Difference between revisions of "Ducati"

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[[image:ducatilogol.gif|thumb||Ducati logo all black]]
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'''Ducati Motor Holding''' ({{nyse|DMH}}) is an [[Italy|Italian]] [[motorcycle]] manufacturer located in [[Bologna]].
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[[Image:Ducatilogo copy.png|center|110px]]
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{| border=1 cellspacing=3 cellpadding=4 style="float:right; margin:0 0 .5em 1em; width:300px; background:#505050; border-collapse:collapse; border:1px solid #999; font-size:83%; line-height:1.5; " summary="Infobox Automobile"
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|- style="text-align:center; background:#505050;"
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| colspan=2 style="padding:0; background:#808080; color:#fff; border-bottom:1px solid #999;" |<videoflash>invSaeElYUM|300|200</videoflash>
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|- style="color:#fff; background:darkred; font-size:;"
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! colspan=2 style="text-align:center"|'''200 Miglia di Imola 1972-2012<br>The Beginning of a New Era'''
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|}
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[[image:Ducati ST4.jpg|thumb|250px|right|'''Ducati ST4''']]
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[[Image:Ducati mach1 800.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Ducati Mach 1]]
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[[image:Ducati 749.jpg|thumb|250px|right|'''Ducati 749 at [http://www.woiow.com Wheels Of Italy]]]'''
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[[Image:Ducati.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Ducati MotoGP]]
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''Click here to see'' [[Ducati car|Ducati]] ''automotive''
  
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Ducati motorcycles have long been known for their excellence in design and performance. From the first post-war bicycle-like low-displacement motorbikes Ducati has grown over the years into a racing giant that is consistently competitive in both the racing arena and the world motorcycle marketplace.
 
  
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http://www.wheelsofitaly.com/v2/us/en/assets/id/body/slideshows/woi2004show/500/1/002.jpg
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'''Ducati Motor Holding, [[S.A. (corporation)|SpA]]''' ([[Borsa Italiana]]:[http://www.borsaitaliana.it/bitApp/scheda.bit?target=StrumentoMTA&isin=IT0001278081&lang=en DMH]) is an [[Italy|Italian]] [[motorcycle]] manufacturer located in [[Bologna, Italy]].
  
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In the 1960s, Ducati earned its place in motorcycling history by producing the fastest 250cc road bike available, the Mach 1. In the 1970s Ducati began producing large-displacement L-twin motorcycles and in 1973 released a L-twin with the trademark [[desmodromic valve]] design. In 1985, [[Cagiva]] bought Ducati. In 1996, Texas Pacific Group bought 51% of the company for $325 million and renamed the company Ducati Motor SpA.  
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From their first post-[[World War II|Second World War]] bicycle-like low-displacement motorbikes Ducati has gained prominence in motorcycle racing and in the motorcycle industry.
  
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Ducati is best known for high performance motorcycles characterized by trellis-style frames and large capacity four-stroke, [http://www.ducati.com/bikes/techcafe.jhtml?detail=article&value=technical&part=technical&artID=1 90-degree L-twin] [[engine]]s featuring a [http://www.ducati.com/bikes/techcafe.jhtml?detail=article&value=technical&part=technical&artID=2 desmodromic valve design]. Modern Ducatis remain among the dominant performance motorcycles available today despite the aging technology of Desmo engine, which is nearing its 50th year in production. (Desmodromic valves are those which are positively closed by a leverage system, rather than relying on the more conventional [[spring (device)|spring]]s to close the valves).  
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In the 1960s, Ducati earned its place in motorcycling history by producing the then fastest 250&nbsp;cc road bike available, the Mach 1. In the 1970s Ducati began producing large-displacement [[Ducati V-twin motorcycles|L-twin]] (i.e. a 90° V-twin) motorcycles and in 1973 released an L-twin with the trademarked [[desmodromic valve]] design. In 1985, [[Cagiva]] bought Ducati and planned to rebadge Ducati motorcycles with the lesser-known Cagiva name (at least outside of Italy). By the time the purchase was completed, Cagiva kept the "Ducati" name on its motorcycles. In 1996, [[Texas Pacific Group]] bought for US$325 million a 51% stake in the company and in 1998, bought the remaining 49% and became the sole owner of Ducati. In 1999, TPG issued an [[IPO]] of Ducati stock and renamed the company '''Ducati Motor Holding SpA'''. TPG sold over 65% of its shares in Ducati. In December 2005 Ducati returned to Italian ownership with the sale of Texas Pacific's stake (minus one share) to Investindustrial Holdings, the investment fund of Carlo and Andrea Bonomi.  
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While most other manufacturers have adopted wet-clutches (with the spinning parts bathed in oil) Ducati uses dry clutches in most of its motorcycles. This eliminates the [[parasitic loss|power loss from oil viscosity]] drag on the engine even though the engagement may not be as smooth as the oiled versions. Although the exorbitant cost of servicing the Ducati's finicky engine can shock some owners, most will still agree that the improved ride quality, performance, and styling of Ducatis is worth the extra cost.  
 
  
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== Product History ==
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==Company history==
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===Ownership===
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* {{flagiconItaly}} (1926 - 1950) '''Ducati Family'''
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* {{flagiconItaly}} (1950 - 1967) '''Government IRI''' management
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::''In 1953 split into Ducati Meccanica-now called Ducati Motor and Ducati Elettronica-now called [[Ducati Energia]]''
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* {{flagiconItaly}} (1967 - 1978) '''Government EFIM''' management (control over day-to-day factory operations)
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::''(1967 - 73) Headed By Montano
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::''(1973 - 78) Headed by De Eccher
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* {{flagiconItaly}} (1978 - 1985) '''VM Group'''
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* {{flagiconItaly}} (1985 - 1996) '''Cagiva Group''' ownership
 +
* {{flagiconUSA}} (1996 - 2005) '''Texas-Pacific Group''' ownership and going public
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::''Headed by CEO Federico Minoli, 1996-2001; returning for 2003-2007''
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* {{flagiconItaly}} (2005 - 2008) '''Investindustrial Holdings SpA''' (back in Italian hands)
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* {{flagiconItaly}} (2008 - present) '''Performance Motorcycles SpA''' (again in Italian hands and going private)
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::''An investment vehicle formed by Investindustrial Holdings, BS Investimenti and Hospitals of Ontario Pension Plan''
  
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The chief designer of Ducati motorcycles was the late [[Fabio Taglioni]] ([[1920]]-[[2001]]). He introduced the [[Pantah 500]] in 1979; its engine was updated in the 1990s in the [[supersport]] series. [http://www.monsta.at/site_article_368.html] In 1993, Miguel Angel Galuzzi introduced the [[Ducati Monster]], a naked bike with exposed trellis and engine. Today the Monster accounts for almost half of the company's worldwide sales.
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<br>
  
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In [[1995]], the company introduced the [[Ducati 916]] model designed by [[Massimo Tamburini]], a water-cooled version that allowed for higher output levels and a striking new bodywork that featured aggressive lines, underseat exhausts, and a single-sided swingarm.
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===Beginnings===
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[[Image:Ducatilogol.png|300px|thumb|left|Previous logo used between 1926-2008]]
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In 1926 three brothers, Adriano, Marcello and Bruno Ducati, founded ''Societa Scientifica Radio Brevetti Ducati'' in Bologna to produce tubes, condensers and other radio components, becoming successful enough by 1935 to construct a new factory in the Borgo Panigale area of the city. During the war, although the Ducati factory was a repeated target for Allied bombing, production was maintained.  
  
