Ducati has revealed its new DesertX Rally, a higher-spec version of its 21-inch-wheeled middleweight adventure bike, which is expected to launch locally in early 2024, priced from $36,600 rideaway.
The Ducati DesertX Rally brings key chassis upgrades to improve the bike’s off-road credentials, including increased-travel suspension, beefier wire-spoked wheels and a high-mounted front mudguard, among other changes.
These upgrades come at a premium of $11,000 over the standard DesertX, which will remain available from $25,600.
Distinguishing the DesertX Rally is new high-spec 48mm KYB forks offering 250mm of travel, as well as a new rear shock absorber providing 240mm of travel. These upgrades have raised the ground clearance to 280mm.
For comparison, the suspension of the standard Ducati DesertX offers 230mm and 220mm of travel, front-to-rear, and results in a ground clearance of 250mm.
Also unique to the Rally variant is Takasago Excel wheels specifically optioned for extreme off-road riding, which can be wrapped in either Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR or Pirelli Scorpion Trail II tyres.
Other upgrades include a high front mudguard that hosts a split brake line, new machined fork clamps, an Ohlins steering damper that is fixed to the handlebar, and adjustable brake and gear levers.
As before, the 2024 Ducati DesertX Rally draws power from the brand’s 82kW/92Nm 937cc V-twin engine, the same unit that motivates the Monster naked bike and Multistrada V2 adventure tourer, although it features shorter gear ratios to match its off-road bias.
The six-axis electronics suite includes six rider modes: Sport, Touring, Urban, Enduro, Rally and Wet.
This electronics package also includes an up/down quickshifter as standard, and advanced rider aids like cornering ABS and traction control, power modes, wheelie control, and engine brake control, which can all be adjusted via the bike’s 5.0-inch TFT dash.
The Rally is exclusively finished in a new ‘Iron Giant’ livery, while the standard DesertX will continue in Star White Silk and RR22 guises.
Spencer has a keen eye for hard news, and does some of his best living on deadline day. He loves more than anything to travel on his motorcycle, and is adamant that Melbourne Bitter is a world-class lager. He also knows how to operate the big computery thing in the office. By night, Spencer plays guitar with Melbourne punk outfit LOUTS.
