Ducati steps out of its comfort zone and ventures into Motocross!
This page is translated from the original post "Ducati sort de sa zone de confort et se lance dans le Motocross !" in French.
- 05/04/2025 12:42
With the Ducati Desmo450 MX, the Borgo Panigale brand will have to prove itself on an unfamiliar terrain.
The iconic manufacturer Ducati, known for its sport bikes and on-road performance, makes a decisive step with the launch of its first motocross bike, the Desmo450 MX. A bold choice for the Italian brand, traditionally associated with circuit racing, venturing now into the off-road universe.
The Desmo450 MX stands out with its 449.6 cc single-cylinder Desmodromic engine, a technology directly inherited from Ducati’s racing bikes, notably in MotoGP. This unique engine maximizes power, especially when exiting corners, with strong low- and mid-range torque. This choice provides riders with optimal response from the very first meters up to a maximum speed of 11,900 rpm, offering unprecedented performance for a motocross bike.
One of the main features of this bike is its lightweight aluminum chassis, optimized to ensure high rigidity and exceptional maneuverability. The frame, composed of only 11 components, is designed to minimize welds and deliver both lightness and strength. This construction, with a total weight of just 104.8 kg ready to ride, has already proven its effectiveness in competition, notably with Alessandro Lupino, winner of the first race of the Italian MX1 Championship.
To conquer effortlessly…
The innovation doesn’t stop there: the Desmo450 MX features an innovative traction control system, allowing precise management of the rear wheel slip. This device, still pending patent, is designed to optimize performance while adapting to riding phases. A technological advance that could revolutionize the approach to motocross in this category.
Ducati’s bet on electronics continues with an adjustable traction control system and a Launch Control, ensuring optimal starts. Additionally, the bike benefits from braking system developed in collaboration with Brembo, guaranteeing braking power suited for off-road demands.
This new bike, expected to reach the European market in June 2025, will mark the beginning of a new era for Ducati, aiming to capture motocross enthusiasts and expand its community of Ducatisti. The risk is high, but with its exceptional performance and innovative features, the Desmo450 MX could well establish Ducati as a notable name in a segment that was previously unfamiliar territory for them.
Ducati Desmo450 MX Technical Specifications
- Desmo450 single-cylinder engine, 449.6 cc
- Maximum power of 63.5 hp at 9,400 rpm, maximum torque of 53.5 Nm at 7,500 rpm
- Aluminum frame
- 7.2-liter fuel tank
- Showa inverted fork, 49 mm, fully adjustable, 310 mm travel, Kashima coating on fork tubes
- Showa fully adjustable mono-shock, 301 mm travel
- Forged aluminum swingarm
- Brembo Galfer monobloc brake system, 260 mm (front) and 240 mm (rear)
- Pirelli Scorpion MX32 Mid-Soft tires, 80/100-21 and 110/90-19
- DID chain final drive
- Takasago Excel aluminum wheels with Alpina spokes, 21″ x 1.60 and 19″ x 2.15
- 2 power modes, 2 riding modes
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