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== Racing History ==
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Meanwhile, at the small [[Turin]]ese firm SIATA (''Societa Italiana per Applicazioni Tecniche Auto-Aviatorie''), Aldo Farinelli began developing a small pushrod engine for mounting on bicycles. Barely a month after the official liberation of Italy in 1944, SIATA announced its intention to sell this engine, called the "Cucciolo" (Italian for "puppy," in reference to the distinctive exhaust sound) to the public. The first Cucciolos were available alone, to be mounted on standard bicycles, by the buyer; however, businessmen soon bought the little engines in quantity, and offered complete motorized-bicycle units for sale.
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 +
In 1950 (after more than 200,000 Cucciolos had been sold), in collaboration with SIATA, the Ducati firm finally offered its own Cucciolo-based motorcycle. This first Ducati motorcycle was a 60&nbsp;cc bike weighing 98&nbsp;pounds with a top speed of 40&nbsp;mph (64&nbsp;km/h) had a 15&nbsp;mm [[carburetor]] giving just under 200 mpg (85&nbsp;km/L). Ducati soon dropped the "Cucciolo" name in favor of "55M" and "65TL".
 +
 
 +
When the market moved toward larger motorcycles, Ducati management decided to respond, making an impression at an early-1952 Milan show, introducing their 65TS cycle and Cruiser (a four-stroke [[motor scooter]]). Despite being described as the most interesting new machine at the 1952 show, the Cruiser was not a great success, and only a few thousand were made over a two-year period before the model ceased production.
 +
 
 +
In 1953, management split the company into two separate entities, Ducati Meccanica SpA and Ducati Elettronica, in acknowledgment of its diverging motorcycle and electronics product lines. (Ducati Elettronica became '''[[Ducati Energia|Ducati Energia SpA]]''' in the eighties.) Dr. Giuseppe Montano took over as head of Ducati Meccanica SpA and the Borgo Panigale factory was modernized with government assistance. By 1954, Ducati Meccanica SpA had increased production to 120 bikes a day.
 +
 
 +
The company's offerings have improved and diversified since then.
 +
[[Image:Ducati mach1 800.jpg|thumb|right|Ducati Mach 1]]
 +
In the 1960s, Ducati earned its place in motorcycling history by producing the then fastest 250&nbsp;cc road bike available, the Mach 1. In the 1970s Ducati began producing large-displacement [[Ducati V-twin motorcycles|L-twin]] (i.e. a 90° V-twin) motorcycles and in 1973 released an L-twin with the trademarked [[desmodromic valve]] design. In 1985, [[Cagiva]] bought Ducati and planned to rebadge Ducati motorcycles with the lesser-known Cagiva name (at least outside of Italy). By the time the purchase was completed, Cagiva kept the "Ducati" name on its motorcycles. In 1996, [[Texas Pacific Group]] bought a 51% stake in the company for US$325 million then in 1998, bought most of the remaining 49% to become the sole owner of Ducati. In 1999, TPG issued an [[IPO]] of Ducati stock and renamed the company '''Ducati Motor Holding SpA'''. TPG sold over 65% of its shares in Ducati, leaving TPG the majority shareholder. In December 2005 Ducati returned to Italian ownership with the sale of Texas Pacific's stake (minus one share) to Investindustrial Holdings, the investment fund of Carlo and Andrea Bonomi.
 +
 
 +
From the 1960s to the 1990s, the Spanish '''[[MotoTrans]]''' company licensed Ducati engines and produced motorcycles that, although they incorporated subtle differences, were clearly Ducati-derived. MotoTrans's most notable machine was the 250&nbsp;cc ''24 Horas'' (Spanish for ''24 hours''). A 285&nbsp;cc version of this bike won the Barcelona twenty-four-hour race at the [[Montjuic circuit]] for three consecutive years, 1956 to 1958.
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 +
 
 +
==Motorcycle designs==
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 +
[[Image:PaulSmartLE1000.jpg|thumb|right|2006 '''[[Ducati SportClassic|Ducati Paul Smart 1000LE]]''']]
 +
Ducati is best known for high performance motorcycles characterized by large capacity four-stroke, 90-degree L-twin engines featuring a desmodromic valve design. Modern Ducatis remain among the dominant performance motorcycles available today partly because of the Desmodromic valve design, which is nearing its 50th year of use. Desmodromic valves are closed with a separate, dedicated cam lobe and lifter instead of the conventional valve [[spring (device)|spring]]s used in most internal combustion engines. This allows the cams to have a more radical profile, thus opening and closing the valves more quickly without the risk of valve-float which is likely when using a "passive" closing mechanisms under the same conditions.
 +
 
 +
While most other manufacturers utilize [[Wet clutch|wet-clutch]]es (with the spinning parts bathed in oil) Ducati uses multiplate [[dry clutch]]es in many of their current motorcycles. The dry clutch eliminates the [[parasitic loss|power loss from oil viscosity]] drag on the engine even though the engagement may not be as smooth as the oil bath versions, and the clutch plates can wear more rapidly.
 +
 
 +
==Product history==
 +
[[Image:2f34_1.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Ducati Elite 200cc]]
 +
 
 +
The chief designer of Ducati motorcycles from the 1950s was the late [[Fabio Taglioni]] (1920-2001). He designed most Ducatis during this period, ranging from the small single cylinder machines that were successful in the Italian 'street races' up to the large capacity twins of the 80s. Ducati introduced the [[Ducati Pantah|Pantah]] in 1979; its engine was updated in the 1990s in the [[Ducati SuperSport]] (SS) series. All modern Ducati engines are derivatives of the Pantah, which uses a toothed belt to actuate the engine's valves. Taglioni used the prancing horse (identified with the [[Ferrari]] brand) on his Ducati motorbikes, Taglioni chose this emblem of courage and daring as a sign of respect and admiration for [[Francesco Baracca]], a heroic World War I fighter pilot that died during an air raid in 1918.
 +
 
 +
===1950s===
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''Main article:'' [[Ducati Singles]]
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===1960s===
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''Main article:'' [[Ducati Apollo]]
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 +
===1970s===
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''Main article:'' [[Ducati V-twin]] motorcycles
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 +
In 1973, Ducati also commemorated its 1972 win at the [[Imola Circuit|Imola]] 200 with the production model green frame Ducati 750 SuperSport.
 +
 
 +
(In 2006 the retro styled [[Ducati PaulSmart1000LE]], which shares styling cues with the 1973 750 SuperSport (itself a production replica of [[Paul Smart]]'s 1972 race winning [[Ducati 750 Imola Desmo|750 Imola Desmo]]) was released, as one of a [[Ducati SportClassic|SportClassic]] series representing the 750 GT, 750 Sport, and 750 SuperSport Ducati motorcycles.)
 +
 
 +
===1980s===
 +
''Main article:'' [[Ducati Quattrovalvole]] motorcycles
 +
 
 +
Ducati's liquid-cooled multi-valve V twins made from 1985 on are known as ''Quattrovalvole'' ("four-valve"). These include the [[Ducati 916|916]] and [[Ducati 996|996]], [[Ducati 999|999]] and a few predecessors and derivatives.
 +
 
