Ducati’s Wild DesertX Is Debuting At The 2022 Ducati World Premiere

Hot on the heels of the launch of the Ducati Monster in India, the Borgo Panigale manufacturer has made a big announcement. The 2022 Ducati World Premiere is set to commence September 30 onwards with a new unveil every two weeks and will conclude with the debut of the Italian brand’s wild child, the DesertX, on December 9.

The Ducati DesertX made its first public appearance at the 2019 EICMA as a concept, and it was an instant hit. This concept flaunted the Ducati-powered Cagiva Element Paris-Dakar racebike from the ‘90s, borrowing its fascia and the iconic red and gold livery, albeit in a modern avatar.

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The Italian marque has now released the first image of the production model and thankfully it doesn’t seem to deviate much from the concept’s rally raid styling. What has evolved from the concept is the powertrain. Ducati has swapped the Scrambler 800-based engine with the 937cc L-Twin Testastretta engine we have seen on the Multistrada 950, Supersport 950, 2021 Monster and the Hypermotard 950.

With the new powertrain onboard, Ducati has now built a completely new chassis with a 21-inch front feel for superior performance off the tarmac. The concept featured a twin tank design just like a rally raid motorcycle, complete with a removable pillion seat. This is one of the most unique features of the bike, and we have seen something similar with the KTM 790 Adventure and the 890 Adventure, so the possibility of it making it to the production model can’t be ruled out.

Just like last year, Ducati will release ‘episodes’ on its new bikes, and while we know the DesertX is the big launch this year, there are five more bikes that will make their debut. The bikemaker has given us clues as to what these bikes could be: 

The most obvious hint here is the Episode 4, with the ‘New Fighter’ being the Ducati Streetfighter V2, based on the Panigale V2. Ducati first hinted this bike back in 2019, and recently, it has also been spotted testing along with the Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak, which is set to “rule all mountains” in the third installment of the World Premiere series.

Episode two is likely to feature the new range of Scramblers, for these are the only heritage bikes in Ducati’s lineup, and it has been a tradition to introduce new versions every year. The fifth episode too is likely to show a mid update, perhaps to a bike from the Panigale family. What remains a mystery is the first episode, which hints at an affordable, entry-level machine. Will it mark the return of the Monster 797? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.