2012 Ducati Superbike will be Baylistic
As radical as Ducati’s plans are for the next generation of Superbikes that will be revealed for the first time this November at the EICMA show in Milan, they are playing it safe with its development. Three time World Superbike Champion and Ducati alumnus Troy Bayliss will be doing much of the work.
Ironically it is the entry of Ducati in MotoGP in 2003 that provided much of the background work for the new Superbike. Before finally choosing a V4 for what became the 990cc Desmosedici GP3, the company toyed with a high revving, short stroke V-twin. The project was abandoned in favor of the V4 once it was determined a twin could not make enough power in the prototype format to match the 4 and 5 cylinder competition.
MotoGP’s loss is going to be World Superbike’s and Ducatisti’s gain. The 4-valve, ‘Superquadrata’ V-twin of 1194cc capacity from ultra short stroke dimensions of 112 x 60.6mm will be capable of higher revs than the existing 1198 with its 67.9mm stroke and will have gear driven cams to maintain valve timing control at the elevated revs. The result should be ~20 more bhp than the 1198 all in a package likely to weigh 20lbs less.
The lighter weight will in part be due to a monocoque chassis not dissimilar to that of the existing Ducati GP11 MotoGP machine but fabricated from aluminum rather than carbon fiber. Bye Bye steel trellis. The rationale is to be able to produce a Superbike racer with a shorter wheelbase and the provision for a longer swingarm length for improved handling. A shorter wheelbase allows for less lean angle for any given cornering radius, and a longer swing-arm aids in traction.
Playing a key part in the development of the new bike will be favorite son, Troy Bayliss who retired from racing at the end of the 2008 season with 2 victories at Portimao and his third World Superbike title. Bayliss has toyed on and off with the idea of returning to racing but for the moment seems content with his post race life.
Nevertheless he has continued to test for Ducati in retirement riding both the 1198R Superbike and the Desmosedici MotoGP machine and will be involved in the development of the new bike as he told Motoblog recently (Google translation):-
So you’re also carrying on the design of the new Superbike 2012?
“Yes, of course, is my job to follow the testing phase of the new model. There is nothing ahead but we are working hard to create a bike that is competitive to point back to the world.I ‘ll be a simple meter and modeled leadership roles next year. Riding a bike is what I do best, because it will help in this way to the birth of the new structure for the championship.”
link: MotoBlog (Google Translation)
Ducati made huge waves last year when it announced it would withdraw factory support for the World Superbike championship. It is not known whether there are plans to return with the new bike in 2012. Perhaps it doesn’t matter after ‘privateer’ Althea Ducati rider Carlos Checa took two comfortable wins in the opening round of the season at Phillip Island!
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