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ADV NewsDucati Reveals New Paris-Dakar Inspired Adventure Bike Concept

Ducati Reveals New Paris-Dakar Inspired Adventure Bike Concept

Meet 'the Desert X', a new Adventure bike concept with real off-road intent.

Published on 10.24.2019

Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali announced an array of exciting new 2020 models yesterday during the Ducati World Premiere live streaming video event. One small mention during the presentation could have gone easily unnoticed though and might be the biggest ADV news from the event — the preview of a new Ducati Adventure Bike concept. And based on the rendering displayed, it looks like it could give the current crop of off-road focused adventure bikes a run for their money. 

Domenicali mentioned that in an effort to continuously develop new and exciting models, Ducati Design Director Andrea Ferraresi was tasked with creating something both possible and unprecedented for the Italian marque. The result was two different concept bikes based on the existing Scrambler platforms.

Cagiva Elefant 900ie powered by a Ducati engine
The new ‘Desert X’ Adventure bike concept is inspired by the early 90’s Cagiva Elefant 900ie – powered by a Ducati air-cooled V-Twin.

The first one called “Motard” is a concept based on the 800cc Scrambler platform. It’s a sleek-looking design that appears to be a modern take on a dirt tracker. But what really grabbed our attention was the second concept – the Desert X – sketched by Ducati designer Jeremy Faraud.


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The “Desert X” is a Paris-Dakar Rally inspired design that celebrates Edi Orioli’s victory in 1990 on a Ducati powered Cagiva Elefant. According to Ducati, the bike is based on the Scrambler 1100 platform, powered by a 1,079cc 2-valve, air-cooled, Desmodromic L-Twin engine that produces 86 horsepower @ 7,500 rpm and 65 ft-lb @ 4,750 rpm. 

Ducati Desert X adventure bike preview
The Ducati ‘Desert X’ adventure bike is powered by a 1,079cc 2-valve, air-cooled, Desmodromic L-Twin engine. The machine will soon be shown to the public at EICMA.

Not a lot can be discerned from the sketch but a closer look reveals a similar paint scheme and bodywork to the early 90’s Cagiva Elefant 900 Paris-Dakar race bike and the repli-racer production models it spawned. The Desert X concept features Dakar-style rear fuel tanks (which would most likely not make it to production) and there’s also a beautiful upswept Dakar-esque Termignoni exhaust. The frame and engine look straight off the Scrambler 1100 production line but the rear banana swing arm and front forks signal this bike features significantly more suspension travel than the current model’s 5.9 inches (150mm). The Desert X also sits on more-dirt-worthy 21″ front and 18″ rear wheels, instead of the Scrambler 1100’s 19″ front 18″ rear combo.

The wet weight of the current Scrambler 1100 is 465 pounds, which isn’t a lot for the class. If Ducati were to add more suspension travel, more ground clearance and bigger wheels, without significantly increasing weight, the Desert X could be Ducati’s most off-road capable adventure model yet. The extra wind protection, rear rack and increased fuel capacity could make this an impressive long-range off-road travel bike as well, assuming the Desert X ever makes it to production.

Ducati Motard concept motorcycle preview
The Ducati “Motard” is a concept bike based on the 800cc Scrambler platform.

For now we only have sketches, but Claudio did mention that Ducati has created actual prototypes of these two concepts sketches, and we won’t have to wait long to see them. Both the Motard and Desert X prototypes will be on display during EICMA 2019 November 4-10 in Milan, Italy. Ducati says they will be looking for feedback on their new designs, which may have an influence on their decision whether or not to go to production. If you like what you see here, let them know in the comments below. We’ll put in our vote now with an emphatic YES!!!

Author: Rob Dabney

Rob Dabney started a lifelong obsession with motorcycles at the age of 15 when he purchased his first bike – a 1982 Honda MB5. Through his 20’s and 30’s he competed in off-road desert races, including the Baja 250, 500 and 1000. Eventually, his proclivity for exploration led him to dual sport and adventure riding. Rob’s never-ending quest to discover what’s around the next bend has taken him on Adventures in Latin America, Africa, Europe, Asia, and throughout the American West. As a moto journalist, he enjoys inspiring others to seek adventure across horizons both near and far.

