THE GENESIS OF THE DUCATI DESMOSEDICI
PROJECT
Without a shadow of doubt, courage, ambition, pride,
ingenuity and heritage all form the basis of the Ducati Desmosedici
project. This important venture has simultaneously marked the return of
Ducati to the MotoGP World Championship, and enabled the company to
confirm its tradition of manufacturing successful, high-performance,
four-stroke racing motorcycles.
In the past Ducati racing motorcycles have been victorious at circuits
throughout the world in every category of production-based racing: World
Superbike, Formula 1 TT and World Supersport.
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. The 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.
The 2002 Italian GP at Mugello was the venue for the unveiling of the
Desmosedici, the bike that was to make its official MotoGP racing debut
at the start of the following season.
2003 would see the Italian manufacturer make a spectacular return to the
championship with a project that had begun two years earlier and which
had been developed by the Bologna manufacturer’s racing department.
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.
While still fully committed to Superbike racing, Ducati was also
embarking on this exciting new challenge, taking part in the MotoGP
World Championship for four-stroke prototype machines with the Ducati
Marlboro Team of Loris Capirossi and Troy Bayliss.
In its debut year, the Desmosedici GP3 immediately scored a series of
fantastic results with Loris Capirossi, who stepped onto the podium in
the opening round of the championship in Japan and who won the GP
Catalunya in Barcelona. The Italian finished fourth in the final
championship standings, the Australian Troy Bayliss sixth, while Ducati
finished second overall in the Manufacturers’ standings.
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.
The evolution of the Desmosedici continued and the GP5 version lined up
for Ducati’s third season in MotoGP. This time the big difference lay
with the tyres; thanks to a collaboration agreement with Bridgestone,
Ducati could finally contribute to the development of new tyres and by
the end of the season it had become a very competitive machine indeed.
Capirossi took two fantastic wins in the Grand Prix of Japan at Motegi
and in the Malaysian GP at Sepang, while Carlos Checa, who had replaced
Troy Bayliss, scored a brace of podium finishes
After encouraging winter tests, the Desmosedici GP6, again in the hands
of Loris Capirossi, took its first win of 2006 in the opening GP at
Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, a result that was immediately followed by a
podium in Qatar. Loris’s team-mate for the 2006 season is Spain’s Sete
Gibernau.
“The philosophy of the Ducati Desmosedici project,” declared Filippo
Preziosi, Ducati Corse Director General, “is best expressed as total
integration between engine, chassis and rider. This basic concept has
been our philosophy from the very moment that we decided to tackle this
new challenge. The bike represents an important evolution over the
Ducati Superbike and is the result of new design techniques that have
allowed us to integrate ‘virtual’ modelling and analysis with our
considerable racing experience. This has speeded up design and
development time and enabled us to immediately obtain surprising results.
Ducati is fully committed to this project, which has allowed us to grow
quickly and transfer new technology to our streetbike product range,
which as a result has become increasingly reliable, thrilling and
high-performance.”
At first, Ducati’s MotoGP technicians (a group of passionate engineers
with an average age of 28) had considered the possibility of creating a
MotoGP ‘super-twin’, a latest-generation V-Twin prototype, taking
advantage of the regulations that give twin-cylinder machines a
considerable weight reduction over four, five or six-cylinder bikes.
However, detailed analysis, including numerous computer simulations,
indicated that a twin-cylinder engine would just 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.
Ducati therefore opted for a brand-new V4 engine, which continued the
traditional layout of its 90° L-Twin engines, together with desmodromic
valve control. This marriage of tradition and innovation proved to be
the path to follow. The engine was called Desmosedici because its 16
valves were controlled by the desmo valve train system, a key factor in
Ducati’s numerous successes on the track.
The tried and tested V-90° layout offers a number of advantages that
have contributed to Ducati’s success on the track and allowed the
Desmosedici project to achieve major results. The layout of the
cylinders guarantees perfect primary engine balance, an important
characteristic for an engine that is required to rev up to 17,000 rpm
with minimum vibration, thus improving mechanical efficiency and
reliability.
