Ducati Desert X....has my attention!!!

[Xclimation]

Ducati DesertX - Dream Wilder

Exploration. Fun. Performance. And a great desire to take and leave towards the horizon. The identity of this bike leaves no room for doubt: just looking at it, it brings you into the atmosphere of Dakar racing.

www.ducati.com

 

[MFP]

Looks to be a great bike although a bit more expensive than it should be.

 

[Longdog Cymru]

All that sand is going to play havoc with the chain and sprockets!

 

[MileageMonster]

Chain and Sprockets? Pass.

 

[fac191]

The more sophisticated ADV bikes become the more unreliable and costly to service they become. Personally i think this type of bike is more for posing value than ADV riding. At least KTM have Dakar experience to draw on. I know my S10 will not compete performance wise but I have faith ( not a term i offen use ) that my S10 will finish the race. Nice bike though.

 

[Sierra1]

It reminds me looks wise of the 660 XT.

 

[~TABASCO~]

Do you know if this has a "valve" motor or their traditional (to them) valve train ? I think its pretty cool. The parts are going to be really expensive and probably hard to get parts even from a dealer. That would be my turn off.

 

[holligl]

I had just read an article about it and watched their video before seeing this thread. Looks interesting, but won't hit dealers until next summer.

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[WJBertrand]

Do you know if this has a "valve" motor or their traditional (to them) valve train ? I think its pretty cool. The parts are going to be really expensive and probably hard to get parts even from a dealer. That would be my turn off.

It says under the engine section that it’s a traditional Ducati Desmo engine. I think the only engine they make with conventional valve springs is the V4 they use in 1200 Multistrada.


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[MFP]

A quick observation about the appearance:
The vertical stripes on the front cowling/fairing are an odd choice as it makes the transition from the tank to the cowling/fairing
look really thick. I know the colorway is a homage to the Lucky Strike livery but there are just too many large expanses of white.
Anyway, I will be eager to see this scoot in person when it hits the US.

 

[AZMike]

I like it, but will pass. I wish I could ride in the sand like that. I do for short stretches, looks like I am doing something badass but I am just slowly crashing.

 

[StefanOnHisS10]

Really like the looks and general concept. But no way that I am buying an Italian quality bike, even BMW looks reliable next to those.

 

[MFP]

But no way that I am buying an Italian quality bike, even BMW looks reliable next to those.

Ducks of the last 5 or more years have improved considerably compared to the older ones. I have many friends and acquaintances that
have many different models from Ducati and their rate of issues are nothing alarming or out of whack compared to the other well known
major manufacturers. The only real hiccup is Ducati's higher starting price for most models and the cost of parts and service.
If a new Duck came along that pushed the right buttons for me I would buy it in a heartbeat.
I will definitely take a close look at the DesertX and the MV Lucky Explorer 9.5 when they make it to the US.

 

[StefanOnHisS10]

I totally respect your point of view and will not argue with any over that. But my (and the people around me) experience with ducks, aprillia’s etc is absolute crap.

Until the opposite is proven i stand firm.

 

[Sierra1]

Are you telling me that Ducati is as reliable as Yamaha? Or do you mean, "non-Japanese" major manufacturers?

 

[MFP]

Are you telling me that Ducati is as reliable as Yamaha? Or do you mean, "non-Japanese" major manufacturers?

Did not use the word reliable in my post. I stated:
"their rate of issues are nothing alarming or out of whack compared to the other well known
major manufacturers."
I live within NYC and then there is Long Island, New Jersey and Connecticut. I ride with and am affiliated with a rather large circle of riders
that cover all genres of bikes and riding styles. Street, tour, adventure, trail, hardcore dirt, domestic, Japanese and European bikes both new and old.
I personally have come into contact and have ridden most everything on two wheels that is somewhat popular and even obscure.
Ducati tightened up their program and quality improved decently when they were absorbed by the VG (Volkswagen Group) in '12. In the US Ducati's
rep has been heightened considerably. Yes they still have issues and glitches but in the same breath I can tell you countless folks I know with Honda Africa Twins,
Kawi Ninjas, Yamaha Rs, Suzuki VStroms, KTM SA/SARs, Triumph Tigers/Thruxtons, BMWs, Harleys, Indian Scouts/Bobbers, etc., etc., that have had multiple issues
with their bikes. All I am saying is that from what I know and have seen in the past years, I would not be as reluctant as I was in the past to consider a brand new
Ducati if I came across one that I really wanted.
Your mileage may vary....

 

[Boris]

I totally respect your point of view and will not argue with any over that. But my (and the people around me) experience with ducks, aprillia’s etc is absolute crap.

Until the opposite is proven i stand firm.

I had an Aprilia Caponord 1000 prior to the Super Tenere, and owned it for 13 years and in excess of 70k miles. Never once let me down. Only required the usual consumables, plus a couple of coils and a set of front wheel bearings. Went through most of Western Europe on it. Was a great bike. The RSV Mille I had prior to that never gave me any problems either.

 

[Sierra1]

I've owned nothing but Yamaha since 1979. I've lived with one Kawi, one Honda, and one Beemer. I've never had to do anything to/for my Yamahas except GTO. (gas,tires,oil) Wait, I did replace five clutch springs on my SECA in '85, for less than $15.

We must have different definitions for "issues". To me, they're never a good thing. So, if a bike has issues . . . . that's an issue.

 

[Scrambler007]

I've owned bikes from Suzuki, Kawazaki, Yamaha, Honda, Triumph, BMW, KTM and Ducati. Overall reliability was equivalent for most bikes, but the Ducati and KTM were just the worst (thought Ducati has one of the best customer service, I needed it way too often). I was recently looking at the Ducati V2S, but the rational part of my brain keeps telling me to look away! hehe My 2013 Monster 1100 evo has been the most unreliable bike I've ever had. I've had more issues on that bike in under 6000km (it was new, and there was a fork seal leaking, rear brake reservoir leaking, front brakes warped, paint flaking on tank, traction control issues preventing me from going over 2000rpm on dry pavement, etc...that's more than the issues I had on all of my other bikes combined in over 350000km. They really seem to have improved their quality since, but not willing to give them another chance just yet (at least certainly not as my main bike)

My Triumph Scrambler 1200XE had a 90$ sensor fail in the first 3000km causing cruise control, gear position indicator, traction control, to malfunction and since it no longer could tell which gear it was in, I couldn't start it with the kick stand out. I've owned 4 Triumphs prior to that one, and they have all been as reliable as Japanese bikes, but unfortunately with all the electronics today, these things are bound to happen once in a while. The only thing I can think of that is worse than electronics on a bike, is electronics on an italian bike. But I admit I could be biased by my previous experiences

 

[Madhatter]

desert X is like that senior girl all the sophmore boys were lusting for .... just a little out of there league and she is going to hurt your feelings before its over.