ROAD NEWS
DesertX includes a new steel trellis frame , which has been developed to work in combination with the long travel suspension with dedicated settings , to ensure effective operation even in the most demanding off-road conditions . Seat height is noted as 875mm . Not extremely tall , but shorter riders might struggle . Off-road , weight is the enemy , and Ducati has revealed that the production DesertX has a 202kg dry weight . Add in fluids ( including the standard 21-litres of fuel ) wet weight is up near 219kg . If you don ’ t mind another 6kg , Ducati will give you a rear-mounted 8-litre auxiliary tank like a true Dakar racer for a bit more cash . In terms of the all-important power train , the DesertX makes use of Ducati ’ s 937cc , liquidcooled , Testastretta 11 ° Desmodromic engine . In DesertX tune , the engine delivers 110hp at 9250rpm and a maximum torque of 92Nm at 6500rpm . Tech-wise the DesertX is anything but oldschool . A 5-inch TFT display keeps the rider informed while also keeping the cockpit a tidy looking affair . Included in the wide-ranging tech package are six Riding Modes working in combination with four Power Modes - Full , High , Medium , Low - that modify the power and responsiveness of the Testastretta engine . The main new features are specific settings for the Enduro Riding Mode and the introduction of the new Rally Riding Mode , in addition to Sport , Touring , Urban and Wet . In the Enduro Riding Mode , thanks to the reduced power and the specially designed control settings , the rider should be able to tackle the most demanding dirt roads with greater safety and makes it easier for less experienced users to ride off-road . The Rally Riding Mode , on the other hand , with full engine power and reduced electronic controls , is designed for more experienced riders who want to make the most of DesertX ’ s off-road performance . Each Riding Mode , also thanks to the presence of the Bosch IMU ( Inertial Measurement Unit ), can change the character of the bike according to the rider ’ s input , by acting on the intervention levels of the various electronic controls : Engine Brake Control ( EBC ), Ducati Traction Control ( DTC ), Ducati Wheelie Control ( DWC ), Ducati Quick Shift ( DQS ) Up & Down
86 KIWI RIDER