The desmodromic system, designed for Ducati by the legendary engineer
Fabio Taglioni, uses rockers both to close and open the valves, and this
allows the engine to function with extraordinary precision at all rpm.
For the first tests, Ducati Corse produced two versions of the
Desmosedici engine, one with a regular firing order, and the other with
paired cylinders firing simultaneously (Twin pulse). It soon became
clear that the latter version put the engine components through
excessive strain, so it was decided to use the first configuration.
Subsequently, starting from the 2004 Dutch TT at Assen, thanks to the
evolution of the engine, the irregular firing Twin pulse version was
used which gave better driveability.
Ducati has also always aimed at excellence in performance through
courageous and innovative choices, such as the chassis of its bikes.
While other manufacturers race with different versions of an aluminium
box frame, the Desmosedici has a tubular steel trellis structure,
similar to the one used with great success in World Superbike.
During the May 2004 WDW (World Ducati Week, the massive rally held every
two years that attracts Ducatisti from all over the world), the
much-awaited announcement was made that Ducati would develop a
Desmosedici Racing Replica!
A road version of the all-Italian MotoGP bike from Bologna would soon be
available and on sale throughout the world.
For this new project, Ducati decided to transfer the Desmosedici RR the
developments and advancements of the Desmosedici over the past two years
in order to offer the general public the closest thing possible to the
GP6
The Ducati Desmosedici RR production prototype is
launched at Mugello on the eve of the Italian Grand Prix. Available from
July 2007, this first true MotoGP replica motorcycle can already be
reserved from the official Ducati dealer network.
DUCATI DESMOSEDICI RR: THE ULTIMATE DUCATI EXPERIENCE
Ducati has chosen the magical atmosphere of the Italian Grand Prix at
Mugello to launch the Desmosedici RR production prototype.
The dream of a true GP replica has finally come true and the Desmosedici
RR will be the first-ever road-going motorcycle to offer such a stunning
wealth of performance and technology that comes directly from Ducati’s
experience in MotoGP. The RR derives from the Ducati Corse Grand Prix
racing Desmosedici GP6, the same bike with which Loris Capirossi and
Sete Gibernau are competing with in the 2006 MotoGP World Championship.
The Mugello launch is the perfect occasion to reveal the shape and the
technical characteristics with which the bike will go to market,
confirming the high technological features of this exclusive and
esoteric machine.
The body design and the aerodynamics faithfully reflect the Desmosedici
GP6. The colour scheme, the fittings, the materials used in its
construction as well as the technical features of the powerful
four-cylinder desmodromic engine built by the Borgo Panigale factory
engineers, leave no doubts whatsoever: the Desmosedici RR is the
ultimate expression of the most extreme MotoGP racing machine today.
The project is currently in the industrialization phase and, as
previously announced, it will be a limited edition motorcycle, with
approximately 400 bikes being produced a year. The RR is scheduled to
arrive in the market in July 2007, while from June 2nd 2006 it will be
possible to reserve the bike through the official Ducati dealer network,
with Ducati 999R owners receiving priority.
This is the new frontier of Ducati technological evolution, a dream come
true, demonstrating once again the courage and the passion of Ducati, as
well as the ability to transfer the experience of the racing world to a
machine that is destined for road use.
Federico Minoli – Chairman and Managing Director of Ducati Motor Holding
- and Claudio Domenicali – Product Director of Ducati Motor and Managing
Director of Ducati Corse – together with Ducati Corse riders Loris
Capirossi, Sete Gibernau and Vittoriano Guareschi were at Mugello to
unveil Ducati’s latest jewel of technology.
“This is an important moment for us, another dream come true. Producing
the Desmosedici RR means offering the ultimate expression of Ducati
technology, while remaining faithful to the tradition of every one of
our road and racing bikes,” declared Federico Minoli. “It is a challenge
that we wanted to accept and although relatively few bikes will be made,
the RR will be a true object of desire for all Ducatisti. It will be the
ultimate Ducati experience, one that best exemplifies the passion and
the ingenuity for which we are famous. Meanwhile the twin-cylinder
remains and will continue to remain Ducati’s traditional engine, having
equipped all of our production models in the past and equipping them in
the future.”
