FIRST RIDE DUCATI DESERTX RALLY
New Ducati DesertX Rally could well be the most extreme adventurer yet
DUCATI’S DESERTX ISN’T just a looker in its 80s-inspired frock, it’s also a marvellous bit of kit. Think of it as a Multistrada V2 in a set of motocross boots, armed with the capability of munching miles on tarmac just as well as it tackles tough terrain off it.
Yet where many rivals in the sub-litre adventure market have a road-biased and an off-road ‐biased machine in their range, the DesertX was a lone wolf covering both bases. Well, that’s changed with the DesertX Rally, a hardcore off-roading edition with high-spec, long ‐travel suspension, more ground clearance and more durability. It’s a £4000 premium compared to the standard bike, though.
Because of the changes, the DesertX Rally is a towering beast. It has 30mm more travel than the standard DesertX (now 250mm and 240mm) and the resulting seat height is 910mm – yeah, you read that right. It’s one of the highest production machines sold in the past 15 years – and even with the skinny chassis and seat design, getting on, off and stopping on uneven surfaces is a tall order. With my 28in legs the sidestand is near impossible to use without physically getting off, too – so if height is an issue then the Rally is not the bike for you.
But if you can cope with the added height you won’t be disappointed with the riding experience– as off-road the Rally is one of the most capable and impressive adventure bikes on the market – dare I say the most capable.
As with the standard DesertX, the motor is a corker on the dirt, delivering usable amounts of torque from the bottom of the rev range. It’s kept in check by a complete rider aids package that has been updated slightly for the Rally, meaning that with the traction control on its lowest settings it allows a huge amount of slip on the rear, only engaging as the slide gets close to full lock. Traction control and wheelie control settings can be changed independently, while the ABS is barely noticeable unless there is a silly amount of pull on the lever.
But the real magic comes from the uprated suspension. Unlike many 220kg+ off-road machines, there is no impression of the weight at speed thanks to the KYB forks and shock that work in perfect unison to deliver so much support. They soak up big landings with the prowess and essence of a motocross bike, while the seat and reworked pegs and levers make standing a natural and comfortable aff
