Ducati Motor Holding
Encyclopedia
Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. is a motorcycle
manufacturer in Bologna, Italy. It produces motorcycles for both road use and motorcycle racing
.
to produce vacuum tube
s, condensers
and other radio components, becoming successful enough by 1935 to construct a new factory in the Borgo Panigale area of the city. Production was maintained during World War II
, despite the Ducati factory being a repeated target for Allied bombing.
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.
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 lb (44.5 kg) with a top speed of 40 mph (18 m/s) 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.
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
(that is, 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 company MotoTrans
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).
Ducati is best known for high performance motorcycles characterized by large capacity four-stroke, L-twin (90° twin-cylinder) 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 in consumer vehicles. 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 causes a loss of power, that is likely when using a "passive" closing mechanism 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.
Ducati also extensively uses the Trellis Steel Frame configuration, although Ducati's MotoGP project broke with this tradition by introducing a revolutionary carbon fibre frame for the Ducati Desmosedici GP9.
(1920–2001). His designs ranged from the small single-cylinder machines that were successful in the Italian 'street races' to the large-capacity twins of the 1980s. 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 Cavallino Rampante (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 who died during an air raid in 1918.
Ducati also targeted the offroad market with the two-stroke Regolarità 125, building 3,486 models from 1975 to 1979, but the bike was not successful.
In 1975, the company introduced the Ducati 860GT, designed by noted car stylist Giorgio Giugiaro. Its angular lines were unique, but raised handlebars made for an uncomfortable seating position at high speeds and also caused steering issues.
four "). These include the 907i.e., 916
and 996
, 999
and a few predecessors and derivatives.
, a naked bike with exposed trellis and engine. Today the Monster accounts for almost half of the company's worldwide sales. The Monster has undergone the most changes of any motorcycle that Ducati has ever produced. After more than a decade of manufacturing, Ducati continues to make innovative changes to this classic motorcycle.
In 1993, Pierre Terblanche
, Massimo Bordi and Claudio Domenicali designed the Ducati Supermono
. A 550 cc single-cylinder lightweight "Catalog Racer". Only 67 were built between 1993 and 1997.
In 1994, 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, an underseat exhaust, and a single-sided swingarm. Ducati has since ceased production of the 916, supplanting it (and its progeny, the 748
, 996
and 998
) with the 749
and 999
.
was released, which shares styling cues with the 1973 750 SuperSport (itself a production replica of Paul Smart's 1972 race winning 750 Imola Desmo
), as one of a SportClassic
series representing the 750 GT, 750 Sport, and 750 SuperSport Ducati motorcycles.
Monster
Multistrada
SportClassic
Diavel
Superbike
Hypermotard
Streetfighter
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 small diesel engines, many of which were used to power boats, generators, garden machinery and emergency pumps (for example, for fire fighting). The engines were the IS series from 7 to 22 HP air-cooled and the larger twin DM series water- and air-cooled. The engines have been found in all parts of the globe. Wisconsin Diesel even assembled and 'badge engineered' the engines in the USA. 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 1970s 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 has produced the following motorcycle engine types:
In North America there are several Ducati enthusiasts organizations, with varying degrees of factory sponsorship. DESMO, the Ducati Enthusiast Sport Motorcycle Organization, is a North American group affiliated with the factory Desmo Owners Club. Some groups are focused on vintage Ducatis, while several are based primarily or entirely on email discussion lists or web forums, such as Ducati.net.
was a half-frame Leica-like camera which is now a collector's item. Ducati and Bianchi (bicycle manufacturer) have developed and launched a new line of racing bicycles.
Currently, there are four Ducati companies: Ducati Motor Holding (the subject of this article), Ducati Corse
(which runs the Ducati racing program and is wholly owned by Ducati Motor Holding), Ducati Energia, a designer and manufacturer of electrical and electronic components and systems and Ducati Sistemi, a subsidiary of Ducati Energia. All are located in Borgo Panigale
in Bologna, Italy.
Ducati Motor Holding often uses electrical components and subsystems from Ducati Energia.
pieces in 2006 sold through both of the brands' retail outlets.
Ducati has a long history with racing, still subscribing to the "win on Sunday, sell on Monday" business model allocating 10% of the companies revenue (approximately $60 million) on racing.
in , 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 , MotoGP had changed its rules to allow four-stroke 990 cc engines to race. At the time Ducati was the fastest bike. In , 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 , Ducati Marlboro Team
campaigned 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.
Ducati has announced that for the season, nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi
will ride for Ducati Corse.
. The FIM
, the sanctioning body for the Superbike World Championship
, has raised the displacement limit for two-cylinder engines to 1200 cc. In , Ducati raced their 999F07 which is a homologated racing version of the 999R
because maximum displacement for two-cylinder engines was limited to 1000 cc.
The company has won 13 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(afforded due to the two-cylinder configuration).
Noriyuki Haga
finished the 2009 World Superbike season aboard the factory-backed 1098R
second overall behind Ben Spies
, with 8 wins, and 19 podiums.
Ducati has also won 16 SBK manufacturer world championships for years 1991–1996, 1998–2004, 2006, 2008 and 2009.
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.
Ducati had an important place in early Superbike racing history in the United States and vice versa: In 1977, Cycle magazine
editors Cook Neilson
and Phil Schilling
took a Ducati 750SS to first place at Daytona in the second-ever season of AMA Superbike racing. " Neilson retired from racing at the end of the year, but the bike he and Schilling built — nicknamed Old Blue for its blue livery — became a legend," says Richard Backus from Motorcycle Classics: "How big a legend? Big enough for Ducati to team with Italian specialty builder NCR to craft a limited-edition update, New Blue, based on the 2007 Sport 1000S, and big enough to inspire the crew at the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum (see Barber Motorsports Park
), arguably one of the most important motorcycle museums in the world, to commission Ducati specialist Rich Lambrechts to craft a bolt-by-bolt replica for its collection. The finished bike's name? Deja Blue."
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
manufacturer in Bologna, Italy. It produces motorcycles for both road use and motorcycle racing
Motorcycle racing
Motorcycle sport is a broad field that encompasses all sporting aspects of motorcycling. The disciplines are not all "races" or timed-speed events, as several disciplines test a competitor's various riding skills.-Motorcycle racing:...
