By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Scrambler vs Adventure
Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled (MY2017) vs DesertX (MY2022)
Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled vs DesertX: two kinds of bike, and who each one is for.
Halfway down a rutted fire road, the Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled's suspension soaks up each hit, and it's an easy upright ride through them. The Ducati DesertX's suspension keeps the bike settled and tracking straight.
So which one do you buy?
Buy the Scrambler Desert Sled if…
Daily commuting & city riding
Clear pick: Scrambler Desert Sled
The Scrambler Desert Sled earns its keep in weekday traffic better than the other one. For a daily commuter, it's the clear choice.
Keeping running costs low
The pick: Scrambler Desert Sled
For a rider watching every dollar after the sale, the Scrambler Desert Sled is the clear choice.
The DesertX has the edge if…
Sporty riding on twisty roads
A touch ahead: DesertX
The DesertX nudges ahead once the pavement starts to wiggle. Credit harder acceleration and stronger brakes. Don't expect a night-and-day difference.
Which one's the smarter buy
Two different jobs
The Scrambler Desert Sled and DesertX sit in different classes, so value is a trade-off. Neither is the obvious better buy for the money.
What makes each one tick
Scrambler Desert Sled
Low in the revs, the Desert Sled's air/oil-cooled twin thumps out grunt and shoves hard through the middle, and it doesn't need to be wrung out. Through a bend on pavement, it's light and flicks from side to side on a chassis that eggs on a quicker pace. The brake lever works a 330 mm front brake that has 456 lb (207 kg) of bike to haul down. The spoked front wheel eats gravel.
DesertX
The DesertX's liquid-cooled twin pulls clean from low revs and doesn't run out of breath as it spins up hard. There's no drama at corner entry on the Blue Ridge Parkway, where the trellis frame steers in and the chassis holds its balance. With a full tank and luggage, it feels top-heavy in slow, technical terrain. In sand, the front stays put.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Scrambler Desert Sled has the lower wet weight: 456 lb (207 kg) vs 492 lb (223 kg).
- The DesertX makes more peak power: 111 hp (82 kW) vs 73 hp (54 kW).
- The DesertX makes more peak torque: 68 lb-ft (92 Nm) vs 50 lb-ft (68 Nm).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Sits this out: Scrambler Desert Sled
There's no comfort verdict for the Scrambler Desert Sled here. Its job is somewhere else.
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Not its job: DesertX
The DesertX has too much motor for a first bike. Get your basics down on something smaller.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
Scrambler Desert Sled
What owners say
Strengths
- Agile handling on pavement
- Genuine off-road capability
- Torquey, characterful engine
DesertX
What owners say
Strengths
- Smooth, powerful engine
- Premium electronics suite
- Sure-footed off-road handling
- Distinctive retro styling
Trade-offs
- Inadequate wind protection
- Heavy and tall for some riders
- High purchase price
- Top-heaviness when loaded
Known problems to check before you buy
Scrambler Desert Sled
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
DesertX
- Poor wind management Many owners complain about turbulent air flow and loud wind noise at cruising speeds, necessitating aftermarket screens to achieve touring comfort.
What they cost used
These prices compare a 3-year-old Scrambler Desert Sled with a 3-year-old DesertX.
- Scrambler Desert Sled
- about $7,800
- DesertX
- about $13,000
At three years old, the Scrambler Desert Sled sits around $7,800 while the DesertX runs about $13,000. That's a $5,200 gap in the Scrambler's favor. These are US market estimates, not live listings.
What they share
- Engine
- L-twin
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Fork
- Upside-down (USD)
Where the spec sheets split
| Scrambler Desert Sled | DesertX | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 33.9 in (860 mm) | 34.4 in (873 mm) |
| Wet weight | 456 lb (207 kg) | 492 lb (223 kg) |
| Scrambler Desert Sled | DesertX | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 803 cc | 937 cc |
| Cooling | Air/oil-cooled | Liquid-cooled |
| Power | 73 hp (54 kW) | 111 hp (82 kW) |
| Peak power at | 8,250 rpm | 9,250 rpm |
| Torque | 50 lb-ft (68 Nm) | 68 lb-ft (92 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 5,750 rpm | 6,500 rpm |
| Scrambler Desert Sled | DesertX | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 3.6 US gal (13.5 L) | 5.5 US gal (21 L) |
| Scrambler Desert Sled | DesertX | |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake | 330 mm | 320 mm |
| Front tire | 120/70-19 | 90/90-21 |
| Rear tire | 170/60-17 | 150/70-18 |
| Wheelbase | 59.3 in (1505 mm) | 63.2 in (1605 mm) |
| Ground clearance | 9.1 in (230 mm) | 9.8 in (250 mm) |
| Front travel | 7.9 in (200 mm) | 9.1 in (230 mm) |
| Rear travel | 7.9 in (200 mm) | 8.7 in (220 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| Scrambler Desert Sled | DesertX | |
|---|---|---|
| Traction Control | Not offered | Standard |
| Cruise Control | Not offered | Standard |
| Quickshifter | Not offered | Standard |
| TFT Display | Not offered | Standard |
| Smartphone Connectivity | Not offered | Option |
| Navigation | Not offered | Option |
| Luggage System | Not offered | Option |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
