The Ducati Desmo450 MX is soon going to be available in showrooms in certain regions
Ducati has officially begun production of the Desmo450 MX, the brand’s first-ever motocross bike, at its iconic Borgo Panigale factory. This milestone follows a strong performance by Jeremy Seewer, who secured a second podium finish at the French Grand Prix aboard the new machine.
The production launch was celebrated with motocross legends Tony Cairoli and Alessandro Lupino, the latter having already claimed a national title and a race victory on the Desmo450 MX during its competitive debut. The Desmo450 MX is designed to be powerful, lightweight, and reliable, aimed at elevating the performance of both amateur and professional riders.
Moreover, at its heart is Ducati’s 449.6 cc single-cylinder engine with Desmodromic valve timing, a rarity in the off-road segment. This engine delivers a unique power curve with strong torque at low and mid-range RPMs, allowing riders to make better use of gear ratios, especially during starts and cornering.
Complementing the engine is a lightweight aluminium frame, engineered with minimal welds to enhance strength, rigidity, and reduced weight. The bike’s advanced electronics package includes a cutting-edge Traction Control system, making it the first motocross bike globally to incorporate such precise rear wheel slip detection.
The system also intelligently identifies when to intervene and when to let the rider unleash the bike’s full potential. The Desmo450 MX is just the beginning of Ducati’s foray into the off-road world. It represents the launch of a full range of off-road bikes designed to expand the brand’s appeal and grow the community of Ducatisti.
On top of that, CEO Claudio Domenicali emphasized the seamless integration between Ducati’s racing DNA and its production line, highlighting the contribution of off-road enthusiasts within the company. To bring the Desmo450 MX closer to its MXGP race spec, the Ducati Performance catalogue offers a variety of factory-grade upgrades, such as CNC-machined components, an Akrapovič titanium slip-on, Brembo Racing calipers and more.
A complete range of technical geard, developed with Drudi Performance, includes Alpinestars riding apparel and an Arai helmet, enabling fans to replicate the Factory team’s look. The Desmo450 MX will be available in select European dealerships from June 2025, with North American distribution starting in July, followed by other global markets.
This marks a bold new chapter in Ducati’s history, one that brings its racing passion to the dirt. Will you be a part of this story?
