First Impression: A Motorcycle That Knows What the Erzbergrodeo Is

Sit on the DesertX Rally and you immediately understand that its 910 mm seat height is not a styling decision. It is a statement about its intended use. The Rally seat combines rider and passenger sections into a single piece—flat, narrow, and with a rough surface so you can move around while standing on the footpegs without sliding. The unpainted, solid-color plastic bodywork scratches and crashes like enduro bodywork and that is no accident.

Ducati explicitly developed the DesertX Rally for riders who drop their motorcycles—and then simply keep riding. Antoine Méo, multiple Enduro World Champion, rode the Rally to first place in the twin-cylinder category at the 2023 Erzbergrodeo Iron Road Prolog, winning both runs. A competition result on one of the toughest courses in the world is something no amount of marketing can match. And it is the strongest external evidence that the Rally can do what Ducati says it can.

Engine: Testastretta 11° Desmo—the Last of Its Kind in the DesertX Family

937 cc, desmodromic valve actuation, 110 hp at 9,250 rpm, 92 Nm at 6,500 rpm.

This is the Testastretta 11°—the same engine that powered the DesertX Standard, the previous Monster, and the previous Hypermotard before the new 890 cc V-twin replaced it. In the Rally, it remains in service. That makes the DesertX Rally the last Ducati with desmodromic valve actuation in enduro use.

If you know and appreciate the Desmo character—the slightly abrupt throttle response at low rpm, the stronger pull through the midrange, the specific shift jolt when downshifting—you do not buy the Rally despite those characteristics, but rather you buy it because of them.

Valve-clearance inspection is due every 30,000 km. That is shorter than the new standard DesertX’s 45,000 km interval, and riders who regularly use the Rally off-road will not be able to ignore it. That is the maintenance price of desmodromic valve actuation. It is worth paying for riders who see the engine as a personality rather than merely a means to an end.

Suspension: KYB Closed Cartridge, 250/240 mm, Öhlins Steering Damper

The 48 mm KYB USD fork with Closed Cartridge technology is the decisive suspension upgrade over the standard DesertX. Closed Cartridge means the damping unit is hermetically separated from the rest of the fork chamber. That prevents cavitation—air bubbles forming in the oil—even during intensive off-road use and maintains more consistent damping behavior over long distances.

Kashima coating on the fork tubes reduces friction. DLC—Diamond Like Carbon—coating on the sliding tubes makes them more scratch-resistant than conventional surfaces. That matters for anyone who occasionally rides the motorcycle through undergrowth or over rocks.

There is 250 mm of suspension travel at the front and 240 mm at the rear. That is 20 mm more than the standard DesertX at both ends. It does not sound like much. At higher speeds off-road, it can mean the difference between a controlled landing after a jump and a hard bottoming impact. The KYB rear shock uses a separate reservoir and a larger 46 mm piston than the standard model. Ground clearance is 280 mm. That is more than most middleweight enduros offer.

The adjustable Öhlins steering damper, mounted directly at the handlebar, is the Rally’s third defining chassis feature. It reduces handlebar shake at high speeds on gravel tracks and in technical terrain. Anyone who has experienced an undamped handlebar at 80 km/h over sand washboard knows why this is not an optional accessory but a standard safety component.

Excel Rims: Lighter, Stronger, Mousse-Compatible

The Excel rims—Takasago outer rims, carbon-steel spokes, machined billet-aluminum hubs—are 0.5 kg lighter than the standard DesertX wheelset.

That matters less than their structural strength. Reinforced spokes and massive hubs tolerate impacts from rocks, roots, and hard landings better than the standard setup.

The rear wheel, at 18 × 4 inches, is narrower than the standard model’s 18 × 4.25-inch rear wheel. Both wheels are tubeless. That matters for riders who do not want to schedule an inner-tube repair stop in the middle of an off-road ride. The rim profiles are also mousse-compatible, allowing mousse inserts to be used instead of inner tubes—the professional solution for extreme off-road riding.

Brakes: 320 mm, Split Brake Line, High Front Fender

Up front are dual 320 mm discs, Brembo monobloc calipers, and Bosch Cornering ABS. The split front brake line is the technical detail that makes the high front fender possible. When a fender is mounted high above the brake caliper, the brake line needs to be split so that it does not form a loop that could become trapped when the suspension is fully compressed. The payoff for this is that the high fender provides greater mud clearance around the front wheel than conventional enduro designs.