.
History
In 1926, three brothers, Adriano, Marcello and Bruno Ducati, founded Societa Scientifica Radio Brevetti Ducati in BolognaBologna
Bologna is the capital city of Emilia-Romagna, in the Po Valley of Northern Italy. The city lies between the Po River and the Apennine Mountains, more specifically, between the Reno River and the Savena River. Bologna is a lively and cosmopolitan Italian college city, with spectacular history,...
to produce vacuum tube
Vacuum tube
In electronics, a vacuum tube, electron tube , or thermionic valve , reduced to simply "tube" or "valve" in everyday parlance, is a device that relies on the flow of electric current through a vacuum...
s, condensers
Capacitor
A capacitor is a passive two-terminal electrical component used to store energy in an electric field. The forms of practical capacitors vary widely, but all contain at least two electrical conductors separated by a dielectric ; for example, one common construction consists of metal foils separated...
and other radio components, becoming successful enough by 1935 to construct a new factory in the Borgo Panigale area of the city. Production was maintained during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, despite the Ducati factory being a repeated target for Allied bombing.
Turin
Turin is a city and major business and cultural centre in northern Italy, capital of the Piedmont region, located mainly on the left bank of the Po River and surrounded by the Alpine arch. The population of the city proper is 909,193 while the population of the urban area is estimated by Eurostat...
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"
Ducati Cucciolo
The Ducati Cucciolo was a 4-stroke clip-on engine conceived during and shortly after World War II by a Turin lawyer, Aldo Farinelli, and developed with a self-taught engineer, Aldo Leoni....
(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 lb (44.5 kg) with a top speed of 40 mph (18 m/s) had a 15 mm carburetor
Carburetor
A carburetor , carburettor, or carburetter is a device that blends air and fuel for an internal combustion engine. It is sometimes shortened to carb in North America and the United Kingdom....
giving just under 200 mpg (85 km/L). Ducati soon dropped the Cucciolo name in favor of "55M" and "65TL".
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.
In the 1960s, Ducati earned its place in motorcycling history by producing the then fastest 250 cc road bike available, the Mach 1
Ducati Mach 1
The Ducati Mach 1 motorcycle was a milestone in Ducati's history. The Mach 1, with its 250cc single-cylinder engine, was the fastest 250 road bike at the time. It was capable of just over 100 mph in full road going trim . Many were converted for racing use, and in the hands of Mike Rogers it...
.
In the 1970s Ducati began producing large-displacement L-twin
Ducati V-twin motorcycles
The next new Ducati engine to appear after the Ducati Apollo was the 90°V twin, initial Grand Prix racing versions being 500 cc, and the production bikes were 750 cc. There was also the Ducati 750 Imola Desmo that won at Imola in 1972. These engines had bevel gear shaft drive to the overhead...
(that is, a 90° V-twin) motorcycles and in 1973, released an L-twin with the trademarked desmodromic valve
Desmodromic valve
A desmodromic valve is a reciprocating engine valve that is positively closed by a cam and leverage system, rather than by a more conventional spring...
design. In 1985, Cagiva
Cagiva
Cagiva is an Italian motorcycle manufacturer. It was founded in 1950 by Giovanni Castiglioni in Varese, originally producing small metal components. It went into the motorcycle industry in 1978. The name is a portmanteau derived from the founder and the founding location, i.e. CAstiglioni GIovanni...
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
Texas Pacific Group
TPG Capital is one of the largest private equity investment firms globally, focused on leveraged buyout, growth capital and leveraged recapitalization investments in distressed companies and turnaround situations. TPG also manages investment funds specializing in growth capital, venture capital,...
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.
MotoTrans
MotoTrans is a Spanish company which produced motorcycles and scooters between 1957 and 1983 when it was bought by Yamaha.MotoTrans was famous for licensing Ducati engines and using them in MotoTrans motorcycles as well as building Ducati motorcycles incorporating small differences.Grupo Mototrans...
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).
Ownership
Since 1926, Ducati has been owned by a number of groups and companies:- (1926–1950) Ducati Family
- (1950–1967) Government IRI management
-
- In 1953 split into Ducati Meccanica-now called Ducati Motor and Ducati Elettronica-now called Ducati EnergiaDucati EnergiaDucati Energia, SpA is an Italian company based in Bologna which produces electrical and electronic components. It was originally founded by the Ducati brothers, Adriano, Marcello and Bruno Ducati. The original Ducati company was called Societa Scientifica Radio Brevetti Ducati...
- (1967–1978) Government EFIM management (control over day-to-day factory operations)
- (1967–1973) Headed By Giuseppe Montano
- (1973–1978) Headed by Cristiano de Eccher
- (1978–1985) VM Group
- (1985–1996) Cagiva Group ownership
- (1996–2005) Texas-Pacific Group (US-based) ownership and going public
- Headed by CEO Federico Minoli, 1996-2001; returning for 2003–2007
- (2005–2008) Investindustrial Holdings SpA (back in Italian hands)
- (since 2008) 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
- In 1953 split into Ducati Meccanica-now called Ducati Motor and Ducati Elettronica-now called Ducati Energia
Motorcycle designs
Spring (device)
A spring is an elastic object used to store mechanical energy. Springs are usually made out of spring steel. Small springs can be wound from pre-hardened stock, while larger ones are made from annealed steel and hardened after fabrication...
used in most internal combustion engines in consumer vehicles. 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 causes a loss of power, that is likely when using a "passive" closing mechanism 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
Parasitic loss
Parasitic loss is that which a parasite consumes from its host, for whom the loss may or may not be beneficial.- Parasitic loss in internal combustion engines :...
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.
Ducati also extensively uses the Trellis Steel Frame configuration, although Ducati's MotoGP project broke with this tradition by introducing a revolutionary carbon fibre frame for the Ducati Desmosedici GP9.
Product history
The chief designer of most Ducati motorcycles in the 1950s was Fabio TaglioniFabio Taglioni
Fabio Taglioni was an Italian engineer.Born in Lugo di Romagna, he was chief designer and technical director of Ducati from 1954 until 1989. His desmodromic L-twin design is still used in all current Ducati motorcycle engines...
