Sunnyvale, Calif., February 25, 2026 – With a new episode of the Ducati World Premiere 2026, the Borgo Panigale manufacturer presents the second generation of the DesertX, the bike that marked the Borgo Panigale manufacturer's entry into the world of the most demanding off-road riding thanks to its 21-inch front wheel. Born from a concept presented at EICMA 2019, the DesertX went into production in 2021, immediately winning over many enduro and adventure touring enthusiasts thanks to its off-road performance.
The second generation of DesertX is the result of extensive feedback and experience gained over years of development and competition on the most challenging terrain, including the Erzbergrodeo, the Rally of Albania, the Transanatolia, and the desert in the NORRA Mexican 1000 Rally. The new DesertX was created with the specific aim of further improving off-road performance without sacrificing the riding pleasure typical of Ducati motorcycles.
The result is a motorcycle redesigned, with an unmistakable design, easy to ride in everyday use and enjoyable on both road and off-road journeys, thanks to more efficient suspension and a new, more ergonomic and lighter fuel tank. The new DesertX is designed around the new Ducati V2 engine and its monocoque frame to be more modern, more powerful and capable of enhancing the riding skills of every rider, from the simple enthusiast to the off-road professional.
The perfect engine for the DesertX
The new 890cc Ducati V2 is the lightest twin-cylinder engine with four valves per cylinder ever produced by Ducati, and, thanks to the variable intake valve timing system (IVT), unique in its segment, it delivers generous power across the entire range of use with a prompt response every time the throttle is opened.
Its 110 hp is the perfect power to combine off-road effectiveness and on-road riding enjoyment. It has a maximum torque of 87 ft-lb, with a more sustained curve than the previous model: 70% of the maximum value is already available at 3,000 rpm, ensuring quick response and great acceleration when exiting corners. The gear ratios specifically designed for the DesertX offer shorter first four gears to overcome even the most challenging obstacles, and a longer sixth gear to improve fuel consumption and comfort during fast transfers. Finally, the class-leading service intervals (28,000 miles for valve clearance checks and oil changes every 9,000 mi or two years) underline the reliability of this engine and keep maintenance costs down.
Monocoque frame and racing suspension
The monocoque frame, unique in its segment and developed specifically for the DesertX, uses the engine as a structural element and acts as an airbox, ensuring maximum compactness and increasing the rigidity of the frame to improve handling and intuitive riding. The new position of the airbox also offers better access to the air filter, which can be easily removed and cleaned after every off-road ride.
The rear trellis frame is sturdy and reliable, as a clear reference to Ducati's styling tradition. It has been designed to offer easy access to the engine components, facilitating operations and reducing maintenance costs. The aluminum swingarm has been developed specifically for the DesertX and ensures the necessary strength to tackle any obstacle.
The braking system is by Brembo, with M4.32 monobloc calipers, new 305 mm discs, dedicated pads and an axial pump with a newly designed lever, offering the rider greater modulation off-road and improved lever feel, while maintaining optimal braking power for road use. The new braking system also allows even the most off-road-oriented enthusiasts to fit the high front mudguard without the need for an additional kit.
The new chassis ensures improved off-road performance while maintaining the balance and precision on the road that have made the DesertX a benchmark in its segment. Easy for beginners and delivering high-performance in the hands of professionals, the second-generation DesertX is equipped with new rear suspension featuring progressive linkages, a solution that improves both comfort and off-road performance. The new Kayaba fork is smoother and better absorbs rough terrain. It is equipped with independent hydraulic adjustments on both legs, offering more experienced riders the ability to more effectively customize the bike's behavior over obstacles.
The 21-inch tubeless spoked wheel at the front and 18-inch wheel at the rear are fitted with Pirelli Scorpion Rally Street tires in sizes 90/90 and 150/70, the best choice for all-around motorcycle use. However, those who want to enhance its off-road or on-road capabilities can choose alternative solutions in the Pirelli Scorpion range thanks to DesertX's homologation of two other options.
Off-road ergonomics
The riding position is specialized, as befits a true off-road bike: wide handlebars, narrow between the legs, light and responsive. The new ergonomic triangle has been defined by moving the footpegs back and the seat and handlebars forward, resulting in a less seated position for the rider to improve sport riding on the road and control of the bike off-road.
