FIRST LOOK! THE 2026 DUCATI DESMO450MX PRODUCTION BIKE IS ON ITS WAY TO YOU
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The Desmo450 MX marks the debut of its first motocross bike (Actualactually Ducati built a Desmo Motocross bike in 1971. The new machine was built on the philosophy that has always been guidedby experience inracing competitions to help them implement their production bikes.
Thanks to this approach and a careful analysis of the segment, competitors, and the technical regulations of FIM and AMA, Ducati has created a light and reliable bike with a high-performance Desmodromic engine and electronic equipment that sets the benchmark in the category. The Desmo450 MX is capable of enhancing the riding skills of both professional and amateur riders, Due to its engine power delivery, chassis, and innovative electronics, this bike offers high performance while requiring reduced physical effort.
The Desmo450 MX is the first model in a complete range of specialist off-road bikes, designed to introduce Ducati to new terrains, connect with new motorcyclists, and expand the Ducatisti community. Ducati is prepared to welcome all future knobby-wheeled Ducatisti into the family.
CEO of Ducati Motor Holding Claudio Domenicali, said, “Over the past 18 months many people have asked me why Ducati decided to enter the world of professional off-road racing. The answer is simple: Ducati is a healthy company that generates resources, therefore has the opportunity to grow by opening up to a new segment of enthusiasts. We looked around and discovered that we have incredible resources within us to present the Desmo450 MX today.”
The Desmo450 MX features a single-cylinder 449.6 cc engine with a Desmodromic valve train that stands out in the specialized off-road landscape. It 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.
The lightweight aluminum frame is designed to minimize welds, enhancing the solidity, lightness, and rigidity of the structure. These design choices proved immediately successful in the race that Alessandro Lupino raced to become the Italian National Champion. These races helped define the bike that will go into production in mid-April and will serve as the best test bench for the ongoing development of the Desmo450 MX and all models that will become part of the range.
The bike, available for order from selected dealers, will arrive in Europe starting in June, followed by its launch in the United States and the rest of the world.
ENGINE
The design of the Desmo450 MX started from the engine, which features a Desmodromic valve train, the same system used on all the Ducati MotoGP. The desmo valve train offers several advantages over normal race engines. First is the ability to engine to operate at very high rpm, which enhances the likelihood of starting faster than competitorsand winning the coveted Holeshot award given to the rider who exits the first corner first. This award was claimed by the two official riders, Seewer and Guadagnini, in their debut race in the Motocross World Championship in Argentina, utilizing a production engine equipped solely with the complete Akrapovic exhaust, the same one that Ducati offers to every enthusiast through its Performance catalog.
The Desmo450 MX also delivers a strong torque curve at low revs, ensuring abundant power out of corners, with a linear delivery and unprecedented acceleration for its category. This distinctive power delivery curve provides the rider with 70% of the maximum torque at just 4200 rpm, making the Desmo450 MX less demanding and tiring than a traditional 450, which greatly benefits track performance and riding enjoyment. This capability stems from the Desmodromic valve system, which reduces the energy required to open the valves, enabling more aggressive lift profiles even with larger valve diameters.
Thanks to the bore and stroke measurements of 96 x 62.1 mm it was possible for Ducati to emply 40 mm intake valves and 33 mm exhaust valvese. The former are made of titanium, while the latter consist of steel with a hollow stem filled with sodium to enhance heat exchange, thereby increasing reliability and performance consistency.
COOLING
Particular attention was paid to the cooling system, featuring rhomboid-shaped radiators. These represent a new feature for the segment and allow for a 6.5% higher radiating surface compared to a traditionally shaped radiators, improving engine cooling while keeping the bike compact, thus offering the rider a high level of freedom of movement towards the front of the bike. .
HORSEPOWER
The maximum power of the Desmo450 engine of 63.5 hp at 9,400 rpm, with 39.5 pound-feet of torque at 7,500 rpm. The rev limiter is set at 11,900 rpm, establishing a new benchmark for the category.
CHASSIS
The chassis of the Desmo450 MX is an aluminum perimeter frame. This layout was chosen to obtain a lightweight structure, which allows the engine to have intake and exhaust ducts as straight as possible, to guarantee the best performance. The chassis weighs 19.7pounds, thanks to the least possible number of welds. The frame contributes significantly to keeping the the bike’s weight, down to 231 pound (without fuel).
The frame of the Desmo450 MX consists of only 11 pieces, approximately half compared to the competition, and includes cast, forged and extruded elements. The front section, which connects the steering column to the upper shock absorber attachment, is represented by a single cast component. This construction technology, which Ducati also employs in Superbike frames, enables total control of thicknesses, thereby utilizing only the necessary amount of material at each point and creating complex shapes without compromising weight or strength.
The extremely compact frame design also ensures the best ergonomics for the rider while facilitating quick and easy maintenance in the workshop or on the track, where tasks like disassembling the shock absorber can be performed swiftly.
The cast aluminum swingarm and forged aluminum linkage had its rising rate linkage fine tuned during the 2024 race season.
SUSPENSION
For the suspension the Desmo450 MX relied on Showa with its coil spring-based, fully adjustable, featuring 49mm, 310mm of travel and Kashima coaed stanchions. The shock absorber is also fully adjustable, with a wheel travel of 301mm. To further refine the setup, Alessandro Lupino competed in the initial part of the Italian Championship using standard suspension, confirming the reliability of the chosen equipment.
BRAKES
For brake components Ducati collaborated with Brembo, to develop benchmark braking systemthat features a two-piston floating caliper at the front and a single-piston caliper at the rear. The Galfer rotors measure 260mm at the front and 240 mm at the rear.
The first Ducati motocross was built for the American market on in 1971. It had a Desmo engine, but the frame was less than stellar and it didn’t see a second year of production because of poor sales figures in the USA.
DUCATI DESMO450 MX FEATURES
(1) The bike created by Tony Cairoli and Alessandro Lupino for racing is finally available.
(2) The Desmo450 MX is the only bike in its category featuring a Desmodromic engine.
(3) The Desmo450 MX is a fast and easy-to-ride bike for both professionals and amateurs, thanks to its powerful engine delivery and aluminum frame
(4) The Desmo450 MX is equipped with a completely new traction control system, which is unique in the Motocross world.
(5) The Ducati Desmo450 MX will arrive in selected European dealerships starting in June 2025, reaching North America in July, and subsequently expanding to the rest of the world.
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