What makes Ducati Unique?

[Aargee]

Listen to the exhaust of Ducati, I just go crazy over the sound; sometimes I get goose bumps. To me, the exhaust note of a Ducati is sweeter than an inline. Watch this video...



Google for Ducati's engine & some characteristics shown are Desmo valves & L-Twin. I believe these are the only guys who make such an unique engine, an engine that has valves without springs Engineers who believed that springless valves are not prone to last long & causes wear & tear soon. But Ducati broke all those myths (just like Harley Davidson's V-Twin's single pin crankshafts) & are pioneers in racing causing heart throbe for millions of fans across the world.

We'll explore some of the characteristics of Ducati in this thread

Note - The above video features GPR AM exhaust, but, it is the note or beat of the engine is what I'm trying to get to. While I come across some decent stock exhaust note, I'll share across those videos here.

[targa]

how about these for reasons ??

Diavel

vid:


Next Multistrada 1200 ....

[targa]

Multistrada 1200 S

vid: Pikes peak run on a Multistrada 1200 S


Next up Streetfighter ...

[Aargee]

targa - Saar, we will cover them eventually as we progress ; Multistrada, introduced in 2003, just after 4-5 years after BMW 1200GS (the world tourer), is a serious competitor that puts 150 Hp compared to just 108 HP of 1200GS.

[targa]

I was referring to the designs in an attempt to answer 'unique' in the topic's heading cos thats the first thing anyone notices on any bike. Anyways, We'll save the Streetfighter for later. As you mentioned above, ducati has its own set of tricks to set itself apart. To add, Ducati Traction Control is one that tops the list as of a modern bike treat.

As for a little more dwell into the boring subject of dates and numbers,

Multistrada: 1200 (since 2010) < 1100 (2003-2009) - one with the famous 1098 mill from the track.
BMW: 1200GS (since 2004) < 1150GS (1999-05) < 1100GS (1993 - 99) < 100GS/80GS (1988-94)

Please continue with your sequence.

[Aargee]

Let's get fast forward on history of Ducati as most of it is in Wiki - Ducati - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The most interesting stage of Ducati, which is more related to this discussion starts from the 70's, when the L-Twin engine was born. I'm not sure if there's any other manufacturer who makes L-Twin & I tend to believe that, Ducati is the world's only motorcycle manufacturer who makes L-Twin configuration engine.

L-Twin is nothing but two cylinder's arranged in perpendicular to each other making a 90 degree angle to each other.



Besides features, one striking feature, that is better than V-Twin is that, both the cylinders are air cooled as possible. Where as in a V-Twin, the cylinder that is in the front, gets to more air cooled than the cylinder in the behind, its quite natural.

The Desmodromic Valves
Welcome to the world of Desmodromic valves & Ducati is the only motorcycle manufacturer in the world to not only make, but, have mastered the use of desmo valves in their engines. So what's a Desmodromic? Desmo is derived from Greek word that means controlled or linked and Dromos means course, track. In the conventional four-stroke engine, a spring is used to apply pressure to the valve and return it to the valve seat or closed position. But in a Desmodromic arrangement, the valve is either directly or indirectly opened by the camshaft itself.

Watch this video to understand the Desmodromic principle, wherein, the valves of a cylinder are closed without the help of a spring.


Here's the full action on one cylinder...


But can anyone believe here that Demo valves are outdated ones To be honest, Desmo's are outdated for two reasons...
1. Its complex to construct
2. Its relatively easier to construct spring valves

In the past, spring valves weren't reliable because the springs used to give up especially when the piston is at TDC. But as the technology progressed, the springs were built very reliable, thus making the easier construction to be more reliable. Hence all the manufacturer moved towards spring valves.

But there's a significant advantage on Desmo's...still!!! This is what Ducati has to say on their Desmo technology...

"Most motorcycle engines rely upon conventional springs for valve closure, but as rpm increases, the time taken for the spring to close the valve becomes critical. Failure of the valve to follow the precise profile of the camshaft results in loss of performance. Ducati's Desmodromic valve system eliminates the spring and actuates valve closure mechanically. The result is safe, exact valve timing at all engine speeds. Every Ducati motorcycle, including our World Superbikes and the MotoGP Desmosedicis rely on the Desmo system"

And...its no brainer to say that the unique sound of Ducati is just because of the Desmo valves

To be continued...

[Linea-Lover]

I don't intend to spark off a debate here. But I have just one word to say, 'Italians' .

[Aargee]

I don't intend to spark off a debate here. But I have just one word to say, 'Italians'

Ducati is an Italian make, there's no debate here.

Adding another info, just like, every corner in India has an IT education, training center, software export or rather anything & everything to do with computers, Italy has several originators of automobile manufacturers. To name a few famous ones, Aprilia, Bimota, Moto Guzzi, MV Agusta, Cagiva, Piaggio, Malaguti, Maserati (they make two wheelers too), Vespa, Vyrus, Terra Modena, Lambretta. Apart from this, there're several other local manufacturers. Cars...no need for introduction from our own Fiat to Ferrari

[Aargee]

Few production models from Ducati...

Ducati has 6 family, Hypermotard, Monster, Multistrada, Street Fighter, Superbike & Diavel. And each family has a line up on its own. At this juncture, I've to quote one of my favourites, the GT1000, which is a classic motorcycle & I love this more than Triumph Bonneville. It was stopped from 2011 with the introduction of Diavel. Just a quick introduction to Diavel - Diavel in Italian is derrived from the meaning of wicked evil & it was just a name chosen as a reaction from one of their employees who happened to look at the Diavel's prototype.

Back to GT1000, this is the lovely classic motorcycle...


Looking at the technical spec, it compresses at 10:1 & puts over 92 HP & is an aircooled engine & is mounted on standard Ducati's Terillis frame & this classic weighs only about 185 Kg without fluids. Just for information, the CBR250R weighs about 161 Kg

This motorcycle was classified under sports touring & is designed for perfect for two up comfortable seating & for riding all day long in mind; it has the classic 70's look with all modern technologies like FI barring ABS.

[Aargee]

I'd love to keep talking about GT1000 all day, but, probably due to lack of response, interest, time or all of these, let's keep moving. Another worth mentioning model on Ducati is 848 Evo



This one falls under SBK family & has the smallest motor , but certainly not small on performance. Weighing dry over just 168 Kg, this demon compresses at 13.2:1 to put over 140 Hp with motogp derived instrumentation clusters!!!

Ducati is also famous for using a dry clutch system that sounds like rattling rocks (which I like ofcourse), but, this one has a wet clutch.

Testastretta Evo (Evolutionize)
The engine termed Evo, although is L-Twin & Desmo valves, is called Testastretta engine deployed on 848 as well as 1098 (predecessor of current 1198 & 1198S). The meaning of Testastretta is Narrow Head. What ideally made a difference in Testastretta engine is the head became narrower & causing to narrow down the valve angles. At the same time the valves were made slightly bigger to breathe through oval throttle bodies & butterfly valves. The valve covers were also made lighter & stronger using Magnesium. Through this Ducati 1098 was claimed to be the most powerful twin cylinder production engine in the world

Interested in reading further on Testastretta Engine? - http://www.mcnews.com/mcn/technical/...ti99802021.pdf

Here's an excellent video to demonstrate the sound of stock exhaust, without cans & carbon fiber "cat eliminator" exhaust (but can ignore this part if you want as Ducati's are known to sound sweeter with Termingnoni exhausts)



Finally, want another good looking pic?