(1920–2001). His designs ranged from the small single-cylinder machines that were successful in the Italian 'street races' to the large-capacity twins of the 1980s. Ducati introduced the Pantah
Ducati Pantah
The Pantah was the first of the belt-driven camshaft Ducati motors, the first generation of the current Ducati V twins. First shown December 1979, it came on the market as the 1980 500SL and the last of the line 650SL was sold in 1986...
in 1979; its engine was updated in the 1990s in the Ducati SuperSport
Ducati SuperSport
The Ducati SuperSport and SS are names applied to a series of Pantah based air-cooled four stroke desmodromic 2-valve 90-degree V-Twin motorcycles manufactured from 1988 onwards. A limited edition SuperSport called the SuperLight was sold in 1992. The name harked back to the round case 1973 Ducati...
(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 Cavallino Rampante (identified with the Ferrari
Ferrari
Ferrari S.p.A. is an Italian sports car manufacturer based in Maranello, Italy. Founded by Enzo Ferrari in 1929, as Scuderia Ferrari, the company sponsored drivers and manufactured race cars before moving into production of street-legal vehicles as Ferrari S.p.A. in 1947...
brand) on his Ducati motorbikes, Taglioni chose this emblem of courage and daring as a sign of respect and admiration for Francesco Baracca
Francesco Baracca
Count Francesco Baracca was Italy's top fighter ace of World War I. He was credited with 34 aerial victories.-Before World War I:...
, a heroic World War I fighter pilot who died during an air raid in 1918.
1970s
In 1973, Ducati commemorated its 1972 win at the Imola 200 with the production model green frame Ducati 750 SuperSport.Ducati also targeted the offroad market with the two-stroke Regolarità 125, building 3,486 models from 1975 to 1979, but the bike was not successful.
In 1975, the company introduced the Ducati 860GT, designed by noted car stylist Giorgio Giugiaro. Its angular lines were unique, but raised handlebars made for an uncomfortable seating position at high speeds and also caused steering issues.
1980s
Ducati's liquid-cooled multi-valve L-twins made from 1985 on are known as Desmoquattro ("desmodromic valveDesmodromic valve
A desmodromic valve is a reciprocating engine valve that is positively closed by a cam and leverage system, rather than by a more conventional spring...
four "). These include the 907i.e., 916
Ducati 916
The Ducati 916 is an Italian sports motorcycle manufactured by Ducati from 1994 to 1998. In contrast to Japanese inline four-cylinder competitors of the time, its V-twin engine produced less outright power, but a more even torque spread...
and 996
Ducati 996
The Ducati 996 is an Italian street motorcycle manufactured by Ducati from 1999 to 2002. It was based upon the earlier 916.-Model history:...
, 999
Ducati 999
The Ducati 999 superseded the Massimo Tamburini designed Ducati 916, Ducati 996 and Ducati 998 range of superbikes in 2003, and was produced through 2006...
and a few predecessors and derivatives.
1990s
In 1993, Miguel Angel Galuzzi introduced the Ducati MonsterDucati Monster
The Monster is a motorcycle designed by Miguel Angel Galluzzi and produced by Ducati Motor Holding in Bologna, Italy since 1993...
, a naked bike with exposed trellis and engine. Today the Monster accounts for almost half of the company's worldwide sales. The Monster has undergone the most changes of any motorcycle that Ducati has ever produced. After more than a decade of manufacturing, Ducati continues to make innovative changes to this classic motorcycle.
In 1993, Pierre Terblanche
Pierre Terblanche
Pierre Terblanche is a South African motorcycle designer born in 1956 in Uitenhage, Eastern Cape. He started his career in advertising but felt the need to move into the design world. After moving to Germany and working with Volkswagen design he worked at Cagiva's Research Center at San Marino...
, Massimo Bordi and Claudio Domenicali designed the Ducati Supermono
Ducati Supermono
The Ducati Supermono is a lightweight, single-cylinder racing motorcycle made by Ducati. It is named for the Supermono racing class. The Supermono is arguably one of the most collectable Ducatis in any era...
. A 550 cc single-cylinder lightweight "Catalog Racer". Only 67 were built between 1993 and 1997.
In 1994, the company introduced the Ducati 916
Ducati 916
The Ducati 916 is an Italian sports motorcycle manufactured by Ducati from 1994 to 1998. In contrast to Japanese inline four-cylinder competitors of the time, its V-twin engine produced less outright power, but a more even torque spread...
model designed by Massimo Tamburini
Massimo Tamburini
Massimo Tamburini is an Italian motorcycle designer for motorcycle companies including: Cagiva, Ducati, MV Agusta; and Bimota, which he founded, together with Bianchi and Morri ....
, a water-cooled version that allowed for higher output levels and a striking new bodywork that featured aggressive lines, an underseat exhaust, and a single-sided swingarm. Ducati has since ceased production of the 916, supplanting it (and its progeny, the 748
Ducati 748
The Ducati 748 was the smaller version of the Ducati 916, an Italian sports motorcycle manufactured by Ducati from 1994 to 2002. It was succeeded by the Ducati 749.-Design:The Ducati 748 is identical in almost every way to the 916...
, 996
Ducati 996
The Ducati 996 is an Italian street motorcycle manufactured by Ducati from 1999 to 2002. It was based upon the earlier 916.-Model history:...
and 998
Ducati 998
The Ducati 998, a successor to the Ducati 996 and the final variation on the Ducati 916, was produced in various models from 2002 to 2004. The new Testastretta engine shared many similarities with the previous Desmoquattro engine in the 996, although it was completely new from the crankshaft up....
) with the 749
Ducati 749
The Ducati 749 is a 90-degree L Twin Desmodromic valve actuated engine sport bike built by Ducati Motor Holding between 2003 and 2006. Designed by Pierre Terblanche, the 749 was available as the 749, 749 Dark, 749S, and 749R...
and 999
Ducati 999
The Ducati 999 superseded the Massimo Tamburini designed Ducati 916, Ducati 996 and Ducati 998 range of superbikes in 2003, and was produced through 2006...
.
