FIRST LOOK: 2027 DUCATI DESMO250 MX

One year on from the launch of the Desmo450 MX, Ducati has unveiled its quarter-litre MXer – the Desmo250 MX. Powered by a 249cc desmodromic single-cylinder engine that revs to 15,000rpm, the bike is confirmed for Australian dealers in Q4 2026 at $14,925 AUD.

It was only a matter of time. When Ducati launched the Desmo450 MX a year ago, the question on every quarter-litre rider’s lips was the same: when does the 250 arrive? That answer is now. The Desmo250 MX has been officially unveiled, and Australian riders won’t have to wait long – the bike is confirmed for local dealers in the fourth quarter of 2026, priced at $14,925.

Like the 450 before it, the Desmo250 MX has its roots in competition. Developed on track in the Italian Prestige MX2 championship by Alessandro Lupino, the bike inherits the core philosophy of its bigger sibling – precision, control and reliability – while being developed from the ground up as a 250, not simply a scaled-down version of an existing platform.

Here’s what Ducati has to say about their new Desmo250 MX…

THE ENGINE

At the heart of the Desmo250 MX is an all-new 249.7cc desmodromic single-cylinder engine – compact, lightweight at 24.7kg, and capable of revving to 15,000rpm. Peak power is 44.5hp at 12,500rpm, with maximum torque of 28.3Nm at 8,800rpm. The bore and stroke dimensions (81 x 48.4mm) are shared with the Panigale V4 R, and the engine has been developed with a focus on a sustained, balanced torque curve across all rev ranges – strong at the bottom, with the desmodromic system delivering at the top end where it counts most.

Fuelling is handled by a 44mm Mikuni throttle body, with a completely new exhaust developed for maximum performance within competition noise regulations. The gearbox is a 5-speed unit developed specifically for the 250, equipped with a quickshifter in upshift and a hydraulically operated Brembo clutch with a 7-plate setup and disc spring.

CHASSIS AND SUSPENSION

The Desmo250 MX chassis is based on the 450’s perimeter frame and aluminium swingarm, with stiffness optimised specifically for the 250’s characteristics. Suspension is handled by fully adjustable 49mm Showa upside-down forks with Kashima coating and 310mm of travel, paired with a fully adjustable Showa monoshock offering 301mm of wheel travel. Braking is via a Brembo system with 260mm Galfer discs at the front and 240mm at the rear. Wet weight without fuel is just 103kg. Tyres are Pirelli Scorpion MX32 Mid-Soft in 80/100-21″ front and 100/90-19″ rear, on Takasago Excel aluminium wheels with Alpina spokes.

ELECTRONICS

The Desmo250 MX carries a full electronics package derived directly from the 450, calibrated for the 250’s characteristics. Two engine maps and two riding modes are configurable via the X-Link app, with Ducati Traction Control adjustable to three levels, engine brake control to two levels and launch control to three. Predictive Maintenance is also included, with the system calculating service intervals based on actual engine stress – MID Service between 45 and 60 hours, FULL Service between 90 and 120 hours – viewable via the X-Link app.