High-spec Ducati Desmo450 MX Factory revealed

Ducati’s first motocross bike has only just hit Australian shores, but the Italian firm has already unveiled an up-spec “Factory” version.

The new Ducati Desmo450 MX Factory adds a distinctive Ducati Corse livery, an Akrapovic exhaust system, billet triple clamps, and Dark Kashima and TiO (titanium dioxide) coatings on the Showa suspension for improved performance.

Also fitted as standard is Ducati’s Wi-Fi connectivity module, which is available as an accessory on the regular Desmo450 MX.

With these changes, the Desmo450 MX Factory tips the scales at 104kg without fuel, making it approximately 0.8kg lighter than the standard model.

Prospective customers can expect to pay $19,100 for the Desmo450 MX Factory — a $2,800 premium over the standard Desmo450 MX.

Launched globally last year, the Desmo450 MX is Ducati’s first dedicated motocross bike. It features a single-cylinder engine with desmodromic valve timing, high-performance suspension, a purpose-built alloy frame, and a comprehensive electronics suite.

The Italian brand joins Triumph as a newcomer to the world of motocross. Ducati made its SuperMotocross debut on Sunday, with Justin Barcia and Dylan Ferrandis lining up on the new model at Anaheim 1.

Ferrandis claimed a hard-fought ninth place, while Barcia was stretchered off following a first-lap collision with Malcolm Stewart. He later walked out of hospital the same day and is expected to make a full recovery.

Ducati’s Australian arm announced the Desmo450 MX’s local arrival last week, alongside a collaboration with freestyle motocross rider Corey Creed.

Joining the Desmo450 MX and Factory variants soon will be the Desmo250 MX, along with an enduro-spec version of the 450.