The Desmo450 MX has become a revelation for many Ducati riders to the point that some, such as Paolo and Alessandro, have built their own custom bike. Rather, a vitaminized version that they have named MX900 Tribute. Starting from a damaged 1998 Cagiva Gran Canyon 900, they have managed to conceive a true high-flying maxienduro within a BOB project (Built on Budget)or what is the same, with a tight budget from the beginning.
Regarding how they came to the conclusion to shape this preparation, it is Paolo himself who explains to his Bike Bound colleagues: “The idea came when we saw it disassembled in the garage; it looked very similar to modern dirt/dual bikes. This led us to develop the concept of a powerful and light machine that could be used on both asphalt and dirt roads without sacrificing comfort.”
MX900 Tribute in detail
There are few things more pleasant in this life for a parent than for their child to follow in their footsteps in life in terms of hobbies or passions. This is the case of Alessandro who, like his father, decided to study mechanical design. Perhaps because he had spent almost his entire childhood and adolescence watching Paolo in his small workshop carrying out various projects around the world of motorcycles.
So when they both started working on this Gran Canyon 900 they quickly came to the conclusion that this must end up being a unique motorcycle. In fact, it was not the first time they had done it, since they previously manufactured “a Scrambler in 2020, followed by a Café Racer in 2023, and finally our latest dual-style creation, completed in November 2025”as Paolo explains in the interview.
Both in love with the recent Ducati MX, they set out to create a tribute as aesthetically similar to it as possible. To do this, they chose to acquire a set of original Desmo450 MX fibers, although they were clear from the beginning that it would not be easy to adapt them. So the first thing they did was modify the rear subframe of the motorcycle, as well as the anchors of the side handles.
They also made a custom seat to fit both elements and conform to the shapes of the fuel tank. Regarding the latter, with 14 liters of capacity, according to the creators of this MX900 Tributo, it is undoubtedly the most important piece of the motorcycle and around which the entire project revolves. Paolo explains:
“This is the most important piece of craftsmanship. Since no commercial tank was wide enough for our chassis (which houses the airbox), we built one from scratch. It was designed in foam, then modeled in CAD and laser cut. It features a unique two-sheet aluminum construction to minimize welds, and was bent and welded by hand.”
The original front axle of the motorcycle also had to be replaced with another from an MX model. The large inverted fork as well as the 21″ radial tire attest to this. But this is not all since the geometry of the motorcycle was also calibrated by adapting the seat posts and the steering head to the chassis.
On the other hand, other components were included in charge of giving the final shape of this MX900 Tributo from GPMmotogarage. Among them we can highlight:
- Oversized racing air box
- ECU reprogrammed for custom intake and exhaust modifications
- MP Dynasty Shark Mufflers
- Raximo handlebars, risers and footpegs
- Michelin Anakee Wild knobby tires
- 3D air box vents made of ABS, etc.
Currently the MX900 Tributo around 100 HP of power for curb weight below 200 kilos. To the question of “Can you tell us what it’s like to ride this motorcycle?”Paolo answers: “It feels like riding a motocross motorcycle with massive torque and over-the-top power for off-road use.”. We have no doubt. Congratulations to both of you for this very special preparation.
