Ducati DesertX Rally
2025 Ducati DesertX Rally: 110 hp off-road adventure bike, 937 cc Testastretta, 211 kg without fuel, €21,990, no longer sold new. Specs and press reviews.
At a glance
The Ducati DesertX Rally is the extreme off-road version of the first DesertX: the same 937 cc Testastretta twin (110 hp, 92 Nm), but with long-travel KYB suspension, tubed wheels, 280 mm of ground clearance and 211 kg without fuel. Sold for €21,990 from 2024 to 2026, it has been dropped from Ducati France's range since the launch of the second-generation DesertX, which comes without a Rally version; this page covers its last model year, 2025. Reviewers praise its exceptional off-road ability, but criticise the 910 mm seat, the high price, limited long-distance comfort and more frequent suspension servicing.
World press review
Meta-score
7 sources
Press ratings
Possibly the best big road-legal adventure bike ever tested off-road, ready to race out of the box; 910 mm seat, high price and a side stand that is hard to flick down while seated.
Suspension among the best off-road and electronics that make it versatile; tall seat and price considered forgivable.
Convincing off-road thanks to KYB suspension, Brembo brakes and well-thought-out ergonomics; minor flaws such as rattling passenger pegs.
Very powerful engine, excellent suspension and benchmark electronics; 91 cm seat reserved for riders over 1.80 m, brakes too powerful off-road.
Superb off-road set-up and a brutal engine, but tiring vibrations; whether more than €22,000 is justified remains open.
Press synthesis
What the world’s press says
The reviews cover the 2024 model year, identical to the 2025, and come from the press launch in Morocco in January 2024. The meta-score of 86/100 is based on two numeric scores: 4/5 from MCN and 92/100 from Motorcycle.com. Bennetts BikeSocial, Cycle World, 1000PS, Moto.it and Motociclismo.es give no score.
What reviewers like: competition-grade suspension, which BikeSocial considers perhaps the best it has experienced off-road; rare confidence on dirt (Cycle World); a bike ready to race out of the box (BikeSocial); surprising stability on the road thanks to the Öhlins damper (MCN); highly adjustable electronics (Moto.it, BikeSocial); the quality of components and finish (BikeSocial).
What they criticise: the 910 mm seat (MCN, BikeSocial, Motorcycle.com, Cycle World, Moto.it); the price, €4,500 more than a DesertX; limited long-distance comfort and protection (MCN); tiring vibrations (Motociclismo.es); brakes too powerful on dirt (Moto.it); no fork preload adjustment and a fork service every 15,000 km (Motorcycle.com); rattling passenger pegs (1000PS) and an awkward side stand (BikeSocial).
Key quotes
"It's expensive, it's leg-shakingly tall and it isn't the comfiest mile-muncher by any stretch of the imagination, but thanks to its new suspension, wheels and subtle tweaks, the DesertX Rally truly does take adventure bikes to the next level, with its unrivalled nature off-road."
"Ducati has taken an excellent adventure bike – don't forget that we're talking about its first ground-up modern-era adventure bike – and made it just that much better."
"But what I can say is that the new Rally is possibly the best road legal 'big' adventure bike I've ever ridden off-road."
"Rarely have we ridden an adventure bike on dirt with so much confidence. And that's priceless."
"The Ducati DesertX Rally impresses with its off-road performance and rugged design."
"This version costs a lot, but it is aimed at adventure-travel fanatics."
"Ducati deserves applause for managing to turn the Rally into such an off-road-focused package. Whether the more than 22,000 euros are worth paying to go looking for trouble off-road is another matter."
Pros
- Competition-grade KYB suspension
- Exceptional off-road ability
- Road stability (Öhlins damper)
- Comprehensive, adjustable electronics
- Quality of components and finish
Cons
- 910 mm seat
- High price (€21,990)
- Limited long-distance comfort and protection
- Fork service every 15,000 km
- Engine vibrations
- No longer sold new in France
Our review
Is the DesertX Rally still on sale?