The new 4.8-gallon polymer fuel tank is slimmer and lighter, facilitating movement in the saddle, and thanks to protective crash pads, it is also very resistant in the event of a typical low-speed drop during off-road use. In addition, its structure positions the fuel volume very low, thus reducing the height of the bike's center of gravity and enhancing its handling and maneuverability.
The side panels are designed to complement body movements and feature a texture that increases grip and feel with the bike, making standing riding easy and fun. The front mudguard is positioned higher than on the previous model to provide greater stock clearance above the tire and allow for more mud accumulation without blocking the front wheel when riding on heavy terrain.
The horizontal dashboard, with the standard utility bar, frees up space in the upper part of the fairing to mount navigation instruments and offers greater visibility of the area immediately in front of the bike, allowing for more accurate identification of obstacles when riding standing up off-road.
The new DesertX has a seat height of 34.6 in, which can be reduced down to 33 in by adopting the lowered seat and suspension kit.
Advanced electronics for total control
The new Ducati DesertX is equipped with a latest-generation electronics package based on a 6-axis inertial platform and developed specifically for off-road use thanks to the experience of Ducati riders and testers. This system detects roll, pitch, and yaw in real time, allowing for rapid, precise, and calibrated intervention of all controls, such as Cornering ABS, Ducati Traction Control (DTC), Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC), and Engine Brake Control (EBC). Each of these can be adjusted to multiple levels of intervention, allowing the setup to be adapted to any situation, favoring performance in sport riding, on the road or off-road, or stability and safety in touring use.
Each electronic control is specifically configured within the six predefined Riding Modes (Sport, Touring, Urban, Wet, and the two designed for off-road use: Enduro and Rally) to modify the behavior of the DesertX according to the situation and can of course be modified by the rider to customize each mode according to their riding style.
All information is displayed on the new, more comprehensive 5" TFT dashboard, with a resolution of 800 x 480 and two USB ports as standard. The three display modes, Road, Road Pro and Rally, each with automatic switching from day to night display, are called Info Mode and can be selected using the joystick on the left block. Each mode displays the most relevant information for each context to maximize readability. In Road and Road Pro modes, the display gives evidence to the most important info for road riding, while in Rally mode, the display becomes a true navigation tool complete with tripmaster.
The DesertX has four levels of Cornering ABS. Levels 1 and 2 are designed for specific off-road use, with level 1 dedicated to faster riders and level 2 allowing less experienced riders to become familiar with typical off-road maneuvers, while reducing braking distance on dirt roads and ensuring the stability and safety criteria of our ABS. Levels 3 and 4 are optimized for road riding, offering maximum safety without ever being invasive. The ABS can be disabled for off-road use, in Enduro and Rally riding modes only.
The new Ducati Quick Shift 2.0 makes gear changes more direct and precise, and with no external sensors, it is less exposed to impacts, mud and dust. Thanks to this advanced electronics, the DesertX is fun and safe to ride on the road and performs well off-road, where it offers a more modern riding experience and significantly superior performance compared to the previous model.
Modern and essential, a true adventurer
The DesertX is a modern and lightweight off-road bike, and its style communicates this at first glance, following the principle of form follows function. The front end, which is .8 in lower, makes the bike more dynamic and lightweight.
The side view of the bike, the cut of the fairing and the front light cluster reinterpret the concepts of the previous model in a more modern and dynamic way. Solutions such as the ducts that direct airflow to improve thermal comfort and the slimmer fuel tank protected by plastic covers make the bike more suitable for off-road use and enhance its aesthetics.
The tail has a technical and minimalist design. It allows accessories such as an optional auxiliary tank, passenger grab rail and side case frames to be fitted, leaving all the most important technical elements of the DesertX visible, such as the progressive rear suspension. The lack of body panels and the design of the rear light further emphasize the bike's off-road personality.
Ducati Performance to enhance the DesertX
For those who want to enhance the versatility, comfort, or off-road performance of the DesertX, Ducati has developed a range of Ducati Performance accessories. The rear auxiliary tank improves range, increasing the total capacity by 2.1 gallons, and is designed to be a first point of contact, thus protecting the most critical components of the bike in the event of a fall. The radiator guards and crash bar help make the DesertX even more unstoppable, while the larger windscreen and reinforced hand guards improve comfort and protection for the rider.