2000s
In 2006, the retro-styled Ducati PaulSmart1000LEDucati PaulSmart1000LE
The Ducati PaulSmart1000LE is a retro styled "naked" sportbike built by Ducati to commemorate Paul Smart's win at the Imola 200 km race in 1972, a win that helped define Ducati's future approach to racing...
was released, which shares styling cues with the 1973 750 SuperSport (itself a production replica of Paul Smart's 1972 race winning 750 Imola Desmo
Ducati 750 Imola Desmo
The Ducati 750 Imola Desmo is a race motorcycle built by Ducati that won the 1972 Imola 200 mile race at the hands of Paul Smart. This win is considered historic by Ducati and its fans in that it helped define Ducati's approach to racing.-Design:...
), as one of a SportClassic
Ducati SportClassic
The SportClassics were a range of retro styled motorcycles first introduced by Ducati at the 2003 Tokyo Motor Show, and put on sale in 2005 for the 2006 model year...
series representing the 750 GT, 750 Sport, and 750 SuperSport Ducati motorcycles.
- Monster 620,695,750,900,S2R, S4R
- ST2Ducati ST2The Ducati ST2 is an Italian sport touring motorcycle that was made by Ducati between 1997 and 2003. It featured a two-valve V-twin engine. In 2004, it was replaced by the three-valve ST3...
, ST3Ducati ST3The ST3 is an Italian sport touring motorcycle that was made by Ducati between 2004 and 2007.The Ducati ST3 used the liquid cooled Desmotre engine. The design was aimed at meeting anti-pollution limits...
, ST4 - Paul Smart 1000LEDucati PaulSmart1000LEThe Ducati PaulSmart1000LE is a retro styled "naked" sportbike built by Ducati to commemorate Paul Smart's win at the Imola 200 km race in 1972, a win that helped define Ducati's future approach to racing...
, Sport 1000Ducati SportClassicThe SportClassics were a range of retro styled motorcycles first introduced by Ducati at the 2003 Tokyo Motor Show, and put on sale in 2005 for the 2006 model year...
, Sport 1000SDucati SportClassicThe SportClassics were a range of retro styled motorcycles first introduced by Ducati at the 2003 Tokyo Motor Show, and put on sale in 2005 for the 2006 model year...
, GT 1000 TouringDucati SportClassicThe SportClassics were a range of retro styled motorcycles first introduced by Ducati at the 2003 Tokyo Motor Show, and put on sale in 2005 for the 2006 model year... - SuperSport 750, 900, 1000Ducati SuperSportThe Ducati SuperSport and SS are names applied to a series of Pantah based air-cooled four stroke desmodromic 2-valve 90-degree V-Twin motorcycles manufactured from 1988 onwards. A limited edition SuperSport called the SuperLight was sold in 1992. The name harked back to the round case 1973 Ducati...
- 748Ducati 748The Ducati 748 was the smaller version of the Ducati 916, an Italian sports motorcycle manufactured by Ducati from 1994 to 2002. It was succeeded by the Ducati 749.-Design:The Ducati 748 is identical in almost every way to the 916...
, 749Ducati 749The Ducati 749 is a 90-degree L Twin Desmodromic valve actuated engine sport bike built by Ducati Motor Holding between 2003 and 2006. Designed by Pierre Terblanche, the 749 was available as the 749, 749 Dark, 749S, and 749R... - 996Ducati 996The Ducati 996 is an Italian street motorcycle manufactured by Ducati from 1999 to 2002. It was based upon the earlier 916.-Model history:...
, 998Ducati 998The Ducati 998, a successor to the Ducati 996 and the final variation on the Ducati 916, was produced in various models from 2002 to 2004. The new Testastretta engine shared many similarities with the previous Desmoquattro engine in the 996, although it was completely new from the crankshaft up....
, 999Ducati 999The Ducati 999 superseded the Massimo Tamburini designed Ducati 916, Ducati 996 and Ducati 998 range of superbikes in 2003, and was produced through 2006...
, 1098Ducati 1098The Ducati 1098 is a sport bike manufactured by the Italian motorcycle company Ducati since 2007. There were three different versions, called the 1098, 1098S, and 1098R...
, 1098SDucati 1098The Ducati 1098 is a sport bike manufactured by the Italian motorcycle company Ducati since 2007. There were three different versions, called the 1098, 1098S, and 1098R...
, 1098RDucati 1098The Ducati 1098 is a sport bike manufactured by the Italian motorcycle company Ducati since 2007. There were three different versions, called the 1098, 1098S, and 1098R... - Desmosedici RRDucati Desmosedici RRThe Ducati Desmosedici RR is a limited production road-legal version of the Desmosedici MotoGP racebike.Ducati made 1,500 Desmosedici models for public purchase. The bike was launched at the 2006 Italian MotoGP event...
Current lineup
Ducati Monster
The Monster is a motorcycle designed by Miguel Angel Galluzzi and produced by Ducati Motor Holding in Bologna, Italy since 1993...
- 696Ducati Monster 696Ducati Monster 696 is the 2008 generation of the Ducati Monster line of motorcycles. It was announced in November 2007 and includes some improvements in ergonomics including the lowest seat height of any Ducati. Weight has been reduced on the previous model, the Monster 695...
- 796
- 1100 Evo
Multistrada
Ducati Multistrada
The Multistrada is a model of motorcycle introduced by Ducati in 2003. The word Multistrada is Italian for "many roads" as the bike is designed to handle asphalt as well as some unpaved surfaces. Essentially the bike is a hybrid of a supermoto and a sport touring motorcycle...
- 1200Ducati Multistrada 1200The Multistrada 1200 is a motorcycle manufactured by Ducati since 2010. The engine is a retuned version of the Testastretta from the 1198 superbike, now called the Testastretta 11° for its 11° valve overlap...
- 1200 SDucati Multistrada 1200The Multistrada 1200 is a motorcycle manufactured by Ducati since 2010. The engine is a retuned version of the Testastretta from the 1198 superbike, now called the Testastretta 11° for its 11° valve overlap...
SportClassic
Ducati SportClassic
The SportClassics were a range of retro styled motorcycles first introduced by Ducati at the 2003 Tokyo Motor Show, and put on sale in 2005 for the 2006 model year...
- GT 1000
Diavel
Ducati Diavel
The Diavel is the second cruiser motorcycle from Ducati, after the Indiana of 1986–1990. The 2011 model year Diavel debuted in November 2010 at the EICMA motorcycle show in Milan....
