Ducati News Today

On November 9th Ducati will reveal details of it’s 2010 model range to the press prior to the public unveiling at the EICMA show in Milan which commences the following day. Ducati promises some surprises to go along with other models that have either been already signaled or subject to intense speculation. In a series of posts Ducati News Today is outlining what to expect at the show. The first two installments Ducati 2010 What we Know and Ducati 2010 The Rumors were posted earlier this week. Today we explore the Ducati News Today Wish List, bikes that are not subject to strong rumors but we wish would come to fruition.

Ducati Pantah 796

Connecting the lack of a Ducati Supersport model in the range with designer Oberdan Bezzi’s stunning creations I am arguing for a return to the range of an air-cooled sport bike. Preying on the company’s heritage and the recent success of the Sportclassic range I have brought back the Ducati Pantah name, source of the original belt drive lightweight V-twin.

The hypothetical new model would utilize the new 796 engine as seen in the Hypermotard 796 producing a perky 81bhp and could be coupled with a dry weight of around 385lb (175kg) in a machine that utilizes a modified version of the Hypermotard chassis (rather than the Sportclassic) so it retains the signature single sided swingarm.

Unfortunately the market for a light, punchy air-cooled twin sportbike is probably pretty limited these days, but I could have fun in the Georgia mountains on this baby, all with a big smile on my face and not necessarily at license challenging speeds. The price? $9,995 in the USA. Come on Ducati, do it. You know it makes sense!

Ducati Scrambler 696

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a comfortable, capable dual sport V-twin that you could commute on, ride the hills on and take on some fire trails and light dirt duty – a modern day Ducati Scrambler if you will. Inspired by the work that resulted in the 695 powered, Monster based Overland Terra Mostro (Dirt Monster), the Scrambler 696 would likely start off as a Hypermotard rather than a Monster and feature longer travel, softer suspension, skinnier and larger wire rims and dual sport tires.

Ducati Superbike with Monocoque Chassis

Even with a 200cc capacity advantage, the Ducati twin is beginning to struggle in a race setting against the multi-cylinder machines. For all of it’s style and simplicity the signature trellis frame limits the size of the airbox limiting power and the long engine layout nessitates a swingarm shorter than ideal for any given wheelbase. The solution? A monocoque chassis just like the one that is used on the Ducati GP9 MotoGP racer.

On the GP9 the main frame is formed to connect the engine to the steering head. The main frame now also incorporates the air-box in one single construction. This monocoque construction allows the air-box to function efficiently within the main frame. Even though the factory Ducati is made from carbon fiber, the company has also showed an aluminum version which would be much more practical and cost effective for the road.

Earlier this year, we reported on the potential for Ducati to replace the trellis frame with an aluminum monocoque which would allow a more compact machine, with the potential for a longer swingarm, larger airbox and usefully on the road – a larger fuel tank. So my wish is for a new Ducati Superbike with the monocoque frame and the new 11° testastretta engine. Unlikely in 2010, but probably a change as radical as this will be required for 2011 to keep Ducati at the front in World Superbikes.

All will be revealed soon enough. Ducati News Today will be covering the EICMA Milan show reporting on the official releases and including photographs taken at the event by our willing agents, so check back regularly next week for all the Ducati details.

What do you think? Would you buy a Pantah 796? What is your wishlist? Chime in with your views in the comments section below.

Want More?
Read More Posts on Oberdan Bezzi’s Ducati Designs
Read More Posts on Terra Mostro
Read Ducati to Abandon the Signature Trellis Frame?
Read Ducati 2010 New Models – What We Know
Read Ducati 2010 New Models – The Rumors

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