Ducati’s relentless regeneration of its range is continuing at pace with the announcement of a new version of the DesertX, the Italian brand’s hardcore adventure bike.

First introduced around five years ago, the DesertX has always been among the most off-road focussed adventure bikes you can buy, with a dominating presence and genuine rally raid credentials inspired by the brand’s 1990s Dakar rally wins. In many ways the arrival of a new version isn’t a major surprise.

The original version utilised Ducati’s Testastretta engine, with its desmodromic valve operation, and with the Italian company withdrawing that powerplant and replacing it with the lighter and lower maintenance V2 motor, the DesertX follows the Monster, Multistrada, Panigale and Streetfighter in adopting the new engine. If there’s any surprise, it’s simply the relative lack of fanfare made by Ducati in unveiling its new machine.

And although DesertX v2 looks like the original at first glance, thanks in no small part to having a very similar livery and the distinctive headlight design, it’s actually pretty much a new design from the ground up.

As well as adopting a 110bhp version of the latest 890cc engine, which eschews Ducati’s previously favoured desmodromic valve actuation in favour of traditional springs, the DesertX also gets a new frame. Like other models in the Ducati range, the big rally-inspired machine gets a monocoque frame which uses the engine as a structural element. The airbox is also integrated into the monocoque, creating the basis for a chassis which is said to be stiffer and more compact than before.

Priced at a launch offer of £14,995, it sits in a fairly unique place in the adventure bike market. We’d say KTM’s 890 Adventure R is probably the closest competitor, while Honda’s Africa Twin has similar presence but with a more road-orientated stance.

The Ducati is priced above the base versions of those two rivals but packs the kind of high specification and premium touches you’d expect from the Audi-owned brand. The new Kayaba forks offer independent adjustability on each leg, allowing riders to really modify the off-road set-up of their machine with great accuracy, while the arrangement at the rear is also interesting.

The progressive ‘Full Floater’ set-up creates a softer feeling in the initial part of the stroke for greater comfort, while offering more support when the shock moves deeper into the stroke under hard riding. The braking is also top notch, with Brembo M4.32 calipers specced as standard.

With its tall suspension and 21” front wheel, it remains a huge motorcycle that’s not going to be for everyone, but with the lighter engine and a reshaped and lighter fuel tank, which still holds 18 litres of unleaded, it should be more manageable. The 880mm seat height means it remains a machine for taller riders, although an optional lower seat and suspension kit can get that down to 840mm. With a relatively slim waistline, the DesertX has never really been as intimidating to ride as it looks.

Otherwise it’s all as you would expect from a £15k Ducati. The company’s comprehensive electronics package is regarded as among the best out there and once again is on display. The de rigueur six-axis IMU means it’s all lean sensitive, while there are a bunch of settings developed especially for off-road riding – an environment the original DesertX found itself more than comfortable with.

Indeed, Ducati shows no sign of softening off the DesertX’s tough guy image. Those looking for a more road orientated adventure bike are well catered for with the Multistrada range, leaving the DesertX to fulfil the more niche role as the road going big enduro bike. A whole host of accessories help kit it out further for those adventures off the beaten path with parts including an eight litre auxiliary fuel tank, crash protectors and pukka Pirelli Scorpion trail tyres all among the homologated options.

We think the new engine should really suit the DesertX. Although it might not pack massive performance figures, the tractability has impressed us in other models – with the variable valve timing system contributing to a very impressive spread of power and torque throughout the rev range.

It should be in showrooms from April, with Ducati suggesting the £14,995 launch price will be held through to the end of June.