Ducati Desmo 450SM: Supermoto racing motorbike with a bespoke chassis

With the Desmo 450SM, Ducati has treated us to a Supermoto version of the Desmo 450MX motocross bike. The chassis, triple clamps, wheels, braking system, final drive ratio, anti-hopping clutch and electronics have all been tuned to deliver precision, control and performance on supermoto tracks.

The suspension played a central role in the development of the Desmo 450SM. For the first time on a Supermoto bike, Showa was directly involved in the development to achieve the balance required for this discipline. The 49 mm USD fork with a sealed cartridge system is adjustable for compression and rebound damping and features special springs and specific tuning, 280 mm of travel, and a Kashima coating on the inside of the outer tubes. The fork crowns, milled from solid blocks, feature a wider spacing between the fork tubes to provide sufficient clearance for the wider front wheel. At the rear, the adjustable Showa shock absorber is mounted via a progressive linkage and offers 295 mm of suspension travel.

The hand guards and the shortened front mudguard have been redesigned specifically to meet the demands of this discipline. The fork guards are also shorter, thereby creating more space for the 125/75 slick tyre at the front, which is standard in Supermoto. The rims measure 16.5 inches at the front and 17 inches at the rear, feature an Excel rim profile and are fitted with the Bartubeless system. The elimination of inner tubes reduces the rotating and unsprung masses by 1.2 kg. The Desmo 450SM comes fitted as standard with Metzeler Racetec Slick SM tyres – the same tyres used in the World Championship.

Kein Umbau, sondern eine startbereite Rennmaschine: Ducati Desmo 450SM

Foto: Ducati

The braking system has been developed to ensure high braking performance and optimum modulation under the conditions typical of Supermoto. At the front, there is a left-side radially mounted Brembo Stylema calliper and a floating Galfer brake disc with a diameter of 310 mm and an aluminium flange. At the rear, the braking system consists of a 240 mm Galfer brake disc and a floating Brembo brake caliper.

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The aluminium frame is identical to that of the motocross version; its design allows for the straightest possible intake duct, which increases the engine’s efficiency. The desmodromic valve control enables a maximum revs of 11,900 rpm and thus a wide usable rev range. This allows the rider to rev out each gear for longer and reduce the number of gear changes. Ducati makes no secret of the engine’s performance, quoting 63.5 PS at 9,400 rpm and 53.5 Nm at 7,500 rpm.

The gearbox features an automatic upshift system and is fitted with a Suter anti-hopping clutch specially tuned for the Desmo 450SM, to optimally control the desired rear-wheel slip when entering corners.

Ducati bringt die adaptive Traktionskontrolle in den Supermoto-Rennsport

Foto: Ducati

With the Desmo 450SM, Ducati’s patented Traction Control system makes its debut in Supermoto racing. The system has been specifically tuned for Supermoto use and can detect the actual slip of the rear wheel. The system, which is adjustable across four levels and can be deactivated, intervenes in the engine parameters to improve traction and riding stability in changing grip conditions.

The electronic equipment also includes launch control and engine braking control. Like the traction control, these systems can also be configured in various levels and linked to two riding modes. Using the X-Link app, the rider can adapt the riding modes to their individual requirements and the prevailing track conditions.

The maintenance intervals are in line with the standard for this category: the piston is to be replaced and valve clearances checked after 45 hours of operation, a full engine overhaul is required after 90 hours, and oil changes are required every 15 hours. To facilitate maintenance, the alternator, clutch and cylinder head covers are not sealed with a three-component sealant. Instead, metal gaskets are used on the cylinder head and rubber gaskets on the other two covers.

Designed exclusively for racing, the Desmo 450SM is not road-legal and will be available from selected European dealers from December 2026, priced at €13,290 in Germany (Switzerland: CHF 12,690, Austria: €13,290).