- 1100
Superbike
- 848 EvoDucati 848The Ducati 848 is a V-twin sport bike manufactured by Ducati. It was announced on November 6, 2007 for the 2008 model year and replaces the 749, although the 848 model name was already listed on the compatible parts table for the 1098 fuel tank, giving away the secret a few months early. The 848...
- 1198Ducati 1198The Ducati 1198 is a sport bike made by Ducati since 2009. For the 2011 model year there are two models: the 1198 and 1198SP . The 1198 shares design elements with its predecessor 1098, but has more power and torque, redesigned wheels, lighter headlights, traction control, and lighter fairings ,...
- 1198 SP
- 1198 R
Hypermotard
Ducati HyperMotard
The Ducati Hypermotard is a 'Supermoto style' Ducati motorcycle designed by Pierre Terblanche and was first seen at the November 2005 EICMA trade show in Milan...
- 796
- 1100 Evo
- 1100 Evo SP
Streetfighter
Ducati Streetfighter
The Ducati Streetfighter is a streetfighter-style motorcycle produced by Ducati Motor Holding.The design of Streetfighter is the work of designer Damien Basset from the Ducati design team....
- Streetfighter
- Streetfighter S
Engines
- Desmodue: DesmodromicDesmodromic valveA desmodromic valve is a reciprocating engine valve that is positively closed by a cam and leverage system, rather than by a more conventional spring...
two-valve air-cooled, 40° included valve angle, (800SS, Multistrada 620, Monster 620 695 696 803 992) - Desmodue Double Spark: Desmo two-valve, air-cooled, 40° included valve angle, (1000DS, Multistrada 1000, 1000S, Monster S2R 1000, SportClassic GT 1000, Sport 1000, 1000S, Hypermotard 1100, 1100S)
- 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 S4R, S4RS)
- Testastretta Evoluzione: Desmo four-valve, liquid-cooled, 25° included valve angle, (848, 1098, 1198)
Motorcycle design history
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 small diesel engines, many of which were used to power boats, generators, garden machinery and emergency pumps (for example, for fire fighting). The engines were the IS series from 7 to 22 HP air-cooled and the larger twin DM series water- and air-cooled. The engines have been found in all parts of the globe. Wisconsin Diesel even assembled and 'badge engineered' the engines in the USA. 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
Timing belt
A timing belt, or cam belt , is a part of an internal combustion engine that controls the timing of the engine's valves. Some engines, such as the flat-4 Volkswagen air-cooled engine, and the straight-6 Toyota F engine use timing gears...
driven by the motor directly. The teeth on the belt keep the camshaft
Camshaft
A camshaft is a shaft to which a cam is fastened or of which a cam forms an integral part.-History:An early cam was built into Hellenistic water-driven automata from the 3rd century BC. The camshaft was later described in Iraq by Al-Jazari in 1206. He employed it as part of his automata,...
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
Fabio Taglioni
Fabio Taglioni was an Italian engineer.Born in Lugo di Romagna, he was chief designer and technical director of Ducati from 1954 until 1989. His desmodromic L-twin design is still used in all current Ducati motorcycle engines...
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
Valve float
Valve float is an adverse condition which occurs when the poppet valves on an internal combustion engine valvetrain do not remain in contact with the camshaft lobe during the valve closure phase of the cam lobe profile...
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 1970s 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 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, 125 cc
- 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 SupermonoDucati SupermonoThe Ducati Supermono is a lightweight, single-cylinder racing motorcycle made by Ducati. It is named for the Supermono racing class. The Supermono is arguably one of the most collectable Ducatis in any era...
, 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 ApolloDucati ApolloThe 1964 Ducati Berliner 1260 Apollo was a prototype V4 engine motorcycle producing and capable of over . It was never put into production, but did influence other production Ducatis that followed...
, only two made.
Enthusiasts groups
A key part of Ducati's marketing strategy since the 90's has been fostering a distinct community identity in connection with branding efforts, including online communities, and local, regional and national Ducati enthusiast clubs. There are more than 400 Ducati clubs worldwide, and 20,000 registered users of the Ducati Owners Club web site and 17,000 subscribers to the racing web site. Enthusiasts and riders are informally referred to in the motorcycling community as Ducatista (singular) or Ducatisti (plural).In North America there are several Ducati enthusiasts organizations, with varying degrees of factory sponsorship. DESMO, the Ducati Enthusiast Sport Motorcycle Organization, is a North American group affiliated with the factory Desmo Owners Club. Some groups are focused on vintage Ducatis, while several are based primarily or entirely on email discussion lists or web forums, such as Ducati.net.
Ducati products other than motorcycles
Ducati Meccanica (as the company was previously known) has its marque on non-motorcycle products as well. In the 1930s and 1940s, Ducati manufactured radios, cameras, and electrical products such as a razor. The Ducati SognoDucati Sogno
The Ducati Sogno was a half-frame 35 mm rangefinder camera produced by Ducati Meccanica in the 1950s.Although the Ducati has been compared to the Leica, it was a mechanically different camera. For one, the Ducati was a so-called half-frame format camera, while the Leica was full frame. As...
was a half-frame Leica-like camera which is now a collector's item. Ducati and Bianchi (bicycle manufacturer) have developed and launched a new line of racing bicycles.
Currently, there are four Ducati companies: Ducati Motor Holding (the subject of this article), Ducati Corse
Ducati Corse
Ducati Corse S.r.l. is a subsidiary arm of Ducati that deals with the firm's involvement in motorcycle racing. It is directed by Claudio Domenicali and is based inside Bologna, in quartiere Borgo Panigale. More than one hundred people work in Ducati Corse...
(which runs the Ducati racing program and is wholly owned by Ducati Motor Holding), Ducati Energia, a designer and manufacturer of electrical and electronic components and systems and Ducati Sistemi, a subsidiary of Ducati Energia. All are located in Borgo Panigale
Borgo Panigale
Borgo Panigale is a quarter of Bologna, central Italy. Located in the city's western part, between the rivers Lavino and Reno, it had a population of 24,935 in 2009....
in Bologna, Italy.
Ducati Motor Holding often uses electrical components and subsystems from Ducati Energia.
