Hot off of its global launch last December 2021, Access Plus Group, distributor of Ducati motorcycles in the Philippines, ushered in the availability of the DesertX – the newest model to sizzle the local adventure bike segment.
Just one look at the DesertX and you know it means business. Riddled with retro cues and gnarly styling, the newest Ducati is ready for journeys beyond pavements. The round LED lights up front are looks modern yet classy, supported further by the white paint that we saw at the Makina Moto Show. The halftone gradient pattern on the glass windshield sure adds a hint of style to this rad off-roading bike.
Sitting on 21- and 18-inch front and rear wheels, the Ducati DesertX is tall with an 875mm seat height. The cross-spoked wheels are wrapped in Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tires, while the suspension setup is a fully-adjustable upside-down KYB fork up front and a fully-adjustable, aluminum double-sided swingarm KYB monoshock at the rear.
Halting is taken care of by Brembo, with twin 320mm aluminum semi-floating front discs with monoblock four-piston calipers and a single 265mm rear disc with floating two-piston caliper. Cornering ABS is standard, front and back, while the pair of hand guards and the underbelly shield also come as a default equipment per purchase.
Despite the classic look, the Ducati DesertX comes with modern amenities such as a 5-inch high-resolution TFT instrument, integrated with Ducati Multimedia System that allows smartphone connectivity. There are six ride modes, namely Enduro, Rally, Sport, Touring, Urban, and Wet – all switchable through the colored display.
In between your legs is a 937cc liquid-cooled, two-cylinder Testastretta L-twin motor, equipped with the Ducati’s proprietary Desmo valvetrain. It makes a total of 110hp at 9,250rpm and 92Nm at 6,500rpm, sent to the rear wheel via a 6-speed automatic transmission.
The Ducati DesertX comes with a sticker price of P1,440,000 for the red hue, while the white flagship model asks for P1,455,000.