Ducati Desmo450 SM: the first racing supermoto from Borgo Panigale

• The Desmo450 SM, the only bike in its class to feature Desmodromic valve timing, is a bike built for competition thanks to specific developments to the suspension, braking system, clutch, and electronics
• For the first time on a production Supermoto, suspension settings have been developed directly by Showa to provide support under braking, precision when entering corners and control in the various conditions typical of the discipline
• The chassis, power delivery and electronics work together to offer confidence to amateur riders and effectiveness to more experienced riders
• The Ducati Desmo450 SM will arrive at selected US dealerships starting in Spring 2027

SUNNYVALE, CA – September 17, 2026 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – The Desmo450 SM is the first competition-only supermoto from the Borgo Panigale-based manufacturer. Unveiled during World Ducati Week, it builds on the Desmo450 MX. This technical platform quickly proved competitive in Supermoto races, with multiple-time world champion Marc Reiner Schmidt and Team Undici leading it to victory on its world debut. The Desmo450 SM is built on the Desmo450 MX platform and further developed specifically for Supermoto racing. The suspension, triple clamps, wheels, braking system, final drive ratio, slipper clutch, and electronics have been fine-tuned to work in unison, delivering precision, control, and performance on Supermoto circuits.

The Desmo450 SM is built to compete and brings together, in a single package, all the solutions Ducati developed specifically for Supermoto. The result is a bike that works equally well for professional and amateur riders. A bike which, thanks to its engine power delivery, chassis and innovative electronics, can deliver high performance with minimal physical effort – a combination designed to promote consistency, efficiency and lap times.

The result is an incredibly fast bike in the hands of the rider, whether professional or amateur. A motorbike which, thanks to its engine delivery, chassis and innovative electronics, can deliver high performance with minimal physical effort – a combination that automatically translates into faster lap times and race results.

The suspension played a central role in the development of the Desmo450 SM; for the first time in a supermoto, Showa stepped in directly to ensure the balance the discipline demands. The sealed, upside-down 49 mm cartridge fork is fully adjustable for compression and rebound and features dedicated springs and settings, 280 mm of travel, and Kashima Coating on the stanchions. The left-hand side features a radial brake caliper mount, whilst the billet-machined steering plates have an extended center distance to provide sufficient clearance for the front wheel.

The result is a front end that delivers support during the most intense braking maneuvers, precision when entering corners, and confidence on the road, while remaining effective even on off-road sections. At the rear, the fully adjustable Showa shock works with a progressive link and offers 295 mm of wheel travel; thanks to its specific settings, it contributes to the bike’s traction and balance throughout the various stages of riding.

The hand guards and shortened mudguard have been redesigned to suit the discipline, and the fork guards are shorter, leaving more space for the 125/75 front slick tire, standard for supermoto. The rims are 16.5”* at the front and 17” at the rear, featuring an Excel rim profile and the Bartubeless system, which eliminates inner tubes and reduces rotating and unsprung mass by 2.6 lb, improving handling and suspension behavior. The factory-fitted tires are Metzeler Racetec Slick SMs, the same as those used in the World Championship.

The braking system has been developed to ensure power and modulation in conditions typical of Supermoto riding. Up front, it features a Brembo Stylema radial caliper and a 310 mm Galfer floating disc with an aluminum flange. At the rear, there is a 240 mm Galfer disc with a Brembo floating caliper.

The lightweight aluminum frame is the same as that used on the motocross bike and has been designed to minimize welds to optimize weight, stiffness, and strength, and to create the straightest possible intake duct to ensure the engine breathes as efficiently as possible.

The Desmodromic valve train allows the rev limiter to be set at 11,900 rpm, offering a wide operating range that enables the rider to stay in each gear for longer and reduce unnecessary gear changes.

The transmission, equipped with active Quick Shift for upshifts, features a Suter slipper clutch specifically calibrated for the Desmo450 SM, which helps the rider manage ‘side-slip’ when entering corners.

The Desmo450 SM introduces a patented Ducati Traction Control system to the segment, calibrated for Supermoto and capable of estimating actual rear-wheel slip. Adjustable across four levels and capable of being deactivated, the system intervenes in engine parameters to improve traction and stability in variable-grip conditions.

The electronic features also include Launch Control and Engine Brake Control, which, like the DTC, can be configured to different levels of intervention and linked to two Riding Modes that the rider can adapt to their own needs and the characteristics of the track via the X-Link app.

Maintenance intervals

The maintenance intervals are standard for this category: piston replacement and valve clearance checks are scheduled at 45 hours, whilst a full engine overhaul is scheduled at 90 hours and an oil change every 15 hours. To make servicing quicker and easier, the seals on all covers (alternator, clutch, cylinder head) are not made with three-component paste; instead, the cylinder head uses metal gaskets and the other two use rubber gaskets.

The Desmo450 SM introduces predictive maintenance, developed to monitor wear on engine components and assess the stress they are under based on usage. With the Com-Link module, available as an accessory, you can manage routine maintenance intervals more precisely and maintain efficiency and performance over time.

Availability

The Desmo450 SM will join two new Desmo models in the 2027 off-road lineup, including the Ducati Desmo450 EDS, Ducati’s first 50-state legal dual sport motorcycle, and the Ducati Desmo250 MX.  The Desmo450 SM will arrive at selected US dealerships in Spring 2027 and be priced at $12,995.

Desmo450 SM

Colors

• Ducati Red

Main Standard Features

• Desmo450 single-cylinder engine, 449.6 cc
• Maximum power of 63.5 hp at 9,400 rpm, Maximum torque of 39.5 ft-lb at 7,500 rpm
• Twin-spar aluminum frame
• 9 US gal fuel tank
• Showa 49 mm upside-down closed cartridge forks, fully adjustable, 280 mm travel and Kashima Coating on the outer tubes
• Showa fully adjustable monoshock
• Cast aluminum swingarm
• Brembo braking system with PR15x19 radial master cylinder and radial Stylema caliper on the front wheel. Single Galfer discs, 310 mm (front) and 240 mm (rear)
• Aluminum Takasago Excel rims with Bartubeless system, 16.5” x 3.5”* and 17” x 5”
• Metzeler Racetec SM 125/75 R16.5 and 165/55 R17 slick tires
• DID transmission chain
• 2 Riding Mode
• Riding Mode configurable via the accessory X-Link app
• New generation electronics package with Ducati Traction Control (DTC), Launch Control, Quick Shift, and Engine Brake Control
• Piston replacement every 45 hours
• Valve clearance check every 45 hours

*The 16.5-inch front rim is a dedicated supermoto racing wheel designed for track use with 16.5-inch track tires. It is not compatible with standard 17-inch motorcycle tires.

Source: Ducati Motor Holding SpA

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