 +
===1990s===
 +
In 1993, [[Miguel Angel Galuzzi]] introduced the [[Ducati Monster]], a naked bike with exposed trellis and engine. Today the Monster accounts for almost half of the company's worldwide sales. The Monster, which has been out since 1994, has undergone the most changes of any motorcycle that Ducati has ever produced. After more than a decade of manufacturing, Ducati continues to create innovative changes to this classic motorcycle.
 +
 
 +
In 1995, the company introduced the [[Ducati 916]] model designed by [[Massimo Tamburini]], a water-cooled version that allowed for higher output levels and a striking new bodywork that featured aggressive lines, underseat exhausts, and a single-sided swingarm. Ducati has since ceased production of what many called the bike of the 1990s, supplanting it with the [[Ducati 749|749]] and [[Ducati 999|999]].
 +
[[image:Ducati 999R.jpg|thumb|200px|right|'''2005 Ducati 999R''']]
 +
===Current lineup===
 +
 
 +
[[Image:2007DucatiHyperMotard-001.jpg|thumb|right|'''[[Ducati Hypermotard]]''']]
 +
For the 2008 model year, Ducati lineup is as follows:
 +
 
 +
; [[Ducati Monster|Monster]]
 +
* 695
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* 696
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* S2R 1000
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* S4R Testastretta
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* S4R S Testastretta
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* S4R S Testastretta Tri-Colore
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; [[Ducati Multistrada|Multistrada]]
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* 1100
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* 1100 S
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[[Image:2007Ducati1098-001.jpg|thumb|right|'''[[Ducati 1098|Ducati 1098 S Tricolore]]''']]
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; [[Ducati SportClassic|SportClassic]]
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* GT 1000
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* Sport 1000 monoposto
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* Sport 1000 biposto
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* Sport 1000 S biposto
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; [[Sport touring|Sporttouring]]
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* [[Ducati ST3|ST3]]
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* ST3 S ABS
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; [[Superbike]]
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* [[Ducati 848|848]]
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* [[Ducati 1098|1098]]
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 +
[[Image:2007DucatiDesmosediciRR-001.jpg|thumb|right|'''[[Ducati Desmosedici#Desmosedici RR|Ducati Desmosedici RR]]''']]
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; Other
 +
* [[Ducati Hypermotard|Hypermotard]]
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* [[Ducati Desmosedici|Desmosedici RR]]
 +
 
 +
;Motors used in 2006
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* '''Desmodue''': Desmo two valve air cooled, 40° included valve angle, (800SS, Multistrada 620, Monster 620 695 803 992)
 +
* '''Desmodue Double Spark''': Desmo two valve , air cooled, 40° included valve angle, (1000DS, Multistrada 1000DS)
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* '''Desmotre Double Spark''': Desmo three valve, liquid cooled, 40° included valve angle, (ST3)
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* '''Desmoquattro Testastretta''': Desmo four valve, liquid cooled, 25° included valve angle, (999, 749, Monster S4RS)
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; Motors introduced for 2007+
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* '''Testastretta Evoluzione''': Desmo four valve, liquid cooled, 25° included valve angle, (848/1098)
 +
 
 +
 
 +
==Motorcycle design history==
 +
[[Image:2007DucatiSR4-001.jpg|thumb|left|2007 [[Ducati Monster|Ducati Monster S4Rs Testastretta]]]]
 +
Ducati (in its various incarnations) has produced several styles of motorcycle engines, including varying the number of cylinders, type of valve actuation and fuel delivery. Ducati is best known for its "L-Twin" motor which is the powerplant in the majority of Ducati-marqued motorcycles.
 +
Ducati has also manufactured engines with one, two, three or four cylinders; operated by pull rod valves and push rod valves; single, double and triple overhead camshafts; [[two stroke]] and even at one stage manufactured a stationary diesel engine, many of which were used as emergency pumps (eg for fire fighting). They have also produced outboard motors for marine use. Currently, Ducati makes no other engines except for its motorcycles.
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 +
On current Ducati motors except for the Desmosedici, the valves are actuated by a standard valve cam shaft which is rotated by a [[timing belt]] driven by the motor directly. The teeth on the belt keep the [[camshaft]] drive pulleys indexed. On older Ducati motors, prior to 1986, drive was by solid shaft that transferred to the camshaft through bevel-cut gears. This method of valve actuation was used on many of Ducati's older [[single cylinder]] motorcycles - the shaft tube is visible on the outside of the cylinder.
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 +
Ducati is also famous for using the desmodromic valve system championed by engineer and designer [[Fabio Taglioni]] though they have also used engines that use valve springs to close their valves. In the early days, Ducati reserved the desmodromic valve heads for its higher performance bikes and its race bikes. These valves do not suffer from [[valve float]] at high engine speeds, thus a desmodromic engine is capable of far higher revolutions than a similarly configured engine with traditional spring-valve heads.
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In the 1960s and -70s Ducati produced a wide range of small two-stroke bikes, mainly sub-100&nbsp;cc capacities. Large quantities of some models were exported to the U.S.
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[[Image:Duc1_001.jpg|thumb|right|200px|'''Ducati 500 Sport Desmo (SD) parallel twin''']]
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Ducati has produced the following motorcycle engine types:
 +
* Single cylinder,
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**pullrod actuated, 48&nbsp;cc and 65&nbsp;cc (Cucciolo)
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**pushrod actuated, 98 and 125&nbsp;cc
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**two stroke, 50, 80, 90, 100, 125cc
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**bevel actuated, spring valved: 98&nbsp;cc, 100&nbsp;cc, 125&nbsp;cc, 160&nbsp;cc, 175&nbsp;cc, 200&nbsp;cc, 239&nbsp;cc, 250&nbsp;cc, 350&nbsp;cc, 450&nbsp;cc
 +
**bevel actuated, desmodromic valved : 239&nbsp;cc, 250&nbsp;cc, 350&nbsp;cc and 450&nbsp;cc
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**belt actuated, desmodromic valved : 549/572 cc [[Ducati Supermono|Supermono]], only 65 made.
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* Two cylinder,
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**bevel actuated, spring valved (L-Twin): 750&nbsp;cc, 860&nbsp;cc
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**bevel actuated, desmo valved (L-Twin): 750&nbsp;cc, 860&nbsp;cc, 973&nbsp;cc (Mille)
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**chain actuated, spring valved (parallel twin): 350&nbsp;cc, 500&nbsp;cc (GTL)
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**chain actuated, desmo valved (parallel twin): 500&nbsp;cc (500SD)
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**belt actuated, desmo valved (L-Twin): Almost all motors since 1986.
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* Four cylinder,
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**gear actuated, desmo valved (L-quattro): (Desmosedici)
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**pushrod actuated, spring valved (L-4): Prototype [[Ducati Apollo|Apollo]], only two made.
 +
 
