Motorcycle specifications Ducati Desmo450 Sm 2027 The screech of the asphalt

When Ducati enters a new category, it’s never a half-hearted effort. It’s either with serious power or serious potential. With already impressive machines in motocross, the Bologna-based company has an excellent foundation for launching a supermoto—its first to compete: the Desmo450 SM.

Unveiled at World Ducati Week, the bike is derived from the Desmo450 MX, a technical platform that immediately proved competitive in Supermoto racing, winning the world championship right out of the gate with multiple world champion Marc Reiner Schmidt and Team Undici.

The suspension played a central role in the development of the Desmo450 SM. For the first time on a supermoto bike, Showa was directly involved to ensure the balance required for this discipline. The 49-mm sealed cartridge inverted fork is fully adjustable for compression and rebound. It features specific springs and settings, 280 mm of travel, and Kashima-coated tubes. The left fork leg incorporates a radial mount for the brake caliper, while the billet-machined triple clamps feature an increased center distance to ensure sufficient clearance for the front wheel.

The result is a front end that provides excellent support during the most intense braking, high precision when entering corners, and greater confidence on the road, while remaining effective on off-road sections. At the rear, the fully adjustable Showa shock absorber 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 during the various phases of riding.

The hand guards and shortened fender have been redesigned to meet the demands of the discipline. The fork guards are also shorter to allow more space for the 125/75 front slick tire, which comes standard on Supermoto bikes. The rims measure 16.5 inches in the front and 17 inches in the rear. They feature an Excel profile and the Bartubeless system, which, by eliminating inner tubes, reduces rotating and unsprung masses by 1.2 kg, thereby improving handling and suspension performance. The factory-fitted tires are Metzeler Racetec Slick SMs, identical to those used in the world championship.

The braking system has been developed to ensure power and progressive response under typical Supermoto riding conditions. Up front, it features a Brembo Stylema radial caliper and a 310-mm Galfer floating disc with an aluminum ring. At the rear, there is a 240-mm Galfer disc paired with a Brembo floating caliper.

The lightweight aluminum frame is identical to the one used on the motocross bike. It was designed to minimize the number of welds in order to optimize weight, stiffness, and strength, while creating the straightest possible intake duct to allow the engine to breathe with maximum efficiency. The desmodromic valve train allows the rev limiter to be set at 11,900 rpm, providing a wide operating range that enables the rider to stay in each gear longer and reduce unnecessary gear changes.

The transmission, equipped with an active shifter for upshifts, incorporates a Suter anti-hopping clutch specially calibrated for the Desmo450 SM. This helps the rider manage rear-wheel slip when entering corners.

The Desmo450 SM introduces a patented Ducati Traction Control system to this segment, specifically calibrated for Supermoto and capable of estimating actual rear-wheel slip. Adjustable to four levels and capable of being disabled, the system acts on engine parameters to improve traction and stability when grip varies.

The electronic features also include Launch Control and Engine Brake Control. Like the DTC, these systems can be configured to different levels of intervention and associated with two riding modes. The rider can adapt them to their own needs and the track conditions via the X-Link app.

Maintenance intervals comply with industry standards for this category: piston replacement and valve clearance checks are scheduled every 45 hours, while a complete engine service is scheduled every 90 hours and an oil change must be performed every 15 hours.

To make maintenance faster and easier, the gaskets for all casings—alternator, clutch, and cylinder head—do not use a three-component sealant. Metal gaskets are used for the cylinder head, while rubber gaskets are used for the other two components.

The Desmo450 SM also introduces the concept of predictive maintenance, developed to monitor engine component wear and assess the stresses they are subjected to based on usage. Thanks to the Com-Link module, available as an accessory, it is possible to manage routine maintenance intervals with greater precision and preserve the motorcycle’s performance and efficiency over time

The Desmo450 SM will be available at select European dealerships starting in December 2026, before being released to the rest of the world.

Key standard features:

• Desmo450 single-cylinder engine, 449.6 cm³
• Maximum power of 63.5 ch at 9,400 rpm, maximum torque of 39.5 at 7,500 rpm
• Aluminum twin-spar frame
• 7.2-liter fuel tank
• 49-mm Showa inverted fork with sealed cartridges, fully adjustable, 280 mm travel, and Kashima coating on the outer tubes
• Fully adjustable Showa monoshock
• Cast aluminum swingarm
• Brembo braking system with PR15x19 radial master cylinder and Stylema caliper at the front. Single Galfer discs, 310 mm (front) and 240 mm (rear)
• Takasago Excel aluminum rims with Bartubeless system, 16.5” x 3.5” and 17” x 5”
• Metzeler Racetec SM slick tires, 125/75 R16.5 and 165/55 R17
• DID drive chain
• 2 riding modes
• Riding modes configurable via the X-Link app (optional)
• Next-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

Information and image credits: Ducati