2027 Ducati Desmo450 EDS – First Look
Ducati’s first modern street-legal dual sport
Ducati announced a new Desmo450 EDS, a U.S. street legal dual sport derived from its motocross platform. Look for it in American showrooms in August with a starting price of $12,995. In other markets, such as Europe, the Desmo450 EDS will arrive in July, but it will not be street legal.
The Desmo450 EDS is powered by a modified version of the MX engine, retuned for enduro riding rather than the higher-strung demands of motocross. Ducati opted for a 42mm throttle body (rather than 44mm), a lower compression ratio piston, and a new crankshaft and flywheel for greater inertia. As the bike’s name suggests, the engine continues to use a desmodromic valve timing system, but with different camshafts than the MX version.
Ducati’s goal was to produce a strong torque curve at low and medium engine speeds, making the EDS better suited for slow and technical sections. In stock form, the engine produces a claimed 42 hp at 6,750 rpm and 33 lb-ft. at 5,750 rpm, but Ducati is offering an optional factory installed performance kit that adds an upgraded exhaust, various intake components, a dedicated engine mapping and selectable ride modes. With the kit, the peak power output increased to a claimed 54 hp, with another 2 hp available with an accessory Akrapovič exhaust.
The EDS is equipped with a dedicated clutch that requires a lighter lever pull than on the MX or the cross country EDX variant. The EDS also gets an additional sixth gear for its transmission, with dedicated ratios compared to its Desmo450 brethren. The first gear is shorter, to improve acceleration and control in technical sections, and the gear spacing is designed to be more adaptable to different enduro conditions.
Other changes to the powertrain include aluminum engine covers (instead of magnesium) and a revised cooling system for improved temperature regulation at low speeds.
Like the MX and EDX models, the Desmo450 EDS uses an aluminum perimeter frame made of just 11 separate cast, forged and extruded elements. For the EDS, Ducati modified the engine mounts to optimize stiffness for enduro riding.
The 49mm Showa inverted fork is similar to the one used on the motocross model, but with softer springs to better absorb bumps rather than jumps. Showa also provides the fully-adjustable rear shock.
The braking system is also similar to the motocross model’s gear, with Brembo calipers matched with Galfer discs.
In stock form, the Desmo450 EDS is relatively analog compared to most modern bikes, but the optional racing kit adds a four-level traction control system, launch control, and engine brake control in addition to the higher power output and selectable ride modes.
Other features include a 2.25-gallon fuel tank, an LED headlight, an LCD dashboard, and hand guards. North American versions come with Metzeler Karoo 4 tires, but in other markets, where the EDS is not street legal, it comes equipped with Metzeler Six Days Extreme tires.
2026 Ducati Desmo450 EDS Specifications | |
|---|---|
MSRP | $12,995 |
Engine Type | Desmo450, single cylinder, Desmodromic timing system 4 valves DOHC, hydraulic tensioner, semi dry sump, liquid cooled |
Displacement | 449.6 cc |
Bore x Stroke | 96 mm x 62.1 mm |
Compression Ratio | 12.9:1 |
Horsepower | 42 hp at 6,750 rpm (claimed) |
Torque | 33 lb-ft at 5,750 rpm (claimed) |
Fuel Injection | Keihin injector, Mikuni throttle body Ø 42 mm |
Exhaust | Silencer with aluminum sleeve, exhaust pipe with catalytic converter and lambda sensor |
Gearbox | 6 gears with Quick Shift only up |
Primary Drive | Straight cut gears; Ratio 2.45:1 |
Final Drive | Front sprocket Z14, Rear sprocket Z51 |
Clutch | Multiplate clutch with hydraulic control |
Frame | Aluminum welded, with cast, forged and extruded parts. |
Front Suspension | Showa upside down front fork Ø 49 mm fully adjustable. Outer tube with Kashima coating, 12.2 inches of travel |
Rear Suspension | Showa mono shock, fully adjustable; 11.9 inches of travel |
Front Wheel | Central spoked wheel, Takasago Excel rim 1.6'' x 21'' |
Rear Wheel | Central spoked wheel, Takasago Excel rim 2.15'' x 18'' |
Front Tire | Metzeler Karoo 4 90/90 R21 M/C M+S |
Rear Tire | Metzeler Karoo 4 140/80-21 M/C M+S |
Front Brake | Galfer Ø 260 mm disc, Brembo two-piston floating caliper |
Rear Brake | Galfer Ø 240 mm disc, Brembo single-piston floating caliper |
Instrumentation | LCD dashboard |
Wet Weight | 264 pounds (claimed, without fuel) |
Seat Height | 38.2 inches |
Wheelbase | 58.8 inches |
Rake/Trail | 27.3°/4.65 inches |
Fuel Capacity | 2.25 US gallons |
Safety Equipment | Ducati Fall Detection |
Standard Equipment | Quick shift up, lithium-ion battery, LED headlight, LED taillight |
Ready For | Wi-Fi module and X-Link App, Mapp selector, Riding Mode, Ducati Traction Control, Engine Brake Control, Power Launch |
Warranty | 12 months (or 80 hours) |
Service Intervals | Oil and filter service: 1,500 miles. Valve check: 3,000 miles. Main engine service: 7,000 miles |
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Dennis has been a part of the Motorcycle.com team since 2008, and through his tenure, has developed a firm grasp of industry trends, and a solid sense of what's to come. A bloodhound when it comes to tracking information on new motorcycles, if there's a new model on the horizon, you'll probably hear about it from him first.
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Old Ducati scrambler singles are works of art.
38.2 inch seat height.wow