Not new in France: Ducati France dropped it from its range between 24 and 26 February 2026, when the second-generation DesertX was launched without a Rally version. Its page is still online, without a price. The last model year is 2025: Ducati’s US configurator still sells it for $23,395. The most recent French owner’s manual is the 2024 one; the 2025 English manual carries the same data.
How much did it cost?
Ducati France sold it for €21,990 from its launch in January 2024 until its withdrawal, €4,500 more than a DesertX. Ducati had also announced a 35 kW version for the A2 licence, whose specifications and price were never published. In the United States it cost $22,995 at launch. There was a single livery, Iron Giant, inspired by Antoine Meo’s DesertX at the 2023 Erzbergrodeo prologue: the composites are moulded in colour and the graphics are thick PVC stickers, so scratches show less.
What sets it apart from the DesertX?
The suspension comes from motocross: a 48 mm KYB upside-down fork with a pressurised cartridge, adjustable for compression and rebound (46 mm on the DesertX), and a KYB shock with a 46 mm piston, mounted to the swingarm at a different anchor point. Travel grows by 20 mm (250 and 240 mm) and ground clearance by 30 mm (280 mm). The wheels have carbon-steel spokes, machined hubs and tubed Takasago Excel rims. Add a high front mudguard, an adjustable Öhlins steering damper, machined triple clamps, a forged carbon sump guard, and a machined, adjustable gear lever and brake pedal. Ducati quotes 211 kg without fuel and 203 kg dry, one kilo more than the DesertX.
The seat stands at 910 mm; the low seat brings it down to 880 mm according to Ducati’s website, 885 mm according to the manual. The wheelbase is 1,615 mm according to the manual, 1,625 mm according to the website.
How good is the engine?
The 937 cc desmodromic Testastretta 11° twin (94 x 67.5 mm, 13.3:1 compression) makes 110 hp (81 kW) at 9,250 rpm and 92 Nm at 6,500 rpm, as on the DesertX, with specific electronics calibration. The 53 mm throttle body is a Mikuni according to the manual, while Ducati’s website mentions Bosch injection. Moto.it finds it very powerful, Motociclismo.es brutal but tiring because of its vibrations; BikeSocial notes it offers nothing more than the DesertX’s engine.
How does it ride?
This is the unanimous strong point. MCN describes it as a sublime off-road machine, precise and stable on the road thanks to the Öhlins damper; Cycle World ranks its suspension among the best. Moto.it finds the Brembo brakes (twin 320 mm discs, M50 calipers) too powerful on dirt. Motorcycle.com notes the lack of fork preload adjustment and a shock preload knob mounted on the removable passenger pegs.
What electronics?
Six riding modes (Sport, Touring, Urban, Wet, Enduro, Rally), cornering ABS, recalibrated traction and wheelie control, adjustable engine braking, a two-way quickshifter, cruise control and a 5-inch vertical TFT screen are standard. Bluetooth connectivity and navigation are accessories.
Fuel consumption and maintenance
Ducati quotes 5.6 L/100 km, the same average BikeSocial recorded on the first day of its test; with 21 litres, that gives a range of about 375 km, and an extra 8-litre tank is available as an accessory. The manual calls for an oil change every 15,000 km or 24 months, with valve clearances, belts, spark plugs and coolant every 30,000 km. The fork oil is changed every 15,000 km, against 45,000 km on the DesertX. The warranty listed in France is 48 months with unlimited mileage.
Recalls
No recall has been recorded (NHTSA, RappelConso, Safety Gate).
Who is it for?
Tall, experienced riders who spend most of their time off-road: Moto.it recommends it for riders over 1.80 m. The 110 hp version requires a full A licence.
Is a second-generation Rally planned?
Ducati has not announced one. According to TopSpeed (6 October 2026), a DesertX Rally based on the second generation reportedly appears in an emissions certificate from the California authority CARB for the 2027 model year.