More traditional travelers will appreciate the capacity and robustness of the aluminum panniers with dedicated frames, while off-road adventure enthusiasts can choose the Rackless soft bag kit, developed in collaboration with Mosko Moto.
On the electronics front, accessories designed for everyday use are available, such as the Ducati Multimedia System (DMS) for Bluetooth connection with your smartphone, and the Turn-by-Turn navigator, for always-connected riding. Sports enthusiasts will also appreciate the approved silencer with titanium liners and carbon end caps, developed in collaboration with Termignoni.
Availability and colors
The new Ducati DesertX will be available in Matte Star White Silk and arrive in North American dealerships starting June 2026 with a MSRP of $16,995.
2026 Ducati DesertX Specs
| Engine Type: | Ducati V2 engine: 90° V2, 4 valves per cylinder, intake variable valves timing system, liquid cooled |
| Displacement: | 890 cc (54.3 cu in) |
| Bore x Stroke: | 96 mm x 61.5 mm (3.8 in x 2.4 in) |
| Compression Ratio: | 13.1:1 |
| Power: | 110.3 hp (81.1 kW) @ 9,000 rpm |
| Torque: | 92 Nm (9.4 kgm, 68 ft-lbs) @ 7,000 rpm |
| Fuel Injection: | Electronic fuel injection system, Ø 52 mm throttle body with Ride-by-wire |
| Exhaust: | Stainless steel muffler, single catalytic converter and lambda probes |
| Gearbox: | 6 speed with Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) up/down 2.0 |
| Primary drive: | Straight cut gears; Ratio 1.84:1 |
| Ratio: | 1=13/38 2=17/35 3=20/32 4=22/29 5=24/27 6=26/25 |
| Final drive: | Chain 520; Front sprocket Z=15; Rear sprocket Z=46 |
| Clutch: | Hydraulically controlled slipper and self-servo wet multiplate clutch. |
| Frame: | Monocoque Aluminum |
| Front suspension: | KYB 46 mm upside-down fork, fully adjustable |
| Front Wheel: | Cross-spoked, tubeless, 2.15″x21″ |
| Front Tire: | Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR 90/90 – 21 M/C 54V M+S TL (A) |
| Rear suspension: | KYB shock absorber, fully adjustable, remote preload adjustment, full floater progressive link |
| Rear Wheel: | Cross-spoked, tubeless, 4.5″x18″ |
| Rear Tire: | Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR 150/70 R18 M/C 70V M+S TL |
| Wheel Travel (Front/Rear): | 230 mm / 220 mm (9,1 in / 8,7 in) |
| Front Brake: | 2 x Ø 305 mm semi-floating discs, radially mounted Brembo monobloc 4-piston 2-pad calipers, radial master cylinder, Cornering ABS |
| Rear Brake: | Ø 265 mm disc, Brembo 2-piston floating caliper, Cornering ABS |
| Instrumentation: | Digital unit with 5″ TFT color Display, 800 x 480 px Resolution |
| Wet weight no fuel: | 209 kg (461 lb) |
| Seat Height: | 880 mm (34.6 in) 900 mm (35.4 in) with high seat 860 mm (33.9 in) with low seat 840 mm (33.1 in) with low seat and low suspension kit |
| Wheelbase: | 1,615 mm (63.6 in) |
| Rake: | 27° |
| Trail: | 114 mm (4.5 in) |
| Fuel Tank Capacity: | 18 l (4.8 US gal) |
| Number of Seats: | 2 |
| Safety Equipment: | Riding Modes, Power Modes, Ducati Traction Control (DTC), Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC), Engine Brake Control (EBC), Bosch Cornering ABS, Ducati Brake Light (DBL) EVO |
| Standard Equipment: | Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) up/down 2.0, Lithium-ion battery, Quick adjustment buttons, Coming Home, Cruise control, TFT color display, Full LED lighting system, Daytime Running Light (DRL), Dynamic turn indicators, Self cancelling turn indicators, Two USB ports |
| Ready for: | Anti-Theft, Additional LED lights, Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), Ducati Multimedia System (DMS), Heated grips, Turn-by-Turn navigation system |
| Warranty: | 24 months, unlimited mileage |
| Annual Service: | 12 months |
| Oil Service: | 15,000 km (9,000 mi) / 24 months |
| Valve Clearance Check: | 45,000 km (28,000 mi) |
