Third party protection

Also just stumbled upon this preview from Outback Motortek that looks nice and low for crash bars: Outback Motortek on Instagram: "Ducati DesertX - First prototype (spot welded only!) lower crash bars and skid plate. Upper crash bars will be presented in January along the water pump shield, pannier racks and rear rack. . #ducati #ducatidesertx #desertx #outbackmotortek"

superdecent said:

Also just stumbled upon this preview from Outback Motortek that looks nice and low for crash bars: Outback Motortek on Instagram: "Ducati DesertX - First prototype (spot welded only!) lower crash bars and skid plate. Upper crash bars will be presented in January along the water pump shield, pannier racks and rear rack. . #ducati #ducatidesertx #desertx #outbackmotortek"

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That looks really nice. Not sure about it not having a water pump guard though. Maybe they do just a different video? Looks like it could be a bit more weight with a plate covering the timing belt.
For what it's worth, I installed the OEM crash bars and brash plate. So far it has been holding up quite well but I haven't taken it through any rocky areas.

superdecent said:

Looks like SW is about to release a pretty large skid plate: Aluminum engine guard for Ducati Desert X

I wonder if it’ll play nice with the Hepco & Becker or OEM engine guards since it seems to rise up pretty high.

View attachment 373

I’ve been keen on getting a skid plate and crash guards, but unsure whether it’d be worth going OEM or picking up more pro per dollar by going third party. Anyone have feedback on third party parts they’ve been happy (or unhappy) with?

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I'm liking the looks of this SW-Motech skid plate. To clear the H&B crash bar lower cross-over tube, a portion of the skid plate leading edge may need to be trimmed right below the radiator and in front of the valve cover. Probably not a big deal.

Of more interest is whether the sub-brackets that attach to the motor mount will work with the H&B crash bar and water pump guard mounts. The nice thing about the SW-Motech brackets is they are separate pieces which could probably be modified or reproduced to be compatible if SW-Motech doesn't end up offering such a configuration.

I wonder if the lower rear mounts are compatible with the Ducati center stand?

It also looks as if some protection of the CAT could be easily added, especially if no center stand is used. Otherwise, I would expect the center stand itself would provide some protection.

Of all the skid plates that I've thus far seen, it's looking as if these are one of the more workable options with non-Ducati crash bars.

Looks like skid plate from Zard Italy

Zard Motorcycle exhausts | Sabbia Engine Guard for Ducati DesertX
This one looks great

JUANRA said:

Zard Motorcycle exhausts | Sabbia Engine Guard for Ducati DesertX
This one looks great

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It looks awesome, but I’d be worried about trapping branches and other objects in those sharp-angled cutouts. They look like a point of failure and frustration, as much as I enjoy the aesthetic.

superdecent said:

It looks awesome, but I’d be worried about trapping branches and other objects in those sharp-angled cutouts. They look like a point of failure and frustration, as much as I enjoy the aesthetic.

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Also, I don't see how the Zard would work with the H&B Crash Bars.

That is the one thing I learned with some of my other ADV bikes is to either check compatibility with other items or just go with one brand as it will all work together. Meaning I've bought an Altrider Crashbar set and a different brand skid plate and they wouldn't work together due to the way they mounted or used mount points.

I'm not a huge fan of SW-Motech and Heed. Fit and finish and engineering have been so-so. The OEM stuff is made by Touratech, which I've used in the past and liked. I can see in the above picture, the OEM Crashbars won't work with the SW Motech based on where or how it mounts to the engine bolt.

DucatiBart said:

That is the one thing I learned with some of my other ADV bikes is to either check compatibility with other items or just go with one brand as it will all work together.

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Yep, once you start mixing and matching different suppliers, it's caveat emptor.

yea looks like the hepco bars wont be able to attach to the front mounting point on the engine with the SW plate

Some renders of the Outback Motortek crash bars and skid plate are available on the non-US sites: Ducati DesertX – Ultimate Protection Combo

yea agree with "superdecent" these guys are also interesting -

barry937 said:

I'm really liking the As3 performance set up right now. -

DUCATI DESERT X 2022 AS3 PERFORMANCE CRASH BARS GUARDS

Our AS3 Performance crash bars, shown here in black, fit the Ducati Desert X. The crash bars come complete with all brackets and bolts to mount them to the motorcycle as pictured and fitting instructions are also provided. Click to view our complete collection of crash bars for Ducati...

www.as3performance.co.uk

View attachment 433

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That looks like the Adventure-Spec bars.

barry937 said:

EP Ducati DesertX Hand Guard Protectors (2022+)

We have manufactured a set of handguard protectors for the DesertX range of Ducati motorcycles. Not only do our handguards add increased protection to the OEM parts, they also offer increased weight to the end of the handlebar. CNC machined from aircraft grade billet aluminium. Finished in a...

evotech-performance.com

View attachment 435

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I have these. Bomber built for sure. Will mount up next weekend and post some pics. I like how you keep the factory guards and improve drop protection.

anyone can confirm or deny that those hand guards create some vibration on the bike.. probably due to weight (removing orginal wieghts which are heavy)?

andrzejba said:

anyone can confirm or deny that those hand guards create some vibration on the bike.. probably due to weight (removing orginal wieghts which are heavy)?

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Only 100miles since instal and I can’t tell any difference in vibration. The guards are heavy and one of the fittings places on each side is heavy as well. I would say the install items are heavier then items which were removed if that is your concern.