Specifications
| Displacement | 937 cc |
|---|---|
| Power | 110 hp (81 kW) @ 9,250 rpm |
| Torque | 92 Nm (9.4 kgm) @ 6,500 rpm |
| Weight | 211 kg (kerb weight without fuel); 203 kg dry |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 1.92 |
| Seat height | 910 mm |
| Fuel capacity | 21 L |
| Fuel consumption | 5.6 L/100 km (Ducati figure, 133 g/km CO2) |
| Maintenance interval | Oil change: 15,000 km / 24 months — Annual service: 12 months — Valves and belts (Desmo Service): 30,000 km — Fork oil: 15,000 km |
| Engine type | Ducati Testastretta 11° L-twin, 4-stroke, desmodromic valvetrain, 4 valves per cylinder, liquid-cooled |
| Cooling | liquide |
| Transmission | 6-speed, 525 chain, two-way DQS quickshifter |
| License | AA2 Restrictable |
| MSRP | €21,990 |
Engine detail
| Bore x stroke | 94 x 67,5 mm |
|---|---|
| Compression ratio | 13,3:1 |
| Fuel system | Electronic fuel injection, 53 mm throttle body, ride-by-wire (Mikuni throttle body according to the manual, Bosch system according to Ducati's website) |
| Valve train | Desmodromic, 4 valves per cylinder, timing belts |
| Max power RPM | 9250 units.rpm |
| Max torque RPM | 6500 units.rpm |
| Starter | Electric |
| Euro standard | Euro 5 |
Chassis & running gear
| Frame type | Tubular steel trellis frame, steel trellis rear subframe, double-sided aluminium swingarm (specific shock anchor point) |
|---|---|
| Rake angle | 27.6 ° |
| Trail | 122 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1615 mm |
| Ground clearance | 280 mm |
| Front suspension | 48 mm KYB upside-down fork with pressurised cartridge, adjustable compression and rebound, Kashima-coated outer tubes and DLC-treated stanchions, 250 mm travel |
| Rear suspension | KYB monoshock with 46 mm piston, adjustable high- and low-speed compression and rebound, remote preload, 240 mm travel |
| Front brake | Dual 320 mm semi-floating discs, Brembo M50 four-piston radial monobloc calipers |
| Rear brake | 265 mm disc, Brembo two-piston floating caliper |
| Front tire | 90/90-21 (Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR), centre-spoked Takasago Excel 2.15 x 21 rim with inner tube |
| Rear tire | 150/70 R18 (Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR), centre-spoked Takasago Excel 4 x 18 rim with inner tube |
| ABS system | Bosch cornering ABS adjustable on 3 levels, can be disabled in Enduro and Rally modes |
Electronics & rider aids
| Riding modes | Sport, Touring, Urban, Wet, Enduro, Rally |
|---|---|
| Traction control | Yes |
| Anti-wheelie | Yes |
| Quickshifter | Two-way DQS (standard) |
| Cruise control | Yes |
| Dashboard | 5-inch vertical colour TFT |
| Connectivity | Ducati Multimedia System (Bluetooth) and Turn by Turn navigation as accessories; USB and 12 V sockets as standard |
| Other features | Cornering ABS, traction control and wheelie control recalibrated for the Rally, DTC traction control (8 levels), DWC wheelie control, Adjustable EBC engine brake control, 4 power modes, Ducati Brake Light, Adjustable Öhlins steering damper, Full LED lighting with daytime running lights, Self-cancelling indicators, Utility bar for a GPS unit, Lithium battery |
Ergonomics & rider fit
| Riding position | Off-road: tall, wide handlebars, wide, grippy footpegs, designed for riding standing up |
|---|---|
| Passenger comfort | Two-seater; removable passenger pegs, which carry the shock preload knob |
| Wind protection | Tall fixed screen (non-adjustable) |
| Max total weight | 465 kg |
The DesertX Rally is designed for standing up: tall, wide handlebars, wide, grippy footpegs, and a gear lever and brake pedal adjustable for road or off-road use. The seat stands at 910 mm, or 880 mm with the low seat according to Ducati’s website (885 mm according to the manual); Moto.it recommends it for riders over 1.80 m. MCN finds the seat firm over long distances and the fixed screen offers little coverage, despite little buffeting. Motorcycle.com regrets that the preload knob is mounted on the removable passenger pegs. The maximum permitted weight is 465 kg.
