Ducati is making it clear that it wants a piece of the off-road pie. Their first attempt to enter this hotly contested arena is their new, soon to be available, Desmo450 MX. It arrives after years-long development with development rider inputs from 9-time FIM Motocross World Champion Tony Cairoli and 2024 Italian Motocross Champion Alessando Lupino.

Desmo, Desmo, Desmo

Perhaps the biggest news about the Desmo450 MX is between its twin-spar aluminum perimeter frame rails. Firmly mounted inside is a Ducati-designed single-cylinder, 449.6 cc desmodromic engine. The Desmo450 MX desmodromic engine offers several advantages, especially its ability to operate at very high revs. Ducati says that the engine offers a faster start at the gate and the ability to gain the hole shot against competitors.

Closeup of the the Desmo450 MX’s desmodromic engine. Photo: Ducati

The powerplant’s claimed output is a maximum 65.3 hp at 9,400 rpm while delivering 39.5 lb-ft of torque. According to the Italian manufacturer, the machine “…offers the ability to maximize every gear ratio at the start and through corners, thanks to its particularly favorable power delivery, which combines torque at low and medium revs with impressive over-rev capabilities.”

Not only is the engine significant, but Ducati is also proud of the bike’s frame. Its design allows the engine to have intake and exhaust ducts as straight as possible to improve engine performance. Weighing only 19.7 pounds, the Desmo450 MX’s frame has fewer welds, enabling Ducati to hit its targets for lightness, reliability, and rigidity.  All up, the Desmo450 MX tilts the scales at a claimed 231 pounds without fuel. With a full 1.9-gallon fuel tank, the motocross machine should weigh in at about 243 pounds.

Suspension And Braking

Ducati selected Showa as the supplier for the Desmo450 MX’s suspension. The bike’s fully adjustable Showa fork features 49 mm inverted stems, 310 mm of travel, and a Kashima coating treatment on the stanchions. At the rear, the shock absorber is also fully adjustable, offering 301 mm of travel.

Photo: Ducati

To put the whoa on the go, the Desmo450 MX is equipped with Brembo braking components. The setup uses a two-piston floating caliper at the front and a single-piston caliper at the rear. Both calipers clamp on Galfer brake discs measuring 260 mm at the front and 240 mm at the rear.

Electronics

Electronics continue to play key roles in racing. Accordingly, the Desmo450 MX comes equipped with technological gadgets learned from Ducati’s racing in MotoGP and World Superbike. In the dirt, traction is key, so Ducati spent much of its time developing its Ducati Traction Control (DTC) for its motocross bikes. DTC calibrates power based on actual rear wheel slip and inertial vehicle dynamic measurements, which Ducati says ensures effective, prompt, and smooth intervention.

The DTC system recognizes situations when it should remain inactive. Ducati’s example is when the bike makes jumps. During these times, DTC automatically disables itself. In addition, if the rider identifies places where they do not want any intervention, the system can be disabled with a light pull on the clutch lever. DTC will then automatically re-engage after an unstated interval of time. For fine-tuning, DTC offers four different levels of intervention. The Desmo450 MX also comes with Launch Control and Engine Brake Control which can be set for different levels of intervention.

Each of these features is associated with two separate Riding Modes. The rider can change these modes to adjust to their preferences and the characteristics of the race track. Changes to the machine’s parameters can be made via Ducati’s X-Link app.

Maintenance

Ducati says the Desmo450 MX was designed not only for performance but also to reduce maintenance costs. Items such as piston replacement and valve clearance checks are scheduled for 45 hours. At 90 hours, Ducati says it is time to perform a total engine overhaul.

Making A Race Machine

But what if you want to make your Desmo450 MX into a serious off-road racing machine? If you are planning on winning championships, Ducati accessories can help you upgrade your machine. For example, if you wanted to create a replica of the Desmo450 MX ridden in the MXGP World Championship by Jeremy Seewer and Mattia Guadagnini, you could, thanks to the parts and accessories in Ducati’s Performance Catalog. Everything except the official Showa suspension is available to privateer riders.

Ducati’s competition performance parts presently include components machined from solid aluminum. You can purchase competition items such as wheel hubs, triple clamps, and if desired, complete exhaust or Akrapovič titanium slip-on silencer and Brembo Racing brake calipers.

Availability and Pricing

The Ducati Desmo450 MX will arrive on European dealer floors in June 2025. Bikes will hit North American showroom floors in July, with the rest of the world following later. The Desmo450 MX’s MSRP for the USA is $11,495.

More Off-Road To Come

Riding the buzz of this new machine, Ducati says that the Desmo450 MX is only the first model “…in a complete range of specialist off-road bikes, designed to introduce the Borgo Panigale company to new terrains, connect with new motorcyclists, and expand the Ducatisti community.” Additionally, Ducati says that to ensure its dealers know and understand off-road bikes and the off-road community, it is holding special training for its dealers.

Desmo 450 Specifications (provided by Ducati)

• Main standard features
  • Desmo450 single-cylinder engine, 449.6 cc
  • Maximum power of 63.5 hp at 9,400 rpm, Maximum torque of 39.5 lb-ft at 7,500 rpm
  • Twin-spar Aluminum frame
  • 1.9 US-gallon fuel tank
  • Showa 49 mm upside-down forks, fully adjustable, 310 mm travel, and Kashima Coating on the fork legs
  • Showa fully adjustable monoshock, 301 mm wheel travel
  • Cast aluminum swingarm
  • Brembo braking system with single Galfer discs, 260 mm (front) and 240 mm (rear)
  • Pirelli Scorpion MX32 Mid-Soft tires, 80/100-21” and 110/90-19”
  • DID chain final transmission
  • Takasago Excel aluminum rims with Alpina spokes, 21” x 1.60” and 19” x 2.15”
  • 2 Power Modes, 2 Riding Modes
  • Riding Modes configurable via the accessory X-Link app
  • New generation electronics package with Ducati Traction Control (DTC); Power Launch; Quick Shift, Engine Brake Control.
  • Piston replacement every 45 hours
  • Valve clearance check every 45 hours