Ducati's DesertX has built a pretty solid reputation since it first debuted a couple of years ago as a cracking adventure bike. Ducati is now doubling down on its adventure touring credentials with the new DesertX Discovery variant.
Expected to arrive in New Zealand dealers with a price point of $32,172, the DesertX Discovery comes packed with extra features over the base DesertX.
Included as standard for the Discovery is a set of reinforced hand guards and engine guards offering protection for the water pump, along with a radiator grill and reinforced sump guard to protect the bike on the most difficult sections.
Increasing the touring comfort of the DesertX is pre-installed heated grips and a larger windshield, while the centre stand makes it more stable when parked up to help facilitate easier access to luggage during stops and maintenance operations on the chain and rear wheel.
However, those sweet-looking panniers aren't included in the Discovery, with Ducati ANZ confirming that both the alloy panniers and the "4Ever Ducati" 4-year warranty available overseas will be offered here as optional extras rather than standard fare.
Helping you find your way on your journey is a Turn-by-turn navigator, accessed through the Ducati Link App, which guides the rider towards their destination by showing directions front and centre on the TFT dashboard.
Ducati hasn't ruined the reportedly brilliantly fun heart of the DesertX for the Disco, with the 937 cc liquid-cooled Testastretta 11° desmo engine still pumping out a very healthy 110 hp and 92 Nm of peak grunt.
Thanks to a tank with a capacity of over 21 litres, it is possible to travel whilst limiting refuelling stops to a minimum.
The 2025 DesertX family now consists of three models, with the the new Discovery joining the base and Rally models in dealers. If peak off-road performance is more your thing than touring, the Rally model is aimed at the sportiest and most daring off-roaders, to those who love rally raids and competitions and was developed and tested on fields of racing like the Erzbergrodeo.
The Ducati DesertX 2025 in standard trim remains available in the Matt Star White Silk livery only.
Now I've not ridden a Ducati since 2017, so I can't confirm personally the adventure capability of the DesertX. Still, from what I've heard from colleagues lucky enough to ride the bike at its Australian launch it is a whole other level to the Multistrada. Hopefully that changes in the future, because it looks like a cracking bike to rip your way through the back country on.