Ducati Desmo450 MX 2026 Review

The idea of Ducati building a modern motocross bike seemed almost unthinkable not long ago, but the famous Italian brand has wasted no time making its mark in the dirt bike world. Armed with a talented development team that includes none other than multi-time World Champion Antonio Cairoli, Ducati has taken no shortcuts with the Desmo450 MX as it enters a category dominated for decades by the Japanese manufacturers and the KTM Group.

Ducati joins Triumph as one of the new players in modern motocross, and the brand is already competing at the highest level of racing around the world.

Former Australian champ and bikesales contributor Kirk Gibbs put the Desmo450 MX through its paces recently and also tested it back-to-back with the high-spec Factory version. Here is what he had to say:

The 2026 Ducati Desmo450 MX checks in at $16,825 in standard trim. That puts it at the top end of the price spectrum for its category, but it’s also a completely new bike featuring some impressive equipment straight out of the box.

Its most talked-about feature is the new single-cylinder engine with desmodromic valving, which offers a claimed 63.5hp and a high RPM redline of 11,900rpm. It also comes equipped with adjustable Showa suspension, Brembo brakes, and a purpose-built twin-spar aluminium frame.

From the moment I sat on the 2026 Ducati Desmo450 MX, the cockpit felt great, with good feel from the levers and a comfortable seat. The seat felt a bit wider across the top compared to other brands, but it didn’t feel any wider between the legs.

Once up and moving, the engine power was the first thing I noticed. When riding a gear higher, the bike was still able to pull strongly. It felt like you could hold gears for longer periods, reducing the need for constant up and down shifting.

The chassis felt balanced and predictable, which is a great feeling to have because confidence in the bike makes for a happy rider.

There isn’t too much to dislike about the 2026 Ducati Desmo450 MX, but there are a few things I’d change to better suit my own preferences.

The handlebar had a little too much sweep for me, and the clutch lever had a close disengagement point which felt like it was right at my fingers. A different handlebar bend and some clutch adjustments would improve the feel.

The bike also comes with a 49-tooth rear sprocket, but I’d like to try a 50- or 51-tooth sprocket to get a little more power off the bottom. This could also be achieved with some adjustments to the stock ECU mapping.

I’d also adjust the chain to make the wheelbase a little longer for added stability. While the suspension was initially soft for me, I felt it ramped up quite quickly.

All of these changes are easy adjustments and come down to personal preference. The standard settings may suit other riders perfectly.

The 2026 Ducati Desmo450 MX is one of the most expensive stock motocross bikes on the market, but it also comes with a high level of equipment. It’s a bike that could be pulled out of the box and raced or ridden at a high level.

It’s a strong overall package, with a great engine, suspension, chassis and overall feel. Ducati is such a famous and respected brand, and you know its test riders and R&D team have put a lot of work into delivering a competitive first model.

The Desmo450 MX allows Ducati to enter the motocross market and immediately challenge brands that have dominated the category for decades.

I was lucky enough to ride the standard Desmo450 MX back-to-back with the up-spec Factory version. Firstly, it showed just how good the standard bike is as a platform. However, the additional components and features do add to the Factory model’s credentials.

The Factory upgrades include:

All these upgrades result in a price of $19,100, which is a $2275 premium over the standard bike. That represents genuinely good value for the additional equipment.

The exhaust system is noticeable, with sharper power delivery and a little more overall response, while the fork and shock upgrades provide a noticeable improvement in comfort and feel when riding the bike.