Ducati has chosen a new superbike path, and it centers around a V4 engine configuration. Having reached a practical end point in development for their iconic L-twin regarding power, European emissions compliance and a (twin cylinder) racing displacement handicap, the twins are out and a new four-cylinder era begins. Note that this development only applies to their superbike program; the more pedestrian models will continue for the foreseeable future with the L-twin. There has actually been a previous V4 production model, but it was more of a limited production — the Desmosedici RR.
Having owned three Ducatis, I can attest to their appeal, but at the expense of everyday livability. The visceral riding experience, the combination of torque and power, the crisp and composed handling, the sound, even the name on the tank — it's all part of the Ducati experience. But when the ride was over, I was spent. It was work if done correctly. The revs were to be kept above 4000, the brakes had better be ABS-equipped, the traction managed. Then there's the maintenance.... But it's great fun, and when I climbed off the machine, I always stepped back, admired the beast and gave an involuntary, "Wow." Then there's the maintenance....
The first of the street line is the 2018 Pinigale V4. It's gorgeous. And it makes more than 200hp.
There's some good videos on Ducati's website:
From Autoblog:
"To put this in terms readers not intimately familiar with Ducati's history can relate to, the controversial move to a V4 is akin to Porsche's bandonment of air-cooled engines, or the electrification of hypercars. The 1,103-cc V4 shares a layout with Ducati's exotic MotoGP race bike. Unlike the more conventional 180-degree crankshaft found on V4-powered bikes such as the Aprilia RSV4, the Ducati employs a 70-degree crank pin offset and a twin-pulse firing pattern that makes it run like two back-to-back V-twins, firing with a 1-2 pulse along one bank, a brief pause, then another 3-4 pulse. Close your eyes, and it sounds bit like a Ducati V-twin, but with a slightly less irregular and staccato rhythm. The sound is deep, bold and familiar — related, but not exactly the same."
Having owned three Ducatis, I can attest to their appeal, but at the expense of everyday livability. The visceral riding experience, the combination of torque and power, the crisp and composed handling, the sound, even the name on the tank — it's all part of the Ducati experience. But when the ride was over, I was spent. It was work if done correctly. The revs were to be kept above 4000, the brakes had better be ABS-equipped, the traction managed. Then there's the maintenance.... But it's great fun, and when I climbed off the machine, I always stepped back, admired the beast and gave an involuntary, "Wow." Then there's the maintenance....
The first of the street line is the 2018 Pinigale V4. It's gorgeous. And it makes more than 200hp.
There's some good videos on Ducati's website:
From Autoblog:
"To put this in terms readers not intimately familiar with Ducati's history can relate to, the controversial move to a V4 is akin to Porsche's bandonment of air-cooled engines, or the electrification of hypercars. The 1,103-cc V4 shares a layout with Ducati's exotic MotoGP race bike. Unlike the more conventional 180-degree crankshaft found on V4-powered bikes such as the Aprilia RSV4, the Ducati employs a 70-degree crank pin offset and a twin-pulse firing pattern that makes it run like two back-to-back V-twins, firing with a 1-2 pulse along one bank, a brief pause, then another 3-4 pulse. Close your eyes, and it sounds bit like a Ducati V-twin, but with a slightly less irregular and staccato rhythm. The sound is deep, bold and familiar — related, but not exactly the same."
Here's a short video of the heart of the beast, the V4:
RSS Feed