Protection Equipment and Unpainted Bodywork: Ready for the Inevitable

Aluminum engine protection, radiator and oil-sump protection, rear-shock protection, carbon-fiber oil-sump guard: all standard. The plastic body panels are unpainted and solid-colored. That construction makes scratches and minor impacts less visible because the color is part of the material rather than a surface coating.

A thick PVC fuel-tank cover protects the tank. This is the logical design philosophy of an enduro: Do not prevent scratches. Make them irrelevant.

910 mm Seat Height: Who Is This For?

910 mm makes a statement. Both feet flat on the ground: from around 1.90 meters tall. One foot and tiptoes: from around 1.80 meters. The optional lower seat reduces seat height to 885 mm. That is still tall. The DesertX Rally is not a motorcycle for riders who need stability while stationary.

It is a motorcycle for riders who stand on the footpegs while riding—and when they stop, put one foot down and maintain their balance. That is the difference between enduro riding and touring.

93 dB(A) and Tyrol: The Rally Is Allowed Too

93 dB(A), according to Ducati type approval. Tyrol-compliant. That is the result of specific exhaust tuning that keeps the motorcycle below the 95 dB(A) limit despite its desmodromic engine and off-road character. If you ride the DesertX Rally to Austria, there is no problem.

Verdict: The Most Uncompromising Enduro Motorcycle in Ducati’s Lineup

The Ducati DesertX Rally is not for everyone. It is for riders who understand what 910 mm means, why Closed Cartridge matters, and why the character of the Testastretta Desmo makes a difference. Erzbergrodeo podium. KYB Closed Cartridge, 250/240 mm. Öhlins steering damper. Excel rims. 93 dB(A), Tyrol-compliant. Four-year warranty. Approximately €20,590. That is the proposition.

 

Quick Check

+ Erzbergrodeo Iron Road Prolog 2023: overall victory in the twin-cylinder category with Antoine Méo, winning both runs; 93 dB(A), Tyrol-compliant; 937 cc Testastretta 11° Desmo, the last Ducati Desmo in enduro use; 110 hp at 9,250 rpm; 92 Nm; 6-speed transmission; DQS; 4-year warranty.

+ 48 mm KYB USD Closed Cartridge fork with Kashima-coated fork tubes, DLC-coated sliding tubes, machined aluminum triple clamps; 250 mm front suspension travel, 20 mm more than standard DesertX; KYB rear shock with separate reservoir and 46 mm piston; 240 mm rear travel, 20 mm more; 280 mm ground clearance; adjustable Öhlins steering damper standard.

+ Excel rims with Takasago outer rims, carbon-steel spokes, billet-aluminum hubs, 0.5 kg lighter than standard, mousse-compatible and tubeless; split front brake line allowing high front fender without additional hardware; aluminum engine protection; radiator and oil-sump protection; carbon-fiber oil-sump guard; unpainted solid-color plastic body panels; thick PVC fuel-tank cover standard.

+ Six riding modes—Sport/Touring/Urban/Wet/Enduro/Rally; one-piece Rally seat for rider + passenger with rough texture and freedom of movement when standing; 21-liter fuel tank; optional 8-liter auxiliary rear tank; Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR; 21/18-inch wheels; Brembo 320 mm discs; Bosch Cornering ABS; DTC; DWC; EBC; cruise control; 5-inch TFT; DMS.

 

– 910 mm seat height: only suitable for riders from around 1.80 meters with one foot and tiptoes; 885 mm with optional lower seat; no centerstand standard; passenger accommodation heavily compromised by the Rally concept. Valve-clearance inspection every 30,000 km due to Desmo service schedule; standard 2026 DesertX has a 45,000 km interval. Approx. €20,590: almost €5,000 more than the standard 2026 DesertX at €16,390.

– No update to the new 890 cc V-twin: standard 2026 DesertX has the new engine, while Rally still uses the Testastretta 11°. The new standard DesertX’s 18-liter tank is slimmer and mounted lower than the Rally’s 21-liter tank; the Rally tank is larger but carries its mass higher. Engine is rougher at low rpm than the new 890 cc V-twin.

