Ducati India has launched the 2024 DesertX Rally at Rs 23.7 lakh, ex-showroom. This is the more hardcore off-road version of the already very capable DesertX. Here’s what makes it so special.
The DesertX Rally gets dedicated off-road suspension that’s developed by KYB. There’s a 48mm USD fork and a monoshock, but the notable part is that it gets 20mm of additional travel. In all, you have 250mm suspension travel at the front and 240mm wheel travel at the rear. This will significantly improve the bike's ability to handle big jumps, as well as rocky and sandy terrain that one encounters off-road.
To further enhance the off-road ability of the DesertX Rally, Ducati has fitted it with lighter yet stronger Takasago Excel wire-spoke rims with billet aluminium hubs. This should help with a lighter steering feel and more control. However, these rims are shod with tube-type tyres instead of the tubeless ones because central spoked wheels are less exposed to stones and damage while riding on hardcore trails.
Visually, the DesertX Rally looks markedly different from the DesertX. Ducati has used a new mass-coloured paint technique for plastics. This ensures that whatever little scratches that the bike may pick up while being ridden off-road will be a lot less visible. Even the graphics on the bike are of the PVC adhesive type that offers some protection to the surfaces of the bike.
It also gets a high-mount front mudguard and the 910mm rally seat. Lastly, the red and white colour combination, including the red paint on the subframe makes the DesertX Rally quite the looker.
Ducati hasn’t made any changes to the engine and its in the same state of tune as on the standard DesertX. It has a 937cc, L-twin engine that makes 108bhp at 9,250rpm and 92Nm. The engine is paired with a six-speed gearbox. As for the electronics, the DesertX Rally is loaded with multi-level traction control, ride modes, ABS modes and more.
At Rs 23.7 lakh, the DesertX Rally cost about Rs 5 lakh more than the DesertX. That’s a lot of money but hardcore off-road enthusiasts with deep pockets, perhaps, won’t mind shelling out the high asking price.
