Luxury motorcycle brand Ducati today announced the launch of the all new DesertX Rally in India. Characterized by the best race-bred components as it adopts high-quality solutions that are both specialised and effective in off-road use and sophisticated, as on all Ducati motorcycles. The new DesertX Rally is priced at INR 23,70,800 (Ex-Showroom India) and deliveries will begin in the last week of May.
Continuing its Ducati lineage, the DesertX Rally boasts a distinct and unparalleled style. With its new livery and off-road features, its character shines through at first glance. Yet, it’s the technical prowess that truly transforms the Rally into an off-road powerhouse.
Featuring a high front mudguard for enhanced usability in challenging terrain, Kayaba suspension adapted from motocross provide increased travel with a closed cartridge fork and shock absorber equipped with a larger piston, enabling riders to conquer any obstacle.
Paired with new central-spoked wheels tailored for off-road racing, the Rally excels across all landscapes. Complemented by a lightweight and durable forged carbon sump guard, gear pedals, and rear brake lever machined from solid materials, the Rally is unmistakably crafted for the most extreme adventures.
Commenting on the launch, Bipul Chandra, Managing Director, Ducati India, said,
“As Ducati continues to push the boundaries of off-road riding, we are thrilled to introduce the DesertX Rally to the Indian market. With its unparalleled combination of style, technical innovation, and off-road capability, the DesertX Rally will redefine the riding experience for off-road enthusiasts across the country as it is now truly an off-road motorcycle that has no limits.”
DesertX Rally
*Equipment and features exclusive to DesertX Rally
- High front mudguard with split brake line *
- Spoked rims with billet hubs 21” x 2.15” and 18” x 4”, carbon steel spokes and high-strength Takasago Excel rims with inner tube *
- KYB Ø 48 mm closed cartridge fork, 250 mm travel, adjustable compression and rebound, Kashima Coating treatments on the fork tubes and DLC on the sliders *
- Machined Fork clamps *
- KYB shock absorber with 46 mm piston, 240 mm travel, adjustable in compression at high and low speeds, in rebound and preload *
- Ground clearance of 280 mm *
- Adjustable Öhlins steering damper fixed to the handlebar *
- Dedicated Iron Giant livery *
- Machined adjustable brake and gear pedals *
Main standard equipment
- Testastretta 11° 937 cc engine with 110 hp at 9,250 rpm and 92 Nm at 6,500 rpm
- Tank capacity 21 litres
- Tubular steel trellis frame with cast aluminium double-sided swingarm
- Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tyres in sizes 90/90-21 at the front and 150/70 R18 at the rear (alternatively: Pirelli Scorpion Rally, Pirelli Scorpion Trail II)
- 6 customizable Riding Modes (Sport, Touring, Urban, Wet, Enduro, Rally)
- 4 Power Modes on 3 power levels
- ABS Cornering Bosch adjustable on 3 levels
- Ducati Traction Control adjustable on 8 levels
- Ducati Wheelie Control
- Engine Brake Control
- Ducati Cruise Control
- 5″ colour TFT instrumentation with Ducati Link App support and turn-by-turn navigation
- Utility Bar
- Ducati Brake Light
- Ducati Quick Shift Up & Down (DQS)
- Full LED lighting system
Chassis
The DesertX Rally’s suspension is designed to tackle even the most difficult obstacles, improving the DesertX’s already strong off-road ability. Both the fork and the shock absorber, in fact, are characterized by the same technologies used on professional motocross and enduro bikes. At the front end, the DesertX Rally is equipped with new billet aluminium plates which are rigid and light. The fork is a closed cartridge KYB, a technology used on motocross and enduro racing bikes.
This solution involves pressurizing the oil inside the cartridges to avoid cavitation, thus guaranteeing a homogeneous and consistent behaviour of the front suspension and the necessary support during the most extreme uses. Furthermore, to improve smoothness and resistance to wear, the fork tubes are equipped with Kashima Coating and the sliders with DLC surface treatment. Wheel travel increases by 20 mm, for a total of 250 mm.
