I hadnt heard anything about if or when ducati was coming out with a 250 version of the bike. So I checked google and come to find out the bike is already racing!
Ducati Desmo250 MX Debuted in Italian Motocross Championship
“Italian concern’s 250cc four-stroke motocross bike shown to the public and raced for the first time.
Following the debut of its Desmo450 MX in the premier MX1 class of the Italian Prestige Motocross Championship last year, Ducati has chosen the same approach for its 250cc four-stroke—the Desmo250 MX. The quarter-liter thumper marks the second chapter of Ducati’s motocross project, and part of its development involves being raced in the MX2 division of the Italian Prestige Motocross Championship this year by Alessandro Lupino.”
Pictures of the 250
https://www.dirtrider.com/dirt-bikes/ducati-desmo250-mx-debut-in-italian-motocross-championship/
Pretty crazy to see its already racing, seems like theyve been pretty low key with the 250. I’m super excited to see how much hp they can get out of that 250 if they can get 10 more hp out of the 450 with the desmo valve train. I have to assume it will follow a similar schedule to the 450, italian championship, mxgp, then ama.
Lots of Ducati threads overlapping a bit, some infos here:
https://www.vitalmx.com/forums/moto-related/ducati-450-mxgp?page=2
But that'd be easier to find in this new thread
A 450 is too much bike for me and the numbers on the ducati are even crazier than all the other 450 (if what they say is true), apparently because of their valve system. This whole time I’ve just been thinking that it would be awesome if they could come out with a 250 that also shows numbers a step above all the others. If that’s the case, they could it hit big in the 250’s.
More hp from the 250f is the next big innovation in Mx. Following the same path from the 80s and 90s- when the smaller bikes became better than the big bore big bore went away. A 50hp stock 250f will be the highest selling bike of the year for awhile. And a weapon. 16000 rpm here we come, hopefully a very advanced vtec system so the low end isn't nil.
Biggest advantage of Desmo for the 250 could be more torque spread over a wider range. More meat, less peak.
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I get what your trying to say, but I'm willing to bet that less peak is the opposite of what it will be. Again, 16000 rpm and more dyno hp is the future for sure in 250s, imho. Variable timing will be particularly effective on a 250 four stroke (lack of low end-wide range of rpm operation). Possibly more effective than a desmo setup.
Valve adjustments will be fun.
More pics
Couple weeks back I call a Ducati dealership and asked about delivery on a Desmo 250. Sales guy said they were going to be racing/testing it in Italy in the next few weeks. I guess he was right. Sales guy said all they heard on the 250 was later in the year.
They are a good looking bike, that’s for sure!
Be interesting to see what it turns out to be. I hope some of the guys across the pond in Italy have heard a little about handling and power band.
I’m all about modern 250s and would even sacrifice a little power if the reliability could stay there.
Yeah look s like a Honda. But I think it’s great another co that pays me not to show up . They don’t want there bike looken bad .
Do any sport bikes have variable timing? I feel like it would happen there first before it comes over to dirt bikes. I dont think ive heard of it on sport bikes yet though, so it could be a long way away. It kinda would be like a power valve for a 4 stroke though. I dont think its that complicated, but seems like theyre in no rush. They may be in a rush quick though if the desmo starts throwing down 10 more hp stock.
Current gsxr1000 does, pretty sure bmw s1000r do as well. So yeah
Heck, even Harleys have it nowdays. It's a sad day when motocross technology has fallen behind hd even. Lol
Many sportbikes, even some scooters do! And Ducati has its own Desmo version as well
https://www.motorcyclistonline.com/variable-valve-timing-technology-for…
Yup, there's a Lot of VVT systems in place now, as Beagle wrote.
When Suzuki brought out their system on the GSXR, I thought it would inevitably, end up on RMZs.
As, it was / is a far simpler system - I think WSBK had rules that stopped VVTs from being 'electrical' - than many other systems. A simple system, could be of benefit for Dirt use.
And, some of the the first bikes I ever rode with it, ( though the VFR750 /800 a mate had , that I "took care of" for some time, had it years ago) were the Yamaha 'MX'150s that are sold (mainly) in Asia. They use that 150cc, EFI, 4 Valve, VVT engine in a variety of Large Wheeled Scooters, and, they are a Hoot!
My F150 had VVT.
Fuck VVT.
Pit Row
Desmo valve adjustments are definitely a drag. Had a couple of v-twin Dukes I put a lot of miles on when it di come time to have to adjust the valves it was a real process needing some special tools and lots of time to complete. That said, desmodronic valve actuation does allow you to run really radical cam profiles without the normally accompanying crazy spring pressures.
Looks like they got the graphics for that 250 on eBay.
Yea on my acura it was a purely mechanical system that ran off oil pressure, I feellike that would be the best way to go for a dirt bike.
There's 2 ways to do something - the right way and the Ford way. 😁
Simmer down..... I will put the 5.0 in my truck against anything!
Relax, it was a joke! 😉
Besides, I can't risk stirring up all the cult members. 😄
The VVT system the GSXR uses is genius for simplicity and would work great on a dirt bike, but Suzuki probably has it locked down with a patent.
On the other side of the coin, a valve spring keeps the same pressure on the valve and valve seat no matter if the parts are brand new or worn out, and all were doing is adjusting the clearance for opening. With this system as parts wear you must adjust shims to seal the valve, and if this is done wrong you can pull stuff apart or gall up the camshaft.
the 450 or 250 wont make any more power than a ktm. their street bikes have never competed with other brands in terms of raw power.
What do you mean “wont” it already “does”
2026 ducati desmo 450mx:
Max hp: 63.5 @ 9400rpm,
Max tq 39.5 ft lbs @ 7500 rpm,
Rev limiter 11,900 rpm.
2025 ktm 450sxf:
Max hp: 59.2 @ 9300rpm,
Max tq 32.9 ft lbs @ 7100 rpm,
Rev limiter 11,200 rpm.
Wow! Those are good numbers, Tomac may like that torque 😃
+7% hp but remarkably +20% torque
Dyno runs will show how the spec sheet battle holds up in real life but I bet there's more torque at all rpm, with an even bigger difference at lower rpm.
Multiple holeshots in MXGP with production engine is saying something.
Tests will show if it stays rideable but Ducati electronics on their sportbikes are very very good.
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