MX Fans Rejoice, The World’s First Desmo Dirt Bike Has Entered America

Since its inception, Ducati has always followed the “race on Sunday, sell on Monday” philosophy. So when the brand announced its entry into the world of dirt bikes, we knew it would take its time to prove the bike’s racing mettle before an official launch. Now, with several podiums and wins under its belt, Team Red has finally launched the Desmo450 MX in the mass market. It is the only desmo-powered bike of its kind and bears a competitive MSRP.

The Ducati Desmo450 MX Features An All-New 449cc, Single-Cylinder Engine

Jumping right in, Ducati has whipped up an all-new engine for its first dirt bike. This is a 449cc, single-cylinder engine with a 96 mm bore, 62.1 mm stroke, 40 mm titanium intake valves, and 33 mm steel exhaust valves. The party trick, though, is the desmodromic valve that enables a sky-high (for an MX bike) redline of 11,900 RPM.

Meanwhile, the peak output lies at 63.5 horsepower and 39.5 pound-feet, where Ducati claims 70 percent of the latter kicks in from just 4,200 RPM. That output is right up there with the best in the business, be it the KTM 450 SX-F, Kawasaki KX450SR, or the Honda CRF450R. So Ducati has ensured you get a handful of electronics to make your life easier. We’ve listed them below for reference.

Ducati Desmo450 MX Key Features

• Four-level traction control
• Up-only quickshifter
• Engine brake control
• Launch control
• Ride modes (configurable via the app)

A Unique Aluminum Perimeter Chassis Helps The Desmo450 MX Weigh Under 250 Pounds

The special engine sits inside an equally special chassis. It’s an aluminum perimeter frame, built with 11 separate sections. One of these sections is the steering head column, which is a single-piece element derived from MotoGP bikes. Ducati claims the chassis weighs just 19.8 pounds, without sacrificing reliability or rigidity. That enables a curb weight (without fuel) of just 231 pounds–right in the ballpark of its rivals from Europe and Japan.

Suspension duties are handled by Showa USD forks and a Showa monoshock. The former has Kashima coating and 12.2 inches of travel, whereas the latter boasts a forged aluminum linkage and 11.9 inches of travel. To slow things down, Ducati has thrown in a 260 mm front and a 240 mm rear disc. Both discs come from Galfer, have Brembo calipers, and clamp on Excel motocross rims.

Ducati Has Priced The Desmo450 MX Under $11,500

Ducati has priced the 2026 Desmo450 MX at $11,495. This positions it on the premium end of the 450cc MX bike category, but the difference isn’t all that huge. At the price, the Desmo450 costs just $196 more than the KTM 450 SX-F and $996 more than the Kawasaki KX450. The Honda CRF450R is considerably cheaper at $9,699, though. You should also remember neither of its rivals has been updated for MY26 yet. So for all we know, they could all become pricier.

2026 Ducati Desmo450 MX Specifications