Desert X

[Kitsilano]

Watch this just to see how capable the standard bike is in the rough stuff.
DesertX outback

Interesting... A big production there (and some over-worked narrative). A lot of hard work and challenging riding. Well done that rider.

@Jeremy Thanks for sharing the link.

 

[Arsey]

Your fav vlogger giving the Desert X Discovery a proper spanking

 

[GrinningGSer]

Yes , “I’ve got a dicky shoulder , I don’t know if I’ve ever mentioned that before “
Complete failure to mention the trail riding virtues of a 21” front wheel or the long wheelbase with tubeless tyres . ( Rally has tubes so as to permit use of low pressures , apparently ).
He was never going to appreciate any of that stuff .
Wheelbase ;
DDX 1608mm
T7 1595mm
GS 1500mm
Might not sound much difference……

 

[baggie]

Your fav vlogger giving the Desert X Discovery a proper spanking

Did he "absolutely love it"?

 

[MarkShelley]

When I was loading various combinations of Ducatis into a LWB van the Desert X was the biggest PITA due to its length.

 

[GrinningGSer]

When I was loading various combinations of Ducatis into a LWB van the Desert X was the biggest PITA due to its length.

Yes indeed , because the big wheels make the total length longer than it’s extra long wheelbase
Hadn’t thought about that.
p.s, off-roaders praise the stability that’s experienced.
True/false?

 

[Arsey]

Yes indeed , because the big wheels make the total length longer than it’s extra long wheelbase
Hadn’t thought about that.
p.s, off-roaders praise the stability that’s experienced.
True/false?

21/18 wheels often ride better than 19/17.
For example the Vstrom 800 DE with 21/18 handles better and tips in easier than the RE with 19/17

 

[Smartbazza]

on topic - i rented a Desert X from Canary Ride last year and was surprised at how well it handled with the skinny front wheel. similar thing with the Africa Twin.

Barry

 

[GrinningGSer]

Skinny ; FortNine did a piece comparing the contact point area on bikes with skinny wheels versus ‘normal ‘ wheels and the difference was truly negligible .
That’s obviously not the case when a tyre is squared off, which turns it into a ‘car tyre ‘ profile .

 

[Belco100]

... FortNine did a piece comparing the contact point area on bikes with skinny wheels versus ‘normal ‘ wheels and the difference was truly negligible ...

With in reason, ie carcass stiffness etc, if you have a tyre with 50psi in it and a bike that puts 100lb weight onto that tyre, then the contact patch will be 2 square inches no matter its size.

 

[Paul S]

Looks like I am joining the ranks of Desert X owners - I blame Tuffty and Astro

 

[cookie]

Be interesting to hear what you think of it after your SA-R.

A bit lighter with less projectile violence, I'd expect?

 

[Apex]

Looks like I am joining the ranks of Desert X owners - I blame Tuffty and Astro


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Nice. Lovely looking bikes. That's quite a slope on that seat.

 

[Paul S]

Nice. Lovely looking bikes. That's quite a slope on that seat.

Think it's the angle of the photo

 

[GrinningGSer]

Wow , you must have long legs

 

[Paul S]

Wow , you must have long legs

Could flat foot it both sides in the showroom so I guess so

 

[tuftywhite]

Looks like I am joining the ranks of Desert X owners - I blame Tuffty and Astro


View attachment 396838

Congratulations. I'm sure you'll be very happy together.

 

[Paul S]

Hopefully so - after 45 years of riding motorbikes this will be my first Italian bike

 

[Paul S]

Picked it up this morning - only done about 60 miles on it but so far so good - feels more like my old 701 compared to the 1290 SAR

Seat is level and does not slope down to the tank and can definitely flat foot it both sides

Bonus is that it has Ducati heated grips fitted that I was not aware of and despite some reviews saying the fuel consumption could be as low as 35MPG it looks to be doing low 50's

Tomorrow will fit sat nav, chain oiler and Perun rack if DHL manage to deliver it and then do a longer run on Friday.

 

[IainMac]

Picked it up this morning - only done about 60 miles on it but so far so good - feels more like my old 701 compared to the 1290 SAR

Seat is level and does not slope down to the tank and can definitely flat foot it both sides

Bonus is that it has Ducati heated grips fitted that I was not aware of and despite some reviews saying the fuel consumption could be as low as 35MPG it looks to be doing low 50's

Tomorrow will fit sat nav, chain oiler and Perun rack if DHL manage to deliver it and then do a longer run on Friday.

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View attachment 397706

I’d recommend thinking about a set of engine bars & barkbusters hand guards (or similar) as that tank is vulnerable to damage in a tip over. I fitted crosspro alloy engine bars to my std DDX though as these change the central engine mount bolt you’d have to check if they fit with the Rallye sump guard.