The Ducati Desmo250 MX pictured on a stand at a motocross track.

Rider powers the Desmo250 MX through a berm, kicking up dirt on a motocross track.

Ducati says the Desmo250 MX was developed in competition and tested in the Italian Prestige MX2 championship before entering production.

The Desmo250 MX airborne during a jump on a motocross circuit.

The Desmo250 MX weighs a claimed 103kg without fuel and shares its aluminium frame concept with the larger Desmo450 MX.

Top-down view highlighting the bike's slim bodywork and narrow rider interface.

A narrow seat and slim bodywork are intended to make rider movement easier during motocross riding.

Close-up of the Ducati Desmo250 MX's 249.7cc single-cylinder engine

The new 249.7cc Desmo250 engine revs to 15,000rpm and uses Ducati's signature desmodromic valve actuation system.

Close-up of the high-mounted exhaust system tucked beneath the rear bodywork.

Rear wheel assembly showing the aluminium swingarm, chain drive and spoked wheel.

Takasago Excel rims, Alpina spokes and Pirelli Scorpion MX32 tyres come fitted as standard equipment.

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Ducati Desmo250 MX image gallery

The Ducati Desmo250 MX is the brand's second production motocross bike and its entry into the MX2 quarter-litre class. At its heart is an all-new 249.7cc desmodromic single, developed using know-how from the Panigale V4 R – sharing the same 81 x 48.4mm bore and stroke dimensions – with titanium intake valves and steel exhaust valves. The engine produces 44.5hp at 12,500rpm and can rev all the way up to 15,000rpm.

The chassis uses an aluminium perimeter frame and swingarm, with fully adjustable Showa suspension. The Desmo250 MX inherits its electronics suite directly from the Desmo450 MX, calibrated specifically for the smaller-capacity engine. Ducati Traction Control calculates intervention based on actual rear wheel slip rather than a fixed rpm or throttle map, and is adjustable across three levels, alongside two-level engine brake control and three-level launch control, all configurable via the Ducati X-Link app. Two selectable engine maps allow riders to adjust throttle response, while a predictive maintenance algorithm tracks real-world usage to calculate service intervals.

7 images•19 Jun 2026