Merchandising
Ducati has a wide range of accessories, lifestyle products and co-branded merchandise bearing their logos and designs. The company has a licensing agreement with Tumi Inc., launching a collection of eight co-branded luggageLuggage
Baggage is any number of bags, cases and containers which hold a traveller's articles during transit.Luggage is more or less the same concept as "baggage", but is normally used in relation to the personal luggage of a specific person or persons Baggage is any number of bags, cases and containers...
pieces in 2006 sold through both of the brands' retail outlets.
Racing history
MotoGP World Championship
Ducati rejoined Grand Prix motorcycle racingGrand Prix motorcycle racing
Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix is the premier championship of motorcycle road racing currently divided into three distinct classes: 125cc, Moto2 and MotoGP. The 125cc class uses a two-stroke engine while Moto2 and MotoGP use four-stroke engines. In 2010 the 250cc two-stroke was replaced...
in , 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 , MotoGP had changed its rules to allow four-stroke 990 cc engines to race. At the time Ducati was the fastest bike. In , 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 , Ducati Marlboro Team
Ducati Corse
Ducati Corse S.r.l. is a subsidiary arm of Ducati that deals with the firm's involvement in motorcycle racing. It is directed by Claudio Domenicali and is based inside Bologna, in quartiere Borgo Panigale. More than one hundred people work in Ducati Corse...
campaigned their Desmosedici GP9 with former World Champions Casey Stoner
Casey Stoner
Casey Stoner is an Australian professional motorcycle racer. Born in Kurri Kurri, New South Wales, Australia and raised in Southport, Queensland, Stoner raced from a young age and moved to the United Kingdom to pursue a racing career...
and Nicky Hayden
Nicky Hayden
Nicholas "Nicky" Patrick Hayden , nicknamed the The Kentucky Kid, is an American professional motorcycle racer, who won the MotoGP World Championship in 2006.-Beginnings and AMA Championship:...
.
Ducati also supplies customer
Customer
A customer is usually used to refer to a current or potential buyer or user of the products of an individual or organization, called the supplier, seller, or vendor. This is typically through purchasing or renting goods or services...
bikes to the Alice Team
Alice Team
Pramac Racing is a motorcycle racing team currently competing in the MotoGP World Championship. The team was created in 2000 by Italian company Pramac. In 2005 Pramac Racing joined forces with d’Antin MotoGP to form Pramac d'Antin...
, with Mika Kallio
Mika Kallio
Mika Kallio is a Finnish Grand Prix motorcycle racer. He debuted in the 125cc World Championship with the Finnish rookie team Ajo Motorsport in 2001 and was awarded the "Rookie of the Year" in 2002...
and Niccolò Canepa
Niccolò Canepa
Niccolò Canepa is an Italian motorcycle road racer competing in Moto2 for RSM Team Scot.He won the 2007 Superstock 1000 F.I.M. Cup championship on a Ducati, and spent 2008 as a tester of their MotoGP and World Superbike machines...
riding for the team in 2009.
Ducati has announced that for the season, nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi
Valentino Rossi
Valentino Rossi, , is an Italian professional motorcycle racer and multiple MotoGP World Champion. He is one of the most successful motorcycle racers of all time, with nine Grand Prix World Championships to his name – seven of which are in the premier class.Following his father, Graziano Rossi,...
will ride for Ducati Corse.
| Year | Champion | Motorcycle |
|---|---|---|
 Casey StonerCasey Stoner Casey Stoner is an Australian professional motorcycle racer. Born in Kurri Kurri, New South Wales, Australia and raised in Southport, Queensland, Stoner raced from a young age and moved to the United Kingdom to pursue a racing career... |
Ducati Desmosedici GP7 |
Superbike World Championship (SBK)
For , Ducati will race a homologated version of the 1198Ducati 1198
The Ducati 1198 is a sport bike made by Ducati since 2009. For the 2011 model year there are two models: the 1198 and 1198SP . The 1198 shares design elements with its predecessor 1098, but has more power and torque, redesigned wheels, lighter headlights, traction control, and lighter fairings ,...
. The FIM
Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme
The Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme is the governing body of motorcycle racing. It represents 103 national motorcycle federations that are divided into six regional continental unions....
, the sanctioning body for the Superbike World Championship
Superbike World Championship
Superbike World Championship is the worldwide Superbike racing Championship. The championship was founded in . The Superbike World Championship season consists of a series of rounds held on permanent racing facilities...
, has raised the displacement limit for two-cylinder engines to 1200 cc. In , Ducati raced their 999F07 which is a homologated racing version of the 999R
Ducati 999
The Ducati 999 superseded the Massimo Tamburini designed Ducati 916, Ducati 996 and Ducati 998 range of superbikes in 2003, and was produced through 2006...
because maximum displacement for two-cylinder engines was limited to 1000 cc.
The company has won 13 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(afforded due to the two-cylinder configuration).
Noriyuki Haga
Noriyuki Haga
, is a Japanese professional motorcycle racer. Haga has been runner-up in the Superbike World Championship three times, and has finished 3rd in the series four times....
finished the 2009 World Superbike season aboard the factory-backed 1098R
Ducati 1098
The Ducati 1098 is a sport bike manufactured by the Italian motorcycle company Ducati since 2007. There were three different versions, called the 1098, 1098S, and 1098R...
second overall behind Ben Spies
Ben Spies
Ben Spies , also known as "Elbowz" due to his riding style where his elbows protrude outward, is a professional motorcycle road racer who turned pro in 2000...
