Everything You Need to Know About Ducati’s New Dirt Bike, Unveiled at Last

Does this represent what the future of motocross will be like?

It's time. The new Ducati Desmo450 MX The bike has entered the market and might bring about the largest disruption in off-road riding we have witnessed recently from any tire-equipped vehicle. So, go ahead and grab a snack; you're going to want to settle in for this detailed reveal.

The Desmo450 MX, developed by Tony Cairoli And Alessandro Lupini for racing, which performed exceptionally well during its first season as part of its developmental phase, is now available to the general public. Given its Ducati heritage, this model comes equipped with several innovative features not found on any other motorcycle.

This model features a lone-cylinder 449.6 cc engine, a common choice for its class; however, the Desmosystem stands out. As stated by Ducati, "The bike allows optimizing each gear shift from take-off up until corner exits due to its distinctive power output, offering substantial torque at lower speeds alongside remarkable high-rpm performance."

The sleek frame design aims to provide optimal comfort for the rider while facilitating swift and simple maintenance. This holds especially true during the process of disassembling the centrally located shock absorber, which functions with a cast aluminum swingarm and a forged aluminum linkage.

When discussing the suspension system, Ducati chose fully adjustable Showa 49 mm upside-down forks boasting 310 mm of travel, along with Kashima coating on the fork tubes. The decision was made because these coil-spring based forks offer simpler adjustment processes for beginners compared to those using air springs. On the back end, there’s a Showa fully adjustable single shock absorber providing 301 mm of wheel travel.

Halting the proceedings completely is facilitated by a Brembo brake system featuring individual Galfer discs, measuring 260 millimeters at the front and 240 millimeters at the rear.

Photo by: Ducati

The suspension and brake systems were expected to pose minimal challenges since they utilized proven components sourced from established aftermarket suppliers. However, modern off-roading heavily relies on complex electronics, which required Ducati to create entirely new solutions specifically for the Desmosedici 450 MX project. It’s worth noting though, that Ducati wasn’t starting with a blank slate; their expertise was informed by successful ventures into MotoGP and World Superbike competitions.

The Desmo450 MX comes equipped with Ducati Traction Control (DTC) built directly into the motorcycle. This technology fine-tunes power delivery according to rear-wheel slippage and measures vehicle dynamics through inertia sensors, designed to provide timely, efficient, and seamless corrections.

The system is capable of recognizing instances when it needs to step back, such as during jumps. With four different intervention tiers, riders who wish to unlock the complete power of the engine in certain sections can do so by giving the clutch a slight tug, which temporarily deactivates the system for a brief moment.

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The Desmo450 MX will include rider assistance systems such as Launch Control and Engine Brake Control, both of which can be adjusted to various degrees of engagement. Completing the roster of advanced electronics are two selectable ride modes that allow riders to tailor settings based on personal preferences and specific track conditions through the X-Link App. Additionally, the motorcycle comes with a quickshifter for seamless gear changes.

The motorcycle features Pirelli Scorpion MX32 Mid-Soft tires, sized at 80/100-21" and 110/90-19", and is exclusively available in Ducati Red. It will be distributed to North American dealerships starting in July and has a price tag of $11,495 in the U.S. The final uncertainty lies in whether you’ll decide to include this model among your collection.