 +
 
 +
===Future===
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 +
Ducati had completed testing the [[Ducati Desmosedici|Desmosedici GP7]], Ducati's 2007 [[Grand Prix motorcycle racing|MotoGP]] race bike. The GP7 complies with new regulations requiring a maximum of 800&nbsp;cc (as compared with the 989&nbsp;cc of the GP6). The GP7 is currently known to be the most powerful 800 cc MotoGP race bike, as illustrated in the 2007 Qatar GP, where the four Ducatis produced, by a considerable margin, the highest top speeds of the entire MotoGP grid.
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 +
[[image:Ducati Monster 1000.jpg|thumb|150px|right|'''Ducati Monster 1000''']]
 +
[[image: Ducati Race Bike.jpg|thumb|200px|'''Ducati 999 Race Bike''']]
 +
 
 +
 
 +
[[Image:Ducati logo2.jpg|center|120px]]
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 +
 
 +
[[Image:2006Ducati999R-001.jpg|thumb|right|2006 '''[[Ducati 999|Ducati 999R Xerox]]''']]
 +
[[Image:2006Ducati999R-002.jpg|thumb|right|2006 '''[[Ducati 999|Ducati 999R Xerox]]''']]
 +
 
 +
==Racing History==
 +
[[Image:Ducati Desmosedici GP8.jpg|thumb|right|2008 [[Ducati Desmosedici|Ducati Desmosedici GP8]] (motoGP)]]
 +
''Main Article'' [[Ducati Corse]]
 +
 
 +
===MotoGP World Championship===
 +
Ducati rejoined [[Grand Prix motorcycle racing]] in {{MGP|2003}}, after a 30 year absence. On September 23, 2007 Casey Stoner clinched his and Ducati's first Grand Prix World Championship.
 +
 
 +
When Ducati re-joined MotoGP in {{MGP|2003}}, MotoGP had changed its rules to allow four-stroke 990&nbsp;cc engines to race. At the time Ducati was the fastest bike. In {{MGP|2007}}, MotoGP reduced the engine size to 800&nbsp;cc, and Ducati continued to be the fastest with a bike that was markedly quicker than its rivals as was displayed by Casey Stoner on tracks with long straights.
 +
 
 +
For {{MGP|2009}}, [[Ducati Corse|Ducati Marlboro Team]] will campaign their [[Ducati Desmosedici#GP9|Desmosedici GP9]] with former World Champions [[Casey Stoner]] and [[Nicky Hayden]].
 +
 +
Ducati also supplies [[customer]] bikes to the [[Alice Team]], with [[Mika Kallio]] and [[Niccolò Canepa]] riding for the team in 2009.
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 +
{| border=1 cellspacing=3 cellpadding=4 style="float:center; margin:0 0 .5em 1em; width:400px; background:#505050; border-collapse:collapse; border:1px solid #999; font-size:83%; line-height:1.5; " summary="Infobox Automobile"
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|- style="text-align:center; background:#505050;"
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|- tr BGCOLOR=darkred
 +
!Year
 +
! Champion
 +
! Motorcycle
 +
|-
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| {{MGP|2007}}
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| {{flagiconAUS}} [[Casey Stoner]]
 +
| [[Ducati Desmosedici#GP7|Ducati Desmosedici GP7]]
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
===Superbike World Championship (SBK)===
 +
For {{SBK|2009}}, Ducati will race a homologated version of the [[Ducati 1198|1198]]. The [[Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme|FIM]], the sanctioning body for the [[Superbike World Championship]], has raised the displacement limit for two cylinder engines to 1,200&nbsp;cc. In {{SBK|2007}}, Ducati raced their 999F07 which is a homologated racing version of the [[Ducati 999|999R]] because maximum displacement for two cylinder engines was limited to 1,000&nbsp;cc.
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 +
The company has won thirteen [[List of Superbike World champions|rider's world championships]] since the championship's inception in 1988. It has been argued that Ducati has amassed more wins than any other manufacturer because the rules are deliberately set to favour their bikes through manufacturer lobbying; this, of course, is a matter of dispute. In 2006, Troy Bayliss' championship winning 999R was quoted to have 10 to 15 HP less than the Japanese four cylinder rivals, despite the fact that the Ducati L-Twin had less limitations imposed for tuning its engine.
 +
 
 +
[[Image:2006Ducati999R-001.jpg|thumb|right|2006 [[Ducati 999|Ducati 999R]] (SBK)]]
 +
[[Image:Duc1098R.jpg|thumb|right|2008 [[Ducati 1198|Ducati 1098R]] (SBK)]]
 +
 
 +
{| border=1 cellspacing=3 cellpadding=4 style="float:center; margin:0 0 .5em 1em; width:400px; background:#505050; border-collapse:collapse; border:1px solid #999; font-size:83%; line-height:1.5; " summary="Infobox Automobile"
 +
|- style="text-align:center; background:#505050;"
 +
|- tr BGCOLOR=darkred
 +
! Year
 +
! Champion
 +
! Motorcycle
 +
|-
 +
| {{SBK|1990}}
 +
| {{flagiconFRA}}&thinsp;[[Raymond Roche]]
 +
| [[Ducati 851]]
 +
|-
 +
| {{SBK|1991}}
 +
| {{flagiconUSA}}&thinsp;[[Doug Polen]]
 +
| [[Ducati 888]]
 +
|-
 +
| {{SBK|1992}}
 +
| {{flagiconUSA}}&thinsp;Doug Polen
 +
| Ducati 888
 +
|-
 +
| {{SBK|1994}}
 +
| {{flagiconUK}}&thinsp;[[Carl Fogarty]]
 +
| [[Ducati 916]]
 +
|-
 +
| {{SBK|1995}}
 +
| {{flagiconUK}}&thinsp;Carl Fogarty
 +
| Ducati 916
 +
|-
 +
| {{SBK|1996}}
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| {{flagiconAUS}}&thinsp;[[Troy Corser]]
 +
| Ducati 916
 +
|-
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| {{SBK|1998}}
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| {{flagiconUK}}&thinsp;Carl Fogarty
 +
| Ducati 916
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|-
 +
| {{SBK|1999}}
 +
| {{flagiconUK}}&thinsp;Carl Fogarty
 +
| [[Ducati 996]]
 +
|-
 +
| {{SBK|2001}}
 +
| {{flagiconAUS}}&thinsp;[[Troy Bayliss]]
 +
| Ducati 996
 +
|-
 +
| {{SBK|2003}}
 +
| {{flagiconUK}}&thinsp;[[Neil Hodgson]]
 +
| [[Ducati 999]]
 +
|-
 +
| {{SBK|2004}}
 +
| {{flagiconUK}}&thinsp;[[James Toseland]]
 +
| Ducati 999
 +
|-
 +
| {{SBK|2006}}
 +
| {{flagiconAUS}}&thinsp;[[Troy Bayliss]]
 +
| Ducati 999
 +
|-
 +
| {{SBK|2008}}
 +
| {{flagiconAUS}}&thinsp;[[Troy Bayliss]]
 +
| [[Ducati 1098|Ducati 1098]]
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
Ducati has also won fifteen SBK [[List of Superbike World champions#Manufacturers|manufacturer world championships]] for years 1991–1996, 1998–2004, 2006 and 2008.
 +
 
