It often happens for people in the market for a new motorcycle not to settle on the entry-level model of whatever bike they decide to buy. That's because entry-level bikes are only there to draw people in, and once caught in the net, guide them toward spending more money on options. But not the Ducati DesertX Discovery.
The DesertX has been in the Italian bike maker's portfolio since the end of 2021. Based on a concept born two years prior, it took its place in the lineup as Ducati's adventure bike, part of the "Big Dual family devoted to travel." But it can easily hold its ground in the enduro and rally segments as well.
The bike is built, in the usual Ducati style, around a steel trellis frame, which is propped on a long-travel suspension system - a must-have if it is to be taken off the beaten path.
The frame holds a liquid-cooled Testastretta 11° desmodromic engine. In the case of the DesertX, the displacement of the powerplant is 937cc, and the power levels stand at 110 hp at 9,250 rpm and 92 Nm of torque at 6,500 rpm.
Because the bike was created for use in places that don't provide easy access to a gas station, it was equipped with a 5.5-gallon (21-liter) fuel tank. Uneven terrain was to be navigated by means of differently sized wheels - 21 inches front and 18 inches rear, the first-ever Ducati bike to use this combination.
All of the above technical specs apply to all variants of the DesertX. That's because two years after the standard version was introduced along came the Rally version. Virtually the same as the model it was derived for, this new bike added a KYB suspension system with improved travel that also raised the ground clearance by 30 mm.
Photo: Ducati
The added pieces of hardware meant the Rally gained a bit of weight over its predecessor, but just barely: the scales show just 2.2 pounds (one kg) of extra weight.
And now comes the Discovery, which on top of what its predecessors had to offer adds, well, pretty much the entire range of optional equipment Ducati offers for the DesertX. At least that equipment that has to do with ensuring comfort for the rider and protection for the motorcycle through the shielding of the most vulnerable elements.
The changes start at the front, where the adventure bike was fitted with reinforced hand guards. Behind them there are heated grips, and a larger windshield than what we've been offered until now has been installed.
The bike's main body now comes with protection for the water pump, radiator grille, and features a reinforced sump guard. Ducati also decided to give this version of the DesertX a central stand.
Back at the beginning of 2023 Ducati announced the introduction, as an optional piece of equipment, of the turn-by-turn navigation system for the DesertX. It was the first Ducati to ever come with such a thing, but the Discovery becomes the first one to feature that as standard.
That's a piece of tech that relies on the Ducati multimedia system and the Link App. The system allows the rider to set their destination and, based on pre-selected preferences, will be guided on the fastest, most efficient, or no toll route to the destination.
Photo: Ducati
Because the DesertX has been born to be ridden in places where you probably don't come across good overage all that often, the system has the ability to guide riders using offline maps.
Just like the other two models in the range, the Discovery offers the choice between five riding modes, three of which tailored for use on the road and two for off-road riding. The new DesertX motorcycle comes with a dedicated livery called Thrilling Black /Ducati Red.
Ducati didn't specifically say when the DesertX Discovery will become available, but the ride is already up and running on the bike maker's configurator. For the American market the price is set at $19,995, which is about $2,000 over the price of the base model. Not bad, considering all the extras this one has in tow.
The standard version of the DesertX remains for the 2025 model year, but it will only be offered in a color scheme called Matt Star White Silk.
Ducati also said both the standard DesertX and the Rally (which in the U.S. has a starting price of $22,995, meaning the Discovery becomes the mid-range model) come in a depowered version that cranks out just 47 horsepower. These variants are meant for A2 license holders.
The release of the Discovery version of the DesertX for the 2025 model year shows how important the bike has become for the Italian company. It remains to be seen if at the end of the year, when Ducati will present the novelties for next year, the family will get a more significantly different version.
Daniel loves writing (or so he claims), and he uses this skill to offer readers a "behind the scenes" look at the automotive industry. He also enjoys talking about space exploration and robots, because in his view the only way forward for humanity is away from this planet, in metal bodies. Full profile
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