Ducati Quattrovalvole motorcycles
Encyclopedia
The Ducati Desmoquattro are water-cooled, four-valve engines from Ducati. They have been produced since 1985 in capacities from 748 cc to 1198 cc.
form, and despite subtle changes and increases in capacity, from 851, to 888, 916, and then 996 cc, remains true to the 851 motor designed by Massimo Bordi. That 851 was the first successful adaptation of Ducati’s desmodromic valve
actuation to a four valves per cylinder engine, and began production with a 40-degree included valve angle. This was also the introduction of liquid cooling and computerised fuel injection to the V-twin range.
Taglioni had experimented with four-valve heads, but had stuck to his 80-degree included valve angle, not realising that a much lower included valve angle was needed for the benefits of the layout to become apparent.
In 1991 Ducati increased the capacity of the 851 to 888 cc, creating the Ducati 888
In 1995, the company introduced the Ducati 916
model designed by Massimo Tamburini, with striking new bodywork that featured aggressive lines, under-seat exhausts, and a single-sided swingarm.
Introduced in 1999 The Ducati 996
competed against Honda’s (VT1000) Firestorm ('SuperHawk' in the U.S.), Suzuki’s TL1000S (and the later TL1000R) and the Aprilia RSV Mille (and the later Mille R).
The 996 cc engine had larger 98 mm (3.9 inch) pistons, larger valves, a stronger crankshaft and crankcases from the 916 SPS. But the 916 camshaft gave a softer, less peaky power delivery and less top-end power: Output was 83.5 kW (112 bhp) as against the SPS’s 92.4 kW (124 bhp)
From 1999, there were three different 996 models: the first two being the 996 Biposto and the 996S (with Öhlins
suspension and the engine of the 996SPS)
(10.3 kgf
·m, 74.5 ft·lbf
) of torque at 8,000 rpm. It had a six-speed gearbox.
The new Testastretta head's included valve angle was reduced from 40 degrees to 25 degrees which was more in line with current F1 four-valve theory. The bore and stroke dimensions changed from 98 mm x 66 mm to 100 mm x 63.5 mm, giving a true 998 cc and allowing even bigger valves.
In 2002 the Ducati 998
appeared, and only lasted for one season. The basic SP model featured a combination of items from the parts bins of higher specification versions of the 996, but unlike the 996, had the Testastretta engine in all 998 models. There were also some chassis and aerodynamic modifications.
The 2003 Ducati 999
was designed by Pierre Terblanche, amid much controversy and criticism relating to the styling. Admittedly, the earlier bikes were a hard act to follow.
The basic 999 produced 124 bhp (92 kW) @ 9500 rpm. It was followed by the more powerful 999S producing 136 bhp (99 kW)) @ 9750 rpm and 106 N·m (10.8 kgf·m or 78.2 ft·lbf) @ 8000 rpm, and then the 999R versions were introduced producing 139 bhp (104 kW) and 11 kgf·m (108 N·m) @ 8000 rpm, capable of 0-62 mph in less than 3 seconds and with a top speed of over 170 mph (275 km/h).
In 2005 aerodynamic improvements as well as engine uprades were standard. The base 999 was given a 140 bhp engine and outfitted with an adjustable Showa suspension, while the 999S model had 143 bhp (107 kW) and a top of the line Öhlins suspension. The 999R was the only 999 model to displace a true 999 cc (the others were 998 cc; the 2002 998R also displaced 999 cc) and the engine is good for 150 bhp (112 kW).
The 999’s little brother, the Ducati 749
is complemented to by the 749 Dark, 749S, and 749R. It is a 999 with a lower price, smaller, higher revving engine and slightly smaller rear tire.
The Ducati 999R Xerox
race replica was introduced in 2006.
featured a new motor called the Testastretta Evoluzione ("evolution"). It had larger displacement, larger valves, narrower included valve angle, better breathing through oval throttle bodies and butterfly valve
s, lighter weight (including magnesium valve covers), and higher output than its predecessors. Ducati claim this to be the most powerful twin-cylinder production motorcycle engine in the world.
Desmotre engine has two 34 mm intake valves and one 40 mm exhaust valve and an included angle of 40°. The Desmotre develops 102 hp (76 kW) at 8,750 rpm and 9.5 kgf·m (93 N·m) of torque at 7,250 rpm. The design is aimed at meeting anti-pollution limits to be introduced.
The bottom end is derived from the 1000 DS Desmodue, with the water pump in the alternator cover.
is a presold batch of V4 race replicas due to arrive in 2007.
The Early Desmoquattro (851 - 996S)
The water-cooled Ducati Desmoquattro engine that has dominated World Superbike racing was introduced in 1985 in Ducati 851Ducati 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....
form, and despite subtle changes and increases in capacity, from 851, to 888, 916, and then 996 cc, remains true to the 851 motor designed by Massimo Bordi. That 851 was the first successful adaptation of Ducati’s 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...
actuation to a four valves per cylinder engine, and began production with a 40-degree included valve angle. This was also the introduction of liquid cooling and computerised fuel injection to the V-twin range.
Taglioni had experimented with four-valve heads, but had stuck to his 80-degree included valve angle, not realising that a much lower included valve angle was needed for the benefits of the layout to become apparent.
In 1991 Ducati increased the capacity of the 851 to 888 cc, creating 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...
