BMW F 900 R versus Ducati Desert X
BMW F 900 R
Naked
Ducati Desert X
Adventure
Year of construction / RRP / Test report
Built von 2019 bis 2024~
Built von 2022 bis 2024~
RRP 9.400 €
RRP 16.790 €
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Competitors
Pros:
- Engine
- Basic price
- Comfort
Pros:
- adult appearance
- technically (almost) fully equipped
- Engine with pressure and character
- wonderful suction noise
- drives equally well on road and off-road
- Long warranty and service intervals
Cons:
- Windbreak
- Pillion comfort
Cons:
- Quickshifter smooth only at higher speeds
- Accessories sometimes very expensive
- Heated grips not standard
- moderate wind protection
Dimensions & Weight
Wheelbase: 1.518 mm
Length : 2.140 mm Height : 1.130 mm
Seat : 815 mm
Weight : 211 (max: 430 ) kg
Length : 2.140 mm Height : 1.130 mm
Seat : 815 mm
Weight : 211 (max: 430 ) kg
Wheelbase: 1.608 mm
Length : 2.390 mm Height : 1.425 mm
Seat : 875 mm
Weight : 223 kg
Length : 2.390 mm Height : 1.425 mm
Seat : 875 mm
Weight : 223 kg
Engine
Motor design: In-line motor 2 Cylinder
Displacement: 895 ccm
Hub: 77 mm
Hole: 86 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: O-Ring Kette
Aisles: 6
Displacement: 895 ccm
Hub: 77 mm
Hole: 86 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: O-Ring Kette
Aisles: 6
Motor design: V2 2 Cylinder
Displacement: 937 ccm
Hub: 68 mm
Hole: 94 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 6
Displacement: 937 ccm
Hub: 68 mm
Hole: 94 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 6
Performance
Maximum speed: 216 km/h
Performance: 105 HP at 8.500 U/Min
Torque: 92 NM bei 6.500 U/Min Tank contents: 13 Litre
Consumption: 4 l
Reach: 310 km
Performance: 105 HP at 8.500 U/Min
Torque: 92 NM bei 6.500 U/Min Tank contents: 13 Litre
Consumption: 4 l
Reach: 310 km
Maximum speed: 240 km/h
Performance: 110 HP at 9.250 U/Min
Torque: 92 NM bei 6.500 U/Min Tank contents: 21 Litre
Consumption: 6 l
Reach: 375 km
Performance: 110 HP at 9.250 U/Min
Torque: 92 NM bei 6.500 U/Min Tank contents: 21 Litre
Consumption: 6 l
Reach: 375 km
Chassis
Frame type:
Bridge frame in shell construction (steel) Front suspension:
Upside-down fork, Ø 43 mm (travel 135 mm) Rear suspension:
Directly hinged central strut, spring base hydraulically adjustable, rebound damping adjustable (travel 142 mm)
Rear suspension:
Aluminum two-arm swingarm Tyres at the front: 120/70 ZR 17
Rear tyres: 180/55 ZR 17
Bridge frame in shell construction (steel) Front suspension:
Upside-down fork, Ø 43 mm (travel 135 mm) Rear suspension:
Directly hinged central strut, spring base hydraulically adjustable, rebound damping adjustable (travel 142 mm)
Rear suspension:
Aluminum two-arm swingarm Tyres at the front: 120/70 ZR 17
Rear tyres: 180/55 ZR 17
Frame type:
Tubular space frame (steel) Front suspension:
KYB USD 46 mm, fully adjustable (travel 230 mm) Rear suspension:
KYB Monoshock, fully adjustable (travel 220 mm)
Rear suspension:
Alu two-arm swingarm Tyres at the front: 90/90-21
Rear tyres: 150/70R18
Tubular space frame (steel) Front suspension:
KYB USD 46 mm, fully adjustable (travel 230 mm) Rear suspension:
KYB Monoshock, fully adjustable (travel 220 mm)
Rear suspension:
Alu two-arm swingarm Tyres at the front: 90/90-21
Rear tyres: 150/70R18
Brakes
Front brake
Double disc brake, floating brake discs, 4-piston radial caliper (∅ 320 mm) Rear brake
Single disc brake, 1-piston floating caliper (∅ 265 mm)
Double disc brake, floating brake discs, 4-piston radial caliper (∅ 320 mm) Rear brake
Single disc brake, 1-piston floating caliper (∅ 265 mm)
Front brake
Double disc, Brembo monobloc calipers (∅ 320 mm) Rear brake
Single disc, Brembo two-piston caliper (∅ 265 mm)
Double disc, Brembo monobloc calipers (∅ 320 mm) Rear brake
Single disc, Brembo two-piston caliper (∅ 265 mm)
Ideal for a sporty short trip
If things go the way they did with their predecessor, BMW has a potential bestseller in its range with the F 900 R. Why not: The machine is quite cheap for BMW ratios and at the same time quite good.
You just have to know what you want. This bike is ideal for a sporty excursion without great travel ambitions. Whose wish this was always: Test drive please!
The test bike was provided to us by Bergmann and Söhne in Pinneberg near Hamburg.
Conclusion - what sticks
Ducati has achieved a great success with the Desert X. The machine can do a lot, but is not exactly a bargain. Whether so much technology has to be in an off-road travel enduro is certainly not without controversy. There will be both parties, namely those who say: "Too much stuff" and those who say: "Cool, finally modern technology on a real terrain machine".The test bike was kindly provided by Ducati Hamburg . There is the Desert X as a demonstrator and may be very gladly driven by you. Or you just drop by Ducati Hamburg and enjoy the beguiling sight of Italian motorcycle building art. You will certainly stop in front of the Superleggera. Take coffee, enjoy it and check your account balance! And remember: We only live once and life is damn short.
