Ducati Desmo MX 450 reveal-livestream

It looks like most of the frame is cast aluminum. That would be different than most mfg's. That head looks HUGE on that engine.

It isn’t too bad if you’ve done others. You just have to be very meticulous with it. I’d rather pay the Ducati dealership to do my valves in the Streetfighter, though. 

I'm just glad they didn't drag this out as long as Triumph did. I can only take so many fake ass terrible photoshop "leaks".

The lack of valve springs should make it very easy to kickstart. 

wait

Now that is what an Italian motocross bike should look like. The smallest of details are so well-refined, especially for a first effort. I love those shark-like radiator vents in the shrouds. Strangely, I love that enormous engine too. Front fender reminds me a bit of the Mugen front fender from way back when, and since I own a Mugen, I totally dig that as well. 

It's a wonderful time to be a fan of this sport. Radical changes abound, which feels like bath water to an old goat like me. Lest anyone forget (and countless of you have) the sport was built upon a tradition of every accepted tradition being upended and discarded.

May revolution and constant flux once again become the accepted norm. Viva moto!

Very exciting! But as a 30+ year tech, I'm not looking forward to a 3 day seminar on valve job. Looks expensive !

As others have said, the Desmo system might not benefit a 450 too much (they already have enough power), but it could be a real game changer in the 250 class. They could also make a Desmo 350 that makes as much power as a current 450.

Very nice bike! Beta, Triumph and Ducati spending big $ on ICE bikes , guess that means they are not going away soon! Yay

It's a beauty.

Shall we gamble on the price point? 

Over $16,500     -150

Under $16,500   +250

They brought that over from their Hypermotard line I believe. Yeah, it looks goofy 

Still prototype cylinder head, that is a 3D printed part right there.

I think you’re definitely in the ballpark. I’m going under, by $1.

As much as I hate polls here, I think your question is poll worthy.

Anybody else getting tired of the same 2 energy drinks plastered over everything in the sport? I get they go with the territory and they pump a lot of money into the sport but it’s getting boring having the same title sponsor across several teams

So when do we completely do away with the side number plates and start putting the numbers on the exhaust? 

I freaking love that bike and I want one today. I've loved every Ducati I've ever thrown a leg over (especially the Monster and HyperMotard) so I'm a bit biased but I think it looks fantastic. I hope the red is more like the 1199 Superleggera, or maybe they'll offer it in yellow as well. 

Very curious about the Desmo tech for MX. I love it on the street because you can really feel like you're wringing it's neck, but in MX I feel like most people like running lower in the RPMs. The service intervals on the Ducatis tend to be tighter (and more costly), and I would think this might make the engine more top heavy, so I'm very curious to see if this technology translates well to MX. 

Funny you say that but I noticed that the side number plates have been headed back to the 1970’s style away from the rear fender for a few years.

Extremely Cool seeing a long time motorcycle manufacturer bring in a different type technology into MX

Higher revs means less need of shifting = quicker lap times

I have the same questions about 'top heavy look of the engine. Reminds me of the older generation 4 strokes. It looks like the top end is biased forward though, so that should help with initial lean response. Kind of the opposite trend the other bikes mfrs. are going.  There are pros and cons to all design choices, so I don't see any bike design to be superior. Rider preference 

I had a 2020 950 S and paid $17,500 OTD. I would imagine their 450 will be near this price point.

Yes this Ducati is gonna be expensive, just not "Lamborghini expensive", I mean their sport bikes are on the higher end for sure but the standard Panigale V4 merely costs 10% more than the standard Honda CBR1000RR-R (I kid you not on the number of Rs). You won't get a Lambo just paying 10% more than for your Honda Civic 

Then of course be ready for the R edition, the S edition, the SP edition, the S Corse edition, the Cairoli limited edition and so on. One of them will be the limited edition on which the factory bike will be based, to comply with homologation rules. The others will be even more expensive collectibles filled with carbon bits and any high-end component available who will sadly mostly not turn a wheel on a track.

As for service, the reds have become much better, for instance the Panigale V4 in all its 215 hp 15 000 rpm glory, has 15 000 km service intervals for oil service (oil change, oil filter, check air filter...), and 24 000 km intervals for engine maintenance (so-called Desmo service).

I'm not saying you'll go 24 000 km without any engine maintenance on your Desmo 450 lol, just that Ducati got pretty good at making killer Desmo engines with low maintenance on their road bikes.

I'm old and probably jaded, but I'm utterly disappointed with what I see.

After the english alloy framed KTM, here's an italian CRF - with a head bigger than a YZF 400...

The lack of imagination of the designers and the resulting lack of personality of these two bike is truly appaling.

I don’t follow MotoGP or street bikes so didn’t know their relationship on the street side. My pops has had a Swedish buddy forever that would swear by their Moto stuff and my dad would look at him like he’s crazy haha

Please design a bike that looks radically different and post it here. 

You're right, they have been getting better and, if you don't get stingy with the maintenance, they're very reliable. Never had an issue on mine that wasn't user error. Based on what they've been able to do in MotoGP, I wouldn't doubt their ability to jump into MX and shake things up. 

And yes, they'll be a bit more. Don't forget the Ducati gear, pit shirt, pit jacket, gearbag, polo shirt so everyone at work knows what you ride on the weekends... I don't think they'll have the volume to have as many special editions as they do on the road bikes but we'll see. Would love to see a Cairoli edition. 

Brembo on these two race bikes. Wonder also if stock will have Nissan? As Vital experts had stated. Brembo has been standard on Ducati for years. My ‘96 916 had Brembo stock. As well as Ohlins shock. 

Pretty good looking bike. Massive cylinder head makes it look heavy. Curious if it will be +/- 5lbs of ktm/ yam

I honestly expected some Winglets!!

By the way, this is how Ducati does their "factory editions". 

Ducati's primary street racing bike is the V4, raced by several teams. Limited to only about 200 units worldwide, you get the bike, a special box with aftermarket bits and spares, a certificate of authenticity and even comes in a special crate and a gas tank signed by the rider. 

Anyone else a bit disappointed that Ducati didn't go for a carbon monocoque, ala MotoGP? Rationale: parts integration, stiffness management...