Ownership & maintenance
5.6 L/100 km (first-day test average recorded by Bennetts BikeSocial, in Morocco)
L/100km
Real-world consumption
~~375 km (calculated: 21 L tank / 5.6 L/100 km); extra 8 L tank available as an accessory
km
Estimated range
| Oil change | every 15,000 km or every 24 months |
|---|---|
| Valve check | every 30,000 km |
| Coolant change | every 30,000 km |
| Spark plugs | every 30,000 km |
| Timing belt | every 30,000 km |
| Chain | Tension and lubrication checked every 1,000 km or 6 months; chain kit (Regina 525) to be replaced before 20,000 km according to Ducati |
Warranty
4 years / Unlimited mileage (48-month Ducati warranty listed in France)
The owner’s manual calls for a first service at 1,000 km or 6 months, then an oil and filter change every 15,000 km or 24 months and an annual service. The Desmo Service, every 30,000 km, covers valve clearances, spark plugs, air filter, timing belts (or 60 months) and coolant (or 48 months). A Rally-specific item: the fork oil is changed every 15,000 km, against 45,000 km on the DesertX. The chain is checked and lubricated every 1,000 km, and Ducati advises replacing the kit before 20,000 km. The warranty listed by Ducati France is 48 months with unlimited mileage.
Direct competitors
Compare →| Model | MSRP | Power | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ducati DesertX Rally | €21,990 | 110 hp (81 kW) @ 9,250 rpm | 211 kg (kerb weight without fuel); 203 kg dry |
| Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro2026 | €17,395 | 108 hp | 228 kg (wet) |
| KTM 890 Adventure R2026 | €15,899 | 105 hp | 200 kg (without fuel) |
| Husqvarna Norden 9012026 | €14,699 | 105 hp | 204 kg (without fuel) |
| BMW F 900 GS2026 | €14,500 | 105 hp | 219 kg (kerb weight, tank 90% full) |
Generations
Compare →- DesertX Rally (1re génération)2024 – 2025
937 cc · 110 hp · 92 Nm · 211 kg (without fuel)
Off-road version of the 937 DesertX: 48 mm KYB fork with pressurised cartridge, 250 and 240 mm of travel, 280 mm ground clearance, tubed Excel wheels, Öhlins steering damper and Iron Giant livery.
- DesertX (2e génération, depuis 2026)2026 – today
890 cc · 110.3 hp · 92 Nm · 209 kg (without fuel)
New 890 cc V2 twin without desmodromic valvetrain, aluminium monocoque frame and 18-litre tank; sold without a Rally version.
Compare with this generation →
| Generation | Displacement | Power | Torque | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DesertX Rally (1re génération)2024 – 2025 Off-road version of the 937 DesertX: 48 mm KYB fork with pressurised cartridge, 250 and 240 mm of travel, 280 mm ground clearance, tubed Excel wheels, Öhlins steering damper and Iron Giant livery. | 937 cc | 110 hp | 92 Nm | 211 kg without fuel |
| DesertX (2e génération, depuis 2026)2026 – today New 890 cc V2 twin without desmodromic valvetrain, aluminium monocoque frame and 18-litre tank; sold without a Rally version. Compare with this generation → | 890 cc | 110.3 hp | 92 Nm | 209 kg without fuel |
Manufacturer figures (otherwise specialist press). Weighing conditions differ between generations: compare weights with care.
Available colors
Manufacturer recalls
No known recalls for this model.