Ducati Desmo450 MX: Review Image Gallery

Ducati has forayed into the world of motocross with the new Desmo450 MX. The motorcycle was recently launched in India, and we got to ride it around the motocross track of BigRock Dirt Park in Bengaluru. It was an action-packed experience, and here’s a quick summary of our first ride review of the bike.

The Ducati Desmo450 MX is powered by a 449.6cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine that produces 62.6bhp and 53.5Nm. It uses Ducati’s Desmodromic valve system, which is unique in the motocross segment.

The engine weighs 26.8kg only, while the overall weight of the bike is equally low at 104.8kg (without fuel), giving it a strong power-to-weight ratio.

The Desmo450 MX features a lightweight frame weighing 8.9kg, designed with fewer components for improved rigidity. It is equipped with fully adjustable Showa suspension, offering 310mm front travel and 301mm rear travel.

The bike rides on 21-inch front and 19-inch rear wheels with Pirelli Scorpion MX32 tyres for off-road performance. Braking, meanwhile, is handled by Brembo calipers biting onto petal-type discs.

The motorcycle comes with a 5-speed gearbox along with an upshift-only quick shifter. Moreover, there are crucial electronic aids like ride modes, traction control, launch control, and engine brake control.

The ride modes and settings can be customised using the Ducati X-Link mobile app, which, along with the WiFi module, is sold separately. One can also kit it up with a titanium exhaust, which is pegged at Rs. 2.77 lakh.

It is priced at Rs. 17.23 lakh (ex-showroom) and is available in four cities across India, including Delhi, Pune, Chennai, and Bengaluru. And there are optional accessories to soup it up, and they collectively cost over Rs. 3 lakh extra.