, with 8 wins, and 19 podiums.
| Year | Champion | Motorcycle |
|---|---|---|
 Raymond RocheRaymond Roche Raymond Roche is a French former Grand Prix motorcycle road racer. In 1981, he teamed up with Jean Lafond to win the Endurance World Championship. His best year in Grand Prix racing was in 1984 when he finished third in the 500cc world championship behind Eddie Lawson and Randy Mamola... |
Ducati 851 Ducati 851 The Ducati 851 was a Ducati motorcycle, with liquid cooling and four valve heads, released to the public in 1987. Development had lagged with the continued use of two valve engines, but new funds enabled a technological move forward Ducati needed at the time.... |
|
 Doug PolenDoug Polen Doug Polen is a former world champion motorcycle road racer. He raced successfully in AMA Superbike, Japanese Superbikes, Superbike World Championship and Endurance racing.... |
Ducati 888 Ducati 888 The Ducati 888 was a motorcycle manufactured by Ducati as an upgrade to the Ducati 851. The earlier 851 had introduced liquid cooling, computerized fuel injection and four-valve heads to the company's two cylinder motors. In 1991 Ducati increased the capacity of the 851 to 888 cc to create... |
|
| Doug Polen Doug Polen Doug Polen is a former world champion motorcycle road racer. He raced successfully in AMA Superbike, Japanese Superbikes, Superbike World Championship and Endurance racing.... |
Ducati 888 Ducati 888 The Ducati 888 was a motorcycle manufactured by Ducati as an upgrade to the Ducati 851. The earlier 851 had introduced liquid cooling, computerized fuel injection and four-valve heads to the company's two cylinder motors. In 1991 Ducati increased the capacity of the 851 to 888 cc to create... |
|
| Carl Fogarty Carl Fogarty Carl 'Foggy' Fogarty is the most successful World Superbike racer of all time in terms of the number of championships and number of race wins... |
Ducati 916 Ducati 916 The Ducati 916 is an Italian sports motorcycle manufactured by Ducati from 1994 to 1998. In contrast to Japanese inline four-cylinder competitors of the time, its V-twin engine produced less outright power, but a more even torque spread... |
|
| Carl Fogarty Carl Fogarty Carl 'Foggy' Fogarty is the most successful World Superbike racer of all time in terms of the number of championships and number of race wins... |
Ducati 916 Ducati 916 The Ducati 916 is an Italian sports motorcycle manufactured by Ducati from 1994 to 1998. In contrast to Japanese inline four-cylinder competitors of the time, its V-twin engine produced less outright power, but a more even torque spread... |
|
| Troy Corser Troy Corser Troy Gordon Corser is a professional motorcycle road racer, the and Superbike World champion.... |
Ducati 916 Ducati 916 The Ducati 916 is an Italian sports motorcycle manufactured by Ducati from 1994 to 1998. In contrast to Japanese inline four-cylinder competitors of the time, its V-twin engine produced less outright power, but a more even torque spread... |
|
| Carl Fogarty Carl Fogarty Carl 'Foggy' Fogarty is the most successful World Superbike racer of all time in terms of the number of championships and number of race wins... |
Ducati 916 Ducati 916 The Ducati 916 is an Italian sports motorcycle manufactured by Ducati from 1994 to 1998. In contrast to Japanese inline four-cylinder competitors of the time, its V-twin engine produced less outright power, but a more even torque spread... |
|
| Carl Fogarty Carl Fogarty Carl 'Foggy' Fogarty is the most successful World Superbike racer of all time in terms of the number of championships and number of race wins... |
Ducati 996 Ducati 996 The Ducati 996 is an Italian street motorcycle manufactured by Ducati from 1999 to 2002. It was based upon the earlier 916.-Model history:... |
|
| Troy Bayliss Troy Bayliss Troy Bayliss is a retired Australian motorcycle racer. During his career Bayliss won the Superbike World Championship three times, as well as the British Superbike Championship and a MotoGP race, all with Ducati. He finished his career after winning the 2008 World Superbike title... |
Ducati 996 Ducati 996 The Ducati 996 is an Italian street motorcycle manufactured by Ducati from 1999 to 2002. It was based upon the earlier 916.-Model history:... |
|
| Neil Hodgson Neil Hodgson Neil Stuart Hodgson is a former British motorcycle racer who won the 2000 British Superbike Championship, and the 2003 Superbike World Championship titles. Neil then went on to have a moderately successful 4 years in the American Superbike Championship, with a best 5th place championship finish... |
Ducati 999 Ducati 999 The Ducati 999 superseded the Massimo Tamburini designed Ducati 916, Ducati 996 and Ducati 998 range of superbikes in 2003, and was produced through 2006... |
|
| James Toseland James Toseland James Michael Toseland is a former English motorcycle racer. Toseland was the World Superbike Champion on a Ten Kate Honda, who also won the Superbike World Championship on a Ducati. He is one of only two men, the other being Troy Corser, to have won the Superbike World Championship for two... |
Ducati 999 Ducati 999 The Ducati 999 superseded the Massimo Tamburini designed Ducati 916, Ducati 996 and Ducati 998 range of superbikes in 2003, and was produced through 2006... |
|
| Troy Bayliss Troy Bayliss Troy Bayliss is a retired Australian motorcycle racer. During his career Bayliss won the Superbike World Championship three times, as well as the British Superbike Championship and a MotoGP race, all with Ducati. He finished his career after winning the 2008 World Superbike title... |
Ducati 999 Ducati 999 The Ducati 999 superseded the Massimo Tamburini designed Ducati 916, Ducati 996 and Ducati 998 range of superbikes in 2003, and was produced through 2006... |
|
| Troy Bayliss Troy Bayliss Troy Bayliss is a retired Australian motorcycle racer. During his career Bayliss won the Superbike World Championship three times, as well as the British Superbike Championship and a MotoGP race, all with Ducati. He finished his career after winning the 2008 World Superbike title... |
Ducati 1098 Ducati 1098 The Ducati 1098 is a sport bike manufactured by the Italian motorcycle company Ducati since 2007. There were three different versions, called the 1098, 1098S, and 1098R... |
Ducati has also won 16 SBK manufacturer world championships for years 1991–1996, 1998–2004, 2006, 2008 and 2009.