Author: Rob Dabney
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Falcn
Falcn
October 24, 2019 2:37 pm

As a current Elefant owner, I give it a hellz yeah, and please feel free to follow with something similar to the DbX!

D4NSOME (@D4NSOME)
D4NSOME (@D4NSOME)
October 24, 2019 3:56 pm

Man, all they have to do is stick some wired spoked wheels, a set of knobbies and taller suspension to the Hypermotard and job done!

Falcn
Falcn
October 24, 2019 4:05 pm

For the supermoto, maybe, but hyper swingarm is needed through the engine, which is not good for off-road. It’s also water-cooled.
It needs to be the air cooled engine in a reinforced frame ala Desert Sled, but I like the 1100 idea. That way you get the Desert Sled 800, or you can go up to the 1100 Adv

GregB
GregB
October 25, 2019 8:29 am
Reply to  Falcn

This is why Walt Siegl makes ADV bikes out of the air-cooled 2010-2012 Hypermotard 1100EVP SP. Add the 6.5 gallon tank, light spoked wheels, exhaust-swap, protection/guards, etc and it’s a 350 lb. ADV bike with 120+ hp that can go almost 300 miles on a tank. If Ducati can make an 1100 Desert Sled even close to that for under $20k I think they’ll sell a bizillion.

falcn
falcn
October 25, 2019 9:29 am
Reply to  GregB

Yeah, that bike is sex on wheels…

Bushy Mckelvey
Bushy Mckelvey
October 24, 2019 9:15 pm

YES

Patriot159
Patriot159
October 24, 2019 9:56 pm

Nice! I like all things Scrambler, ADV and Dual Sport. The more options the better. I had a 2000 Cagiva Gran Canyon for 10 years and put about 50 K miles on it. It was powered by the 904 cc air cooled 2 valve engine which was a great match for that bike. If I’d have had room for 4 bikes I would not have sold it.

Mike D
Mike D
October 24, 2019 10:02 pm

Yes please

Jon Beck
Jon Beck
October 25, 2019 6:44 pm

100% yes. If it performs even half as good as it looks, that’s a win! First thought about design… “someone finally did it!”

Dwight Cairns
Dwight Cairns
October 25, 2019 11:01 pm

Yes please

Eric Bueno
Eric Bueno
November 1, 2019 6:58 am

It looks ABSOLUTELY AWESOME !! As real Ducatisti and off road enthusiast (3 Dakar rallies under my belt) that is the bike I have been dreaming about. Please ask Ducati where I can (pre) order one !

Stefan
Stefan
November 14, 2019 7:31 am

Uhh!, Wow!, Ohh!
Copy of a copy of a copy…
War against the consumer.
Flimzy attempt to steal market share
Enough with b.s. hype advertising.
Is the year 2020 get real,
Give us an honest design
No new paint skims.
No to u pricy unrealible electronics.
Disipointed by the Italian designers.

Jim Telios
Jim Telios
December 29, 2019 8:29 am

Please come through with a new adv x model. We are dire need to go to next step of Ducati evolution. Although weight to power ratio must be kept low to weight and higher on power. Must include all the traction control and features of modern adventure bikes on current market. Such as having traction control for different modes. Lean angle limits, power traction, engine braking, quick shift up and down, cruise control, heated bars, computer tracking with gps, miles to go on gas, telemetry for position and terrain. Also please keep Maintenance schedules far apart. The V2 super quattro engine would be best but shave weight down. Thank you

Falcn
Falcn
December 29, 2019 8:52 am
Reply to  Jim Telios

Egads you have described a Multistrada, buy one of those if you want all that gadgetry.

I want NONE of that except the 2V air-cooled motor with MBP collets, and modern EFI. Yes on light weight.

Per
Per
August 2, 2020 11:42 am

Looking for a replacement for my corrent Triumph 800. Have been looking at old Cagiva 900, but this Desert X I will be hoping and waiting for.

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