The Ducati MX Experience is now officially open for UK fans of the brand to have the most exhilarating experience of riding motocross on the brand-new, championship-winning Desmo450 MX.
The opening of the venue was marked by a ride day at Golding Barn in Sussex for the UK media specialising in motocross.
At the same time, the Desmo450 MX landed in UK dealerships, and is now available to purchase for £11,245 at Ducati Cambridge, Ducati Leeds, Ducati Preston, Ducati North London, Chris Walker Motorcycles, GT Motorcycles, Ducati Hailsham and Millsport Motorcycles, who have all gone through a rigorous process of technical training and assessment to make sure they know everything about the new model.
Barry Johnson, Ducati MX Experience Chief Instructor : “It was amazing to host the UK motocross media event at Golding Barn, where the Desmo450 MX made a real impression on everyone. This is a genuine championship-winning bike, but also perfect for introducing new riders to motocross. We are looking forward to offering the experience to everyone with a passion for Ducatis.”
Fabrizio Cazzoli, Managing Director, Ducati UK: “It’s great to see the Desmo450 MX arriving at Ducati Stores in the UK. Now we can share the thrill of riding motocross both through the dealer network and the new Ducati MX Experience. This bike is something really special; it has proved it in racing, and the Ducati MX Experience is the perfect place for everyone to experience it.”
Developed in racing competition to take Ducati’s racing DNA off the asphalt, the new Desmo450 MX – presented at the 2026 Ducati World Première – now arrives in dealerships. The bikes are being delivered to European dealers, and within the end of the month the distribution will reach the United States.
To celebrate this milestone, Ducati unveils a video in which it describes the assembly of the bikes coming off the line in the Borgo Panigale factory. The video follows all the moments of the production of a Desmo450 MX: from the engine to the chassis, to first start-up and to the final checks of the Finishing and Aesthetic Approval department
The first riders are receiving their Desmo450 MX right now, finally being able to enjoy the great work done by engineers and the riders who developed it. In fact, the Desmo450 MX was born from the philosophy that has always inspired Ducati: to experiment on the most challenging racetracks with solutions and technologies that can then be transferred to its production bikes to equally enhance the riding skills of amateurs and professionals.
The Desmo450 MX, winner on debut of the Italian Prestige MX1 title with Alessandro Lupino, is in fact currently competing in the MXGP World Championship in the hands of Jeremy Seewer and Mattia Guadagnini, with a positive balance of two podiums and numerous holeshots, demonstrating the validity of its desmodromic engine and the project in general. Nine-time world champion Tony Cairoli , whose experience has been invaluable in the development of the Desmo450 MX, took part in two US Pro Motocross rounds, at Redbud and Spring Creek, laying the foundations for the operation that will see Ducati involved with Troy Lee Design in the American championships in the near future.
Enthusiasts who want to bring their new Desmo450 MX closer to those used by official riders can already count on a wide range of Ducati Performance accessories. On the Ducati.com website, through the ‘Configurator’ section, it is possible to customise your Ducati, and then share selected components such as wheel hubs, steering plates, complete Akrapovič titanium exhaust and Brembo Racing brake calipers with your nearest dealer.
To complete the Factory look, finally, the Borgo Panigale manufacturer offers a technical collection made in collaboration with Drudi Performance. The offer consists of a complete Alpinestars jersey/pants/gloves/boots, Arai helmet, windproof waistcoat, softshell and Spidi rain jacket.
Ducati MX Experience
Ducati MX Experience offers various UK locations, expert tuition, premium hospitality, and of course the highlight of the experience — the chance to ride the Desmo450 MX.
The Ducati MX Experience is run by Chief Instructor Barry Johnson , a former top British and international motocross rider and highly skilled ACU-qualified instructor with over 29 years of experience. Barry and his dedicated team can tailor instruction for each rider, from complete dirt novices to those looking to refine their motocross technique or push their limits further. They take the time to assess each rider’s needs, ensuring they get the right training and the best possible experience.
The carefully selected venues for the Ducati MX Experience each offer unique terrain and challenges, providing the perfect setting to showcase the power, precision and agility of the Ducati Desmo450 MX. The locations are Golding Barn in West Sussex, Hobs Hole MX in the Midlands, Pond Lane MX in Hampshire, and Fatcat Motopark in Doncaster.
Ducati MX Experience days are now available to book on the Ducati MX Experience website , with a full day of fun in the dirt costing just £220. The day is open to riders of all abilities aged 17 and over. No motorcycle licence is required, but you need prior motorcycle experience to be able to enjoy the day.
Ducati Desmo450 MX
The Desmo450 MX is Ducati’s first motocross bike, designed around the single-cylinder 449.6cc engine with Desmodromic distribution, the system used on all Ducati racing bikes, including MotoGP.
The maximum power of the Desmo450 engine is 63.5hp at 9,400rpm, and the maximum torque delivered is 53.5Nm at 7,500rpm, while 70% of the maximum torque is reached already at 4,200rpm. The limiter intervention is set at 11,900rpm, a new benchmark for the category.
The lightweight aluminium frame has been designed to have as few welds as possible, to make it a solid, light and rigid structure. It is made up of only 11 pieces, about half compared to the competition, and is composed of cast, forged and extruded elements.
The Desmo450 MX’s suspension consists of Showa 49mm upside-down forks, which are fully adjustable with 310mm travel and Kashima coating on the fork legs. At the rear, a fully adjustable monoshock from Showa allows 301mm of wheel travel.
Ducati’s long-standing partner Brembo provides the braking system with single Galfer discs, 260mm at the front, and 240mm at the rear.
The Desmo450 MX also represents a first in the segment in terms of electronics. It is the first motocross bike in the world equipped with a Ducati Traction Control (DTC) system capable of precisely defining the actual rear wheel slippage (patent pending).
The electronic equipment also includes Launch Control and Engine Brake Control, which, like DTC, can be configured on different levels of intervention and associated with two riding modes that riders can adapt to their needs and the characteristics of the track via the X-Link app. The gearbox is equipped with a Quickshifter.
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