Welcome to the motocross world, Ducati! The Italian icon of road racing has officially joined the MX party with the introduction of the brand new 2026 Ducati Desmo450 MX machine, and boy has it come out swinging. There were rumours circulating about two years ago of the Italian company stepping outside its comfort zone and building a motocross machine, and now, finally, those rumours have been formally revealed and we were one of the lucky few to travel across to Italy and ride the bike freshly rolled off the factory floor.

It has been a massive project for Ducati to enter the MX world and it’s incredible to see the project come to life. It’s only been around four years from the first concept drawings of the Desmo450 MX to now, with the first bikes being rolled off the production line as we speak, and for the Italian company to achieve this is very impressive.

Ducati has been building enginecycles for almost a century, and while it hasn’t dabbled in dirtbikes until now, I’ve always considered it a prestigious brand with deep racing roots. Still, I wasn’t prepared for what was in store at the Desmo450 MX launch. I figured we’d see some cool stuff – but the team at Ducati blew the doors off with next-level hospitality and some of the most impressive experiences I’ve ever had in the dirtbike world.

This company isn’t just a enginecycle manufacturer – it’s a giant, tight-knit family. It was genuinely inspiring to witness how Ducati operates day to day. The staff work side by side, share meals together, and celebrate milestones in a big way. To be part of the moment when the first Desmo450 MX rolled off the production line was something I’ll remember for a long time.

The entire factory shut down for more than an hour as we witnessed the CEO deliver a heartfelt speech, personally thanking every worker who helped bring the Ducati Desmo450 MX to life. It was an emotional moment – there were tears in the crowd – and a clear sign of what this bike means to the Ducati family. The Desmo450 MX isn’t just a new model. It’s a new chapter in the company’s story.

THE BIKE

So, what’s the Ducati Desmo450 MX all about? Ducati has brought its renowned Desmodromic valve technology – developed through decades of road racing – into the world of motocross. If you’re wondering what Desmodromic means, it’s a valve system that doesn’t rely on springs. Instead, the valves are opened and closed mechanically, allowing for more precise control and extremely high revs. In practice, it means the engine spins out further and faster than most 450s on the market – and that’s a big part of what gives the Ducati Desmo450 MX its unique character.

The Ducati Desmo450 MX engine revs to 11,900rpm – significantly higher than most 450 motocross bikes – thanks to its Desmodromic valve system. In fact, the redline could’ve been set even higher, but upcoming 2026 FIM noise regulations forced a cap. It’s also worth noting Ducati recommends oil changes every 15 hours – a longer interval than most 450s on the market.

The engine is nestled in an 11-piece alloy twin-spar frame and the Ducati Desmo450 MX features Showa suspension – a 49mm fork and monoshock – Brembo brakes and clutch, and Excel rims with Pirelli tyres. It wouldn’t be a Ducati without the brand’s famous deep red colour, and the designers have done a nice job making the plastics slim and symmetrical behind the legs, so riders have a good connection to the bike. The rear end is actually tapered a little bit to help riders grip the bike when standing.

Air filter access is tool-free via the left sidepanel, though refitting the cover takes a bit of practice. A map switch on the left ’bar offers two maps – each with soft and fast options – plus Quick Shift and traction control. The TC system uses a sensor above the front sprocket to monitor wheel speed, with an algorithm adjusting traction where it’s needed. It’s the only system of its kind on the market. There’s a heap to unpack on this all-new bike – and it looks the goods – but how does it ride?

THE RIDE

We were greeted with a perfectly prepped hillside ’04-style moto track in Faenza, Italy, with weather to match. Owned by MotoGP star Andrea Dovizioso, the track had elevation, off-cambers, decent jumps and a fast yet technical layout. It’d been a while since I’d ridden a proper MX track, so it took a few laps to get in the zone. But once I did, I put almost two hours on the bike! My hands and backside were sore by the end, but I didn’t care – I had an absolute blast.

 The Desmodromic engine’s power delivery is seriously impressive. Off the bottom, it doesn’t hit with an aggressive snap – instead, it rolls on smoothly with a healthy dose of torque. But as the revs climb, you really start to appreciate what Desmo tech can do. The thing revs to the moon, and it took me a while to get used to how long I could hold gears. Where I’d usually short-shift out of a turn – say, second to third, then into fourth – I found myself staying in second or third a lot longer. Revving it out became the smoother and faster option. It’s a strong engine, but surprisingly forgiving, with a broad spread of power that’ll suit a wide range of riders.

