DUCATI

Ducati Desmo450 EDS: Borgo Panigale's first 4-stroke enduro

Tracks, trial sections, trails, against the clock...here's a new enduro motorcycle option. After its foray into motocross with the MX version, the Borgo Panigale manufacturer has revealed the highly anticipated Ducati Desmo450 EDS, a motorcycle that brings all the DNA of competition, passion and technology of Ducati to the demanding and constantly changing terrain of enduro.

The countdown begins to see what the red of Borgo Panigale is capable of in the mud.

Ducati engineers didn't just "soften" their motocross model. They started with the Desmo450 MX as a base and redesigned a structure adapted for off-road use.

The result is a lightweight aluminum perimeter frame, weighing less than 9 kg. Composed of 11 pieces (half the number of pieces of competitors, according to the brand), it offers the perfect balance between flexibility and rigidity. This is complemented by a new 8.5-liter transparent fuel tank that increases range without compromising the bike's narrow profile, and an essential wheel combination: 21 inches at the front and 18 inches at the rear, fitted with Metzeler Six Days Extreme tires.

In terms of suspension, Ducati maintains its confidence in Showa. Developed with the valuable help of multi-world champion Antoine Meo, the new 49 mm forks (with 310 mm of travel and softer springs than those used in motocross) ensure ideal absorption of rocks, roots and other obstacles.

For braking, the brand opted for the latest generation Brembo brakes, combined with Galfer discs, specifically modulated to provide an off-road feel.

Desmodromic engine...The jewel in the crown is its single-cylinder engine with desmodromic valve actuation. It is the only engine in its class with this technology, redesigned to offer smooth and progressive power delivery, as well as traction at low and medium revs.

Ducati incorporated a smaller throttle body (42 mm instead of 44 mm on the motocross bike), lower compression pistons and a crankshaft with greater inertia to prevent the bike from stalling in the most technical sections.

In addition, it has a six-speed gearbox with specific enduro ratios: a very short first gear for technical sections and a long sixth gear for quick transitions. The entire system is thermally protected by higher capacity radiators and a standard electric fan, essential in the extreme conditions of enduro.

The great differentiator of the Desmo450 EDS is its technology. With the Racing Kit (exclusive to competition), the bike unlocks the Ducati Traction Control (DTC), designed specifically for enduro. Unlike other systems, this one reads the actual rear wheel slippage and can detect jumps, automatically disengaging in mid-air.

Another aspect is that Ducati is looking to the future of workshop maintenance with adaptive maintenance. It eliminates mandatory piston replacements based on a rigid number of hours.

The Desmo450 EDS system has an algorithm that analyzes your riding style, the terrain, and engine wear in real time. All this information is sent to the Ducati X-Link app on your mobile device, customizing your maintenance schedule (MID or FULL) based on actual wear.

 

by Autonews