Desmo450 MX: Ducati’s first Motocross bike enters production

Production has started at Ducati’s Borgo Panigale factory for the Desmo450 MX, the brand’s first-ever motocross motorcycle. The rollout follows Jeremy Seewer’s second podium finish in the French Grand Prix, marking a milestone as the first Desmo450 MX rolled off the production line.

The launch celebration included motocross legend Tony Cairoli, who contributed his expertise to the bike’s development, alongside Alessandro Lupino, the rider who secured the model’s maiden victory and national title on its debut.

Designed and race-tested for power, lightweight agility, and reliability, the Desmo450 MX aims to enhance rider performance for both professionals and amateurs. Ducati highlights the bike’s confident power delivery, thanks to its Desmodromic engine, chassis, and cutting-edge electronics, which together deliver high performance with reduced physical strain.

The Desmo450 MX is the first in a new line of specialized off-road motorcycles, intended to expand Ducati’s presence into new riding disciplines and attract a broader community of enthusiasts.

“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,” said Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali. “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.”

The 449.6 cc single-cylinder engine features Ducati’s signature Desmodromic valve timing, offering a power delivery that optimizes torque at low and medium revs and extends performance across gears, ideal for challenging motocross conditions. The lightweight aluminum frame minimizes welds to enhance rigidity and reduce weight.

Breaking new ground in motocross technology, the Desmo450 MX is the first bike in its category equipped with Traction Control that accurately detects rear wheel slip and smartly disengages during riding phases where intervention would limit performance.

Ducati’s Performance catalogue supports customization with factory-grade components including machined wheel hubs, triple clamps, an Akrapovič titanium slip-on exhaust, and Brembo Racing brakes. The accessory lineup will continue to grow.

To complement the Factory look, Ducati also offers a technical apparel collection developed with Drudi Performance, featuring Alpinestars gear, Arai helmets, and specialized jackets.

The Desmo450 MX will reach select European dealerships starting June 2025, with North American distribution launching in July and global availability following thereafter.