The rear is made up of an aluminium swingarm with a different attachment point compared to the standard DesertX, with a fully adjustable shock absorber with a larger piston to improve the bike’s behaviour in the most demanding off-road use. Rear wheel travel increases by 20 mm, for a total of 240 mm.
Finally, to improve handling on the most demanding off-road terrain, the DesertX Rally is fitted with an adjustable Öhlins steering damper, fixed directly to the handlebar. The new suspensions have allowed the DesertX Rally to increase the ground clearance, which is now 280 mm (30 mm more than the standard), to enable it to overcome even the most difficult obstacles.
Always with the aim of improving off-road performance, the DesertX Rally is equipped with wheels characterized by specific measurements for off-road, more robust and lighter thanks to hubs machined from solid, carbon steel central spokes and high-strength Takasago Excel rims with inner tube.
Finally, to underline the versatility of the DesertX Rally, as with the DesertX, triple homologation is envisaged for the tyres with Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR as original equipment. To enhance its off-road capabilities, it is possible to mount Scorpion Rally, while for those who prefer to ride the bike on asphalt, Scorpion Trail II is available.
Thanks to the use of high-level components, the DesertX Rally has a dry weight of just one kilogram more than the standard model despite the increase in length and size of the suspension.
Engine and Electronics
The DesertX Rally is equipped with the 937 cc Ducati Testastretta 11° twin-cylinder with desmodromic distribution. Maximum power is 110 hp at 9,250 rpm and maximum torque of 92 Nm at 6,500 rpm. This engine, characterized by regular and manageable power delivery to tackle any route, has been optimized for off-road thanks to a dedicated ratio and specific strategies and calibrations of the electronic systems.
The six Riding Modes of the DesertX Rally (Sport, Touring, Urban, Wet, Enduro, Rally) have Cornering ABS, Ducati Traction Control (DTC) and Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) recalibrated according to the new chassis and for more challenging off-road use.
The electronic functions of the DesertX Rally are managed through the vertically oriented, high-resolution 5″ colour TFT display positioned to offer optimal visibility even when riding standing. This display is designed for integration with the Ducati Multimedia System which allows you to connect your smartphone, thus activating new functions such as music control, call management and Turn by Turn navigation* (optional) with road directions directly on the dashboard. Furthermore, the DesertX Rally offers the Utility Bar as standard for mounting the satnav.
Service intervals for the DesertX Rally are every 15,000 km or 24 months, with valve clearance checks every 30,000 km.
Accessories and Apparel
The DesertX Rally has all the essential components for off-road use as standard, but those who want to customize it can do so by choosing from the Ducati Performance accessories catalogue. To extend autonomy, it is possible to mount an additional 8-litre tank which guarantees almost 40% more, perfectly integrated into the line of the motorbike. Aluminium side cases are available which, combined with the top case, give the motorbike a total load capacity of almost 120 litres. For travellers who never stop, there are also additional LED spotlights and heated grips.
The steel tube engine guards protect the tank and engine from falls or impacts during off-road use. Finally, enthusiasts who wish to make the image of their bike even more sporty can choose the Termignoni homologated exhaust. Anyone wishing to use the DesertX Rally in competition can improve the power and torque values by +7% by means of a racing exhaust, again by Termignoni (to be used off road and not on public roads).
Enthusiasts who want to complete their look will be able to choose from various specialist apparel proposals with graphics coordinated with the DesertX Rally livery. The collection, which also includes the women’s line, is made up of the Explorer jacket-trousers set, Atacama gloves, and Explorer T7 boots.
The DesertX Rally will be available in dealerships starting from end of May and is priced at INR 23,70,800 (Ex-Showroom India).
Highlights
- The DesertX Rally is dedicated to adventurous motorcyclists who love challenging journeys and rallies
- The DesertX Rally has a dedicated livery, high front mudguard, and benchmark technical equipment for off-roading such as suspension with closed cartridge fork and specific wheels for the most extreme off-road adventure
- Bookings are now open across all Ducati dealerships and the bike will be on display from 4th May across select dealerships; deliveries to begin by end of May
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