Ducati has launched its first-ever supermoto race motorcycle, the Desmo450 SM, based on the Desmo450 MX motocross platform that has already found success in supermoto competition. Developed specifically for racing, the new model is not road-legal and comes equipped with slick tyres as standard.
At the heart of the Desmo450 SM is the same 449.6cc single-cylinder engine used by the Desmo450 MX and Desmo450 EDS enduro. The engine produces a claimed 62.6bhp at 9,400rpm and 53.6Nm of torque at 7,500rpm.
The focus on supermoto racing continues with the suspension package, which was developed with Showa. Up front, the bike uses 49mm upside-down closed-cartridge forks with full adjustability and 280mm of travel, along with Kashima Coating on the outer tubes. A fully adjustable Showa monoshock is used at the rear.
Suspension development was a major part of the Desmo450 SM project, with Showa working alongside Ducati to find the balance required for supermoto racing. According to Ducati, the resulting suspension settings are the first of their kind to be used on a production supermotard motorcycle.
The Desmo450 SM also retains Ducati’s Desmodromic valve timing, making it the only motorcycle in its class to use the system. Ducati has further fine-tuned the triple clamps, wheels, braking system, final-drive ratio, slipper clutch and electronics to suit supermoto riding.
The changes continue around the wheels and bodywork. The hand guards and shortened mudguard have been redesigned for the discipline, while shorter fork guards create additional clearance for the Metzeler 125/75 front slick tyre. The motorcycle uses 16.5-inch front and 17-inch rear wheels, with an Excel rim profile and Bartubeless system.
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Braking hardware comes from Brembo and Galfer, with a Brembo Stylema radial caliper working with a 310mm Galfer floating disc featuring an aluminium flange at the front. At the rear, a 240mm Galfer disc is paired with a Brembo floating caliper.
The electronics package has also been developed specifically around supermoto racing. The Desmo450 SM introduces Ducati’s patented Traction Control system to the segment, which estimates rear-wheel slip and allows riders to choose between four levels of intervention or deactivate the system completely. Alongside traction control, the motorcycle comes with Launch Control, Quick Shift and Engine Brake Control as standard, while riders also have access to two riding modes
