2026 Ducati DesertX and Monster to Get The New V2 Engine
Ducati’s lightest ever V-Twin to power more model lines
Ducati announced its new V2 engine on Halloween last fall, but didn’t wait long to deploy it on new Streetfighter, Panigale and Multistrada V2 models. But Ducati’s not stopping there, as Motorcycle.com has evidence the 890cc 90° V-Twin engine may be making its way to the Monster and DesertX as well.
Read more:
- Ducati Introduces The Next-Generation V2 Engine
- 2025 Ducati Panigale V2 S Review – First Ride
- 2025 Ducati Panigale V2 and Panigale V2 S – First Look
- 2025 Ducati Streetfighter V2 S Review – First Ride
- 2025 Ducati Streetfighter V2 and Streetfighter V2 S – First Look
- 2025 Ducati Multistrada V2 Review – First Ride
- 2025 Ducati Multistrada V2 and V2 S – First Look
The evidence comes via a new vehicle identification number decoder with “CONFIDENTIAL” written on it in big red letters published by the U.S. National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration. We expect the document will be taken down shortly, so it’s a good thing we’ve already got our grubby hands on it.
The decoder assigns letter codes for VINs to identify model lines and engine types. The decoder lists the current Monster, Monster+, Monster SP, and the Monster 30° Anniversario with the letter code “M” in the sixth position of their VIN codes, but it also adds a new entry for the Monster and Monster+ under “U”, alongside the models using the new V2 engine. Barring some kind of clerical error, we believe this indicates the Monster is receiving the new engine as well.
The DesertX is keeping its existing “N” code in its VINs, but we find further evidence of a new engine elsewhere in the decoder. For the 2026 VIN decoder, Ducati performed some housekeeping, removing some discontinued engines and freeing their letter codes to be used with new engines. That’s why codes “F” and “G” are now blank, when previously they were reserved for its 1,198cc Superquadro engines. Engine code “C” used to be reserved for the 1,079cc V-Twin engine used on the Scrambler 1100, but it has now been assigned to the 450cc Single on the Ducati Desmo450 MX.
There are three engine codes reserved for the new 890cc V2 engine. Code “8” is for the version used on the Panigale V2 and Streetfighter V2, while the Multistrada V2’s engine uses code “9” because it has a different transmission and a different state of tune. The engine code “A” used to be reserved for the entry level Scrambler Sixty2’s 399cc engine, but here, it’s been recycled for a new version of the new V2, with a note clarifying it “differs from 8 for gearbox dedicated for Desert X (sic).”
There’s not really much room for a clerical error here, as this plainly suggests the DesertX will be getting a version of the V2 engine as well.
Ducati calls the new V2 its lightest V-Twin engine ever, claiming a weight of just 120 pounds. The engine is currently available in two versions. The engine on the Panigale V2 and Streetfighter V2 claims 120 hp at 10,750 rpm with 68.8 lb-ft. at 8,250 rpm. The Multistrada V2’s version claims 115.6 hp and 67.9 lb-ft, with shortened ratios for gears 1 and 2. It’s unclear which versions will be used on the Monster V2 or DesertX V2, though the decoder does confirm another set of gear ratios for the DesertX.
We don’t expect Ducati to confirm the Monster V2, Monster+ V2, or DesertX V2 until the fall. If the past is any indication, they’ll likely be joined by a new Panigale V4 R among any other new or updated models for 2026.
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Dennis has been a part of the Motorcycle.com team since 2008, and through his tenure, has developed a firm grasp of industry trends, and a solid sense of what's to come. A bloodhound when it comes to tracking information on new motorcycles, if there's a new model on the horizon, you'll probably hear about it from him first.
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Great sleuthing again, Dennis! FWIW, I'm skeptical this engine is lighter than an air-cooled Duc once the weight of a radiator, hoses, and coolant are factored in.
I for one would be a starter for a lighter D x twin to replace KTM 1090r since KTM have gone a bit pear shaped !