Ducati’s DesertX has been a favorite since its release here at Cycle News, so it’s no surprise to see the Bologna boys and girls take the base model and jazz it up a touch to deliver the 2024 DesertX Rally.
Starting at an MSRP of $22,995 for the U.S. and $26,295 for Canada, the Rally represents at $5000 price premium over the base DesertX, so what do you get for your money?
Starting with the most obvious difference, the bodywork. Now sporting a taller off-road mudguard and different graphics based off the same design enduro legend Antoine Meo used at the Erzbergrodeo, the Rally certainly looks the part and will go head-to-head with arch rivals KTM and 890 Adventure R in terms of specs (although not in price).
You’ll get the same 937cc Testastretta L-twin that pumps out a claimed 110hp and 68 lb-ft of torque and the same tubular steel chassis as the base DesertX, although the suspension different.
Provided by Kayaba, the fork has grown 2mm to 48mm but only comes with compression and rebound adjustment. It’s also gained 20mm more wheel travel to give 250mm (9.84 in.). The same 20mm increase has been granted to the rear suspension to give 240mm (9.45 in.) wheel travel. Overall ground clearance has been upped 30mm, giving 280mm (11.02 in.) in total. Up top, the adjustable Ohlins steering damper is now fixed directly to the handlebars to give better off-road stability, and the Takasago Excel carbon steel spoked rims are wrapped in Pirelli STR Rally tires that run inner tubes, good news for when you’re really off the beaten track.
As you’d expect, you get all the electronics as the base model in six Riding Modes, four Power Modes, Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC), Engine Brake Control (EBC), Ducati Quick Shift up/down (DQS), Cruise Control, Full LED Lighting System, Daylight Position Lamp (DRL), Ducati Brake Light (DBL), USB Power Socket, 12V Socket, and Self-Canceling Indicators. And you still get the mobile phone-shaped five inch TFT dash.
There’ll be plenty of accessories for the Rally, chief among which is the Termignoni race exhaust that’s claimed to give a seven percent boost in power and torque.
2024 Ducati DesertX Rally Specification
| MSRP: | $22,995 |
| Engine: | Ducati Testastretta 11°, L-Twin cylinders |
| Valvetrain: | Desmodromic valvetrain, 4 valves per cylinder |
| Displacement: | 937cc |
| Bore x stroke: | 94 x 67.5mm |
| Compression ratio: | 13.3:1 |
| Cooling System: | Liquid |
| Fuel System: | Bosch electronic fuel injection system, 53mm throttle bodies with ride-by-wire system |
| Exhaust: | 2-2-1 |
| Transmission: | 6-speed |
| Electronics: | Riding Modes (6), Power Modes (4), Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC), Engine Brake Control (EBC), Ducati Quick Shift up/down (DQS), Cruise Control, Full LED Lighting System, Daylight Position Lamp (DRL), Ducati Brake Light (DBL), USB Power Socket, 12V Socket, Self-Canceling Indicators |
| Chassis: | Tubular steel trellis |
| Front Suspension: | KYB 48mm fork, compression and rebound damping |
| Rear Suspension: | KYB shock, fully-adjustable |
| Front-Wheel Travel: | 9.84 in. |
| Rear-Wheel Travel: | 9.45 in. |
| Front Brake: | Dual M5 Monobloc, 4-piston, radially mounted caliper, 320mm disc, cornering ABS |
| Rear Brake: | 2 piston, fixed caliper, 265mm disc, cornering ABS |
| Front Tire: | Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR 90/90 – 21 M/C 54V |
| Rear Tire: | Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR 150/70 R18 M/C 70V |
| Rake: | 27.6° |
| Trail: | 4.8 in. |
| Wheelbase: | 63.3 in. |
| Seat Height: | 34.4 in. |
| Fuel Capacity: | 5.54 gal. |
| Weight (curb, claimed): | Not given. |
| Color: | Red, grey, and white |
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