Ducati Desmosedici

Background

Ducati abandoned the Grand Prix racing scene at the start of the 1970s. For many years the 500 class was essentially a class for two-stroke bikes, an engineering technology that was far removed from the four-stroke road-going machines sold by Ducati. Technical rules changed in 2002, giving priority to four-stroke machinery and turning the 500 class of World Road Racing into the MotoGP Championship. This convinced Ducati to make a much-awaited return to the track in the new MotoGP class.

Ducati history is classically based on V-Twin engines, using desmodromic valve technology. Initially, Ducati considered the possibility of creating a MotoGP ‘super-twin’, taking advantage of the MotoGP regulations that give twin-cylinder machines a considerable weight reduction over four, five or six-cylinder bikes. However, analysis indicated that a twin-cylinder engine would not have been able to produce the required amount of power (more than 230 hp), without excessively increasing the number of revs. A Twin would have had to rev at over 17,000 rpm, but this would require a very short stroke and a very large bore, as a result producing possible combustion problems.

The basis of the design of the Desmosedici engine therefore is two classical Ducati V-Twins next to each other, making a Double V Twin with 2 cylinder Stroking at the same time (also called Twin Pulse). With four valves per cylinder, the total number of valves is sixteen - Desmosedici means desmo sixteen in Italian

Design had started in 2001 with Alan Jenkins, the bike was unveiled at the 2002 Italian GP at Mugello, for use in the following seasons MotoGP series. Vittoriano Guareschi, the Ducati Corse test-rider, followed every phase of the Desmosedici’s development process from early testing to track debut and the project’s evolution. In 2007, Ducati's pilot Casey Stoner, riding a Desmosedici, obtained the Ducati's first MotoGP World Championship Title.

GP3

While still fully committed to Superbike racing, the Ducati Marlboro Team of Loris Capirossi and Troy Bayliss would compete in all rounds of the 2003 MotoGP championship. The Desmosedici GP3 quickly scored a series of results with Loris Capirossi, who stepped onto the podium in the opening round of the championship in Japan and won the GP Catalunya in Barcelona. Riders Capirossi finished fourth in the final championship standings and Bayliss sixth; while Ducati finished second overall in the Manufacturers’ standings

GP4

In 2004 the Desmosedici GP4, again in the hands of Capirossi and Bayliss, underwent a series of major modifications. A large part of the season went by before the bike became competitive, but the season concluded with both riders on the podium.

At 989 cc, the GP4's top speed record of 347.4 km/h (215.864 mph) was set by Loris Capirossi on at IRTA Tests in Catalunya, Spain.

GP5

The GP5 version lined up for Ducati’s third season in MotoGP, with Bayliss replaced by the Spanish rider Carlos Checa. Thanks to a collaboration agreement with Bridgestone, Ducati could finally contribute to the development of new tires and by the end of the season the Desmosedici become a competitive machine. Bridgstone found that hard tires suited the bike more than softer tires to create grip - simply put, allowing it to spin the rear wheel gave better control. Capirossi took two wins in the Grand Prix of Japan at Motegi and in the Malaysian GP at Sepang, while Checa scored a brace of podium finishes

GP6

Launched at the Italian skiing resort of Madonna di Campiglio, the GP6 is a lighter and more powerful version of the GP5. Involving better aerodynamics and a better fuel tank position, most importantly, although more powerful, the engine delivery was smoothed to make the bike more ridable. This made the bike slower on top speed, but quicker into, around and out of corners. [1]

The new rider with Capirossi was Spanish rider Sete Gibernau. After encouraging winter tests, the Desmosedici GP6 took its first win of 2006 in the opening GP at Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, followed by a podium in Qatar. Capirossi led the championship for a short while, but at the start of the Grand prix de Catalunya at Barcelona, Capirossi's bike collided with Gibernau's. Both riders ended up injured and in hospital, with Gibernau sustaining a broken collar bone, and both missed the Dutch Grand Prix at Assen. Capirossi returned at the British Grand Prix, while Gibernau was replaced by German Alex Hofmann for the Dutch Grand Prix, the British Grand Prix, and also the Czech Grand Prix after undergoing additional surgery. With Gibernau still sidelined for the final round of the season at Valencia, Ducati recalled Bayliss, who was recently crowned World Superbike champion. The race was won by Bayliss, his first MotoGP victory, with Capirossi taking second place for the first Ducati 1-2 finish.

GP7

800 cc bike, Double L-Twin (4 Cylinder Twin Pulse). Approximately 230 bhp, at 16500 rpm. 340+ km/h top speed (Confirmed 337.2 km/h (209.6 mph)[2].

Ducati started 800 cc project extremely early and according to Ducati's racing chief Filippo Preziosi, by August 2006 Ducati had already built 20 800 cc engines with various specifications.[3] In addition, the actual bike was track tested first time during early May of 2006.[4] Public testing with the bike began at the Brno Track where Loris Capirossi won the day before riding the GP6, on the 21st of August. Lap times were only 1.4 seconds off his track record time.

Further testing of the GP7 in Motegi, Japan, revealed that the 800 cc machine could run faster laps than the higher-displacement 990 cc bikes, and held nearly a second advantage over the next fastest 800 cc (Pedrosa's Honda).

