In December, we managed a quick trip to the Croatian island of Krk, where we tested DUCATI ADVENTURE motorcycles—specifically the Desert X and the Multistrada V4 Rally models. Joining us and capturing perfect shots from the trip was one of the best motorcycle photographers and videographers, Jakub from ENDURO ACADEMY. Thanks to him, several truly great photos and an aftermovie were created, which you will soon see on our YouTube channel.
I had the chance to watch several videos and reviews about riding Ducati, but as the saying goes: “Better to twist the throttle once than hear a hundred times how someone else did.” ;))
This article is not about detailed reviews of these motorcycles—you can easily find plenty of those on the internet. I simply want to share my impressions with you and, above all, some great moments from the trip.
Oh yes—and that motorcycle is the DESERT X. Anyone who loves motorcycle travel combined with off-road riding (I am a living example) is constantly searching for the most versatile bike possible—one that can handle long road transfers, provide comfort, be fun on asphalt and in mountain passes, and still perform well off-road. And as a bonus, you can even travel on it with a passenger. In my opinion, the Ducati Desert X delivers exactly that. Its strong 937 cc engine with 110 horsepower, compared to competitors with smaller displacement, guarantees incredible fun on the road. At times you even feel like you’re riding a road bike crossed with a motard. (Personally, I miss this feeling on the Tenere or Tuareg.) A big advantage is also the cruise control and the wider rear part of the seat, which makes it possible to go on trips with a passenger as well.
Thanks to multiple riding modes, you can set exactly what you need—from city traffic and a relaxed ride for coffee, to race mode on asphalt where you really start to sweat, and enduro and rally modes that guarantee pure nirvana for every off-road rider. Riding in the terrain is very comfortable and natural thanks to the narrow mid-section, well-positioned footpegs, and handlebars. Combined with an excellent suspension and plenty of power, it takes off-road riding to a completely different level. Despite all this, the Desert X still maintains a very respectable weight of around 223 kg with a full 21-liter fuel tank, which is also more than decent compared to the competition. So in my opinion, the Desert X is truly one of the most—if not the most—versatile motorcycles on the market.
A motorcycle has to be light and without electronics—otherwise it becomes heavy, boring, and an over-modernized monster. I lived with this belief for quite a long time myself, until I got on the Multistrada V4 Rally and realized how wrong I had been. Writing about riding on the road probably isn’t even necessary—riding modes, 170 horsepower, maximum comfort, a perfect suspension setup, and so on. I expected it to be great, but in reality it is even better. After riding this motorcycle, I understood how someone can cover 1,000 km in a single day on the road and still feel perfectly fine :)) What shocked me the most, however, was riding it off-road. The perfect power delivery in Enduro mode ensures that riding off the asphalt is completely smooth, and the motorcycle’s overall design works brilliantly as well. I would never have expected such a large touring motorcycle to be so controllable in terrain, even when riding standing on the pegs. The suspension does an excellent job and, thanks to the bike’s balance, handling remains surprisingly easy despite its weight of around 260 kg.
As I mentioned, we will be releasing a video very soon, and it will definitely be a great one :)) For now, check out our photo report and follow our social media so you don’t miss anything.
And by the way, the island of Krk—just a few hours by highway from Slovakia—offers beautiful panoramic rides along the coast, gravel and asphalt roads, as well as landmarks that are definitely worth seeing. So I highly recommend it. 
