Ducati has unveiled its factory race spec motocross bike dubbed the Desmo450 MX “Factory”. The bike is designed to cater for riders seeking a race-ready motorcycle straight from the Ducati Corse factory team. Built on the production Desmo450 MX, incorporating premium upgrades for professional riders.
What is the Ducati Desmo450 MX Factory?
The Desmo450 MX Factory is Ducati’s flagship motocross offering for 2026, evolving from the brand’s debut production MX bike introduced in 2025. The Desmo450 MX Factory features racing enhancements like advanced suspension tuning, lightweight components, and optimised electronics straight from the factory challenger 450 MX, which competes in the Italian Prestige MX1, MXGP World Championship and AMA supercross.
What powers the Desmo450 MX Factory?
At its core sits the Desmo450 engine, a liquid-cooled 449.6cc single-cylinder with desmodromic 4-valve DOHC setup. A similar setup is adapted across Ducati’s other race bikes and their MotoGP challenger. The engine pumps out 63.5 hp at 9,400 rpm and 53.5 Nm (39.5 lb-ft) at 7,500 rpm, with a rev limit at 11,900 rpm.
This setup enables the engine to sustain higher revs, offering a remarkable over-rev capability and reducing the number of gearshifts required during a lap. The Desmo450 MX is also quite competent at lower revs aswell offering 70% of available torque as early as 4,200 rpm, resulting in a linear acceleration curve.
The Desmo 450 MX Factory comes equipped with an Akrapovič titanium exhaust, with exclusive engine mapping, offering a more sustained torque curve between 4,000 and 7,500 rpm and more power in the acceleration phase, compared to the standard 450 MX.
What chassis and suspension upgrades are offered on the Factory model?
The Ducati Desmo450 MX Factory rides on a lightweight aluminium perimeter frame as seen on the standard Desmo450 MX. The frame is designed for optimal rigidity while allowing the engine to have the straightest possible intake and exhaust paths for enhanced performance.
The lightweight frame is engineered with heavy emphasis on ergonomics for the rider while riding and also while working on the bike in the garage or at trackside, enabling an ease of performing tasks such as the removal of the shock absorber effortlessly and seamlessly without much hassle.
Suspended by the aluminium frame is a fully adjustable Showa: 49mm upside-down fork with Kashima coating with 310mm travel upfront and progressive monoshock rear with 301mm travel. Braking duties are handled by 260mm front Galfer wave discs with Brembo 2-piston calliper and 240mm rear discs for precise stopping power.
What electronics and rider aids are on offer?
Ducati armed the Desmo450 MX with state-of-the-art electronic equipment, which includes 3 riding modes, Ducati Traction Control (DTC), Engine Brake Control (EBC), Quickshifter and Launch control with holeshot device as standard. A Holeshot device compresses the front fork while launching, resulting in increased stability and acceleration off the line.
The Desmo450 MX features a WiFi module that allows the rider to connect to their bike via the X-Link app, through which riders can fine-tune the bike settings and electronic parameters wirelessly, such as throttle map, launch control, engine brake and Ducati Traction Control.
What colour options are available for the Ducati Desmo450 MX Factory?
The Desmo450 MX Factory comes exclusively in Ducati Corse 2025 Livery, featuring a bold black scheme with Ducati Red accents and striking graphics inspired by Ducati’s MXGP and MotoGP challengers.