In 1995, 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, with striking new bodywork that featured aggressive lines, under-seat exhausts, and a single-sided swingarm.
Introduced in 1999 The 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:...
competed against Honda’s (VT1000) Firestorm ('SuperHawk' in the U.S.), Suzuki’s TL1000S (and the later TL1000R) and the Aprilia RSV Mille (and the later Mille R).
The 996 cc engine had larger 98 mm (3.9 inch) pistons, larger valves, a stronger crankshaft and crankcases from the 916 SPS. But the 916 camshaft gave a softer, less peaky power delivery and less top-end power: Output was 83.5 kW (112 bhp) as against the SPS’s 92.4 kW (124 bhp)
From 1999, there were three different 996 models: the first two being the 996 Biposto and the 996S (with Öhlins
Öhlins
Öhlins or Öhlins Racing AB, is a manufacturer of high-performance suspension systems for automotive, motorcycle, snowmobile, and ATV use. It is based in Upplands Väsby just north of Stockholm, Sweden...
suspension and the engine of the 996SPS)
The Testastretta (996R - 999R)
The 2001 996R, last of the "996" models, had the 998 cc engine and new Testastretta ('Narrow Head') head, looking little different from a 996SPS, but producing 135 bhp (100 kW) @ 10,200 rpm and 105 N·mNewton metre
A newton metre is a unit of torque in the SI system. The symbolic form is N m or N·m, and sometimes hyphenated newton-metre...
(10.3 kgf
Kilogram-force
A kilogram-force , or kilopond , is a gravitational metric unit of force. It is equal to the magnitude of the force exerted by one kilogram of mass in a gravitational field...
·m, 74.5 ft·lbf
Foot-pound force
The foot-pound force, or simply foot-pound is a unit of work or energy in the Engineering and Gravitational Systems in United States customary and Imperial units of measure. It is the energy transferred on applying a force of 1 pound-force through a displacement of 1 foot...
) of torque at 8,000 rpm. It had a six-speed gearbox.
The new Testastretta head's included valve angle was reduced from 40 degrees to 25 degrees which was more in line with current F1 four-valve theory. The bore and stroke dimensions changed from 98 mm x 66 mm to 100 mm x 63.5 mm, giving a true 998 cc and allowing even bigger valves.
In 2002 the 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....
appeared, and only lasted for one season. The basic SP model featured a combination of items from the parts bins of higher specification versions of the 996, but unlike the 996, had the Testastretta engine in all 998 models. There were also some chassis and aerodynamic modifications.
The 2003 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...
was designed by Pierre Terblanche, amid much controversy and criticism relating to the styling. Admittedly, the earlier bikes were a hard act to follow.
The basic 999 produced 124 bhp (92 kW) @ 9500 rpm. It was followed by the more powerful 999S producing 136 bhp (99 kW)) @ 9750 rpm and 106 N·m (10.8 kgf·m or 78.2 ft·lbf) @ 8000 rpm, and then the 999R versions were introduced producing 139 bhp (104 kW) and 11 kgf·m (108 N·m) @ 8000 rpm, capable of 0-62 mph in less than 3 seconds and with a top speed of over 170 mph (275 km/h).
In 2005 aerodynamic improvements as well as engine uprades were standard. The base 999 was given a 140 bhp engine and outfitted with an adjustable Showa suspension, while the 999S model had 143 bhp (107 kW) and a top of the line Öhlins suspension. The 999R was the only 999 model to displace a true 999 cc (the others were 998 cc; the 2002 998R also displaced 999 cc) and the engine is good for 150 bhp (112 kW).
The 999’s little brother, the Ducati 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...
is complemented to by the 749 Dark, 749S, and 749R. It is a 999 with a lower price, smaller, higher revving engine and slightly smaller rear tire.
The Ducati 999R Xerox
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...
race replica was introduced in 2006.
Testastretta Evoluzione (1098)
The 2007 Ducati 1098Ducati 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...
featured a new motor called the Testastretta Evoluzione ("evolution"). It had larger displacement, larger valves, narrower included valve angle, better breathing through oval throttle bodies and butterfly valve
Butterfly valve
A butterfly valve is a valve which can be used for isolating or regulating flow. The closing mechanism takes the form of a disk. Operation is similar to that of a ball valve, which allows for quick shut off. Butterfly valves are generally favored because they are lower in cost to other valve...
s, lighter weight (including magnesium valve covers), and higher output than its predecessors. Ducati claim this to be the most powerful twin-cylinder production motorcycle engine in the world.
Desmotre
The liquid-cooled ST3Ducati ST3
The 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...
Desmotre engine has two 34 mm intake valves and one 40 mm exhaust valve and an included angle of 40°. The Desmotre develops 102 hp (76 kW) at 8,750 rpm and 9.5 kgf·m (93 N·m) of torque at 7,250 rpm. The design is aimed at meeting anti-pollution limits to be introduced.
The bottom end is derived from the 1000 DS Desmodue, with the water pump in the alternator cover.
Desmosedici
The Ducati Desmosedici-RRDucati Desmosedici
Ducati Desmosedici is the name of the series of four-stroke V4 Prototype Motorcycles developed by Ducati to compete in the MotoGP World Championship. GPx indicates the version of the bike, where x corresponds to the year the bike raced .- Background :Ducati abandoned the Grand Prix racing scene at...
is a presold batch of V4 race replicas due to arrive in 2007.