In this episode of the Throttle and Roast podcast, host Niels Meersschaert dives into the ADV and off-road news that matters most as riders gear up for the 2026 riding season. From updated Italian middleweights to Japanese rally-inspired machines, extended warranties, and true Hidden Gems for 2026, this episode has something for every kind of adventure rider.

Ducati Desert X — Italian Middleweight Gets a Refresh

Kicking things off is the updated Ducati Desert X, now powered by the new V2 motor found across the Ducati lineup. The new engine sheds a couple of pounds — bringing curb weight to approximately 461 lbs — and, more importantly, ditches the famously demanding Desmo valve system in favor of a traditional spring-based valve train. This change alone is a significant quality-of-life improvement, as Desmo valve services were notoriously complex and expensive. Power remains essentially unchanged at 110 hp and 68 ft-lb of torque from a slightly smaller 890cc engine. The fuel tank has been redesigned to carry weight lower on the bike, improving off-road handling and reducing that top-heavy feeling. Suspension is serious: 9.1 inches of travel up front from fully adjustable 46mm forks, and 8.7 inches out back. A new 5-inch horizontal TFT display, 6-axis IMU, six riding modes, and revised ergonomics with a more aggressive attack position round out the updates. The 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheel combination keeps this bike firmly in adventure-off-road territory rather than the more road-biased Multistrada lineup.

Yamaha Tenere 700 World Raid — The GSA of the Tenere Family

Next up is the long-awaited US arrival of the Yamaha Tenere 700 World Raid. Think of this as the premium, adventure-ready version of the already well-loved Tenere 700. The biggest complaint about the base model was its budget suspension, and the World Raid addresses this head-on with 46mm front forks offering 9.1 inches of travel — matching the Desert X — and a rear shock bumped up to 8.6 inches, both fully adjustable. The old LCD display is replaced with a full TFT screen, and the bike gains ride-by-wire, cruise control, lean-sensitive traction control, slide control, ABS, and improved LED headlights. The most visually striking upgrade is the new 6.1-gallon fuel tank, adding 1.8 gallons over the standard model for significantly extended range. All of this comes at just $2,000 more than the base Tenere — a strong value proposition when you consider that many Tenere owners were already spending $2,000–$3,000 just to upgrade the suspension aftermarket.

KTM and Husqvarna — Four Years of Peace of Mind

Following Bajaj's acquisition of KTM, there has been considerable concern among buyers about build quality and warranty coverage, particularly around CAM issues on 890-based engines. The previous 12-to-24-month factory warranty did little to inspire confidence. Bajaj has responded by extending the warranty on nearly all 2026 KTM and Husqvarna models to four full years — a move that should go a long way toward rebuilding buyer trust and bringing customers back into dealerships.

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