 +
===British Superbike Championship===
 +
The [[British Superbike Championship]] has been won by Ducati riders on eight occasions and entered since 1988:
 +
{| border=1 cellspacing=3 cellpadding=4 style="float:center; margin:0 0 .5em 1em; width:400px; background:#505050; border-collapse:collapse; border:1px solid #999; font-size:83%; line-height:1.5; " summary="Infobox Automobile"
 +
|- style="text-align:center; background:#505050;"
 +
|- tr BGCOLOR=darkred
 +
! Year
 +
! Champion
 +
! Motorcycle
 +
|-
 +
| 1995
 +
| {{flagiconScotland}} [[Steve Hislop]]
 +
| [[Ducati 916]]
 +
|-
 +
| 1999
 +
| {{flagiconAustralia}} [[Troy Bayliss]]
 +
| [[Ducati 996]]
 +
|-
 +
| 2000
 +
| {{flagiconEngland}} [[Neil Hodgson]]
 +
| Ducati 996
 +
|-
 +
| 2001
 +
| {{flagiconEngland}} [[John Reynolds]]
 +
| Ducati 996
 +
|-
 +
| 2002
 +
| {{flagiconScotland}} [[Steve Hislop]]
 +
| [[Ducati 998]]
 +
|-
 +
| 2003
 +
| {{flagiconEngland}} [[Shane Byrne]]
 +
| Ducati 998
 +
|-
 +
| 2005
 +
| {{flagiconSpain}} [[Gregorio Lavilla]]
 +
| [[Ducati 999]]
 +
|-
 +
| 2008
 +
| {{flagiconEngland}} [[Shane Byrne (motorcycle racer)|Shane Byrne]]
 +
| [[Ducati 1098]]
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
 
 +
===AMA Superbike Championship===
 +
In the [[AMA Superbike Championship]], Ducati has had its share of success, with [[Doug Polen]] winning the title in 1993 and [[Troy Corser]] the following year in 1994. Ducati has entered a bike in every AMA Superbike season since 1986, but withdrew from the series after the 2006 season.
 +
 
 +
{| border=1 cellspacing=3 cellpadding=4 style="float:center; margin:0 0 .5em 1em; width:400px; background:#505050; border-collapse:collapse; border:1px solid #999; font-size:83%; line-height:1.5; " summary="Infobox Automobile"
 +
|- style="text-align:center; background:#505050;"
 +
|- tr BGCOLOR=darkred
 +
! Year
 +
! Champion
 +
! Motorcycle
 +
|-
 +
| 1993
 +
| {{flagiconUnited States}} [[Doug Polen]]
 +
| [[Ducati 888]]
 +
|-
 +
| 1994
 +
| {{flagiconAustralia}} [[Troy Corser]]
 +
| [[Ducati 916]]
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
===British Superbike===
 +
The British Superbike series has been won by Ducati riders on seven occasions:
 +
1995 Steve Hislop, Scotland;
 +
1999 Troy Bayliss, Australia;
 +
2000 Neil Hodgson, England;
 +
2001 John Reynolds, England;
 +
2002 Steve Hislop, Scotland;
 +
2003 Shane Byrne, England;
 +
2005 Gregorio Lavilla, Spain
  
−
The company has enjoyed nine [[Superbike racing|World Superbike championship]]s in recent years.
 
  
 
== See also ==  
 
== See also ==  
 
[[List of Italian companies]]
 
[[List of Italian companies]]
  
−
[[:Category:Ducati motorcycles|List of Ducati motorcycle models]]
 
  
−
== External links ==
+
==External links==
 +
Official Ducati links:
 +
*[http://www.ducatiusa.com/museo/virtual_tour/flash_GB/home.html '''3D Ducati Museum Tour''' - Flash]
 +
*[http://www.ducati.com Ducati main website] The manufacturer's main website;  current model info, including online information, history, manuals and race team info (Italian/English)
 +
*[http://www.ducatiusa.com Ducati North America website] Ducati NA information for USA and Canada.
 +
*[http://www.ducati.com/od/ducatijapan/jp/index.jhtml Ducati Japan website] Ducati NA information for Japan (Japanese).
 +
 
 +
Enthusiast and owner group sites:
 +
*[http://www.multistrada.net/ Ducati Multistrada List] Ducati Multistrada pictures, discussion, technical assistance, owner feedback forums, ride stories, links, manuals, movies, marketplace, racing and more (English).
 +
*[http://www.duc.nu/ Duc.nu ] Ducati pictures, manuals, movies, racing and more (Dutch/English).
 +
*[http://k.webring.com/hub?ring=ducati Ducati Webring] Created in 1996 this webring is a collective of currently 132 active Ducati related websites.
 +
*[http://www.ducatimonster.org/ Ducati Monster List] USA-based Monster Owners resource and community forum site
 +
*[http://www.docgb.org The Ducati Owners Club GB] The largest and oldest Ducati club worldwide, based in the UK.
 +
*[http://www.ducatisportingclub.com The Ducati Sporting Club] Home of the UK's newest club for Ducati owners and enthusiasts.
 +
*[http://www.ukmonster.co.uk The Monster Owners Club] UK-based club for Ducati Monster Owners
 +
*[http://www.ducatisti.co.uk UK Ducati Forum] (Ducatisti.co.uk) Free forum for chat and technical help, pictures, videos, classifieds, meets, ride-outs and more!
 +
*[http://www.bevelheaven.com/~BB/phpBB2/index.php BevelHeaven - Classic Bevel Drive Ducati Forum] Ducati Singles and Twins through until 1985.
 +
*[http://www.ducatimeccanica.com Ducati Meccanica Website]  Information, photos, and resources for all classic Ducati Bevel drive motorcycles (1954 to 1985).
 +
* [http://www.ducatiowners.com Ducati Owners] site and home to the largest MH900e registry
 +
* [http://www.ducati.ms The Ducati Portal] Ducati owners discussion site, all Ducati bikes.
 +
* [http://www.ducatistas.com Ducatistas.com] Spain's biggest Ducati fan club, free chat, forums, meetings, events, and more.
 +
*[http://www.hcetc.com/registry 1996 900SS/SP Registry] Dedicated registry for the 1996 900SS/SP.
 +
*[http://www.ducatidealers.com Ducati Dealers] Online guide to the World's leading Ducati Dealers.
 +
 
 +
Ducati technical reference sites:
 +
*[http://www.desmotimes.com Desmo Times] This site includes DIY information and resources for Ducati Enthusiasts to be able to maintain their own Ducatis.
 +
* [http://www.usq.edu.au/users/grantd/motorcycle/ducati/DESMO.HTM Desmodromic Valve Gear] What does desmo mean?
 +
 
 +
Videos:
 +
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_37_gOepAg Ducati Superbike Concorso Finals 2007 Video]
 +
 
 +
 
 +
 
 +
{{Ducati}}
 +
 
 +
{{-}}
 +
Send what you have to:
 +
*[mailto:Info@WheelsofItaly.com '''info@wheelsofitaly.com''']
  
−
[http://www.ducatisti.co.uk The UK Ducati Community]  (Getting UK Ducati fans together! Forum, Gallery, Ride-outs and more)
 
  
−
[http://www.ducati.com The official Ducati website] (in English and Italian)
 
  
−
[http://www.bevelheaven.com/~BB/phpBB2/index.php BevelHeaven - Classic Bevel Drive Ducati Forum] (Covers Ducati Singles and Twins through until 1985)
+
{{-}}
 +
{{A-Z multipage list|Motorcycle Information and Photos by Marque|Motorcycle Information and Photos by Marque|}}
 +
{{A-Z multipage list|Car Information and Photos by Marque|Information and Photos by Marque|}}
 +
<br>
 +
{{Motorcycle Information and Photos by Marque}}
 +
{{Car Information and Photos by Marque}}
  
−
[http://www.ducatimeccanica.com Ducati Meccanica Website]  (This site includes information, photos, and resources for all classic Ducati beveldrive motorcycles; those Ducati with bevel gear driven cams, 1954 to 1985.)
 
