Ducati Desmo450 MX revealed: A new segment for Ducati

Ducati has officially entered an all-new segment with its first-ever motocross motorcycle – the Desmo450 MX. This motorcycle also pushes the envelope for the Italian marque with a few segment-first features.  

1. Desmo450 MX gets traction control
2. It has two riding modes
3. The seat height is 970mm 

Ducati Desmo450 MX under the skin

Currently on sale in the US for $11,495 

At the heart of the Desmo450 MX lies a newly developed 449.6cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine featuring a 96mm bore and a 62.1mm stroke. This high-revving motor churns out an impressive 62bhp and 54Nm of torque, and it revs up to 11,900rpm. This motorcycle also features some segment-first electronic features such as traction control, two riding modes, launch control and engine brake control.  

The Desmo450 MX is built around a lightweight aluminium perimeter frame that minimises welds, improving structural rigidity while keeping overall weight down. The Desmo450 MX tips the scales at 104.8kg (wet weight with no fuel), which makes it quite light. The suspension is race-ready, with a fully adjustable 49mm Showa fork at the front and a fully adjustable monoshock at the rear.

Braking duties are handled by none other than Brembo, with a two-piston floating caliper biting a 260mm disc up front and a single-piston caliper mated to a 240mm disc at the rear. The Desmo450 MX is set to make waves in the motocross world and will be available in the US soon at a starting price of around $11,459 (approximately Rs 10 lakh in India).