Ducati Desmo450 SM specs, details and features
Ducati’s first supermoto has officially been revealed ahead of its December arrival, with the new Desmo450 SM gaining suspension settings from Showa, and first-in-class desmodromic valve timing.
Ducati has launched its first-ever supermoto race machine, the Desmo450 SM, which is based on the Desmo450 MX motocross platform that has already achieved success in the supermoto class.
The new model will arrive in European dealerships first, before deliveries begin to take place in other global markets.
The new supermotard is set to arrive in dealerships this December, and it will do so with a price of £12,095.
The bike has been developed specifically for supermoto racing, therefore it will not be road-legal and will be sold with slick tyres.
At the heart of the new machine is the same 449.6cc single-cylinder engine that’s housed by the £11,245 Desmo450 MX and Desmo450 EDS enduro, which features the same price as the MX variant.
The new Desmo450 SM produces a claimed 63.5 hp (around 62.6 bhp) at 9,400rpm and 39.5 Ib-ft of torque at 7,500rpm.
Suspension is handled by Showa with 49mm upside-down closed cartridge forks up front, which are fully adjustable, include 280mm of travel, and feature Kashima Coating on the outer tubes. At the rear is a fully adjustable Showa monoshock.
The suspension was a major part of the Desmo450 SM’s development, with Showa actively playing a role in finding the best balance required for supermoto racing.
According to Ducati, the suspension settings are the first to be adopted on a production supermotard bike.
The Desmo450 SM also features Desmodromic valve timing, making it the only bike in its class to use the system.
The bike’s triple clamps, wheels, braking system, final drive ratio, slipper clutch and electronics have all been fine-tuned to work together, while the hand guards and shortened mudguard have been redesigned to suit the discipline.
The fork guards are now shorter, creating more space for the Metzeler 125/75 front slick tyre, which is standard for supermoto. The rims are 16.5-inch at the front and 17-inch at the rear, and feature an Excel rim profile and a Bartubeless system.
Stopping power is handled by Brembo with its Stylema radial caliper working alongside a 310mm Galfer floating disc with an aluminium flange. A 240mm Galfer disc is paired with a Brembo floating caliper at the rear.
In terms of tech, the Desmo450 SM welcomes a patented Ducati Traction Control system to the segment, which is again designed specifically for supermoto. It is capable of estimating the precise slip of the rear wheel, and is adjustable across four levels, while riders can deactivate the system, too.
Additionally, the new model arrives with a Launch Control, Quick Shift, and Engine Brake Control as standard, as well as two ride modes.
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After graduating with a sports journalism degree, Robert joined Crash.net to lead the WorldSBK coverage in 2021, while also providing MotoGP coverage. Fulfilling that role for over three years, Robert was able to put his knowledge about all things racing to the test.
