Quiz: Next Ducati Desert - Yes, it's a Ducati Enduro!

First of all, he is handsome, incredibly handsome and sincere, as if the legendary actor and racer were racing through the deserts of the United States on similar motorcycles. Steve McQueen... When you sit down on it and drive across the field, you are like getting into the time machine from the cult movie “Any Sunday”.

The flirtation with the seventies is more than obvious. A round canopy with a protective mesh, an elongated fuel tank in trendy red and a long comfortable large black seat - like on old enduro bikes. 

And where did this name come from? The "desert trail" in California, the center of off-road motorcycles, is said to be motorcycles that have been converted for desert riding. And in terrain where speeds are slightly higher, it does surprisingly well. No crushed stone or paved cart path is intimidating, more serious obstacles are just big rocks or rain-filled paths where any of the more exposed parts of the engine or frame will be damaged too quickly.

But for such routes, there are hard-enduro bikes where it is perfectly normal for the off-road motor to fall to the ground and hit the rock. However, the desert herring is too salon for this.

A versatile motor for fun

I confess that I hardly waited for him, I was very interested in how he was going. It's great for a relaxed afternoon getaway or Sunday morning fun when everyone is just waking up, waiting for the sun to blink over a nearby hill, which for me is about an hour's drive on a winding road. crushed stone road somewhere in the hills of Polchow Hradec.

The Scrambler Desert Sled is a Ducati that is not meant to be raced, but belongs to the category of fun bikes where you also sit in jeans and a shirt and ride for a short ride at a very slow pace.

Twin cylinder with high torque and enough power

The two-cylinder engine makes a pleasant noise and develops the power well, which on 800 cubic and 75 horsepower it accelerates fast enough to keep you smiling all the time. In fact, you can get it well up to 130 kilometers an hour when your tax is in an otherwise fantastic driving position that is relaxed, upright and really wide. But to press a windshield against it or even press your head to round meters to the sea ... Then I would have missed the point. Although open-throttle on the highway pushes enough to score a lot of demerit points (no hassle - 180 mph), the real pleasure is to ride on the road and the city.

Because it's an off-road bike, I've ridden it on gravel roads and even mini-cross, more specifically goat tracks. I found the longer-travel adjustable suspension (200mm) did the job well, and the underside of the engine was well protected by the shock plate and high enough off the ground to not chafe on first encounters. The Pirelli tires, which are actually the same as the ones on the Multistrada enduro, hold good contact with the ground when dry and allow you to glide nicely through the corners on beautiful gravel roads, and on pavement they also grip and give good feedback about how what happens to the limitations of the motorcycle. while driving. There were no grip issues in wet and cold weather and these tires are very good shoes for this type of bike.

The ABS kicks in late and does a good job, and it would be nice to add rear wheel slip control to the next generation Ducati.

A competitor to large touring enduro motorcycles.

By price 11.490 euro Of course, this is not exactly a cheap purchase, but a close look, all the details, design, quality components and, above all, driving pleasure make it a pleasure to sit on it. Ducati also offers a very rich range of accessories that you can customize the Desert Sled to your liking. In retro style clothing, they provide the perfect look for driver and passenger. The offer is really diverse, from t-shirts, cardigans to a variety of jackets, helmets, shoes for gloves and even small accessories such as watches, stickers or sequins. The Desert Trail may even be his (good) motorcycling direction from which the big touring enduro bikes have evolved in search of excellence and comfort, as the Desert Trail is a very authentic bike that will provide a different, more intense and immediate experience. motorcycle and surroundings. It's not bulky, much less heavy, but surprisingly comfortable at the same time. Two people can also ride on it without any problems, since its seat is long and comfortable, a little modesty and ingenuity will have to be shown only with luggage.

For a smile at the wheel, the adrenaline rush while drifting over the rubble and the steep view deserves maximum praise.

Petr Kavchich

photo: Saša Kapetanovič, Petr Kavčič

• Basic data

  Sales: Motocenter AS Domzale Ltd.

  Base model price: 11.490 €

  Test model cost: 11.490 €

• Technical information

  engine: 803cc, 3-cylinder, L-shaped, 2-stroke, air-cooled, 4 desmodromic valves per cylinder

  Power: 55 kW (75 km) at 8.250 rpm

  Torque: 68 Nm at 5.750 rpm

  Energy transfer: six-speed gearbox, chain

  Frame: tubular steel

  brakes: front disc 330 mm, radially mounted 4-piston calipers, rear disc 245 mm, 1-piston caliper, ABS

  Suspension: 46mm Kayaba telescopic front fork, 200mm travel, Kayaba adjustable rear shock, 200mm travel

  Tires: 120/70-19, 170/60-17

  Growth: 860 mm (optional 840 mm)

  Fuel tank: 13,5 l, consumption on the test: 5,6 l

  Wheelbase: 1.505 mm

  Weight: 207 kg

We praise and reproach

authentic scrambler look, beautifully crafted details

relaxed sitting position

comfort (up to 130 km / h)

versatility, even in the field

above 130 km / h, driving becomes less comfortable

for this price, I would also like the rear wheel traction control system.

price