British Superbike Championship
The British Superbike Championship has been won by Ducati riders on eight occasions and entered since 1988:| Year | Champion | Motorcycle |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 |  Scotland Steve HislopSteve Hislop Steven 'Hizzy' Hislop was a Scottish motorcycle racer. Hislop won the Isle of Man TT eleven times and also the British 250cc Championship and British Superbike championship .... |
Ducati 916 Ducati 916 The Ducati 916 is an Italian sports motorcycle manufactured by Ducati from 1994 to 1998. In contrast to Japanese inline four-cylinder competitors of the time, its V-twin engine produced less outright power, but a more even torque spread... |
| 1999 | Australia Troy Bayliss Troy Bayliss Troy Bayliss is a retired Australian motorcycle racer. During his career Bayliss won the Superbike World Championship three times, as well as the British Superbike Championship and a MotoGP race, all with Ducati. He finished his career after winning the 2008 World Superbike title... |
Ducati 996 Ducati 996 The Ducati 996 is an Italian street motorcycle manufactured by Ducati from 1999 to 2002. It was based upon the earlier 916.-Model history:... |
| 2000 |  England Neil HodgsonNeil Hodgson Neil Stuart Hodgson is a former British motorcycle racer who won the 2000 British Superbike Championship, and the 2003 Superbike World Championship titles. Neil then went on to have a moderately successful 4 years in the American Superbike Championship, with a best 5th place championship finish... |
Ducati 996 |
| 2001 | England John Reynolds John Reynolds (motorcycle racer) John Reynolds is a retired British motorcycle racer who won the British Superbike Championship in 1992, 2001 and 2004.... |
Ducati 996 |
| 2002 | Scotland Steve Hislop Steve Hislop Steven 'Hizzy' Hislop was a Scottish motorcycle racer. Hislop won the Isle of Man TT eleven times and also the British 250cc Championship and British Superbike championship .... |
Ducati 998 Ducati 998 The Ducati 998, a successor to the Ducati 996 and the final variation on the Ducati 916, was produced in various models from 2002 to 2004. The new Testastretta engine shared many similarities with the previous Desmoquattro engine in the 996, although it was completely new from the crankshaft up.... |
| 2003 | England Shane Byrne Shane Byrne (motorcycle racer) Shane 'Shakey' Byrne , often known as Shakey, is a British motorcycle road racer. He is a two-time champion of the British Superbike Championship , a race winner in the Superbike World Championship and a former competitor in MotoGP.-Early days:While working as a road tester for Colin Schiller's... |
Ducati 998 |
| 2005 |  Spain Gregorio LavillaGregorio Lavilla Gregorio Lavilla born September 29, 1974 in Vandellòs i l'Hospitalet de l'Infant, Tarragona, Spain is a professional motorcycle road racer. He has raced in MotoGP , the Superbike World Championship, and the British Superbike Championship, taking the British crown in 2005... |
Ducati 999 Ducati 999 The Ducati 999 superseded the Massimo Tamburini designed Ducati 916, Ducati 996 and Ducati 998 range of superbikes in 2003, and was produced through 2006... |
| 2008 | England Shane Byrne Shane Byrne (motorcycle racer) Shane 'Shakey' Byrne , often known as Shakey, is a British motorcycle road racer. He is a two-time champion of the British Superbike Championship , a race winner in the Superbike World Championship and a former competitor in MotoGP.-Early days:While working as a road tester for Colin Schiller's... |
Ducati 1098 Ducati 1098 The Ducati 1098 is a sport bike manufactured by the Italian motorcycle company Ducati since 2007. There were three different versions, called the 1098, 1098S, and 1098R... |
AMA Superbike Championship
In the AMA Superbike Championship, Ducati has had its share of success, with Doug PolenDoug Polen
Doug Polen is a former world champion motorcycle road racer. He raced successfully in AMA Superbike, Japanese Superbikes, Superbike World Championship and Endurance racing....
winning the title in 1993 and Troy Corser
Troy Corser
Troy Gordon Corser is a professional motorcycle road racer, the and Superbike World champion....
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 | Doug Polen Doug Polen Doug Polen is a former world champion motorcycle road racer. He raced successfully in AMA Superbike, Japanese Superbikes, Superbike World Championship and Endurance racing.... |
Ducati 888 Ducati 888 The Ducati 888 was a motorcycle manufactured by Ducati as an upgrade to the Ducati 851. The earlier 851 had introduced liquid cooling, computerized fuel injection and four-valve heads to the company's two cylinder motors. In 1991 Ducati increased the capacity of the 851 to 888 cc to create... |
| 1994 | Troy Corser Troy Corser Troy Gordon Corser is a professional motorcycle road racer, the and Superbike World champion.... |
Ducati 916 Ducati 916 The Ducati 916 is an Italian sports motorcycle manufactured by Ducati from 1994 to 1998. In contrast to Japanese inline four-cylinder competitors of the time, its V-twin engine produced less outright power, but a more even torque spread... |
Ducati had an important place in early Superbike racing history in the United States and vice versa: In 1977, Cycle magazine
Cycle (magazine)
Cycle Magazine was an American motorcycling enthusiast magazine, published from the early 1950s through the early 1990s. During its heyday, in the 1970s and 1980s, it had a circulation of more than 500,000 and was headquartered in Westlake Village, California, near the canyon roads of the Santa...
editors Cook Neilson
Cook Neilson
Cook Neilson is an American former journalist and motorcycle racer made famous for his win on a Ducati 750SS at Daytona in 1977. He was hired as Associate Editor of Cycle in September, 1967; promoted to Editor in 1969, and is credited for making that magazine successful through the 1970s...
and Phil Schilling
Phil Schilling
Phil Schilling was an editor at Cycle magazine from 1970 until approximately 1988, including nine years as editor-in-chief. For his contributions to journalism and motorcycle racing, he was inducted to AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2011.-Racing:...
took a Ducati 750SS to first place at Daytona in the second-ever season of AMA Superbike racing. " Neilson retired from racing at the end of the year, but the bike he and Schilling built — nicknamed Old Blue for its blue livery — became a legend," says Richard Backus from Motorcycle Classics: "How big a legend? Big enough for Ducati to team with Italian specialty builder NCR to craft a limited-edition update, New Blue, based on the 2007 Sport 1000S, and big enough to inspire the crew at the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum (see Barber Motorsports Park
Barber Motorsports Park
The Barber Motorsports Park is a multi-purpose racing facility located on the eastern fringes of Birmingham, Alabama, USA near Leeds. The facility was the vision of George Barber, and includes the Barber Vintage Motorsport Museum. In July 2009 officials announced that Barber will be the site of...
), arguably one of the most important motorcycle museums in the world, to commission Ducati specialist Rich Lambrechts to craft a bolt-by-bolt replica for its collection. The finished bike's name? Deja Blue."
External links
- ducati.com Official website