First Look: Production Ducati Desmo450 MX
By Team TMX on 3rd Apr 25
The Desmo450 MX is Ducati’s first motocross bike and if you were impressed by Triumph’s first foray into the off-road market than prepare to have your socks blown clean off by this bad boy which on paper and judging by Mattia Guadagnini and Jeremy Seewer’s efforts in the early MXGP rounds, is something very special.
The Desmo450 MX is designed around the single-cylinder 449.6 cc engine with its Desmodromic valve train which Ducati claims allows the Desmo45MX to rev harder than the competition. The motor delivers a very strong torque curve at low revs, ensuring an abundance of power out of corners, with a linear delivery and incredible acceleration. The power curve provides the rider with 70% of the maximum torque at 4,200 rpm – maxing out at 7,500rpm – which Ducati claims makes the Desmo450 MX less demanding and tiring than a traditional 450. The maximum power of the Desmo450 engine is 63.5 hp at 9,400 rpm, and the maximum torque delivered is 53.5 Nm at 7,500 rpm. The limiter intervention is set at 11,900 rpm, a new benchmark for the category.
The lightweight aluminium frame has been designed to have as few welds as possible, increasing solidity, lightness and rigidity of the structure.
The Desmo450 MX also represents a first in the segment in terms of electronics. It is the first motocross bike in the world equipped with a patent pending Traction Control system. The system identifies when it should and should not be activated so as not to limit the performance of the bike. The Desmo450 MX Ducati Traction Control can be deactivated instantly by the rider.
The suspension and brakes of the Desmo450 MX were the subject of a targeted decision. Ducati relied on the long experience in racing competition of Showa, which was also chosen to facilitate setup for amateurs by virtue of the spring, and not air-based technical layout for the elastic component. The fork is fully adjustable, with 49 mm inverted stems, 310 mm travel and Kashima Coating treatment on the stanchions. The shock absorber is fully adjustable, the wheel travel is 301 mm.
As for the braking system, Ducati has also chosen in this area to collaborate with its long-standing partner Brembo on the development, also in Motocross, of benchmark braking systems as has been the case for many years on road bikes. There is a two-piston floating caliper at the front, and a single-piston caliper at the rear. Galfer brake discs are 260 mm at the front and 240 mm at the rear.
As well as the Ducati Traction Control system, electronic equipment also includes Launch Control and Engine Brake Control, which, like DTC, can be configured on different levels of intervention and associated with two Riding Modes that the rider can adapt to his needs and the characteristics of the track via the X-Link App. The gearbox is equipped with a Quickshifter in engagement.
The maintenance intervals have been defined with the aim of reducing the related costs for the customer. Piston replacement is set at 45 hours, together with the valve clearance check while the total engine overhaul is set at 90 hours.
A Ducati Performance catalogue makes it possible to create a replica of the Ducati Desmo450 MX ridden in the MXGP World Championship by Jeremy Seewer and Mattia Guadagnini. All the details of the 450 MX Factory, in fact, are available in the Ducati Performance catalogue with the sole exception of the official Showa suspension, which cannot be purchased by privateer riders.
The special parts offered include Factory components machined from solid such as wheel hubs, triple clamps, but also a complete exhaust or Akrapovi titanium slip-on silencer and Brembo Racing brake calipers. The list of available accessories will be progressively expanded.
Finally, to complete the Factory look, the Ducati Performance catalogue offers an entire technical collection created in collaboration with Drudi Performance. The offer consists of a complete Alpinestars jersey/pants/gloves/boots set, Arai helmet, wind vest, softshell and Spidi rain jacket.
The Desmo450 MX will arrive at selected European dealerships from June 2025, with distribution extending to North America in July, followed by the rest of the world.
Main standard features -
Desmo450 single-cylinder engine, 449.6 cc
Maximum power of 63.5 hp at 9,400 rpm, Maximum torque of 53.5 Nm at 7,500 rpm
Twin-spar Aluminium frame
7.2-litre 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 aluminium swingarm
Brembo braking system with single Galfer discs, 260 mm (front) and 240 mm (rear)
Pirelli Scorpion MX32 Mid-Soft tyres, 80/100-21” and 110/90-19”
DID chain final transmission
Takasago Excel aluminium 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
