Ducati Goes Smaller With New Desmo250 MX

Italian motorcycle manufacturer Ducati has widened its motocross range with the new Desmo250 MX, a smaller sibling to the Desmo450 MX that was unveiled nearly a year ago. Built for the MX2 category, the bike runs an all-new 249cc single-cylinder engine while borrowing its chassis, electronics and overall architecture from the larger 450.

Ducati Desmo250 MX: New 249cc Engine

The new engine produces 44.5hp at 12,500rpm and 28.3Nm at 8,800rpm, with desmodromic valve actuation allowing it to spin to a 15,000rpm rev limit. Power reaches the rear wheel through a 5-speed gearbox fitted with an upshift quickshifter.

The Desmo250 MX's liquid-cooled single uses an 81mm bore and 48.4mm stroke, the same dimensions as each cylinder on the Panigale V4 R's 999cc V4. Despite sharing these figures, the engine has been built specifically for motocross duty rather than adapted from the superbike unit.

Chassis hardware includes an aluminium perimeter frame and aluminium swingarm, paired with fully adjustable Showa suspension that uses Kashima coating. Ducati states the suspension setup has been tuned specifically for the 250's lighter weight and power output. Braking duties go to Brembo calipers biting on 260mm front and 240mm rear Galfer discs, while Pirelli Scorpion MX32 tyres handle grip duties. Claimed wet weight, without fuel, stands at 103kg.

Ducati Desmo250 MX: Electronics & Predictive Maintenance Carried Over From Desmo450 MX

Rider aids on the Desmo250 MX include two engine maps, three levels of traction control, three levels of launch control and two levels of engine brake adjustment, all tunable through Ducati's X-Link app. The bike also gets Ducati's predictive maintenance system, which calculates engine stress from riding conditions to adjust service intervals accordingly.

Valve clearance checks are due after 45 hours of use, while piston replacement falls between 45 and 60 hours depending on how hard the engine has been run. A full overhaul is scheduled between 90 and 120 hours of usage.

Ducati Desmo250 MX: India Launch?

The Desmo250 MX goes on sale in select European markets from July 2026, followed by North American deliveries in August. Ducati has not announced any plans to bring the bike to India. However, since the Desmo450 MX did eventually launch here, a made-to-order entry for the smaller motocrosser cannot be ruled out.