  
−
[[Category:Ducati]]
+
[[Category:Motorcycle manufacturers of Italy]]
−
[[Category:Motorcycle manufacturers]]
+
[[Category: Motorcycles]]

Latest revision as of 13:35, 26 November 2013

Ducatilogo copy.png
200 Miglia di Imola 1972-2012
The Beginning of a New Era
Ducati ST4
File:Ducati mach1 800.jpg
Ducati Mach 1
File:Ducati 749.jpg
Ducati 749 at Wheels Of Italy

Ducati MotoGP

Click here to see Ducati automotive


Ducati Motor Holding, SpA (Borsa Italiana:DMH) is an Italian motorcycle manufacturer located in Bologna, Italy.

From their first post-Second World War bicycle-like low-displacement motorbikes Ducati has gained prominence in motorcycle racing and in the motorcycle industry.

In the 1960s, Ducati earned its place in motorcycling history by producing the then fastest 250 cc road bike available, the Mach 1. In the 1970s Ducati began producing large-displacement L-twin (i.e. a 90° V-twin) motorcycles and in 1973 released an L-twin with the trademarked desmodromic valve design. In 1985, Cagiva bought Ducati and planned to rebadge Ducati motorcycles with the lesser-known Cagiva name (at least outside of Italy). By the time the purchase was completed, Cagiva kept the "Ducati" name on its motorcycles. In 1996, Texas Pacific Group bought for US$325 million a 51% stake in the company and in 1998, bought the remaining 49% and became the sole owner of Ducati. In 1999, TPG issued an IPO of Ducati stock and renamed the company Ducati Motor Holding SpA. TPG sold over 65% of its shares in Ducati. In December 2005 Ducati returned to Italian ownership with the sale of Texas Pacific's stake (minus one share) to Investindustrial Holdings, the investment fund of Carlo and Andrea Bonomi.

Company history

Ownership

  • 3dflagsdotcom italy2bs.gif (1926 - 1950) Ducati Family
  • 3dflagsdotcom italy2bs.gif (1950 - 1967) Government IRI management
In 1953 split into Ducati Meccanica-now called Ducati Motor and Ducati Elettronica-now called Ducati Energia
  • 3dflagsdotcom italy2bs.gif (1967 - 1978) Government EFIM management (control over day-to-day factory operations)
(1967 - 73) Headed By Montano
(1973 - 78) Headed by De Eccher
  • 3dflagsdotcom italy2bs.gif (1978 - 1985) VM Group
  • 3dflagsdotcom italy2bs.gif (1985 - 1996) Cagiva Group ownership
  • 22px-Flag of the United States.png (1996 - 2005) Texas-Pacific Group ownership and going public
Headed by CEO Federico Minoli, 1996-2001; returning for 2003-2007
  • 3dflagsdotcom italy2bs.gif (2005 - 2008) Investindustrial Holdings SpA (back in Italian hands)
  • 3dflagsdotcom italy2bs.gif (2008 - present) Performance Motorcycles SpA (again in Italian hands and going private)
An investment vehicle formed by Investindustrial Holdings, BS Investimenti and Hospitals of Ontario Pension Plan


Beginnings

Previous logo used between 1926-2008

In 1926 three brothers, Adriano, Marcello and Bruno Ducati, founded Societa Scientifica Radio Brevetti Ducati in Bologna to produce tubes, condensers and other radio components, becoming successful enough by 1935 to construct a new factory in the Borgo Panigale area of the city. During the war, although the Ducati factory was a repeated target for Allied bombing, production was maintained.

Meanwhile, at the small Turinese firm SIATA (Societa Italiana per Applicazioni Tecniche Auto-Aviatorie), Aldo Farinelli began developing a small pushrod engine for mounting on bicycles. Barely a month after the official liberation of Italy in 1944, SIATA announced its intention to sell this engine, called the "Cucciolo" (Italian for "puppy," in reference to the distinctive exhaust sound) to the public. The first Cucciolos were available alone, to be mounted on standard bicycles, by the buyer; however, businessmen soon bought the little engines in quantity, and offered complete motorized-bicycle units for sale.

In 1950 (after more than 200,000 Cucciolos had been sold), in collaboration with SIATA, the Ducati firm finally offered its own Cucciolo-based motorcycle. This first Ducati motorcycle was a 60 cc bike weighing 98 pounds with a top speed of 40 mph (64 km/h) had a 15 mm carburetor giving just under 200 mpg (85 km/L). Ducati soon dropped the "Cucciolo" name in favor of "55M" and "65TL".

When the market moved toward larger motorcycles, Ducati management decided to respond, making an impression at an early-1952 Milan show, introducing their 65TS cycle and Cruiser (a four-stroke motor scooter). Despite being described as the most interesting new machine at the 1952 show, the Cruiser was not a great success, and only a few thousand were made over a two-year period before the model ceased production.

In 1953, management split the company into two separate entities, Ducati Meccanica SpA and Ducati Elettronica, in acknowledgment of its diverging motorcycle and electronics product lines. (Ducati Elettronica became Ducati Energia SpA in the eighties.) Dr. Giuseppe Montano took over as head of Ducati Meccanica SpA and the Borgo Panigale factory was modernized with government assistance. By 1954, Ducati Meccanica SpA had increased production to 120 bikes a day.

The company's offerings have improved and diversified since then.

File:Ducati mach1 800.jpg
Ducati Mach 1

In the 1960s, Ducati earned its place in motorcycling history by producing the then fastest 250 cc road bike available, the Mach 1. In the 1970s Ducati began producing large-displacement L-twin (i.e. a 90° V-twin) motorcycles and in 1973 released an L-twin with the trademarked desmodromic valve design. In 1985, Cagiva bought Ducati and planned to rebadge Ducati motorcycles with the lesser-known Cagiva name (at least outside of Italy). By the time the purchase was completed, Cagiva kept the "Ducati" name on its motorcycles. In 1996, Texas Pacific Group bought a 51% stake in the company for US$325 million then in 1998, bought most of the remaining 49% to become the sole owner of Ducati. In 1999, TPG issued an IPO of Ducati stock and renamed the company Ducati Motor Holding SpA. TPG sold over 65% of its shares in Ducati, leaving TPG the majority shareholder. In December 2005 Ducati returned to Italian ownership with the sale of Texas Pacific's stake (minus one share) to Investindustrial Holdings, the investment fund of Carlo and Andrea Bonomi.

From the 1960s to the 1990s, the Spanish MotoTrans company licensed Ducati engines and produced motorcycles that, although they incorporated subtle differences, were clearly Ducati-derived. MotoTrans's most notable machine was the 250 cc 24 Horas (Spanish for 24 hours). A 285 cc version of this bike won the Barcelona twenty-four-hour race at the Montjuic circuit for three consecutive years, 1956 to 1958.


