Ducati Desert X or Yamaha Tenere T700?

Oh well, I have owned and ridden both bikes in the same areas, in the beautiful Tasmanian mountains. Below are some of my findings:

Value for money:

Both bikes are really good for what you pay; the T7 has everything that a bike of $17,800 (2021 model) can offer.

The DDX has everything and more than the $24,400price tag that the current adventure bikes are offering, especially in electronics. If I were Ducati, I would originally tag the bike in the $28,000 range.

Riding Abilities:

It all depends on what you’re after and how you ride. The T7 has the basics, and sometimes that’s what you need off-road; on the tarmac, it starts showing small signs of instability, especially over 100 km/h.

The DDX has a bunch of electronics that make off-road riding easier, especially on gravel, with the “Enduro” or “Rally” modes and traction control adjustments.

On the tarmac, the DDX makes her appearance as a solid winner; the stability and power of the “Sport” riding mode make the bike dance in the curves; the “Touring” mode, especially with cruise control, allows a bit of relaxation of your handgrips (no, that is a good thing). The “wet” and “urban” are ok, I think; it’s not like you can feel anything out of the ordinary as you take most of the precautions on the road with your own riding abilities.

Comfort:

The T7 has a very comfy seat, and when you stand up on the pegs, the bike performs amazingly well, but in rough terrain without an upgraded suspension, the bike lacks comfort, and you will feel the pain.

The DDX has a good set, very comfy, but with some minor overheating you will feel it under your bum. Not to worry in Tasmania, where most of the time it’s cold, but in a warm environment, you wouldn’t be that happy. The stand-up position is superb, the suspensions work extremely well, and the bike will absorb the bumps nicely.

Conclusion:

If you cannot afford the DDX but have enough coins to pay for a Tenere 700, go for it; you won’t be disappointed at all. If you can stretch your budget to $24,400, you will have an amazing deal with the Ducati Desert X, as the bike is offering more than you are paying for it at its current price.

If you don’t have the budget or you don’t like any of them, then keep riding what you have, as the model or brand of your bikes doesn’t make the experience better or worse; it would be up to you to create your own adventure.

The two bikes are distinct from one another, the post didn’t compare them; rather, it focused on my personal experiences and the factors that led me to choose the DDX over another Yamaha or comparable model.

If you believe that this small article would be of interest to someone that you know, please share it and keep exploring alternatives.

Max