“The Desmosedici RR is a true Grand Prix replica,” commented Claudio
Domenicali. “The technological level of this bike is extraordinarily
high and for the first time ever all the authentic performance and
technology of the ultimate MotoGP racing machine have been transferred
to a road-going motorcycle. Over 200 hp of power for a bike that
features exclusive components and quality materials, destined to become
the new point of reference for production motorcycles. There couldn’t
have been a better place than Mugello for the unveiling of this new bike
and who better to take the wraps off it than Loris, Sete and Vittoriano,
because this bike is also their bike and all of their experience has
gone into developing this road-going motorcycle.”
Engine
The Ducati Desmosedici RR features advanced technology and aerodynamics
that are derived from the GP6 currently being raced in the 2006 MotoGP
World Championship.
The engine of the Desmosedici RR accurately reflects that of the MotoGP
bike: Ducati’s traditional desmodromic distribution, guaranteeing
precise valve control up to the highest revs, is perfectly matched to
the 989 cc four-cylinder ‘L’ layout, with four titanium valves per
cylinder, in asymmetrical Twin Pulse configuration, producing a
masterwork of precision engineering.
The double overhead cams are gear driven, a sophisticated and reliable
solution that enables precise valve timing in all conditions. This
authentic copy of the Grand Prix engine is completed by a six-speed
transmission, which retains its ‘racing’ characteristic by being
cassette type, and a hydraulically actuated dry multi-plate slipper
clutch.
The aim of producing a light but robust engine has led not only to an
unrivalled quality component design but also the use of exclusive
racing-derived materials: sand-cast, aluminium crankcase and cylinder
heads, titanium connecting rods and valves, sand-cast magnesium engine
covers.
Four 50 mm Magneti Marelli throttle bodies are present, with 12-hole
‘microjet’ injectors. For sophisticated management of the powerful
four-cylinder engine a Magneti Marelli 5SM ECU and high-speed CAN line
electronics have been used.
An all-time ‘first’ comes with the use of a ‘4 into 2 into 1’ exhaust,
with “vertical exit” silencer, hidden in the tail cover.
These are all benchmark performance features for a MotoGP replica bike,
which is capable of delivering more than 200 hp of power with the 102 dB
racing silencer and dedicated CPU race kit.
Amazingly the Desmosedici RR with its catalytic oxygen sensor exhaust,
homologated for road use, fully complies with Euro3 emissions
regulations.
Chassis
The engine clearly represents the beating heart of this fantastic
motorcycle, but the technological advancements also extend to the
chassis: a signature tubular trellis hybrid frame, refined components,
and a superb carbon fibre body. This is a motorcycle that is destined
for an expert rider, someone who is always looking for extreme sporting
performance, as well as being an exclusive, esoteric, reliable product
that is more than capable of track racing.
The colour scheme of the Desmosedici RR was the work of Alan Jenkins,
the designer and one of the men behind the Desmosedici MotoGP, who was
also responsible for the aerodynamics package which is aimed at
achieving maximum speed and excellent handling. The bike is totally
inspired by the racing machine, the Ducati Desmosedici GP6, from which
it inherits all the aggressiveness of its lines. It is fitted with a new
lightweight multifunction dashboard, developed in collaboration with
Ducati Corse, the same one that will be fitted to next year’s racing
machine, the Desmosedici GP7.
The bike’s development could not have been made possible without the
significant collaboration of Vittoriano Guareschi, the official Ducati
Corse tester, whose riding abilities and hundreds of hours of track time
have made a fundamental contribution to the evolution of the project.
For the first time the Ducati Desmosedici RR uses a new welded tubular
steel trellis hybrid frame (ALS 450) with the frame geometry that is the
same as that of the Desmosedici GP6.
