The Ducati Desmo450 SM has been officially revealed, marking Ducati’s first dedicated racing supermoto. Powered by a 449.6cc single-cylinder engine, the bike produces 63.5 HP and 53.5 Nm.
While its wet weight, excluding fuel, is just 109 kg. Most importantly, the Desmo450 SM has been developed for competition, not road use.
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Ducati developed this motorcycle from its Desmo450 MX platform. Dedicated changes have been made to the chassis, suspension, braking, clutch, gearing, and electronics for supermoto applications. European deliveries are scheduled to begin in December 2026 at selected dealerships.
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Ducati Desmo450 SM 449.6cc Engine
The Ducati Desmo450 SM features a 449.6cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine. It uses Ducati’s Desmodromic valve actuation system, which connects the bike to Ducati’s traditional engine character.
The engine produces 63.5 hp at 9,400 rpm and 53.5 Nm at 7,500 rpm. Its rev limit is 11,900 rpm, which is quite high for a 450cc single-cylinder competition motorcycle.
The engine has a 96mm bore and 62.1mm stroke, with a compression ratio of 13.5:1. Fuel injection is handled by a Keihin injector and a 44mm Mikuni throttle body.
Weight Only 109kg
The Ducati Desmo450 SM most impressive figure is its 109kg wet weight without fuel.
A combination of forged, cast, and extruded components, along with an aluminum frame, is used for lightweight construction. The supermoto-focused chassis setup aims to provide quick direction changes and better control when braking.
The bike has a wheelbase of 1,483mm, a seat height of 930mm, and a fuel tank capacity of 7.2 liters.
Showa Suspension and Brembo Stylema Brakes
Ducati has used dedicated supermoto hardware in the Desmo 450 SM. The front features a 49mm fully adjustable Showa upside-down fork, while the rear features a fully adjustable Showa monoshock.
The braking setup is also race-focused. The front features a 310mm Galfer disc with a Brembo Stylema radial caliper. The rear wheel gets a 240mm disc and a Brembo floating caliper.
According to Ducati, the suspension settings have been specifically developed for Supermoto riding, focusing on braking support, corner entry precision, and overall control.
16.5-Inch Front Wheel and Slick Tires
To enhance its supermoto character, Ducati has not used the typical road-bike wheel setup.
The front features a 16.5-inch Takasago Excel spoked tubeless wheel, while the rear features a 17-inch wheel. The tires are Metzeler Racetec SM racing slicks.
Ducati specifically mentions that the 16.5-inch front wheel is designed for track-use racing tires and is not compatible with standard 17-inch motorcycle tires.
5-Speed Gearbox with Quickshifter
The Ducati Desmo 450 SM is equipped with a 5-speed gearbox. An upshift-only quickshifter is standard equipment.
The clutch is handled by a Suter slipper clutch, which uses Brembo hydraulic control. Ducati has also modified the final-drive gearing for Supermoto applications.
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Electronics Package Also Race-Focused
Despite being a lightweight racing motorcycle, the Desmo 450 SM features a decent package of electronics.
This includes:
- Riding Modes
- Ducati Traction Control
- Engine Brake Control
- Ducati Fall Detection
- Power Launch
- Map Selector
- Up-shift Quickshifter
- Hourmeter
The bike features an LCD dashboard and is ready for an optional Wi-Fi module and X-Link App connectivity.
The Ducati Desmo 450 SM is not road legal
This is an important point. The Desmo 450 SM has not been developed as a normal road-going motorcycle.
Ducati is explicitly positioning it as a competition-only Supermoto bike. Its 16.5-inch front racing wheel and track-focused Metzeler slick tires also highlight this purpose.
Therefore, it has not yet been confirmed whether it will be launched as a normal showroom road bike in India.
What is the India launch scenario?
Currently, Ducati India has not confirmed the India launch of the Desmo 450 SM.
Ducati already sells the Desmo 450 MX motocross motorcycle in India, but the purpose and hardware of the Desmo 450 SM are quite different. If Ducati is launched in India, it will be a highly specialized competition motorcycle.
Currently India-specific price and availability details have not been officially announced.
Ducati Desmo450 SM: Key Specifications
| Specification | Ducati Desmo450 SM |
|---|---|
| Engine | 449.6cc Single-Cylinder |
| Valve System | Desmodromic |
| Power | 63.5 HP @ 9,400rpm |
| Torque | 53.5 Nm @ 7,500rpm |
| Rev Limit | 11,900rpm |
| Gearbox | 5-Speed |
| Quickshifter | Up-Shift |
| Weight | 109kg, without fuel |
| Front Suspension | 49mm Fully Adjustable Showa USD |
| Rear Suspension | Showa Fully Adjustable Monoshock |
| Front Brake | 310mm Disc + Brembo Stylema |
| Rear Brake | 240mm Disc + Brembo Caliper |
| Front Wheel | 16.5-inch |
| Rear Wheel | 17-inch |
| Seat Height | 930mm |
| Fuel Tank | 7.2 litres |
| Riding Modes | Yes |
| Traction Control | Ducati DTC |
| Launch Control | Yes |
| Usage | Competition / Track |
Specifications are based on Ducati’s official MY27 data.
Deliveries begin in December 2026
According to Ducati’s official announcement, deliveries of the Desmo 450 SM will begin in December 2026 at selected European dealerships. The bike is part of Ducati’s 2027 model-year portfolio.
Ducati lists this model with a starting price of £12,095 in the UK market, but India-specific pricing is not yet available.
Auto India Daily Verdict
The Ducati Desmo 450 SM is not a typical road-going supermoto. Its focus is on lightweight construction, sharp handling, and competition performance.
With 63.5 HP and a weight of just 109 kg, Showa suspension, Brembo Stylema brakes, and racing slick tires, it is a highly specialized machine. Ducati’s Desmodromic engine further sets it apart in its category.
A launch for India has not yet been confirmed, but if Ducati introduces it here, it will be a completely different type of motorcycle in the brand’s portfolio.
Source Note: Technical specifications and availability details are based primarily on Ducati’s official product and press-release information. India launch and India-specific pricing have not been confirmed by Ducati.
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