Ducati News Today

There is much excitement over the impending launch of the Ducati Multistrada 1200 next week at the EICMA show in Milan and it’s 1198 based engine dubbed the 11° (degrees). However all of the excitement may mean that we have overlooked the implications – that a new Superbike engine is headed our way.

According to leaked Multistrada 1200 details, the 11° refers to a new valve angle for better combustion in a new head. Ducati would not be able to justify such a significant change to the Testastretta Evoluzione engine if it were not also destined for the all important Superbike range. And more performance is needed for the L-twin to remain competitive in top level racing.  There have been some rumors flouted that suggest the new engine is to adopt gear cam drive dropping the belts that have been part of the Ducati story since the Ducati Pantah 500.

The advent of new, four cylinder competition in the World Superbike Championship notably from Aprilia, BMW and the Yamaha R1 that carried Ben Spies to victory in this years World Superbike title ahead of Ducati’s Noriyuki Haga means that yet more performance is required from the 1198cc twin to keep pace. A new, more powerful top spec Ducati 1198R is already rumored for next year with perhaps 190bhp. What is occurring on the track and is going to be mirrored on the street when the Aprilia RSV4 and BMW S1000RR launch both boasted 180bhp engines.

A change in World Superbike homologation requirements for 2010 mean that 2,000 examples are now required to be produced to homologate a new model. If Ducati wishes to homologate, the new head design for use in racing it will need to also incorporate it on the lower spec 1198 and 1198S models too, in order to ensure enough bikes are produced to satisfy the new requirements.

An interesting addition to the rules for 2010 relates to requirements concerning ABS and ride by wire throttle systems both features reported to be on the Multistrada 1200 and by extension any new 1198 Superbike.

Electronically controlled throttle valves, known as ‘ride-by-wire’ systems, may be used exclusively if the homologated model is equipped with this system. Software may be modified but all safety systems and procedures designed by the original manufacturer must be maintained.

ABS (Antilock Brake System) may be used only if installed in the homologated model for road use. However, it must be completely standard (any mechanical or electronic part must remain as homologated, brake discs and master caliper levers excluded), and only the software of the ABS may be modified.

So just perhaps we will see a new Ducati 1198 Superbike model with a new, more powerful, gear driven, 11° engine debut next week that will be the basis to power Noriyuki Haga and Michel Fabrizio to World Superbike glory in 2010?   Only days to go now!

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Read Ducati 2010 Models – What We Know

Read Ducati 2010 Models – The Rumors

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