Was noted in motosprint as of the Le Mans Grand Prix to have a 20 hp advantage over Honda and Yamaha. As well as a significant speed advantage, throughout the season so far. Also there are other aerodynamic settings to increase top speeds if needed.

In the opening race of the 2007 MotoGP season and the 800 cc era in Qatar the GP7 machine was ridden to victory by Ducati's new acquisition Casey Stoner. The new bike clearly showed its surplus of power over the rest of the grid, especially on the straight parts of the track, concluding with the new track record over the last year's. Second place contender and former World champion, Yamaha's Valentino Rossi testified that "unfortunately, there was too much difference between (our) bikes in the straight" and "Our Yamaha will never go as quick on a straight as the Ducati." These words turned into a great true. During the most part of the year Stoner showed his domain obtaining their first World MotoGP championship in the circuit of Motegi, Japan, on September 23th 2007, four races before the end of the season.

GP8

Has been testing on track since February 2007. Ducati's entry for the 2008 MotoGP World Championship.[5]

Desmosedici RR

2007 Desmosedici RR

In 2004, Ducati announced that they would be producing a low volume bespoke replica of the Desmosedici, available from 2006.

Termed the Desmosedici RR (Racing Replica), it was claimed to be the first true road replica of a MotoGP racing bike. Priority for ordering was given to Ducati 999R owners, with production projected at one bike per day at a retail cost of 65,000USD for the US market and 40,000GBP for the UK. The price includes a three year warranty and servicing, cover plus a racing kit including an exhaust and an improved electronic control chip. Production has been limited to 1500 motorcycles. Daily Telegraph motoring columnist Kevin Ash described it as glorious, beautiful extension of your senses that justifies every last penny

It is perhaps the most powerful stock and theoretically street-legal litrebike sold in the world today.

The bike was eventually launched at the 2006 Italian MotoGP event at Mugello, with production beginning in December 2007 and the first customer orders delivered from January 2008. Ducati has guaranteed customer orders will be fulfilled by the end of 2008. The entire allocation for the United States sold out in five hours. [6]

Technical Specifications: Ducati Desmosedici RR

Engine

2007 Desmosedici RR

• Type: Double L-Twin (4 cylinder Twin Pulse), liquid-cooled, DOHC, Desmodromic, four valves per cylinder, gear-driven camshafts
• Displacement: 989 cc
• Power: 147.1kW - 200 hp @ 13,800 rpm*
• Torque: 11.8 kgm - 85.55 Ib-ft @ 10,500rpm*
• Fuel injection: Four 50 mm Magneti Marelli throttle bodies, 12-hole "microjet" with injectors over throttle, manual idle control
• Exhaust: '4-into-2-into-1' vertical exit exhaust/silencer
• Emissions: Euro 3

Transmission

• Gearbox: 6-speed; Cassette type
• Clutch: Dry multi-plate slipper clutch, hydraulically actuated

Vehicle

2007 Desmosedici RR

• Body: Full carbon fiber bodywork
• Frame: Tubular steel trellis hybrid, carbon fiber seat support, aluminum swingarm
• Front Suspension: Öhlins 'FG353' PFF forks USD 43 mm pressurized, with preload, rebound and compression adjustment, TiN coated sliders
• Front Wheel: Marchesini forged and machined magnesium alloy wheels, with 7 spoke design as GP6
• Rear Suspension: Öhlins rear shock, with rebound, low/high speed compression adjustment, and hydraulic preload adjustment
• Rear Wheel: Marchesini forged and machined magnesium alloy wheels, with 7 spoke design as GP6
• Tires: Bridgestone, front 120/70 R17- rear 200/55 R16
• Front Brake: Two Brembo radial "monoblock" calipers with four 34 mm pistons; two semi-floating 320 mm x 6 mm discs, with machined flange: the same as GP6 wet race set-up
• Rear Brake: 240 mm fixed disc, fixed caliper with two 34 mm pistons
• Fuel tank: aluminum alloy
• Dry Weight: 171 kg / 377 lbs
• Instruments: New lightweight Corse electronic multifunction dashboard with LCD 'bar' graph tachometer, trip/odometer, anti-theft immobilizer, lap time measurement, oil pressure, fuel reserve, EOBD, clock, air temperature, rev counter

Version

• Colors: Two versions — 1) Desmosedici RR: Rosso GP with a white number plate on the tail section; 2) Desmosedici RR "Team Version": Rosso GP with broad white fairing stripe.
• Versions: Single-seat with racing exhaust (102 dB) - without catalytic converter. A team sponsor decal kit will be provided with each bike.

External links

• Ducati Desmosedici RR's on the race track at Misano - Pictures and report from first public appearance at World Ducati Week 2007
• Ducati Desmosedici RR info, pictures and soundbite
• Ducati.com - The official manufacturer's website. Current model info, including online information, history, manuals and race team info (Italian/English)
• Ducati GP6 Racing - official site for the Desmosedici GP6 race bike with team info
• Desmosedici RR - official site for the Ducati Desmosedici RR (Italian/English)
• Desmosedici FAQ
• robotpig.net - Desmosedici RR - article about Desmosedici RR