First look: Ducati Desmo450 MX revealed

Ducati Corse Off-Road has unveiled its latest addition to the motocross scene: the Desmo450 MX. This Italian-made dirt bike is a bold move for the manufacturer, marking their return to the sport and showcasing a top-of-the-line model straight from their highly acclaimed racing division.

Last year, Ducati announced their plans to release several off-road models in the coming years. Along with this, they also established a new racing division within their factory, known as Ducati Corse Off-Road.

The announcement caused quite a stir and sparked a lot of curiosity amongst off-road enthusiasts, who eagerly awaited more information about the bikes.

At last, we get a glimpse of the highly anticipated 450 model, known as the Desmo450 MX. This initial prototype is expected to pave the way for a series of future motocross models.

This is a prototype machine developed by Ducati Corse Off-Road at the factory race department. Please note that some components shown in these images may not be present on the final production bikes.

The Desmo450 MX is the latest model from Ducati, and fans of the brand will recognize that this is not their first Desmo 450. In fact, they previously released a street version in the 1970s.

The Desmo valve system is undoubtedly one of the most intriguing features of this bike. The valve cover housing, in particular, caught our attention due to its size. However, upon initial inspection, we couldn’t help but wonder if it might add some extra weight to the top of the bike.

We are curious to see how they will adapt the iconic Desmo power to off-road terrain, as well as the performance of the top-of-the-line Showa suspension and Brembo brakes. And let’s not forget about the front mudguard, which has already sparked many discussions.

Unfortunately, we do not have access to the specifications at this time as Ducati has not yet released them.

Enduro and Rally?

The debut of the new bike will take place in the Italian Motocross Championship this March. According to Ducati, their focus for this first racing season is to collect data and insights that will aid in developing the Desmo450 MX, set to be released in the latter half of 2025.

Whether an Enduro bike will be released remains uncertain; producing motorcycles that fulfil homologation and emissions standards is complex, so it’s best not to get your hopes up for that just yet.