TRAVERSE Issue 27 - December 2021 | Page 147

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its premium fitting . It is offered with 46mm diameter upside-down Kayaba fork with 230mm travel and Kayaba monoshock . Both elements are adjustable in compression , rebound and preload . The Kayaba monoshock is perfectly married to the aluminum swingarm and allows a rear wheel travel of 220mm . In addition , the new DesertX has a generous 250mm ground clearance , which is particularly suitable for more extreme off-road adventures .
It is noteworthy that the new DesertX features unprecedented tyre sizes for a Ducati : 21 " at the front and 18 " at the rear . The original equipment tires are the Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR , 90 / 90-21 and 150 / 70 R18 : the perfect choice for a brilliant all-round use of the bike . DesertX will also be homologated to fit both off and on-road-oriented tyres .
Like all Ducati motorcycles the braking system of this new bike benefits from ABS Cornering function . The front features Brembo M50 monobloc radial calipers with four 30mm diameter pistons , axial pump with adjustable levers and double 320mm discs with aluminum flanges . At the rear , on the other hand , a single 265mm diameter disc on which a twin-piston floating caliper , again by Brembo . The braking power setting has been conceived to offer great modulability in off-road riding as well as on slippery surfaces , not to mention the fact that it grants the right dose of power in road use .
The ergonomics of the new DesertX have been developed over long and demanding off-road and on-asphalt test sessions . The saddle-footrest-handlebar triangulation gives its best while standing up and offers a good level of comfort even on on-road riding . The end result is a bike with an extremely slim fitting area and perfectly linked surfaces that guarantee the rider maximum control and handling . The seat is 875mm high . The combination of a particularly narrow inner leg curve and initial suspension compliance ensures good contact with the ground . The saddle height can still be reduced by means of a lowered saddle ( available as an accessory ); thanks to an ad hoc kit , saddle height can be further lowered .
Ducati technicians have also worked hard on a full suite of contents that make DesertX a truly enjoyable bike on whatever road one rides . The riding position , for example , is even more comfortable for rider and passenger alike , thanks to the definition of the shape and padding targeted for each of the two seats . Heat management was studied in detail with openings and flows of fresh air whilst aerodynamic protection is ensured by the great care taken in defining the shape and size of the original windshield and
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