Rumours swirl of V2-powered DesertX
Recent spy shots hint toward a new engine platform for the under-appreciated DesertX adventure motorcycle.
As the motorcycling world continues its march toward EICMA, we’re seeing rumours of one vehicle that probably won’t be there this year: a new V2-driven XDiavel adventure motorcycle.
First launched in 2022 and currently powered by the same 932cc Testastretta 11º twin engine that’s found in the Monster, the DesertX is something of an unsung hero in the adventure bike world. It’s loved by those who have actually ridden it and largely ignored by everyone else.
Now it seems that Ducati is working on creating a DesertX that’s powered by the same 890cc V-twin that drives the Multistrada V2 and Multistrada V2 S.
Spy-shot images published recently by Germany’s Motorrad show that the Italian brand has slapped together a working test mule and is putting it through its paces. The vehicle looks far from being production ready, however. (The images you see here are of the current version of the DesertX, obviously)
So, although there are still several dates left in Ducati’s World Premiere schedule, we think it’s safe to assume that a DesertX V2 won’t be revealed this year.
Switching powerplants for the DesertX would make some sense. Firstly, it simplifies matters - running multiple platforms on the same engine inherently reduces cost. But, additionally, the V2 engine is lighter and marginally more powerful.
The V2 also does away with the notorious Desmodromic valve set-up, which some home mechanics find to be a nightmare. The conventional thinking is that the V2 is more reliable and makes maintenance a little bit easier (although, we realise that there are some hardcore Ducatisti who would take all this as fightin’ words). Maintenance intervals are also further apart.
The DesertX is a bike that we have previously referred to as “unexpectedly brilliant,” so we’d hope that the new powerplant would keep in line with the character of the current model. We’d hope, too, that Ducati would keep to the spirit of the current model’s aesthetic, which is unique and helps the DesertX stand out in a very, very crowded field.
Contrary to our guessing - and that’s all any of us are really doing at this point - a handful of European publications are anticipating a reveal of the DesertX V2 much sooner. Spanish website Soy Motero, for example, is convinced we’ll see it at this year’s EICMA. It even goes so far as to assume a price: €16,490.
For all the latest motorcycle news, stick with Visordown.
Chris Cope is a fourth-generation journalist, originally from Texas. He has lived in the UK for roughly two decades and has been writing about motorcycles for most of that time. He has written for dozens of publications and websites in the UK, US, Canada, and Australia.
