Become a Member: Get Ad-Free Access to 3,000+ Reviews, Guides, & More

Ducati Desert X Beats Out Multistrada V4 S

Featuring the Top 2022 Bikes in AMCN's ‘Motorcycle of the Year’ (MOTY) Awards

Ducati's DesertX. Media sourced from CycleWorld.
Ducati's DesertX. Media sourced from CycleWorld.

Around the world, platforms are swinging a leg over the favorite bikes of 2022, ranking big-bore, supersport, and ADV-inclined machines from best to worst – and apparently, AMCN’s ‘Motorcycle of the Year’ (MOTY) is none other than Ducati’s new off-roading aficionado. 

The reason for the choice? It appears our industry’s hype for more versatile scoots isn’t a bunch of baloney; the Desert X’s capabilities (both off-road and on-road) impressed the AMCN team – especially considering the bike’s Dakar-inspired styling and aggressive aesthetics had many believing this bike was a one-trick pony. 

“…simply labeling [the Ducati Desert X] an off-road bike is selling it way short,” concurs AMCN

Ducati's DesertX. Media sourced from CycleWorld.
Ducati’s DesertX. Media sourced from CycleWorld.

“While there are two off-road ride modes (Rally and Enduro), there are also four on-road ride modes (Sport, Touring, Urban and Wet) which ensure the DesertX is more of an all-rounder than its Dakar-inspired styling might suggest..and its bloody great fun to ride over just about any surface.”

Second place was the obligatory Yamaha MT-10…followed closely by the surprise single-cylinder supersport of the list, KTM’s RC 390

Ducati's DesertX. Media sourced from CycleWorld.
Ducati’s DesertX. Media sourced from CycleWorld.

Here are the other bikes in order: 

Husqvarna’s Norden 901

CFMoto 800MT Touring

Suzuki’s beloved GSX-S1000GT

Honda NT1100 DCT

Benelli’s Leoncino 800 round out the latter end of the docket, leaving us to wonder: What’s in store for 2023’s lists?

Do you agree with this order? Are there any bikes you’d add to the list, and why?

Be sure to stay tuned, drop a comment below, support AMCN by checking out their page, and as always – stay safe on the twisties!

*Media sourced from Cycle World and AMCN*