– Not for beginners: 910 mm seat height + off-road character + 225 kg fully fueled. No adaptive suspension, no radar, no navigation standard. If you primarily ride on the road, choose the standard DesertX or Discovery. KTM 890 Adventure R is the direct competitor at around €17,000 and is lighter. BMW F 900 GS Trophy follows a similar concept and costs less.

 

Technical Specifications: Ducati DesertX Rally (2024/2025)

Make / Model: Ducati DesertX Rally (2024/2025; current generation; introduced in 2024; technically identical in 2025; no V2 update yet for 2026); manufacturer: Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A., Borgo Panigale, Bologna, Italy

Motorsport Reference: 2023 Erzbergrodeo Iron Road Prolog: overall victory in the twin-cylinder category with Antoine Méo, winning both runs

Rally vs. Standard DesertX (2026): Rally: 937 cc Testastretta 11° Desmo, 30,000 km valve-clearance inspection; KYB Closed Cartridge with 250/240 mm travel; Öhlins steering damper; Excel rims; 280 mm ground clearance; 910 mm seat height; approx. €20,590. Standard 2026: 890 cc V-twin with IVT, 45,000 km valve-clearance inspection; conventional KYB with 230/220 mm travel; Sachs steering damper; standard wire-spoke wheels; €16,390.

Engine: Testastretta 11°; 937 cc; desmodromic valve actuation, Desmo; liquid-cooled; 90-degree L-twin configuration; 4 valves per cylinder; 6-speed transmission; DQS Up/Down; Euro 5

Power / Torque: 110 hp (81 kW) at 9,250 rpm; 92 Nm at 6,500 rpm

Top Speed / Consumption: Approx. 200 km/h; approx. 5.5 L/100 km; 21-liter fuel tank; optional 8-liter auxiliary rear tank for 29 liters total

Fuel Tank / Weight: 21 liters; 203 kg dry; approx. 225 kg fully fueled

Transmission / Final Drive: 6-speed; chain drive; DQS Up/Down

Electronics: Six riding modes—Sport/Touring/Urban/Wet/Enduro/Rally; DTC; DWC; EBC; Bosch Cornering ABS, adjustable through multiple levels with switchable rear ABS; 6-axis IMU; DQS; cruise control; vertically oriented 5-inch TFT; DMS; USB; 12V

Frame: Tubular-steel trellis frame; aluminum rear swingarm; machined steering-damper mounts

Front Suspension: 48 mm KYB USD fork; Closed Cartridge; Kashima-coated fork tubes; DLC-coated sliding tubes; machined aluminum triple clamps; fully adjustable; 250 mm travel

Rear Suspension: KYB; separate reservoir; 46 mm piston; fully adjustable; 240 mm travel; adjustable Öhlins steering damper mounted directly at the handlebar

Front Brake: Brembo monobloc calipers; dual 320 mm discs; split brake line for high front fender; Bosch Cornering ABS

Rear Brake: Brembo; disc brake; switchable ABS

Wheels / Tires: Excel rims with Takasago outer rims, carbon-steel spokes, billet-aluminum hubs, 0.5 kg lighter than standard, mousse-compatible and tubeless; 21-inch front / 18-inch rear; Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR; 90/90-21 front / 150/70-18 rear

Ergonomics: 910 mm seat height, 885 mm with optional lower seat; one-piece Rally seat for rider + passenger with rough surface; enduro-position footpegs; no centerstand; 280 mm ground clearance

Protection Equipment: Aluminum engine protection; radiator and oil-sump protection; rear-shock protection; carbon-fiber oil-sump guard; unpainted solid-color plastic bodywork; thick PVC fuel-tank cover; billet-aluminum brake and shift levers

Stationary Noise: 93 dB(A)—Tyrol-compliant, with 95 dB(A) Tyrol limit

Color: Iron Giant, Red/White/Black, exclusive to DesertX Rally

Warranty / Service: 4 years, Ducati 4Ever DesertX, unlimited mileage; valve-clearance inspection every 30,000 km due to Desmo; oil change every 15,000 km / 12 months

Accessories: Optional 8-liter auxiliary rear tank; lower 885 mm seat; aluminum cases with racks; soft bags; Termignoni racing exhaust with +7 percent power and dedicated mapping; additional LED lights

Price (Germany): Approx. €20,590, 2025 dealer price; 2024 introductory price €21,590; plus €345 destination charges