Motorcycle designs

2006 Ducati Paul Smart 1000LE

Ducati is best known for high performance motorcycles characterized by large capacity four-stroke, 90-degree L-twin engines featuring a desmodromic valve design. Modern Ducatis remain among the dominant performance motorcycles available today partly because of the Desmodromic valve design, which is nearing its 50th year of use. Desmodromic valves are closed with a separate, dedicated cam lobe and lifter instead of the conventional valve springs used in most internal combustion engines. This allows the cams to have a more radical profile, thus opening and closing the valves more quickly without the risk of valve-float which is likely when using a "passive" closing mechanisms under the same conditions.

While most other manufacturers utilize wet-clutches (with the spinning parts bathed in oil) Ducati uses multiplate dry clutches in many of their current motorcycles. The dry clutch eliminates the power loss from oil viscosity drag on the engine even though the engagement may not be as smooth as the oil bath versions, and the clutch plates can wear more rapidly.

Product history

Ducati Elite 200cc

The chief designer of Ducati motorcycles from the 1950s was the late Fabio Taglioni (1920-2001). He designed most Ducatis during this period, ranging from the small single cylinder machines that were successful in the Italian 'street races' up to the large capacity twins of the 80s. Ducati introduced the Pantah in 1979; its engine was updated in the 1990s in the Ducati SuperSport (SS) series. All modern Ducati engines are derivatives of the Pantah, which uses a toothed belt to actuate the engine's valves. Taglioni used the prancing horse (identified with the Ferrari brand) on his Ducati motorbikes, Taglioni chose this emblem of courage and daring as a sign of respect and admiration for Francesco Baracca, a heroic World War I fighter pilot that died during an air raid in 1918.

1950s

Main article: Ducati Singles

1960s

Main article: Ducati Apollo

1970s

Main article: Ducati V-twin motorcycles

In 1973, Ducati also commemorated its 1972 win at the Imola 200 with the production model green frame Ducati 750 SuperSport.

(In 2006 the retro styled Ducati PaulSmart1000LE, which shares styling cues with the 1973 750 SuperSport (itself a production replica of Paul Smart's 1972 race winning 750 Imola Desmo) was released, as one of a SportClassic series representing the 750 GT, 750 Sport, and 750 SuperSport Ducati motorcycles.)

1980s

Main article: Ducati Quattrovalvole motorcycles

Ducati's liquid-cooled multi-valve V twins made from 1985 on are known as Quattrovalvole ("four-valve"). These include the 916 and 996, 999 and a few predecessors and derivatives.

1990s

In 1993, Miguel Angel Galuzzi introduced the Ducati Monster, a naked bike with exposed trellis and engine. Today the Monster accounts for almost half of the company's worldwide sales. The Monster, which has been out since 1994, has undergone the most changes of any motorcycle that Ducati has ever produced. After more than a decade of manufacturing, Ducati continues to create innovative changes to this classic motorcycle.

In 1995, the company introduced the Ducati 916 model designed by Massimo Tamburini, a water-cooled version that allowed for higher output levels and a striking new bodywork that featured aggressive lines, underseat exhausts, and a single-sided swingarm. Ducati has since ceased production of what many called the bike of the 1990s, supplanting it with the 749 and 999.

File:Ducati 999R.jpg
2005 Ducati 999R

Current lineup

Ducati Hypermotard

For the 2008 model year, Ducati lineup is as follows:

Monster
  • 695
  • 696
  • S2R 1000
  • S4R Testastretta
  • S4R S Testastretta
  • S4R S Testastretta Tri-Colore
Multistrada
  • 1100
  • 1100 S
Ducati 1098 S Tricolore
SportClassic
  • GT 1000
  • Sport 1000 monoposto
  • Sport 1000 biposto
  • Sport 1000 S biposto
Sporttouring
Superbike
Ducati Desmosedici RR
Other
Motors used in 2006
  • Desmodue: Desmo two valve air cooled, 40° included valve angle, (800SS, Multistrada 620, Monster 620 695 803 992)
  • Desmodue Double Spark: Desmo two valve , air cooled, 40° included valve angle, (1000DS, Multistrada 1000DS)
  • Desmotre Double Spark: Desmo three valve, liquid cooled, 40° included valve angle, (ST3)
  • Desmoquattro Testastretta: Desmo four valve, liquid cooled, 25° included valve angle, (999, 749, Monster S4RS)
Motors introduced for 2007+
  • Testastretta Evoluzione: Desmo four valve, liquid cooled, 25° included valve angle, (848/1098)


Motorcycle design history

2007 Ducati Monster S4Rs Testastretta

Ducati (in its various incarnations) has produced several styles of motorcycle engines, including varying the number of cylinders, type of valve actuation and fuel delivery. Ducati is best known for its "L-Twin" motor which is the powerplant in the majority of Ducati-marqued motorcycles. Ducati has also manufactured engines with one, two, three or four cylinders; operated by pull rod valves and push rod valves; single, double and triple overhead camshafts; two stroke and even at one stage manufactured a stationary diesel engine, many of which were used as emergency pumps (eg for fire fighting). They have also produced outboard motors for marine use. Currently, Ducati makes no other engines except for its motorcycles.

On current Ducati motors except for the Desmosedici, the valves are actuated by a standard valve cam shaft which is rotated by a timing belt driven by the motor directly. The teeth on the belt keep the camshaft drive pulleys indexed. On older Ducati motors, prior to 1986, drive was by solid shaft that transferred to the camshaft through bevel-cut gears. This method of valve actuation was used on many of Ducati's older single cylinder motorcycles - the shaft tube is visible on the outside of the cylinder.

Ducati is also famous for using the desmodromic valve system championed by engineer and designer Fabio Taglioni though they have also used engines that use valve springs to close their valves. In the early days, Ducati reserved the desmodromic valve heads for its higher performance bikes and its race bikes. These valves do not suffer from valve float at high engine speeds, thus a desmodromic engine is capable of far higher revolutions than a similarly configured engine with traditional spring-valve heads.

In the 1960s and -70s Ducati produced a wide range of small two-stroke bikes, mainly sub-100 cc capacities. Large quantities of some models were exported to the U.S.

Ducati 500 Sport Desmo (SD) parallel twin

Ducati has produced the following motorcycle engine types:

  • Single cylinder,
    • pullrod actuated, 48 cc and 65 cc (Cucciolo)
    • pushrod actuated, 98 and 125 cc
    • two stroke, 50, 80, 90, 100, 125cc
    • bevel actuated, spring valved: 98 cc, 100 cc, 125 cc, 160 cc, 175 cc, 200 cc, 239 cc, 250 cc, 350 cc, 450 cc
    • bevel actuated, desmodromic valved : 239 cc, 250 cc, 350 cc and 450 cc
    • belt actuated, desmodromic valved : 549/572 cc Supermono, only 65 made.
  • Two cylinder,
    • bevel actuated, spring valved (L-Twin): 750 cc, 860 cc
    • bevel actuated, desmo valved (L-Twin): 750 cc, 860 cc, 973 cc (Mille)
    • chain actuated, spring valved (parallel twin): 350 cc, 500 cc (GTL)
    • chain actuated, desmo valved (parallel twin): 500 cc (500SD)
    • belt actuated, desmo valved (L-Twin): Almost all motors since 1986.
  • Four cylinder,
    • gear actuated, desmo valved (L-quattro): (Desmosedici)
    • pushrod actuated, spring valved (L-4): Prototype Apollo, only two made.


