – jumping to 240mm thanks to a fully adjustable shock with a larger 46mm piston, designed to improve off-road behaviour. 

The aluminium swingarm has a new attachment point, with an adjustable Öhlins steering damper up front, fixed directly to the handlebars, to improve stability away from the tarmac. 

As a result of these revised springs, the DesertX Rally now enjoys a ground clearance of 280mm – that is 30mm more than the standard bike. 

Alongside the advanced springs, the bike has a range of electronics to keep its 108.5 rampant Italian horses under control. This includes anti-wheelie, traction control, and cornering ABS – plus six riding modes consisting of Sport, Touring, Urban, Wet, Enduro, and Rally. 

This is all managed via a vertically mounted 5in colour TFT. Naturally, the dash also supports smartphone connectivity. In addition, a wide range of accessories will be offered, including a Termignoni race exhaust that boosts power and torque by a claimed 7%.