Ducati Desert Sled Off road test

Ducati Desert Sled Off road test. This week we tested the brand new Ducati Desert Sled. I was lucky enough to bump into her almost by chance at the last motorcycle show in Milan. I stopped by the Ducati stand just to take a photo of the Multiestrada Enduro since I wanted to make a post about the Trail motorcycles at the show and suddenly, I ran into it. The first thing I thought was…but what is this??
I am a big fan of all things classic and the first memory that came to mind was the Husqvarna MC that Steve McQueen used to race with.

Almost without wanting to, a smile appeared on my face; those colors and shapes surprised me. Suddenly, a mischievous question crossed my mind...Will this Ducati Dessert Sled be used for off road riding or is it just a show off bike?

I'm going to get on!!

position and controls

If I decided to stay a while longer to find out more about it, it was because when I got on, it surprised me once again. Apparently comfortable seat, comfortable trail position, very correct handlebar height-width and ideal tank size for riding standing up without anything disturbing, long-travel adjustable suspensions... Apparently everything indicates that the Ducati Desert Sled could be a motorcycle suitable for track eventually.
So, decided!! I have to try that bike.
5 months have passed until finally, Ducati Spain has brought the first test units to its dealers and thanks to the good people I know, I have been one of the first to try it.
I headed to Ducati Barcelona on Paseo San Juan where I had met at 16:00 p.m. to test the Ducati Desert Sled. The only idea that ran through my mind was to see how this bike would do in the countryside. I had a mini recording equipment to do a good review of the bike. I was about to show up at the dealership in Enduro gear but I didn't want to scare the salesperson, so I went in street clothes. My surprise and disappointment was when the seller asked me to please not make tracks with it…. As?? Oh really?? Almost unintentionally, a "calm down, don't worry" came out of my mouth, I took the motorcycle and left.

And now that?

city ​​and highway

The first sensations about the Ducati Desert Sled around the city were very satisfactory; Perfect start, comfortable position, very fine engine sound for a Ducati. The motorcycle has good smooth running and great handling. The only "but" at the moment is the gear change, which was almost impossible to put in neutral with the bike stopped (in gear it is possible). This may also be because the bike only had 60 km when I picked it up. In the city I really liked its handling and brakes and on the highway I also loved the power when you push it to the limit. It's not a super sports car but the bike isn't bad at all. The passenger did not complain about comfort either, so I understand that it is also suitable for a ride as a couple.

tracks

We chose a location where I usually train with the Enduro motorcycle in my free time since I have it next to my house. Several tracks and ramps would be our setting for the test. Once well dressed and protected, I removed the rubber pads from the footrests and began to test the terrain as Luis Fonsi says, "des-pa-sito." I barely had to touch the position of the controls, the standing position is really comfortable and neither the tank nor the seat bothers me when "dancing" with the bike. Her height and weight distribution invite you to get into trouble with her because you guess that you can always get her out of trouble. I really liked the smoothness of the gas and the front brake, I couldn't enjoy the rear brake much because I didn't place it to my size and the worst thing is that I wasn't able to disconnect the ABS.
I am not very used to riding motorcycles with "19" front and 17" rear wheels since my enduro and trail bikes have always had 21" and 18" wheels and, although the difference is noticeable when overcoming some obstacles, I am sure That with a well-adjusted suspension, you can get much more out of the bike since my unit had it completely hardened and I almost ran out of teeth due to the little absorption that the bike had.

Conclusions

I liked the bike in general so much for aesthetics, performance, price and versatility. Of course, if I were to keep it, it needs several modifications to be my perfect Classic Trail.

Weak points and improvements

I am going to make a list of what I liked the least and assess whether it can be modified/improved or not.

• Travel preparation. Soon the auxiliary industry will begin to present luggage options for this model. Let's hope my friends at Mytech design me a case rack to put their prestigious and elegant aluminum cases on. A tank cover as a protector and a tank bag will not hurt the motorcycle for long trips.
• Rear grill. Essential, to be able to carry a bag Amphibious with basic tools.
• Rear license plate. That's not where I go!!! I do not like. It is one of the first pieces that I would remove from the bike. I would make one that is closer to the rear fender, that is more compact and with an Enduro license plate, of course.
• Screen. The motorcycle does not have any type of aerodynamic protection and although it is not very necessary for short distance off roading, it is for long distances. It will not be very difficult to design a screen that helps us a little to dissipate the air and at the same time protects the navigation elements.
• Cover levers. It will not be easy to find a model that fulfills its function but at the same time does not clash with the classic aesthetics of the motorcycle. But we will find it.
• Carter-cover. It is correct for eventual circulation on tracks but insufficient if I am going to give it the use I intend. Luckily, this also has an easy solution since I have friends and manufacturers who could make a more resistant one.
• footpegs. For my taste, they are not very sharp for off-road use, so they do not fit well in the boot, but this can be easily solved by adapting a model from the auxiliary industry. It is also true that they remain somewhat close to the ground for off road practice. That may change if we can get bigger wheels. The whole bike itself would be more raised.
• Suspension. The standard suspension is very hard even for the road where with any speed bump you leave your teeth. It may be that by regulating it we already find a good operation but in bad times, we would have to prepare them, something that is not difficult or expensive for us and the result is always sensational.
• Wheel 19″. It is not excessively difficult to change the front rim for a 21″ one to get better terrain reading and better absorption as well as greater ground clearance. It is not a cheap or legal modification if you do not homolog it, but without a doubt the result would be worth it.
• Wheel 17″. It would be necessary to look at the possibility of adapting an 18″ rim with a more enduring width to the rear. If that were possible, it would automatically become a very effective compact super trail.

As you will see, the motorcycle is a very good base to be able to modify it at will depending on what you intend to do with it or leave it as standard if its main use is going to be city, highway and some occasional track.
The trail is in fashion, the scrambler too and, with this Ducati Desert Sled, we inaugurate a new style…New Classic Trail!!!

I leave you a video of the test.