Ducati Desert X: What you need to know

Now that Ducati’s updated Scrambler 1100 Pro and Sport Pro editions have arrived, it begs questions about the iconic Italian brand’s highly-anticipated, mechanically-identical, Paris-Dakar style concept bike: the Desert X.

Of the eight-or-so Scrambler variants on offer (our last count was 13 since their 2015 release), the Desert X looks set to surpass the Scrambler Desert Sled’s off-road ability with more comfort, equipment and performance.

Let’s break it down, Bobby Brown.

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Is it going into production?

First, let’s address the Elefant in the room. Even Stevie Wonder could see a production version is highly likely to come to fruition given the positive reception of the concept’s 2019 EICMA unveiling.

Furthermore, Ducati has recently taken to social media as a means to further tease us.

The bike doesn’t appear any closer to production reality from the original concept, however. But you don’t need a PR or marketing degree to know it’s a tried-and-true technique of preheating interest in the forthcoming bike.

“We want to build the future without forgetting the past,” Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali said at the concept bike’s 2019 EICMA unveiling.

But, like everything else in 2020, that pesky pandemic has put the skids on the production bike’s debut, which was expected to be the annual World Ducati Week in July at the earliest or, more likely, the EICMA motorcycle show in Milan, in Nov 3 at the latest.

Both events, including Germany’s Intermot show in October, have been cancelled, leaving motorcycle makers to take to virtual unveilings and Zoom meetings for the world’s press. That’s one Zoom meeting we’re looking forward to joining…

You spelt ‘Elefant’ wrong

Ah, no. For those who came in late, that ‘Elefant’ reference you read was no typo, but a homage to the bike’s spiritual predecessor: the Cagiva Elefant – a desert raid machine that won the gruelling Dakar race in 1990 and 1994 and its production-based offspring, the near-identical Elefant 900ie Lucky Explorer (1993-99).

This bike, powered by a reworked 904cc air-cooled V-twin from the Ducati 900SS sportsbike, is now on the collector’s radar. The elephant logo of Cagiva (a blend of company founder CAstiglione GIovanni from VArese, Italy, by the way) is said to symbolise strength, stability and reliability. Shame about the electrics...

The Ducati Desert X concept takes its white/black/red livery from the Elefant’s iconic Lucky Explorer cigarette sponsorship decals.

What do we know?

As previewed in the concept, the Desert X is based on Ducati’s Scrambler 1100 naked retro bike, and will be powered by the same 1079cc air-cooled Desmodromic V-twin (or ‘L-twin’ in Ducati speak) that delivers 62kW (84hp) at 7500rpm and 88Nm at 4750rpm.

Unlike the fashion-oriented Scrambler, however, the Desert X promises greater off-road ability and long-haul versatility thanks to its wind-deflecting fairing, 21/18-inch front/rear wheel combination and 210mm suspension travel – up 10mm from the Scrambler Desert Sled while matching that of the Yamaha Tenere 700.

The production bike’s weight will be heavily determined by its fuel capacity (read below). For reference, the Scrambler Desert Sled (with a 13.5L fuel tank) has a claimed wet weight of 209kg.

What you probably didn’t know

The Desert X was designed by Jeremy Faraud, 30, a rising star at Ducati who, after starting out as an intern in 2015, went on to pen the Scrambler Desert Sled and Streetfighter V4, which apparently takes inspiration from the Joker character from Batman (check out the bike’s headlight).

“The Desert X is an interpretation of what could be the stylistic evolution of the Ducati Scrambler brand. Ducati Scrambler Design DNA has always been about authentic simplicity and modernity,” Faraud said at the bike’s unveiling.

“Our objective was to push this minimalist aspect to its peak, while keeping the iconic and technical soul of the rally raid motorcycles from the early 1990s. The result is a retro-technologic bike that lives out of time and fashion.”

What we probably won’t get

In true classic Paris-Dakar style, the Desert X concept features front and rear fuel tanks for a combined 30-litre capacity for a range well beyond 550km.

Some of the biggest big-bore adventure travel bikes, such as BMW’s R 1250 GS Adventure and Ducati’s Multistrada 1260 Enduro, already have gargantuan 30-litre fuel tanks, and we’ve even seen the odd production bike with front and rear fuel tanks such as Husqvarna’s recently launched 701 Enduro LR (25L combined).

Bear in mind, however, that 30 litres of petrol weighs 22kg, or more than a big bag of rice, so, if it gets the green light for production, hopefully that weight will be placed nice and low for an optimum centre of gravity for good balance and handling.

What we definitely won’t see carry over is the concept’s four fuel filler caps (one for each side of each tank!) It will be interesting whether the production version retains the solo-seat and classic twin circular headlights with a modern LED twist, which is entirely possible.

Expect the black, semi-leopard print graphic on the screen to be made clear for compliance regulations.

What will it cost?

Given its versatility, equipment and bespoke bodywork, the Desert X is highly likely to become the king of Ducati’s Scrambler range, which means a rideaway price tag north of the Scrambler 1100 Sport Pro’s $21,100. For that, the Desert X will come with twin front discs as well as a comprehensive suite of electronic aids, including traction control with cornering ABS, three riding modes and, hopefully, cruise control and heated grips as standard.

What will it go up against?

The Desert X will rival an eclectic array of machines including anything from BMW’s R NineT Urban G/S (which is rumoured to be discontinued due to slow sales) to conventional adventure bikes and scramblers. Oh, and the other elephant in the room: the production version of Husqvarna’s similarly-stylish 901 Norden adventure bike.