Ducati Desmo450 MX Motocross Bike Production Begins In Italy

Italian automaker Ducati has kicked off the production of its first ever motocross motorcycle, the Desmo450 MX.

The production of the Ducati Desmo450 MX Motocross Bike has commenced at the company’s facility in Borgo Panigale, Italy. Sharing this update the company revealed that the first unit was rolled out shortly after rider Jeremy Seewer secured a second-place finish in the French Grand Prix. The occasion was attended by Tony Cairoli and Alessandro Lupino, who have played a pivotal role in the development and early testing of this model.

The Ducati Desmo450 MX is powered by a 449.6 cc single-cylinder engine which uses Desmodromic distribution. The engine is intended to support operation across a wide range of speeds and conditions. The frame is made of aluminium and is produced with fewer welds compared to typical methods, which affects its structure and weight.

This model includes a traction control system, which is designed to detect rear wheel slippage and adjust its function based on riding conditions. This feature has not previously been used in motocross motorcycles.

The Desmo450 MX will get optional components via its Ducati Performance catalogue. These include machined parts such as wheel hubs and triple clamps, a full exhaust system with a titanium slip-on and brake calipers. The company outlined that the accessory list is expected to be updated over time.

According to the company the Desmo450 MX will be available at selected dealerships in Europe starting from June 2025. It is also scheduled to go on sale in the North America region in July 2025, with distribution to other regions planned afterward.

Commenting on the occasion CEO, Claudio Domenicali said, “We looked around, searching for the important unique features of our corporate culture and finding what I believe characterizes Ducati like perhaps no other company: the closeness between the world of racing and that of production motorcycles. And discovering, at the same time, that we have an incredible resource in-house in the form of many off-road enthusiasts in the various departments. All this has allowed us to present the Desmo450 MX: an easy and high-performance bike, for amateurs and professionals alike”.