When Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali described how the company could add value to the motocross segment, he identified three areas: first, the ability to develop motorcycles that are light and reliable at the same time; second, Ducati’s strong expertise in software and electronics and third, the Desmodromic valvetrain.

After testing and refinement through competition, Ducati is ready to unleash its first motocross bike, the Desmo450 MX. We were able to figure out a few things about it when the Italian manufacturer first took the covers off last year, but now we know all the facts and figures about this unique machine, including when buyers can expect to get their hands on one. And there is a lot to be excited about.

Engine

The centerpiece of the Desmo450 MX is the engine for which it’s named. It is a 449.6 cc single-cylinder engine with Ducati’s Desmodromic valve system. This allows higher lift values than traditional camshafts, resulting in a wider torque curve and higher engine RPMs. It has a 96 mm bore and 62.1 mm stroke, and uses 40 mm titanium intake valves and 33 mm sodium-filled steel exhaust valves. The balancing countershaft also integrates the water pump to save weight. Magnesium alternator, head, and clutch covers contribute to weight savings as well.

This enables the Desmo450 to make a maximum of 63.5 horsepower at 9,400 RPM. Equally important is the engine’s torque figures: 39.5 lb-ft at 7,500 RPM, with 70 percent of that available as low as 4,200 RPM. This gives it 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 excellent over-rev capabilities.The Desmo450 rev limiter is set at 11,900 rpm, which Ducati says establishes a new benchmark for the category.

While one does not generally associate reduced ownership costs with Ducati, they have made some effort in this area with extended maintenance intervals. Piston changes and valve clearance checks are recommended every 45 hours, while complete engine maintenance is scheduled at 90 hours. This may seem short to street riders but is actually quite good when it comes to top-end racing machines like the Desmo450 MX.

Frame

Many consider the frame to be the heart of a motorcycle, but even here, Ducati made design decisions to make the engine as powerful as possible. Engineers designed the twin-spar aluminum frame specifically to enable the intake and exhaust ducts to be as straight as possible, allowing as much air as possible to flow through the engine for maximum power.

That’s not to say they made any compromises, either. The frame is made of only 11 pieces, about half as many as competitors, to save weight on welds. It uses a combination of cast, forged, and extruded elements. The front section, connecting the steering column with the upper shock absorber attachment, is a single-cast element. This method allows just enough material to be used to ensure the desired strength and no more, which allows the frame to weigh in at just 20 pounds. This helps bring the bike’s weight to a claimed 231 lbs without fuel.

Maximizing the rider’s freedom of movement was also a priority, not only with the design of the frame itself but also with the front side panels and number holders. The side panels, frame guards, and lower part of the number holders are also textured to provide the rider with greater grip, both in acceleration and over jumps.

Suspension and Braking

Ducati continues its long partnership with Showa when it comes to the Desmo450 MX suspension. This makes sense, as Showa has a great deal of experience with off-road suspension, as well as Ducati’s road bikes. The front forks are a closed cartridge type with external adjustments for compression and rebound. They give the front wheel 12.2 inches (310 mm) of travel. Out back, a single black anodized aluminum shock absorber is fully adjustable for preload, compression, and rebound. It provides 11.8 inches (301 mm) of back wheel travel. Alessandro Lupino raced the entire first part of the MX1 Italian Championship on this stock suspension setup and would go on to win the title for Ducati in their first year competing with the new 450cc bike.

Ducati has also long been a partner of Brembo, and that remains true on the Desmo450 MX. A two-piston floating caliper with a 260 mm Galfer rotor is used in the front, with a single-piston caliper and 240 mm Galfer rotor in the back. As we previously reported, 21”/19” Takasago Excel wheels with Pirelli MX 32 knobby tires keep the bike rolling.

Electronic Aids

We often think of rider aids as an intrusion that should be turned off, but Ducati has gone to great lengths to make their rider aids work with the rider, not against them. For example, Ducati Traction Control (DTC) doesn’t just blindly cut power when it detects wheelspin but calibrates how much power to cut based on a variety of factors, such as the actual wheel slippage, engine RPM, what gear you’re in, and the amount of throttle. Four different levels of intervention enable DTC to cut just enough power to regain traction without sacrificing speed. It knows if you go over a jump and does not activate while airborne. It even knows if you’ve tipped over and shuts off the engine automatically. You can also deactivate DTC momentarily with a light clutch pull and the system will automatically reactivate shortly after. Of course, Ducati still allows you to turn DTC off completely if you prefer.

Similarly, two riding modes are available, providing two different levels of throttle response and engine braking. The Smooth setting provides a more gentle, progressive power delivery, while Dynamic mode offers a more linear, direct power delivery. The Launch Control system offers three different levels, each of which sets the rev limiter to hold the engine RPM at a speed suitable for a quick launch and a fast getaway. Levels 1 and 2 provide less intervention and a more aggressive launch, while Level 3 makes the launch more safe and stable. Launch Control deactivates automatically when rolling off the throttle or selecting fourth gear.

While Ducati’s settings for all these electronic aids are undoubtedly good, you can also change them yourself through the X-Link app. Ducati describes an “accessory connectivity system” with a Wi-Fi connection to modify and upload new rider mode configurations to the motorcycle. It is unclear from Ducati’s information whether this is standard equipment or an optional extra.

Accessories

Thanks to the Ducati Performance catalog, Ducati says it is possible to create a replica of the Ducati Desmo450 MX ridden in the MXGP World Championship by Jeremy Seewer and Mattia Guadagnini. In fact, all the details of the 450 MX Factory are available in the Ducati Performance catalog, with the sole exception of the factory Showa suspension, which cannot be purchased by privateer riders.

The special parts offered include machined Factory components such as wheel hubs, triple clamps, but also a complete exhaust or Akrapovič titanium slip-on silencer and Brembo Racing brake calipers. The list of available accessories will be progressively expanded.

Pricing and Availability

Desmo450 MX production will begin any day now for release at select European dealers in June, followed by North America in July at a price of $11,495 USD. Ducati has also previously stated that this is just the first of many off-road machines to come, including a street legal version of the Desmo450 MX.

This seems to follow a similar strategy as Triumph, who also launched first a motocross, then enduro version of the TF 450-E, and we expect the street-legal version to be coming next. Triumph also offers 250 versions of their motocross  bikes. Could we see  a Desmo250 screamer in Ducati’s future? With current 250cc motocross bikes achieving RPMs in the 14,000 range, we’d love to know where a Desmo-valved 250 would redline.

Desmo450 MX Specs

Author: Justin Hughes

Justin has been an automotive and motorcycle journalist for the past 10 years. After learning to ride on a series of Suzuki GSs, he took up touring on a Honda Silverwing and PC800 before turning his attention to off-road adventures. His racing experience is mainly with cars, although he did do a track day once on a KLR650. He has traveled with his cat, Lister, to 44 states in his “moto-glamping” camper van, Smokey Da Van, with his V-Strom 650 in tow.