Ducati Supermono
Encyclopedia
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. Only 65 Supermonos were built by Ducati between 1993 and 1995.
This lightweight, compact racer was built with many technical innovations that strongly influenced the design of the 916
, one year later.
The single cylinder Ducati racer was built with power to weight
in mind. Carbon fiber
pieces included bodywork, sub frame, fuel tank
, rear sets, airbox and instrument housing. Magnesium
was used for case covers, chain adjustment covers and triple clamps. Dry weight
was 267 pounds (121.1 kg).
42mm Ohlins inverted telescopic forks were used, similar to those used on the Ducati 888
Corsa. Other notable components include a cantilevered Ohlins DU2041 shock absorber
, Termignoni exhaust and 3 spoke Marchesini magnesium wheels. The front brakes were Brembo
280 mm fully floating iron front discs and Brembo P4. 30-34 racing calipers.
The Supermono inherited many of its features from 888 Racing. Liquid cooled double overhead cam
shaft with four valve desmodromic cylinder head
. A horizontally placed 550cc cylinder utilized a "dummy connecting rod" that acted like a second piston. This ingenious piece of engineering was the key to overcoming vibration problems.
designed the look of the Supermono, with Claudio Domenicali and Massimo Bordi designing frame, power plant and other unique features.
( hp and torque numbers tend to vary between 1993-1995, due to a 570cc version in 1995.)
s with a 54 to 55 heat index were required. Several teams used Champion spark plug QA55V.
New Zealand
er Robert Holden
was the most successful of all Ducati Supermono racers. In 1994 Holden placed second in the Isle of Man TT
, then returned to the 1995 Isle of Man TT to win the singles title. Holden also won in Ireland's NW 200 Supermono class in 1995. Holden died the following year in practice at the Isle of Man TT.
Single cylinder engine
A single-cylinder engine is a basic piston engine configuration of an internal combustion engine. It is often seen on motorcycles, auto rickshaws, motor scooters, mopeds, dirt bikes, go-karts, radio-controlled models and has many uses in portable tools and garden machinery...
racing motorcycle
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...
made by Ducati. It is named for the Supermono
Supermono
Supermono is a class in European motorcycle road racing. Supermono class machines have a single-cylinder engine with a maximum displacement of 850 cc....
racing class. The Supermono is arguably one of the most collectable Ducatis in any era. Only 65 Supermonos were built by Ducati between 1993 and 1995.
Technology
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...
, one year later.
The single cylinder Ducati racer was built with power to weight
Power-to-weight ratio
Power-to-weight ratio is a calculation commonly applied to engines and mobile power sources to enable the comparison of one unit or design to another. Power-to-weight ratio is a measurement of actual performance of any engine or power sources...
in mind. Carbon fiber
Carbon fiber
Carbon fiber, alternatively graphite fiber, carbon graphite or CF, is a material consisting of fibers about 5–10 μm in diameter and composed mostly of carbon atoms. The carbon atoms are bonded together in crystals that are more or less aligned parallel to the long axis of the fiber...
pieces included bodywork, sub frame, fuel tank
Fuel tank
A fuel tank is safe container for flammable fluids. Though any storage tank for fuel may be so called, the term is typically applied to part of an engine system in which the fuel is stored and propelled or released into an engine...
, rear sets, airbox and instrument housing. Magnesium
Magnesium
Magnesium is a chemical element with the symbol Mg, atomic number 12, and common oxidation number +2. It is an alkaline earth metal and the eighth most abundant element in the Earth's crust and ninth in the known universe as a whole...
was used for case covers, chain adjustment covers and triple clamps. Dry weight
Dry weight
Dry weight is the weight of a vehicle without any consumables, passengers, or cargo.It is one of the two common weight measurements included in road vehicle specifications, the other one being curb weight....
was 267 pounds (121.1 kg).
42mm Ohlins inverted telescopic forks were used, similar to those used on the 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...
Corsa. Other notable components include a cantilevered Ohlins DU2041 shock absorber
Shock absorber
A shock absorber is a mechanical device designed to smooth out or damp shock impulse, and dissipate kinetic energy. It is a type of dashpot.-Nomenclature:...
, Termignoni exhaust and 3 spoke Marchesini magnesium wheels. The front brakes were Brembo
Brembo
Brembo S.p.A. is a manufacturer of automotive brake systems, especially for high-performance cars and motorcycles. It was established in Bergamo, Italy in 1961. Soon after the company was formed, it specialised in disc brakes, which were exclusively imported from the United Kingdom at the time...
280 mm fully floating iron front discs and Brembo P4. 30-34 racing calipers.
The Supermono inherited many of its features from 888 Racing. Liquid cooled double overhead cam
Overhead camshaft
Overhead cam valvetrain configurations place the engine camshaft within the cylinder heads, above the combustion chambers, and drive the valves or lifters in a more direct manner compared to overhead valves and pushrods...
shaft with four valve desmodromic cylinder head
Cylinder head
In an internal combustion engine, the cylinder head sits above the cylinders on top of the cylinder block. It closes in the top of the cylinder, forming the combustion chamber. This joint is sealed by a head gasket...
. A horizontally placed 550cc cylinder utilized a "dummy connecting rod" that acted like a second piston. This ingenious piece of engineering was the key to overcoming vibration problems.
Design
Pierre TerblanchePierre 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...
designed the look of the Supermono, with Claudio Domenicali and Massimo Bordi designing frame, power plant and other unique features.
Specifications
- Single cylinder, four strokeFour-stroke cycleA four-stroke engine, also known as four-cycle, is an internal combustion engine in which the piston completes four separate strokes—intake, compression, power, and exhaust—during two separate revolutions of the engine's crankshaft, and one single thermodynamic cycle.There are two...
, liquid cooled, fuel injected - 549cc (100 x 70mm)
- 76 bhp @ 10,500 rpm
- Weight : 267 lbs. (122 kg)
- Wheels : 17” Cast Magnesium
- Transmission: 6 speed, chain final drive
- Maximum speed: 145 mph
( hp and torque numbers tend to vary between 1993-1995, due to a 570cc version in 1995.)
Fuel and spark plugs
In the mid 1990s, 100 octane aviation gas was the fuel of choice for many Supermono race teams. Spark plugSpark plug
A spark plug is an electrical device that fits into the cylinder head of some internal combustion engines and ignites compressed fuels such as aerosol, gasoline, ethanol, and liquefied petroleum gas by means of an electric spark.Spark plugs have an insulated central electrode which is connected by...
s with a 54 to 55 heat index were required. Several teams used Champion spark plug QA55V.
Race History
At the time the Supermono was designed, a European Supermono Cup existed (Sound of Singles). This was a support event to the World Superbike Championship. The Supermono was a "test bed" for the World Superbike racers.New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
er Robert Holden
Robert Holden (motorcyclist)
Robert Holden was a motorcycle road racer from New Zealand.He was the most successful of all Ducati Supermono racers. In 1994 Holden placed second in the Isle of Man TT, then returned to the 1995 Isle of Man TT to win the singles title. Holden also won in Ireland's North West 200 Supermono class...
was the most successful of all Ducati Supermono racers. In 1994 Holden placed second in the Isle of Man TT
Isle of Man TT
The International Isle of Man TT Race is a motorcycle racing event held on the Isle of Man and was for many years the most prestigious motorcycle race in the world...
, then returned to the 1995 Isle of Man TT to win the singles title. Holden also won in Ireland's NW 200 Supermono class in 1995. Holden died the following year in practice at the Isle of Man TT.