Ducati Desmo450 SM Image gallery

Even though the platform is shared with the Desmo450 MX, Ducati has reworked it in almost every way for the Desmo450 SM. Starting with the suspension, Ducati has sought Showa’s help in redesigning it for supermoto use. The SM uses a Showa sealed cartridge 49mm USD fork with 280mm travel that is adjustable for compression and rebound. The monoshock at the rear has 295mm travel and is fully adjustable.

Other parts such as the handguards and fork guards have been made smaller to fit the discipline, and the SM sports slicks as standard, making it the first and only production Ducati to do so. The bike gets a 16.5-inch front rim and a 17-inch rear rim with a Bartubeless system. According to Ducati, this system reduces the rotating and unsprung mass on the bike by 1.2kg. The factory-fit slicks are Metzeler Racetec Slick SMs, the same as those used in the Supermoto World Championship.

The engine is a 449.6cc single-cylinder mill, delivering 63.5hp and 53.5Nm of torque. The maintenance intervals remind you once again that Ducati is aiming the Desmo450 SM at serious riders for competitive racing. An oil change is recommended every 15 hours of riding, with piston replacement and valve clearance checks necessitated every 45 hours. Ducati recommends a full engine overhaul every 90 hours of riding.

At the time of writing, Ducati has announced that the Desmo450 SM will be available in European markets starting December 2026, followed by the rest of the world. In Italy, the asking price for the Desmo450 SM is EUR 13,990 (Rs 15.38 lakh). For context, the Desmo450 MX costs EUR 12,990 (Rs 14.28 lakh) in Italy, whereas in India, it is priced at Rs 17.28 lakh.