A first for the Italian bike maker is the 2025 Ducati Desmo450 MX motocross motorcycle. After undergoing extensive testing in real-life competition – winning in the Italian motocross championship in the process – the Desmo450 MX will go on sale in Europe from June, then North America in July and the rest of the world.
At the heart of the Desmo450 MX is a 449.6 cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder, with Desmodromic valve actuation. Power is rated at 63.5 hp at 9,400 rpm, and maximum torque at 53.5 Nm at 7,500 rpm, with the engine revving to 11,900 rpm, a new benchmark for the category.
70% of the mill’s maximum torque is available at 4,200 rpm, making the Desmo450 MX less demanding and tiring to ride than a traditional 450. Desmodromic valve actuation works on 40 mm intake valves and 33 mm exhaust valves, reducing the amount of energy needed for valve operation and allowing for more aggressive cam profiles.
Radiators are rhomboid-shaped to give 6.5% more cooling area than traditional units, improving engine cooling while keeping the Desmo450 MX compact. This allows the rider more freedom of movement in terms of body position, aiding in bike handling.
An aluminium perimeter frame composed of cast, forged and extruded elements cradles the engine made up from 11 segments, half the number of pieces usually required. Welding is kept to a minimum with the head stock to upper shock absorber mount beam using a single cast piece.
The (spring, not air) fork is fully adjustable, with 49 mm inverted stems, 310 mm travel and Kashima Coating treatment on the stanchions. The shock absorber is also fully adjustable, with 301 mm of wheel travel.
Braking is done by Brembo, with a two-piston floating caliper at the front, and a single-piston caliper at the rear. Galfer brake discs are 260 mm diameter at the front and 240 mm at the rear while tyre sizing is 21 x 1.60 inches and 19 x 2.15 inches, fitted to Takasago Excel aluminium rims.
As can be expected, Ducati loads the Desmo450 MX with electronic riding tech, drawing on its experience in MotoGP and Superbike racing. This includes Ducati Traction Control (DTC) cuts power based on actual rear wheel slippage and inertial measurements of the vehicle dynamics while remaining dormant during situations where it is not required, such as jumps.
Should the rider require full engine power regardless of traction available, the system is temporarily disabled with light pressure on the clutch lever, returning a few moments later. Traction control is set to one of four levels of intervention.
The 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, configurable via the accessory X-Link app. Included in the riding aids is a quick shifter-equipped gearbox while engine service interval is 45 hours, as is piston replacement.
