MotoGP: what about Grand Prix technology on production bikes? The Ducati Example
It can’t be said that Ducati’s offensive, in terms of development in areas permitted by a regulation that its competitors don’t seem to have really bothered to read, has been frowned upon. Honda, KTM, and a little Aprilia have tried to question the strategy as well as the legitimacy of the men of Borgo Panigale, arguing that all their advances will never serve the purpose of the series. An argument of the desperate and cornered loser is also a slippery slope. Because of the protesters, some have imposed expensive developments that cannot even be found on their motorcycles in the concessions. While at Ducati, the relationship between the competition and the machines in its range has never been so strong and obvious.
It can also be argued that MotoGP involves prototypes that, by definition, have nothing to do with the machines that come from the series, which are the Superbikes that shine in a dedicated category. So why bring the debate of technical defeat in the field of motorcycle scope? But nevertheless, let us notice the criticisms against Ducati to answer them as clearly as possible through this interesting study carried out by motorsport-total.
To begin with, it can be argued that no other manufacturer has introduced new technologies in series production faster than Ducati these last years. The 1098R is the first street bike to feature traction control. The Panigale V4R brought MotoGP-style fins to the series. Besides, there is no closer link between MotoGP and Superbike engines from any other manufacturer. With the Panigale V4, Ducati not only using the same engine concept as in Grand Prix racing… The Italians are also the only manufacturers that offer their customers the same valve control as in MotoGP. In the Panigale models, the valves are controlled by the Desmodromic system, which also allows high engine speeds in the Desmosedici.
Ducati: ” we move a lot on our sports bikes”
however, Ducati has not yet introduced other technical highlights, such as the “seamless” gearbox or the height-adjustable chassis, in the series production. ” Never say never. Things that now seem impossible to move to the show may become possible in the coming years. However, there are some things that are difficult to use in the series. », said Ducati’s technical director David Barana. ” It also includes carbon brakes, which requires high temperatures to function properly. It is difficult to maintain these temperatures on the road “, Explanation David Barana.
But the engineer added: in the case of aerodynamics, on the other hand, we can transfer many developments. The same goes for the machine. A few years ago we introduced the V4 engine, which comes directly from the racing engine. We move a lot on our sportbikes », explained the engineer Ducati.
But it is not only technology transfer that is of interest Ducati. The Italians also use MotoGP to train their engineers…” Racing experience is very important for Ducati to deliver a methodical working method. We train engineers. There is a good exchange with the racing department engineers and vice versa “, Explanation David Barana. ” The production model development manager is a good colleague and friend that I have worked with for ten years in the career department. We regularly exchange ideas and support each other. This is very important for a company like Ducati, which is not as big as the Japanese “, concludes the manager of Ducati.
A final affirmative argument methodological discourse made by David Brivio which explains the revolution Ducati in particular and the Europeans in general have done in recent years in MotoGP, not only leaving the Japanese to stop by the wayside, but also surpassing competitors from the same continent. Let’s talk about it soon…
