Ducati

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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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Ducati 749 at Wheels Of Italy

In the 1960s, Ducati earned its place in motorcycling history by producing the fastest 250cc road bike available, the Mach 1.

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Ducati 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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2005 Ducati 999R

Ducati is best known for high performance motorcycles characterized by trellis-style frames and large capacity four-stroke, 90-degree L-twin engines featuring 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 springs to close the valves).

Ducati ST4

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 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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Ducati Monster 1000

Product History

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. [1] 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.

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.

Racing History

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Ducati 999 Race Bike

The company has enjoyed nine World Superbike championships in recent years.

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See also

List of Italian companies

External links

Official Ducati links:

• Ducati main website The manufacturer's main website; current model info, including online information, history, manuals and race team info (Italian/English)
• Ducati North America website Ducati NA information for USA and Canada.
• Ducati Japan website Ducati NA information for Japan (Japanese).

Enthusiast and owner group sites:

• Ducati Multistrada List Ducati Multistrada pictures, discussion, technical assistance, owner feedback forums, ride stories, links, manuals, movies, marketplace, racing and more (English).
• Duc.nu Ducati pictures, manuals, movies, racing and more (Dutch/English).
• Ducati Webring Created in 1996 this webring is a collective of currently 132 active Ducati related websites.
• Ducati Monster List USA-based Monster Owners resource and community forum site
• The Ducati Owners Club GB The largest and oldest Ducati club worldwide, based in the UK.
• The Ducati Sporting Club Home of the UK's newest club for Ducati owners and enthusiasts.
• The Monster Owners Club UK-based club for Ducati Monster Owners
• UK Ducati Forum (Ducatisti.co.uk) Free forum for chat and technical help, pictures, videos, classifieds, meets, ride-outs and more!
• BevelHeaven - Classic Bevel Drive Ducati Forum Ducati Singles and Twins through until 1985.
• Ducati Meccanica Website Information, photos, and resources for all classic Ducati Bevel drive motorcycles (1954 to 1985).
• Ducati Owners site and home to the largest MH900e registry
• The Ducati Portal Ducati owners discussion site, all Ducati bikes.
• Ducatistas.com Spain's biggest Ducati fan club, free chat, forums, meetings, events, and more.
• 1996 900SS/SP Registry Dedicated registry for the 1996 900SS/SP.
• Ducati Dealers Online guide to the World's leading Ducati Dealers.

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?

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