100% Ducati Racing DNA
The dawn of a new era: the first Ducati motocross bike
Born to compete, developed on track. The Desmo450 MX is the first Ducati motocross bike with desmodromic timing designed to carry Borgo Panigale racing DNA off-road. Lightweight, powerful, essential, it combines advanced technology and maximum performance to ensure speed, control and pure adrenaline.
Ducati Design DNA Meets Motocross: The Purpose-Built Precision of the Desmo450 MX
The Ducati approach was aimed at introducing Ducati’s DNA on a necessarily essential bike, on which every component is conceived and designed with the sole objective of offering performance and functionality. It’s an approach that led to the design of a motocross bike with fluid, clean, taut surfaces, making the Desmo450 MX immediately recognizable as a Ducati.
In particular, keeping in mind the need to ensure maximum freedom of movement for the rider, the Centro Stile Ducati worked on the surfaces outside the rider's legroom by introducing positives and negatives that recall the openings on the fairing of the Panigale V4.
Similarly, the clean and light rear mudguard recalls the tail of Ducati sports bikes, and the front view is characterized by a number plate that recalls the scowling "look" of the new Panigale, and a front mudguard inspired by the Hypermotard.
The side panels and side number plates, in particular, have been designed in such a way as not to interfere with, but rather facilitate, the rider's movements in various riding situations. The front side panels are designed to facilitate leg movement towards the inside of the curve, while the lateral number holders are characterised by a change in volume in correspondence with the exhaust which, repeated on the left side, constitutes a reference for the rider when moving to a rearward position.
The side panels, frame guards and lower part of the number holders also have a texture that facilitates grip, functional to hold the inside of the thigh and the rider's boots both in acceleration and, vertically, in jumps.
Unleashing Precision and Power in Off-Road Performance
The Desmo450 MX engine is a single-cylinder 4-stroke, with a desmodromic, twin-camshaft, four-valve distribution system controlled by a chain and a displacement of 449.6 cc and magnesium alternator, head and clutch covers.
The bore and stroke measurements are 96 x 62.1 mm respectively, chosen to obtain an optimal valve diameter. The latter, at the intake, are made of titanium and have a diameter of 40 mm, while at the exhaust they have a diameter of 33 mm and are made of steel, with a hollow stem and sodium inside to improve heat exchange. The chain tensioner is hydraulically operated, so as to offer a more precise action than a conventional mechanical solution.
“Techno Cruiser” advanced technology for a new riding experience.
The experience in MotoGP and Superbike, where Ducati is a technological point of reference, allowed the Borgo Panigale technicians to introduce a real traction control system on the Desmo450 MX, one that is capable of offering benefits in terms of lap time, rider safety and energy saving while riding. Unlike the systems currently available in the segment, the Ducati Traction Control (DTC) implemented on the Desmo450 MX calibrates the power cut based on the actual rear wheel slippage of the vehicle dynamics, thus guaranteeing an effective, prompt and linear intervention. This system is able to identify moments in which it should not come into action, such as jumps, automatically excluding itself. Furthermore, if the rider identifies points on the track in which he wants to make use of all the engine performance, he can deactivate the system with a light pressure on the clutch lever. The control will automatically return to operation a few moments later. Ducati Traction Control offers four different levels of intervention.
The electronic equipment also includes Launch Control and Engine Brake Control, which, like DTC, can be configured on different levels of intervention and associated with two Riding Modes that the rider can adapt to his needs and the characteristics of the track via the X-Link App. The gearbox is equipped with a Quickshifter in engagement.
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