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During the 2026 VW Africa Indaba, Ducati South Africa confirmed what motocross fans have been waiting for – the Italian brand’s all-new Desmo450 MX range is officially available for pre-order, with the first units landing in South Africa by the end of February to early March.
Both the Ducati Desmo450 MX and the Desmo450 MX Factory will finally touch local soil, marking a significant milestone as Ducati makes its anticipated entry into the local competitive motocross segment.
The Ducati Desmo450 MX has been developed in less than two years, mixing the racing experience in the Italian MX Prestige Championship and in the MX GP World Championship, the technology derived from MotoGP and the expertise of professional riders and testers.
The development process began where it matters most: the engine. The new Ducati Desmo450 powerplant was engineered with a no-compromise approach to performance, taking full advantage of Ducati’s expertise in high-revving, high-performance MotoGP engines. Particular attention was paid to intake geometry, keeping the intake manifold as straight and symmetrical as possible in line with the motorcycle’s longitudinal axis, maximising airflow efficiency and throttle response.
Ducati Desmo450 MX
Retail Price: R266 000.00
What You Get | Standout Features:
- Desmodromic distribution: Used in every Ducati high performance engine, as MotoGP and SBK, it allows to push the valves dynamics where standard coil spring distribution cannot. This allows to increase performance, reducing low rpm friction and allowing to set the rev-limiter at higher levels.
- Titanium intake valves and hollow stem, sodium loaded, steel exhaust valves: Reduce to the minimum the weight of moving masses, allowing to reach higher rpm while maintaining the proper valve lift.
- More torque at low rpm: Rev limiter at 11,900 rpm. A higher rev-limiter could help to reduce the number of gearshifts and to have that extra momentum at the start to get the holeshot.
- Lightweight construction: The engine was designed to be compact and lightweight. Head cover, clutch cover and alternator cover are made of
magnesium. Clutch basket has integrated the primary transmission gear. Gear drum is made of aluminium. Water pump is integrated in the balance shaft. - 5 gears with hydraulic clutch control and Quick Shift: The quick shifter allows the rider to change gear without using the clutch nor closing the throttle, helping to have faster starts.
- Showa suspension system: Ø49 mm front fork. Closed cartridge. Adjustable in compression and rebound. 310 mm stroke. Spring rate 5 N/mm. Kashima coating on outer tube.
Rear shock with progressive link. Ø50mm piston, Ø16mm stem. Adjustable in compression (hi/low speed), rebound and preload. 301 mm rear wheel travel. Spring rate 46 N/mm - Forged suspension componentry: Triple clamp. Link connecting rods. High performance and lightweight suspension system to guarantee the best in terms of reliability and performance.
- Braking system: Brembo braking system. Galfer brake discs. Lightweight componentry to improve handling. Brembo hydraulic clutch. Hydraulic clutch master cylinder and actuator.
- Wheels and tires: Pirelli Scorpion MX32 Mid-Soft front and rear. Takasago Excel rims. Cast aluminium machined hubs.
- Functional design: Four positions for the handlebar. Easy to access air filter. Easy trackside maintenance – Easy to remove rear shock. Piston can be replaced without taking the engine off from the frame.
- State of the art electronics:
Two Riding Modes – With different presets of the electronic controls, to fit the rider preferences and track conditions.
Throttle response – Two throttle responses are available: smooth and
dynamic.
Launch Control – When activated, the system limits the max rpm during a start from the gate, limiting the power at the rear wheel and allowing the rider to concentrate only on clutch management. Adjustable via app on three levels,
Engine Brake Control – The system allows the rider to choose between different levels of engine brake, according to his/her preferences and track conditions. Adjustable via app on two levels. - Ducati Traction Control: The most advanced traction control in the off-road industry. The first with a real closed loop control. It takes advantage of different sensors and inertial measures to determine the real slip of the rear wheel.
This allows to have a prompt, effective and reliable system that intervenes only when needed, without cutting if unnecessary. Numerous tests proved the objective improvement in the lap-time when using the system. Nevertheless, it allows a more relaxed ride and to reduce fatigue.
The system is settable via app on four levels depending on rider’s preferences and track conditions.
Ducati Desmo450 MX Factory
Retail Price: R306 000.00
What You Get | Standout Features:
The Desmo450 MX Factory builds on the standard model’s platform, adding a host of upgrades designed for riders chasing maximum performance.
- Dedicated Graphics: Factory Look.
- Showa Front suspension system with special treatments: Ø49mm front fork. Closed cartridge. Adjustable in compression and rebound. 310 mm stroke. Spring rate 5 N/mm.
Black anodised axle brackets.
Dark Kashima coating on the outer tube.
Super-finishing on the inner tube.
TiO coating on the inner tube. - Showa Rear suspension system with special treatments: Ø50mm piston rear shock with progressive link. Ø16mm piston rod. Adjustable in compression (hi/low speed), rebound and preload. 301 mm rear wheel travel. Spring rate 46 N/mm.
Dark Kashima coating on the body.
Super-finishing on the piston rod.
TiO coating on the piston rod. - Lighter front end: Ergal machined triple clamp. Black anodised.
- Akrapovič full titanium exhaust with resonator
Dedicated engine map.
Fuller torque curve all across the rev range.
Compliant with AMA and FIM noise regulation.
With spark arrestor for US market.
More punch out of the curves and more high revving power for faster starts. - Holeshot device: Keep the fork compressed at the start.
Guarantee more stability and acceleration when the gate drops. - Front disc guard: Prevents the mud from building up and clogging the front disc. Protect the front disc from stones.
- Skid plate: Prevents the mud from accumulating between the
engine and the frame and adding weight to the bike. Protect the engine and the frame from stones. - RK MXU gold chain: O-rings seal in factory lubricant and block out dirt, water, and debris, significantly reducing wear, improving durability, and extending the chain’s lifespan.
- Ducati Com-Link wi-fi module as standard: Enable the Ducati X-Link.
Riding Modes customisation: Throttle response. Ducati Traction Control. Launch Control. Engine Brake Control. Bike monitoring. Track maintenance service. Suspension setup.
Allows the user to personalise the bike behaviour depending on rider skills and track conditions to make it easier and/or more performant depending on the necessity.
*Ducati Com-Link wi-fi module available in certain countries only.
From the vibrant destination of Ducati Claremont, the flagship Ducati Johannesburg, a global-standard in Sandton, opens its doors in March, becoming a meeting place for the faithful. But Ducati’s vision looks further.
Ducati Umhlanga, Ducati Gqeberha, Ducati George, Ducati Bloemfontein and Ducati Windhoek. This expansion is the deliberate growth of Ducati’s community so that wherever a rider seeks the purest expression of performance and design, their home awaits.
For more info, visit Ducati.co.za.
