New Delhi: Ducati has introduced its first motocross motorcycle in India, called the Ducati Desmo450 MX. The bike was recently seen at the Season 2 finale of the Indian Supercross Racing League held in Calicut. With this model, the Italian brand has stepped into the country’s growing off-road motorcycle segment for the first time.
The company had earlier hinted at the launch through a social media post showing the new bike with the caption “Coming Soon”. The Desmo450 MX is different from most Ducati motorcycles because it is built specifically for motocross riding. Ducati has usually focused on high-performance road bikes, but the rising global interest in off-road racing has pushed the company to explore this category as well.
Engine and performance
Ducati Desmo450 MX engine
The Ducati Desmo450 MX is powered by a newly developed 449.6cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine. Ducati has used its well-known desmodromic valve system in this motor, a technology that the brand normally uses in its performance-focused sport motorcycles.
The engine produces about 62 bhp and around 54 Nm of torque. It can also rev close to 12,000 rpm, which is considered strong output for a motocross bike. The setup is designed to deliver quick power while riding on dirt tracks and uneven surfaces.
Chassis and hardware
Ducati Desmo450 MX body
The motorcycle is built on a lightweight aluminium frame that is meant to handle rough terrain while maintaining stability. Suspension duties are handled by fully adjustable Showa components. The front gets 49 mm forks, while the rear uses a monoshock unit.
Braking is managed by Brembo hardware, which should provide strong stopping performance during aggressive off-road riding. Ducati has also added traction control to the bike, a feature that is not commonly seen on motocross motorcycles.
Price and availability
Ducati Desmo450 MX
The introductory ex-showroom price of the Ducati Desmo450 MX in India is Rs 17,23,600. The motorcycle will be sold through only four Ducati dealerships in the country. These include Ducati New Delhi, Ducati VFM Bengaluru, Ducati Chennai and Ducati Pune.
Bookings for the motocross bike are now open. Deliveries are expected to begin by the end of March 2026.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Bipul Chandra, Managing Director at Ducati India, said, “The arrival of the Desmo450 MX is a landmark moment for Ducati in India. We have seen a growing passion for off-road and motocross motorcycling in the country, and we are thrilled to enter this exciting segment with a product that is pure, state-of-the-art Ducati performance.