Ducati has officially started production of its first-ever motocross bike, the Desmo450 MX, at its Borgo Panigale facility in Italy. The rollout coincided with Jeremy Seewer’s impressive second-place finish at the French Grand Prix, marking a proud moment for the brand as the initial units come off the line.
Source : Internet
The Desmo450 MX was developed specifically for racing with input from motocross champions Tony Cairoli and Alessandro Lupino. Despite its launch, Ducati currently has no plans to introduce the Desmo450 MX in India due to limited demand for motocross bikes in the country. Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali highlighted the company’s unique blend of racing heritage and production expertise, saying, “We discovered that Ducati’s true strength lies in the close relationship between racing and production motorcycles, supported by passionate off-road enthusiasts within our team. This has enabled us to create the Desmo450 MX — a high-performance yet user-friendly machine suited for both amateurs and pros.”
Packed with modern electronics, the Desmo450 MX includes traction control, launch control, two selectable riding modes, engine braking management, and connectivity with the X-Link app for enhanced tuning and diagnostics.
Under the hood, the bike is powered by a 449.6cc single-cylinder engine featuring Ducati’s signature Desmodromic valve system. It produces 62 bhp at 9,400 rpm and a peak torque of 53.5 Nm at 7,500 rpm, with a rev limiter set at 11,900 rpm. The powertrain pairs with a 5-speed gearbox equipped with a quickshifter for smooth upshifts.
The chassis is built around an aluminium perimeter frame, complemented by a 49 mm inverted front fork and a rear monoshock. The front suspension offers 310 mm of travel, while the rear provides 301 mm, both fully adjustable to suit different terrains and rider preferences. Braking duties are handled by Galfer discs — a 260 mm disc at the front with a two-piston floating caliper, and a 240 mm disc at the rear with a single-piston caliper.
The Desmo450 MX rides on 21-inch front and 19-inch rear wheels, fitted with Pirelli Scorpion MX32 Mid-Soft tires, designed to deliver optimal grip on off-road surfaces.
