Ducati Power Cruiser will Perform like 220bhp Harley
While Ducatisti debate whether Ducati should even build the power cruiser known internally as Project 0803 and by names like Vyper and Mega Monster in the press, the company clearly intends to formally unveil its latest creation later this year in Milan. While you decide whether you like it or not, consider that its targeted light weight and Multistrada 1200 powerplant should be enough to perform like a Harley Night Rod with 220bhp!! Got your attention? Thought so!
One glance at the Harley photo and the best spy shot to date of the Ducati tells you who is aiming for who. Together with the monster Star V-Max, this duo represent the best attempt to date at the power cruiser meme. Ducati cannot hope to compete with the raw horsepower of the large capacity V4 Yamaha (Star), but they can do something neither Harley nor Yamaha have managed – control the bloat.
Ducati has been steadily stretching its brand beyond Superbikes in recent year with products like the Hypermotard and Multistrada 1200 being careful to retain a focus on light weight, good handling and strong streetable engine performance. Project 0803 though will be the biggest challenge yet. Providing some hope is Ducati’s CEO commitment to instilling the Ducati DNA into the new bike.
“Call it the way you want, but it will definitely be a Ducati,” says Del Torchio, “not a copy of anything on the road today. It will have a very strong Ducati personality from all points of view, because our engines, our chassis, our way to go out and ride on the open road or on a racetrack always are uniquely our own. It is the Ducati way.”
link: Cycle World
If Ducati can hit the target weight of 440lbs dry, the bike will undercut its competition by more than 200lb (think a couple of Dani Pedrosa’s). Just as in a sportbike, light weight is a very good thing to have. It improves braking, handling and acceleration. This means that the 643lb Harley would need 200bhp to match the 150bhp testastretta 11º powered Ducati in power to weight ratio whilst the similarly gargantuan 676lb Vmax (wet but tank empty) would need 230!
True, torque to weight ratio is probably even more important in these bikes but even here the Ducati will have the Harley covered but won’t manage to de-seat the Vmax as the low rev grunt king.
The Ducati should have the competition covered in handling too despite the use of the class de rigeur 240mm fat rear tire. Light weight and a shorter wheelbase will combine with a design that calls for a 40º lean angle, to run rings around them. Radial Monobloc calipers will ensure there is plenty of whoa to go along with the go.
In project 0803, Ducati is creating somewhat of a Ducati Multistrada 1200 in drag. The question is will what’s under the clothes shine through brightly enough for this brave new model to proudly call itself a Ducati?.
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