Ducati To Unveil 2022 Models In Six Video Episodes

[advrider]

You already know about Ducati’s announcement that it will be releasing its new Desert X scrambler late this year.  The new machine makes it to production after having been shown at EICMA 2019 as a semi-complete concept machine.  But with the announcement, Ducati is making it clear that the Desert X will be part of the Ducati lineup for 2022.  And now, there’s a date for the Desert X’s unveiling.  It’s December 9, 2021.

The Desert X seems to have a rally bike inspired look.

But there’s more news about the new 2022 Ducati models.  In a recent press release, Ducati says they will unveil a new model every two weeks starting on Thursday, September 30 at 7:30 AM Pacific Daylight time (10:30 Eastern). In addition, Ducati will use this same time throughout the series of each new model introduction.

There’s little more information on each of the new models.  But Ducati does offer some clues in their descriptive titles for each “episode” of the motorcycle’s unveiling.  All of the titles hint at what each new bike may be. We already know that the Desert X is one of them.  But other than that, the other new models are not explicitly identified.

To quote Ducati’s press release about the web series releases:

The first appointment for the Ducati World Première 2022 web series will be held on Thursday, September 30 at 7:00 a.m. PDT: an episodic journey through which the Borgo Panigale manufacturer will show the new models of the 2022 Ducati range to fans from all over the world. All episodes will be visible on the Ducati.com website and on the YouTube channel of the Borgo Panigale manufacturer.

Video release schedule:

The “Ducati World Premiere 2022” episodic new model release schedule is as follows:

• September 30, 2021: Ducati World Première – Episode 1 / Your everyday wonder
• October 14, 2021: Ducati World Première – Episode 2 / Mark your roots
• October 28, 2021: Ducati World Première – Episode 3 / Rule all mountains
• November 11, 2021: Ducati World Première – Episode 4 / A new Fighter in town
• November 25, 2021: Ducati World Première – Episode 5 / The evolution of Speed
• December 9, 2021: Ducati World Première – Episode 6 | Dream Wilder – DesertX

The new 2022 Desert X.

More Desert X info

The Italian manufacturer also used its press release to provide some additional tidbits of information about the Desert X.  According to it:

The DesertX is Ducati’s new adventure bike, designed to offer great off-road capabilities thanks to an all-new chassis designed around a 21″ front wheel, and it will harness the performance and reliability of the liquid-cooled 937 cc Testastretta engine.

Whether it’s exploring the hills behind your home, braving the desert or discovering new mountain trails, the new Ducati DesertX is the bike that will allow riders to make their most adventurous travel dreams come true.

While that’s not much information, it does disclose that there will be a smaller but more powerful engine in the Desert X. The big scramblers of Ducati’s lineup, carry Ducati’s 1079 cc L-twin engine that produces about 85 horsepower.

Less displacement, more power

As found on the new Monster, the current 937 cc Testastretta  11 degree engine makes approximately 111 horsepower and 69 lb-ft of torque.  While the displacement of this engine is smaller, the increased power level should make the Desert X a hoot to ride.

And you may wonder whether there might be some weight savings from using the “smaller” engine.  If it’s identical to the one in the new Monster, Ducati says that it lost 5.3 pounds from that of its predecessor. With the new Monster weighing in at 366 pounds dry, could the new Desert X be on a similar weight loss program?  If it is, that’s a nice one-two punch, less weight, and more power.

Longer maintenance intervals

Another benefit to ADV types is the fitting of the Testastretta engine and its longer maintenance intervals.  If they stay the same on the Desert X, you’ll be able to go 18,640 miles (~30,000 km) before your first valve clearance check.

Oil changes will also come at longer intervals. For example, with the Testastretta engine installed, Ducati says your oil change should come every 9,300 miles (~15,000 km).

And with a 21-inch front wheel fitted, Ducati seems to be saying the Desert X will have more off-road prowess.  No other Ducati scrambler model currently has a 21-inch front wheel.  The closest to a 21-inch front comes on the Desert Sled and it mounts a 19-inch front wheel.

An added benefit of the bigger hoop is tire fitment choices.  Most of the current Ducati scrambler models carry an 18-inch front wheel. Unfortunately, that somewhat unusual size is not conducive to a wide range of rubber choices.

To find out more about the Desert X, it looks like we will have to wait until the bike’s unveiling on December 9.  Hopefully, we will learn all the relevant facts, including the bike’s MSRP.

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