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2025 Ducati DesertX Discovery First Look


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Ducati’s new 2025 DesertX Discovery joins the brand’s middleweight adventure lineup with an MSRP of $19,995.
Ducati’s new 2025 DesertX Discovery joins the brand’s middleweight adventure lineup with an MSRP of $19,995. (Ducati/)

When Ducati debuted the highly anticipated DesertX back in 2022, it was clear the new Dakar-inspired middleweight adventure bike had some fans waiting in the wings, and after riding it, we had to give it some props as well, calling it a “real-deal off-road performer.” Last year’s DesertX Rally further beefed up the formula, adding longer-travel suspension and other revisions, and for 2025, we see yet another variant joining the DesertX series: the Discovery.

The DesertX Discovery appears to be a more adventure-ready version of the standard model thanks to the addition of extra bike protection and more comfort for the rider, but it’s a less hardcore machine than the Rally model. Of course Ducati is quick to emphasize the Discovery’s new red and black color scheme, but the new bike’s overall theme is the same as its stablemates.

You get the same 937cc Testastretta engine as the other DesertX models, but standard equipment on the new Discovery includes radiator protection, engine guards, and even a centerstand.
You get the same 937cc Testastretta engine as the other DesertX models, but standard equipment on the new Discovery includes radiator protection, engine guards, and even a centerstand. (Ducati/)

To address rider comfort and make it more travel-ready, the new Discovery comes decked out with heated grips as well as a larger touring windshield (said to be more aerodynamic but which looks to be nonadjustable), both standard. Also included as standard equipment is a centerstand, which may add a few pounds but will make bike maintenance chores that much easier.

On the bike protection side, you’ll get reinforced hand guards, radiator protection, and engine guards with extra protection for the water pump, all standard. There’s a more robust skid plate included too with a subframe reinforcement, and it’s arranged to optimally redirect impacts.

Reinforced hand guards and heated grips as well as a larger aerodynamic touring shield are included, but those sidecases you see in the background look to be accessory options.
Reinforced hand guards and heated grips as well as a larger aerodynamic touring shield are included, but those sidecases you see in the background look to be accessory options. (Ducati/)

Ducati also mentions the addition of aluminum side cases and a reinforced subframe designed for off-road use, but it doesn’t look like those items are included in the standard equipment list for US bikes; for some reason they appear to be extra-cost accessory bits. But new map features made the cut on the latest DesertX, with turn-by-turn navigation accessed via the Ducati Link app, which can then be displayed directly on the 5-inch TFT dash. That’s an improvement on the base model.

A more robust and reinforced skid plate comes standard on the Discovery, and you can make out the centerstand in the background. Pay no attention to the side cases though.
A more robust and reinforced skid plate comes standard on the Discovery, and you can make out the centerstand in the background. Pay no attention to the side cases though. (Ducati/)

As for the rest of the core components, it’s business as usual with the Discovery getting the same 937cc liquid-cooled Testastretta 11° desmodromic engine as the rest of the family, unchanged for this variant and producing 110 hp at 9,250 rpm (claimed) and a maximum torque of 68 lb.-ft. at 6,500 rpm. Three riding modes on DesertX are dedicated to road use, while two are specifically designed for off-road riding. You’ll also see the same 34.4-inch seat height (which can be lowered or raised with accessory add-ons) as well as the healthy 5.5-gallon fuel capacity as the base model.

Related: How Much Power Does the 2023 Ducati DesertX Make?

Otherwise the new Discovery is pretty close to the base DesertX model, with the same suspension, electronics package, seat height, and fuel tank.
Otherwise the new Discovery is pretty close to the base DesertX model, with the same suspension, electronics package, seat height, and fuel tank. (Ducati/)

The new Discovery slots in between the other bikes in the growing DesertX family, with a price reflecting its midrange position; the Discovery has an MSRP of $19,995, less than the more off road-capable DesertX Rally, at $22,995, and priced higher than the base DesertX, which has an MSRP of $17,995. The 2025 Ducati DesertX Discovery is expected to arrive to dealers in fall of 2024 with a new color scheme the company refers to as “Thrilling Black/Ducati Red.”

The new 2025 Ducati DesertX Discovery should be in dealers this fall, and this Trilling Black and Ducati Red color scheme.
The new 2025 Ducati DesertX Discovery should be in dealers this fall, and this Trilling Black and Ducati Red color scheme. (Ducati/)

Related: Ducati DesertX Off-Road Review

2025 Ducati DesertX Discovery Specs

MSRP: $19,995
Engine: Liquid-cooled, 60-degree V-twin; 4 valves/cyl.
Displacement: 937cc
Bore x Stroke: 94.0 x 67.5mm
Compression Ratio: 13.3:1
Transmission/Final Drive: 6-speed/chain
Claimed Horsepower: 110 hp @ 9,250 rpm
Claimed Torque: 68 lb.-ft. @ 6,500 rpm
Fuel System: Bosch electronic fuel injection w/ 53mm throttle bodies, ride-by-wire
Clutch: Wet, multiplate slipper w/ Ducati Quick Shift; hydraulic actuation
Frame: Tubular steel trellis
Front Suspension: 46mm KYB inverted telescopic fork, fully adjustable; 9.1 in. travel
Rear Suspension: KYB monoshock, fully adjustable; 8.7 in. travel
Front Brake: Radial-mount 4-piston Brembo calipers, dual 320mm discs w/ Bosch cornering ABS
Rear Brake: 2-piston Brembo caliper, 265mm disc w/ Bosch cornering ABS
Wheels, Front/Rear: Wire-spoked; 21 x 2.15 in. / 18 x 4.50 in.
Tires, Front/Rear: Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR; 90/90-21 / 150/70R-18 (tubeless)
Rake/Trail: 27.6°/4.8 in.
Wheelbase: 63.3 in.
Ground Clearance: 9.8 in.
Seat Height: 34.4 in.
Fuel Capacity: 5.5 gal.
Claimed Wet Weight (No Fuel): 463 lb.
Contact: ducati.com

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11 hours ago, Marcel le Moose Fondler said:

..looks awfully alike the old 950 adventure...looks almost like a clone..

You must be high on life. How the hell does that look like a KTM?

See any similarities to this, though?

image.png.88d7d1ed7a6a8d98504cebbe7ec4ebed.png

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8 minutes ago, Marcel le Moose Fondler said:

The 04 adventure will be knowed has the bike that sett the standard for middle weight adventure bikes ...and yes ..that's way back in 04...beleive it or not...

How do they look like each other?

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Just now, Pedro said:

How do they look like each other?

If you squint and spin the picture round and round they are identical.

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14 minutes ago, Marcel le Moose Fondler said:

Just has and example...keep everything identical has the 04 950 ..give it efi...and a few electronic upgrade removed the restrictions it came with....and it would still be able to challenge the desert X  to this day  in 2024..

Not with a short fat old duffer like you riding it.

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24 minutes ago, Marcel le Moose Fondler said:

I feel like ranting a bitt on what KTM has been offering in the recent years in this category of bikes....to be continued.....

Start a new thread on why KTM has gone soft then.

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1 hour ago, Marcel le Moose Fondler said:

Ya that's what I was thinking of doing....the gull and disgrace of the legacy of the true lc8 v twin is at play...by giving the same designation has those gay ass parallel twins built by a Chinese pop-corn maker company....who are exploding left to right

 

 

 

The Vtwins weren´t 270º, though

 

 

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41 minutes ago, Pedro said:

The Vtwins weren´t 270º, though

 

 

Truth Reaction GIF by MOODMAN

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I’m pretty sure the KTM parallel twin runs a 285 degree crank.

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