Ducati Desert X vs KTM 890 Adventure R

Well done, balanced comparison. Thank you for spending the time to put it together! Throttle down🏍

Thanks for the review, man. Really enjoyed it!

I've owned both...IMO the serviceability of the two bikes is a big difference. Air Filter? 5 minutes on a KTM, probably a few hours the first or second time on the Ducati. And if you ride in dusty condition like we have here in Central Oregon, changing an air filter every 6,000 miles is crazy. I can clog up a filter in 3-4 days of riding if I'm in a group. Also, you're probably looking at $2,000 for a valve service on the Duc's Desmo drivetrain. All that aside if you're not off roading on a regular basis the Ducati is just a dream on tarmac.

Great video. Enjoyed. I went with the 890s brother bike in the Husky Norden 901 Expedition and love it so much. Thanks for the video as I like the X a lot too. But living in the mtns of NC/TN it’s an easy choice for me. 890/901! All day long! 🏍️💨

Very nice videos because you bring it to point! Thank you👍👍

Thanks! Nice review. Helped me! Cheers!

Nice job here...Thanks for taking the time. Great explanation of how these bikes best fit here in the US.

Thats great man thanks for the video, showed me everything I wanted to know... I always want to know how it does at 100 too, lol and how it wheelies... first review I saw of yours you did a good job appreciate it.

Good video. I have a DX. Amazing bike if you like to rip fast flowing gravel, sand and logging roads. Also outstanding in twisties, however wind protection and buffeting is terrible at 60mph+..I would guess the 890 suspension is superior and so it wins out in more technical terrain…but unless you live close to that, how often are you likely to ride it?

Awesome video! You nailed the KTM based on my own experience. I'm fascinated by the Ducati. I'm kinda on the fence about it but the rebel in me wants to ride the Ducati sans armor and let it get beat up a bit. I'd be the coolest Old Fart at the Tim Hortons.

When I first got there in 1971, I rode all the way through it. I went back in 2015 on a BMW R 1200 GSA. Believe it or not, I rode it on a HD Sportster in 71. 🙀

One of the best adventure bike review ever seen on youtube

Good video, appreciate it! I have a question about suspension comparison, 890 is your bike, DDX is your friends bike; is your WP suspension, set up for you? and was the DX set for you, or the owner? I’m stoked to get DX btw!! Cheers

Good review! Looks like southern Illinois

Would love to see your take on the Norden 901 Expedition, addreses some of the issues you mention on the 890

Hello , thank you for your video , I just sold my bmw 1250gs Hp and those are the bikes that I am interested to buy.. Very good video and analyses the differents of those bikes .. I prefer the Ducati but I do a lot of off road adventure trips and maybe I ll go for the ktm.. Thank you again from Greece

The concerns with the air filter change accessibility and laboursome task can be overcome by instaling a new carbon fibre tank from Aurora rally equipment. You can then change the air filter in seconds.

Thanks for the video, interesting stuff. I don’t think you mentioned how hard it is to change the air filter on the Ducati (also true for the rally version). If you’re doing long miles off road in a group in dust this is a real issue.

Excellent video and thank you! Ok, own the DesertX, love it. And, guess what, on the way to the shop to get the protection package installed, tipped over in the truck and yup put a healthy dent in the tank and yes I was sick about it, but, hey pulled the dent out a bit, put on a sticker and all good with a little salt. Spent some time on the machine in Norther New Mexico on the FS roads, with some of the roads offering up some challenging terrain, over all the bike was very stable. Got into some mud, no so good, tires of course. Dropped it twice, slow speed of course, picked it up, protection package did just that, so good with that. Anyways, looking forward to continued riding. I also own a '22 V4S, a few forest service roads, but wouldn't think of taking it where I took my Desert X, so for me, living the dream! Take care!

890 is slipping and the increase in premature engine wear won’t help. Ducati will likely have it on longevity and resale. But you can get some deep discounts right now on the KTM, so could be a good buy if you don’t plan on keeping it to the 30k mile plus mark.