How Much Power Does the 2023 Ducati DesertX Make?

Last year, Italian motorcycle manufacturer Ducati introduced its most capable off-road adventure bike to date, the Ducati DesertX ($17,095). Powered by the versatile, liquid-cooled 937cc 11° Testastretta twin, the DesertX was quick to impress the Cycle World staff. After riding them in Europe and Colorado during press events, we were able to secure one of our own to put through our testing procedures and see where the DesertX fits in our performance database.

Before going on our in-house Dynojet 250i dynamometer, the 2023 Ducati DesertX fitted with accessory crashbars, aluminum hand guards, and aluminum skid plate, tipped the Cycle World automotive scales at 518 pounds. This puts it between the 2021 KTM 890 Adventure R (469 pounds on ours scales) and 2022 KTM 1290 Super Adventure R (545 pounds CW scales).

Loaded onto the Cycle World Dynojet before being prepped for our full off-road test, the 2023 Ducati DesertX produced a peak 93.73 hp at 9,060 rpm and 57.10 lb.-ft. of torque at 6,200 rpm. Again placing it in the middle of the 2022 KTM 1290 Adventure R (136.32 hp and 87.45 lb.-ft. torque) and the 2021 KTM 890 Adventure (86.46 hp and 58.10 lb.-ft. torque). A linear powerband and a fairly flat torque curve attribute to the rideability of DesertX over a multitude of surfaces.

Another highly capable adventure bike entering the market only further complicates the question: What ADV are you buying?