So, where to go? Easy choice, we hit the streets, mountains and deserts of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates and yes, it is a little warmer that Scotland these days (44C and more). Apparently that sort of weather is better for the deserts. This was going to be a test of riders and the bike.
The Desert Sled has hints of the old Yamaha XT500 styling and that was a very capable bike but the Desert Sled is very much Ducati's Scrambler at heart, well the engine anyway, because that is about all that hasn’t seen revisions and redesigns.
The air-cooled, 803cc V-twin engine is unchanged, and is held in a strengthened version of the original steel-tube frame. The original Scrambler frame used the engine as a stressed member, but the Desert Sled gets extra frame bracing that allows you to thrash it to your heart's content with confidence that it can take the beating.
There is also a lengthened swingarm for added stability, spoked wheels 19 inch up front and 17 rear, with excellent Pirelli Scorpion STR tyres. There’s additional ground clearance with the adjustable KYB front and a lower seat option for shorter riders.
Protection is added to the headlight and oil cooler in addition to a skid plate to keep the underside side of the engine intact for the anticipation of a thrashing offroad.
Time to see if these things work.
23