Future

Ducati had completed testing the Desmosedici GP7, Ducati's 2007 MotoGP race bike. The GP7 complies with new regulations requiring a maximum of 800 cc (as compared with the 989 cc of the GP6). The GP7 is currently known to be the most powerful 800 cc MotoGP race bike, as illustrated in the 2007 Qatar GP, where the four Ducatis produced, by a considerable margin, the highest top speeds of the entire MotoGP grid.

File:Ducati Monster 1000.jpg
Ducati Monster 1000
File:Ducati Race Bike.jpg
Ducati 999 Race Bike


120px


2006 Ducati 999R Xerox
2006 Ducati 999R Xerox

Racing History

2008 Ducati Desmosedici GP8 (motoGP)

Main Article Ducati Corse

MotoGP World Championship

Ducati rejoined Grand Prix motorcycle racing in 2003, after a 30 year absence. On September 23, 2007 Casey Stoner clinched his and Ducati's first Grand Prix World Championship.

When Ducati re-joined MotoGP in 2003, MotoGP had changed its rules to allow four-stroke 990 cc engines to race. At the time Ducati was the fastest bike. In 2007, MotoGP reduced the engine size to 800 cc, and Ducati continued to be the fastest with a bike that was markedly quicker than its rivals as was displayed by Casey Stoner on tracks with long straights.

For 2009, Ducati Marlboro Team will campaign their Desmosedici GP9 with former World Champions Casey Stoner and Nicky Hayden.

Ducati also supplies customer bikes to the Alice Team, with Mika Kallio and Niccolò Canepa riding for the team in 2009.


Year Champion Motorcycle
2007 22px-Flag of Australia.svg.png Casey Stoner Ducati Desmosedici GP7

Superbike World Championship (SBK)

For 2009, Ducati will race a homologated version of the 1198. The FIM, the sanctioning body for the Superbike World Championship, has raised the displacement limit for two cylinder engines to 1,200 cc. In 2007, Ducati raced their 999F07 which is a homologated racing version of the 999R because maximum displacement for two cylinder engines was limited to 1,000 cc.

The company has won thirteen rider's world championships since the championship's inception in 1988. It has been argued that Ducati has amassed more wins than any other manufacturer because the rules are deliberately set to favour their bikes through manufacturer lobbying; this, of course, is a matter of dispute. In 2006, Troy Bayliss' championship winning 999R was quoted to have 10 to 15 HP less than the Japanese four cylinder rivals, despite the fact that the Ducati L-Twin had less limitations imposed for tuning its engine.

2006 Ducati 999R (SBK)
2008 Ducati 1098R (SBK)
Year Champion Motorcycle
1990 22px-Flag of France.png Raymond Roche Ducati 851
1991 22px-Flag of the United States.png Doug Polen Ducati 888
1992 22px-Flag of the United States.png Doug Polen Ducati 888
1994 22px-Flag of the United Kingdom.png Carl Fogarty Ducati 916
1995 22px-Flag of the United Kingdom.png Carl Fogarty Ducati 916
1996 22px-Flag of Australia.svg.png Troy Corser Ducati 916
1998 22px-Flag of the United Kingdom.png Carl Fogarty Ducati 916
1999 22px-Flag of the United Kingdom.png Carl Fogarty Ducati 996
2001 22px-Flag of Australia.svg.png Troy Bayliss Ducati 996
2003 22px-Flag of the United Kingdom.png Neil Hodgson Ducati 999
2004 22px-Flag of the United Kingdom.png James Toseland Ducati 999
2006 22px-Flag of Australia.svg.png Troy Bayliss Ducati 999
2008 22px-Flag of Australia.svg.png Troy Bayliss Ducati 1098

Ducati has also won fifteen SBK manufacturer world championships for years 1991–1996, 1998–2004, 2006 and 2008.

British Superbike Championship

The British Superbike Championship has been won by Ducati riders on eight occasions and entered since 1988:

Year Champion Motorcycle
1995 22px-Flag of Scotland.png Steve Hislop Ducati 916
1999 22px-Flag of Australia.png Troy Bayliss Ducati 996
2000 22px-Flag of England.png Neil Hodgson Ducati 996
2001 22px-Flag of England.png John Reynolds Ducati 996
2002 22px-Flag of Scotland.png Steve Hislop Ducati 998
2003 22px-Flag of England.png Shane Byrne Ducati 998
2005 22px-Flag of Spain.png Gregorio Lavilla Ducati 999
2008 22px-Flag of England.png Shane Byrne Ducati 1098


AMA Superbike Championship

In the AMA Superbike Championship, Ducati has had its share of success, with Doug Polen winning the title in 1993 and Troy Corser the following year in 1994. Ducati has entered a bike in every AMA Superbike season since 1986, but withdrew from the series after the 2006 season.

Year Champion Motorcycle
1993 22px-Flag of the United States.png Doug Polen Ducati 888
1994 22px-Flag of Australia.png Troy Corser Ducati 916

British Superbike

The British Superbike series has been won by Ducati riders on seven occasions: 1995 Steve Hislop, Scotland; 1999 Troy Bayliss, Australia; 2000 Neil Hodgson, England; 2001 John Reynolds, England; 2002 Steve Hislop, Scotland; 2003 Shane Byrne, England; 2005 Gregorio Lavilla, Spain


See also

List of Italian companies


External links

Official Ducati links:

Enthusiast and owner group sites:

Ducati technical reference sites:

  • Desmo Times This site includes DIY information and resources for Ducati Enthusiasts to be able to maintain their own Ducatis.
  • Desmodromic Valve Gear What does desmo mean?

Videos:


Ducati Models
Scrambler 250 | M620 Monster | 620 SPORT | 748 | 748S | 749 | 749/R/S | 750 Imola | 750 SS | 800 Sport | 800 SS | 848 | 851 | 888 Superbike | 900SS | 900GTS | 916 | 996 | 998 | 999 | 999/R/S | 1098 | 1198 | Apollo | Desmosedici | Hypermotard | Monster | Multistrada | Pantah | Paso | Sport 1000 Classic | 1000DS | PaulSmart1000LE | ST2 | ST3 | ST4 | ST4S | SuperSport
Ducati Model Timeline
Current motorcycles: Multistrada (Multistrada 1200)  · Desmosedici · Desmosedici RR · Monster 696 · Monster · SportClassic · 848 · 1098 · 1198 · Hypermotard · Streetfighter
Previous motorcycles: 60, 60S, 65S · 65T, 65TL, 65TS · 98, 98N, 98T, 98TL, 98S, 98SS · 125 S, SV  · 125 Gran Sport Mariana  · 125 Aurea · 98TS and 85, 98, 125 Bronco · Mach 1 · Apollo · 750 GT ·750 Imola · Supermono · 800SS · 851 · 888 · 900GTS · 748 · 749 · 916 · 996 · 998 · 999 · Pantah · Paso · PaulSmart1000LE · ST series (ST2 · ST3 · ST4)  · SuperSport
Ducati mopeds: Cucciolo · 55 · Brisk · Falcon · Rolly
Designers Fabbro · Galluzzi · Taglioni · Tamburini · Terblanche
Racing division: Ducati Corse


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