Ducati Desert X Rally in the 1000PS Offroad Test 2024

With the Ducati Desert X Rally, we visited the largest enduro park in Europe, the Red Stag terrain, in Rohr im Gebirge. The expansive area, located about an hour southwest of the Vienna city limits, offered a perfect testing environment with 15 kilometers of forest roads and 28 different off-road trails. There are plenty of opportunities for every riding level to let loose for an entire day. With our large adventure bikes, we were mostly on the wider forest paths. However, we also integrated some green trails (easy difficulty level) into the test routine to thoroughly put the big and noble bikes to the test.

The Desert X Rally is by far the sportiest in our test, alongside the F900. Its off-road capabilities are truly impressive. However, this exceptional performance is no coincidence. Öhlins steering damper, high-quality suspension components from Kayaba, and Brembo brakes with Bosch ABS provide a very familiar and secure riding feeling from the first moment. The Desert X strikes the right balance between sporty performance and comfort.

The V2 engine of the Desert X matches the riding experience perfectly. It can be sporty and aggressive with ample power reserves, yet smooth as a cat when you ease off the throttle. There's really nothing to complain about with the Ducati, except for one point - the price. In Austria, you have to shell out 26k for it. Just for comparison, the F900 costs 10k less with a few ticks in the accessories catalog!

The Ducati Desert X Rally occupies a very special position in the battleground of mid-weight adventure bikes. Out of nowhere, Ducati suddenly enters the ring with a bike that, on paper, outshines the most off-road capable adventure bikes. These specifications definitely make a difference off-road. Especially the suspension feels like riding on cotton candy. Personally, the suspension gave me a tremendous amount of confidence, and by absorbing even rougher gravel, I was able to maneuver through the path more agilely and, above all, more safely. Unfortunately, the Desert X Rally does not include any notable onboard tools. In the event of a flat tire while traveling, tools are required to remove the (tube) wheel, which can be very difficult to find. This leaves a major negative point for me as a travel enthusiast. Therefore, always plan trips with the Desert X Rally carefully in advance!

The performance of the Ducati DesertX Rally is beyond question. As an amateur, it is debatable how much of the abundant power, the large suspension reserves, and the premium parts like the Öhlins steering damper one really uses, but of course, one still appreciates the fine responsiveness, high stability, and the eager thrust of the V2. When looking at the overall package from the perspective of a hobby enduro rider, it does seem a bit like overkill, especially considering the price. If money is no object, you can certainly fork out the €26,000 in Austria and get a very good bike. However, for those who pay a little attention to the price-performance ratio, there are other great adventure bikes available for the money, without having to sacrifice much relevant performance and probably gaining some comfort. All in all, the Ducati DesertX Rally is a highly sporty, thus somewhat radical, and very expensive machine.

The intense off-road testing conditions were perfect for putting our equipment to the test. When it comes to helmets, the 1000PS crew unanimously trusted the new Tour-X5 from Arai. The helmet sits perfectly balanced on the head and behaves very neutrally in the wind, regardless of speed. The fit of the helmet is generally comfortable. There is a snug contact feeling over the entire head area. As typical for Arai, the padding also pleasantly encloses the jawbone and does not create any uncomfortable pressure in the cheek area. The inner lining used in the Tour-X5 feels cozy and high-quality on the skin even after a long, intense, and sweaty day. With various ventilation openings in the forehead, chin, and top of the head areas, you can get enough fresh air when needed. The craftsmanship is first-class - the helmets not only look noble and beautiful when new, but they also remain absolutely top-notch even after several tough days off-road. Ventilation openings and visor locking can be perfectly operated even when dirty. A great, versatile helmet for all types of motorcycle adventures. We give it our highest recommendation!

During our adventure bike test, we uniformly wore gear from the renowned manufacturer Leatt. Our editors were equipped with either the Flow Tour Suit or the Multi Tour Suit. LEATT, well-known for high-quality motocross and hard enduro apparel, has recently started offering robust and versatile protective clothing for adventure bike riders in their new ADV Collection. The Flow Tour Jacket particularly impressed us with its outstanding ventilation, providing pleasant cooling even in hot conditions up to 35 degrees. Thanks to the integrated hydration system, our testers stayed well-hydrated even on dusty trails. The generous, waterproof pockets offered ample storage for personal items and allowed for comfortable access while riding. The Multi Tour Suit, on the other hand, scored with its versatility and three-layer construction, providing optimal protection and adaptability to different weather conditions. Both models are equipped with CE-certified protectors at critical points, offering maximum protection without restricting freedom of movement. Even a LEATT Neck-Brace is compatible with the jackets. We particularly liked the split chest protector on both models, which not only ensures safety but also provides high wearing comfort when the zipper is open. LEATT's gear proved to be ideal for our intensive tests. Robust, safe, and providing the necessary comfort for long riding days under extreme conditions.