DesertX Photos

The Ducati DesertX's design tells the story of the bike before you read a spec sheet. The twin round LED headlights - a deliberate nod to the Cagiva Elefant's twin-light nose - are the most distinctive feature on the front end. The compact fairing is minimal and functional, leaving the trellis frame and engine visible from the sides.

The Testastretta 937cc engine is a visual highlight in itself: the L-Twin configuration with its exposed cylinder heads and polished covers has an industrial quality that looks unlike anything else in the adventure segment. The high-mounted Termignoni-style exhaust (two canisters on the right side) keeps the underside clean and raises ground clearance to a practical 250mm.

The aluminium sump guard is factory-fitted and serious enough to take real knocks. The tapered handlebar sits high and wide, giving the standing-on-pegs position a natural feel even for taller riders. The 5-inch TFT sits in a protective nacelle that keeps it visible in direct sunlight.

In motion, the spoke wheels in black with the Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR rubber reinforce the dual-sport character. The Discovery adds a taller windscreen and pannier frames that integrate cleanly into the bodywork - it's one of the better-looking touring setups in the segment. The Rally's front beak and flat seat give it a pure enduro look that's immediately recognisable.