DDX Steg Pegz

 

Last week I was perusing the Ducati Desert X Owners Australia FB page and came across a post from a bloke in Sydney who was wanting Steg Pegz for his DX. He had been in touch with Steve, the owner of Steg Pegz to tee up a bike for a measure up and fitting. I had a couple of days free so volunteered to ride the 150-odd kilometres up to the Sunshine Coast to be there at 0730 and have my bike measured. 

Steve thought it might take all day so I organised to catch up with a mate who lives up this way for a coffee at 10am. I was surprised then when Steve rang at 0945 to say the bike was done! 

After a leisurely coffee with Deano I Ubered it back to Steve’s workshop where my bike was waiting. It hadn’t taken long to make the brackets up as they are very similar to the Africa Twin’s brackets. 

I think they look pretty good and blend in with the overall appearance of the bike.

I guess I could always paint the brackets black if they start to hurt my eyes.

The first set of Steg Pegz for a Desert X in the world. Trail blazing! 😎

So here I was, in the middle of the Sunshine Coast with my bike done and a cracking, clear afternoon at my disposal. What to do?

Best I head out west and try these Pegz out on some dirt! I have never ridden a bike with Steg Pegz but those who do, swear by them. Heading west to Yandina I stood up and was instantly a believer! The Pegz support the back of your boot, behind your calf so you go from 4 points of contact on the bike to 6. This not only feels far more stable but it takes all the load off of your hands and arms, especially on uphill sections.

I decided to climb the range up to Mapleton, then head out to Kenilworth and Jimna, via Conondale Forest. It had rained this morning so the roads were damp, yet grippy. Perfect conditions for the Pirelli Scorpion STRs that come standard on the DX.

I stopped briefly at the Ghurulla (pronounced Cheerulla) trail bike area for a look. I hadn’t been here since about 2006 on my XR400R and was excited to be reminded of it’s 18km one way loopy goodness. I must bring Will and his SWM out here.

I continued through Kenilworth for a splash of fuel then headed off for the 40-odd kilometres along Sunday Creek Road. My last visit here was in 2013 on one of my first bikepacking rides.

Sunday Creek road is a great ride through beautiful lush bush land but it does get quite rocky in the centre of the forest. This looks to be man laid as the road would be red clay otherwise and probably slippery as hell because it is often wet.

I had a couple of slips in clay puddles but just let the bike track, then corrected when I came out the other side.

😳

 These STR tyres aren’t so good in the slippery stuff.

I stood up for most of the dirt sections of the ride and must say I love the Steg Pegz. I will be grabbing a pair for the SWM now as well.

After a spirited ride up over Mt Mee, I bashed my way through afternoon peak hour traffic but I had had a great day out on the bike. 425km was a pretty decent effort and I was home before dark. (I hate these short winter days)

The hashed section depicts dirt. 

For my  trouble (getting on the road at 5am) I was given the gift of these Pegz and the dubious honour of being the first owner in the world with a set! 😎

Thanks to Steve of Steg Pegz for hooking me up. It is an amazing business he has built, operating out of a small unit in an industrial complex. You would never suspect this is where the worldwide supply of Steg Pegz comes from!

I look forward to putting them to good use with some leave I have coming up in August.

Cheers.