There’s also the Ducati app – still in Beta at the time of the launch – but already offering a huge range of adjustability. There are two fully customisable ride modes, with two levels of throttle response, three launch control settings, two levels of engine braking and four traction control levels within each. I found the red map – the dynamic/aggressive option – with traction control enabled was the sweet spot. The bottom-end pick-up felt lively, but the traction control made it easy to keep power going to the ground. I’ve never been big on traction control, but this is one of the best systems I’ve tried.

The only change I’d like to make is swapping the 13-tooth front sprocket for a 14-tooth to stretch out second gear – potentially allowing me to ride the whole track in just two gears. Overall, the engine is hugely impressive: broad, manageable, and packed with potential thanks to all the available tuning options.

Suspension-wise, the Showa 49mm spring fork was solid, and I had no issues with the Showa shock either. Some of the other riders mentioned the bike felt a little soft, but coming from an off-road background, I was more than happy with Ducati’s stock MX setting – it felt firm enough for me. As the day progressed and the track developed more ruts and bumps, the suspension performance actually improved. I pushed the fork tubes through the clamps by 3mm to help lengthen the chassis, and it made a noticeable difference to the bike’s turning. Ducati’s engineers kept reminding us how sensitive the chassis is to small setup changes – and they weren’t kidding. That 3mm tweak really transformed the front-end feel.

The bike feels incredibly well-balanced and I gelled with it quickly. My only gripe was the seat – I was sliding all over it. I knew the team had gripper seats on the race bikes, so I asked to try one. At first, they said no, so I dealt with it. But I couldn’t shake how much it was affecting my ride, so I asked again. Next thing I know, I’m being handed the gripper seat freshly removed from nine-time world champ Antonio Cairoli’s bike. Fan-boy moment activated. I bolted it on, hit the track, and instantly felt the difference. Even though I was tired, I went out and logged another moto – now fully at one with the bike.

The rest of the bike is packed with top-shelf kit – Brembo brakes front and rear, Brembo clutch master cylinder, Excel rims, Galfer discs, DID chain and Pirelli tyres. The finish quality is exceptional, and the plastics still looked new after a full day of testing. The frame guards are cleverly integrated plastic inserts that help maintain the slim feel through the foot area. Ducati claims a wet (no fuel) weight of 104.8kg, which puts it on the lighter end of the scale. Interestingly, the stock rear tyre is a 110 rather than the more common 120 – something we’re keen to swap out and test on home soil.

 

FINAL THOUGHTS

I’m seriously impressed. As a first crack at motocross, the Ducati Desmo450 MX is a damn good effort. Ducati hasn’t rushed this – the bike has been through nearly two years of testing and refinement before going public, and it shows. The Desmodromic engine is a standout, offering smooth torque, insane over-rev, and surprising manageability. Add to that a quality chassis, adjustable electronics, refined suspension, and premium components, and you’ve got a seriously competitive machine straight out of the gate. Ducati means business – and if this is just the beginning, motocross fans have a lot to look forward to.

SPECIFICATIONS DUCATI DESMO450 MX
ENGINE
Type: Single-cylinder four-stroke, desmodromic, electric start
Displacement: 449cc
Bore & Stroke: 96mm x 62.1mm
Cooling: Liquid-cooled
Compression ratio: 13.5:1
Fuel metering: EFI
Tank capacity: 7.2 litres (including 1.3L reserve)
Transmission: Five-speed
Clutch: Hydraulic, Brembo, wet multi-plate

DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 1480mm
Seat height: 961mm
Ground clearance: 336mm
Claimed weight: 104.8kg (wet, no fuel)

SUSPENSION
Front: Showa, 49mm USD spring fork, compression and rebound adjustable, 310mm travel
Rear: Showa monoshock, preload, compression and rebound adjustable, 305mm travel

BRAKES
Front: Brembo, 260mm disc
Rear: Brembo, 220mm disc

RUNNING GEAR
Handlebar: Aluminium taper
Front tyre: Pirelli Scorpion MX32 80/100-21
Rear tyre: Pirelli Scorpion MX32 110/90-19
Chain: DID 520
Rims: Excel Takasago

PRICE & CONTACTS
RRP: $16,300
BROWSER: ducati.com/au
BLOWER: 1300 658 400
Warranty: 6 months (parts only)