This construction guarantees an excellent stiffness to weight ratio,
allowing superior manoevrability and riding precision. Attached to the
red frame is the rear seat support in high temperature resin type carbon
fibre. This material, normally used only on racing bikes, has the
characteristic of being extremely lightweight but exceptionally rigid.
The Desmosedici RR sports a new extra-long, cast, forged and pressed
aluminium alloy swingarm. The geometry and the technology of this
component derive directly from the MotoGP bike, and give the RR a high
level of traction control, and excellent weight distribution as well as
a superb stiffness to weight ratio.
In the suspension department the Ducati Desmosedici RR features the most
advanced technical components.
The rear suspension geometry and layout is the same as that of the GP6,
with the rear shock attached above the swingarm and to a rocker, which
is hinged to the crankcase.
The front suspension features 43 mm upside-down Öhlins FG353 pressurized
forks (PFF), with TiN coated sliders. The forks, which come directly
from competition use, as well as being pressurized thus ensuring
excellent track performance, are fully adjustable in preload, rebound
and compression.
The rear shock is also Öhlins and has rebound, low/high speed
compression adjustment and hydraulic preload adjustment.
For the first time ever, this Ducati production motorcycle features
Marchesini forged and machined magnesium alloy wheels, with 7 spoke
design as on the GP6. This helps to reduce unsprung weight and inertia,
all the while improving handling and suspension response.
With the aim of producing the ultimate track performance, Ducati in
collaboration with Bridgestone is developing special tyres for the
Desmosedici RR. The tread pattern, construction and profile are being
specially developed and produced by the Japanese tyre manufacturer.
The numerous racing components of this high-performance machine also
include its Brembo brakes. Up front the Desmosedici RR features a new
pair of radial ‘monoblock’ callipers with four 34 mm pistons: monoblock
technology, until now only used for racing callipers, allows calliper
stiffness to be increased, thus improving braking response; the front
brake system is completed by a radial master cylinder, with hinged lever
and remote ‘quick’ adjuster. The pair of front brake discs are the same
as those used on the GP6 in its wet weather race set-up: two
semi-floating 320 mm x 6 mm discs, with machined flange. The Brembo rear
brakes are made up of a 240 mm fixed disc and a floating calliper with
two 34 mm pistons.
The Desmosedici RR will be available with a special race kit that
includes a 102 dB racing exhaust, a dedicated CPU, bike cover, paddock
stand.
For this exclusive Ducati, a new dedicated service plan is included.
Each Ducati Desmosedici RR owner can benefit with a three-year warranty
and three years of scheduled maintenance, free of charge.
Two versions of the RR will be available: 1) the Desmosedici RR -
painted in ‘Rosso GP’, with a white number plate on the tail section; 2)
the Desmosedici RR ‘Team Version’ - painted in ‘Rosso GP’, and as with
the factory Corse bikes, has a broad white stripe on the fairing.
A team sponsor decal kit will be provided with each bike.
DUCATI DESMOSEDICI RR
Technical Specifications
|
Engine |
|
|
Type |
L-4 cylinder, liquid-cooled, DOHC, Desmodromic, 4 valves per
cylinder, gear driven camshafts |
|
Displacement |
989 cc |
|
Power |
More than 200 HP @ 13,500 rpm* |
|
Torque |
n/a |
|
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 |
|
Trasmission |
|
|
Gearbox |
6-speed; Cassette type
|
|
Clutch |
Dry multi-plate slipper clutch, hydraulically actuated |
|
Vehicle |
|
|
Body |
Full carbon fibre bodywork |
|
Frame |
Tubular steel trellis hybrid, carbon fibre seat support,
aluminium swingarm |
|
Front Suspension |
Ohlins ‘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 |
Ohlins 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 |
|
Tyres |
Bridgestone |
|
Front Brake |
Two Brembo radial “monoblock” callipers 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, floating calliper with two 34 mm pistons
|
|
Fuel tank |
aluminium alloy |
|
Dry Weight |
n/a |
|
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 |
|
|
Colours |
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.
A team sponsor decal kit will be provided with each bike. |
|
Versions |
Single-seat |
• with racing exhaust (102 dB) – without catalytic converter
