Since its release in 2022, the Ducati DesertX has quickly become the standard for middleweight adventure motorcycles. The DesertX is a mix of Italian style and tough off-road skills, inspired by the famous Cagiva Elefant rally racers that ruled events like the Paris-Dakar in the 1990s. But Ducati’s goals change as the world of adventure riding changes. Recent spy photos and leaked papers point to an exciting new model that will be shown off at EICMA 2025 in Milan this November and will be available in stores in 2026.
This update promises big improvements in power, weight, and chassis dynamics, making the next-gen DesertX a real game-changer for riders who want to ride on a variety of terrains. The 937cc Testastretta 11° L-Twin engine is at the heart of the current DesertX lineup. It makes 110 horsepower at 9,250 rpm and 92 Nm of torque at 6,500 rpm.
This liquid-cooled, desmodromic engine is set up for off-road use with shorter gear ratios in the first few cogs, which gives it good low-end pull for technical trails. It has a six-speed gearbox and a bidirectional quickshifter, so it delivers power smoothly whether you’re crawling over rocks or speeding down the highway. The DesertX Rally is one of the variants that shows how reliable the engine is. It has race-bred parts that have been tested at events like the Erzbergrodeo.
Ducati added the DesertX Discovery trim to the base model in 2025. This made it more versatile by adding comfort and safety features. This includes stronger handguards, engine guards, a radiator grill, water pump protection, and a thicker bash plate, all of which are standard to protect important parts during rough trips.
Heated grips and a bigger touring windshield make it easier to use on long trips, and the Thrilling Black and Ducati Red paint job adds a unique look with scratch-resistant graphics. The Discovery is a good middle ground between the $17,995 standard DesertX and the $22,995 hardcore Rally. It’s a good choice for exploring without the full race-spec intensity.
The Rally version goes even further with KYB closed-cartridge suspension, a 48mm upside-down fork that gives you 9.8 inches of travel, and an Öhlins steering damper that makes it easier to control in tough conditions.
The next generation DesertX builds on this base with big changes. Spy photos from testing in Europe show that Ducati is using its new 890cc V2 engine, which is a lighter version of the L-Twin architecture that has already been used in models like the Multistrada V2. This small engine weighs about 5.8 kg less than the old 937cc unit, making it Ducati’s lightest V-Twin so far at just 120 pounds.
It makes 115.6 hp at 10,750 rpm and 92.1 Nm at 8,250 rpm in its Multistrada application. This means that the DesertX variant could match or even exceed the output of the current model while losing a lot of weight. Shorter gearing in lower ratios will keep the focus on off-road driving, giving you quick acceleration without losing torque in technical areas. The weight savings go beyond just the engine. The new chassis, which can be seen in prototypes, uses lighter materials and better geometry. This could lead to a weight loss of 18 kg, which is impressive for the Multistrada V2.
This should make the bike more agile, which will make it easier to handle on single-track paths and on long-distance tours. Expect the 21-inch front and 18-inch rear spoked wheels to come back, this time with tubeless Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tires that won’t puncture and will grip on a variety of surfaces. The suspension will probably change from the current KYB setup, which has fully adjustable parts that give it long-stroke travel and 250mm of ground clearance to get over the toughest obstacles.
Electronics are still a big part of Ducati bikes, and the next generation model is going to take them even further. The current DesertX has six riding modes, including separate Enduro and Rally modes. It also has cornering ABS, traction control, wheelie control, and a 5-inch TFT display that works with smartphones through the Ducati Multimedia System.
The Ducati Link App’s turn-by-turn navigation makes exploratory rides even better. For the update, expect better algorithms that work better with the new engine’s features. These could include adaptive cruise control or better off-road mapping. Brembo brakes with monoblock calipers will give you strong stopping power, and advanced ABS will help you stop on gravel and dirt.
The next-gen DesertX will keep its rally-raid roots, with aggressive lines that remind people of the Elefant era. Expect a new fairing for better aerodynamics, forged carbon accents for strength, and modular luggage options like aluminum panniers for the Discovery-inspired models. The Rally trim’s high mudguard and billet aluminum triple clamps could affect the base model by making it lighter and stronger.
Ergonomics put the comfort of the rider first by making the handlebars and footpegs adjustable. This makes sure that the rider doesn’t get tired while riding on or off the road. This change addresses important feedback from the current lineup. The 937cc engine is very versatile, but some pure off-road fans have said that its weight is a small problem. The 890cc V2’s efficiency could help save fuel, which would let you go further on a 5.5-gallon tank for long trips.
Competitors like the KTM 890 Adventure R will have a harder time beating Ducati’s new standard of high-quality parts and street-legal performance.
In short, the next-gen Ducati DesertX marks the start of a new era for adventure motorcycles that are lighter and more powerful. With its planned EICMA reveal, it promises to get riders excited about the call of the horizon. This Italian icon keeps pushing the limits of what’s possible, whether it’s conquering dunes or eating up asphalt.