Ducati Monster Forum

http://www.superbike-news.co.uk/absolutenmnet/templates/?z=4&a=3850 (http://www.superbike-news.co.uk/absolutenmnet/templates/?z=4&a=3850)

aand in 2012...enter the Superquadrata!!!

That's what I was thinking. pull all the brains in to get the Super² ready for 2012

cant pay Rossi 15 mil a year and keep WSBK.

“This decision is part of a specific strategy made by Ducati, the aim being to further increase technological content in production models that will arrive on the market in the coming years."

I wish this part was true.

Me too. Somehow I think they'll sit on their laurels.

Personally I think Ducati is racking their collective brains on how to switch their superbikes from L2's to V4's and keep their fan following. I bet this is part of the strategy to do that... Also while I'm betting, their next model superbike is a V4, Any takers?

what are ya wagering?...because the Quadrata details I have read seem to elude to gear driven cams...

It'd be awesome if it had the carbon monocoque frame too...

here is what I had origionally posted and gleaned about it...

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=41149.msg738124#msg738124 (http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=41149.msg738124#msg738124)

... The Superquadrata (over square) motor will be a radical over square twin with the cylinders canted rearwards. Rotating the cylinders thus would make the mass of the bike more compact with the benefits associated with this such as mass centralisation. It will also allow the motor to be moved forward to put more weight over the front wheel and allow a longer swing arm for increased stability. It should also allow for a cassette type gearbox, something the older engines have lacked and will allow for easier and quicker gear ratio changes.

It is understood that the new motor will have a stroke of just 60.6mm and a soup plate piston size of 112mm giving a capacity of 1194cc. The current bike is 67.9 x 106mm. The engine is highly likely to feature gear driven cams, a move away from belts which require changing before every race/practice.

It is also speculated that this new engine may be mated to Ducati's carbon fibre frame with the engine providing the only connection between front and rear wheels...

Just another step in Ducati following HD's business lead?  :o

First, pull out of your main (arguably) racing series...then introduce a "power-cruiser" style motorcycle.  [coffee]

with rossi signed wsbk would no longer have been their main series no matter how you cut it.  even if bayliss came back.

and they've been saying for 2 years that that bike is at the max end of development.. there's nothing left in it.  the natural progression of development has finally left the twins in the dust.

Is there another source for this news? My computer won't download from the UK site. Probably some sort of filter that's set somewhere.

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2010/Aug/100827a.htm (http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2010/Aug/100827a.htm)

http://roadracingworld.com/news/article/?article=41730 (http://roadracingworld.com/news/article/?article=41730)

Ya, I know...I was mostly joking.

It still sucks they're pulling out of a series they've been continuously involved with since '88. I know they'll still be there with privateer teams, but...

I'm still not sure I agree the twin format isn't competitive. Checa was killing people at Miller before his bike crapped out. I just think the current Xerox riders aren't up to the task. Regardless, Ducati will surely need to do something (V-4?) to keep their SBKs competitive, otherwise their sales will dry up.

http://www.ducatinewstoday.com/2010/08/ducati-pull-out-of-world-superbikes/#more-7701 (http://www.ducatinewstoday.com/2010/08/ducati-pull-out-of-world-superbikes/#more-7701)

agreed, and it's a fine line, but it's becoming less fine every year.  i mean, checa was killing people there, not necessarily ducati.  he obviously gets along with that track quite well.  and we know that his bike [at least started the year as] virtually the same as the factory bikes.. only difference was electronics.

there are still 'ducati tracks' of course.. but on the whole, they can't keep up.

well...for a few years there, WSBK was jokingly called the Ducati Cup...and then the 4cylinders were allowed to go from 750 to a 1000 cc's and development wars begun...and as far as development...not only did Checa seem to find something that Fabrizio and Haga didn't...but there is also the restrictor plate on the 1198 for racing...hell...I think the throttle plates on the new 848EVO are bigger than what they allow in racing competition...

hell...here's another train of a thought...maybe Ducati doesn't want another year of egg directly on their factory face for being stomped on until FIM says they can lift the restrictor plates AND THEN COME BACK WHOLE HOG/FULL BORE!!!  

...thanks for that.   [cheeky]

How does everyone think this will affect the series?

I've only ever been to the Miller WSBK race (last 2 years), but it seemed like 40% of the people there were wearing Ducati gear, and the Ducati tent was a huge draw. The only other manufacturer that had anything close was BMW. You guys think attendance/interest will drop worldwide?

tbh, i thought the series was in deep shit when bayliss left.  then ben came along and it was exciting for another year.  this year, meh..

i'm stoked for max but i'm not the least bit excited about it.

Boooooooooooooo

Is it a bluff?  If WSBK bends over backwards to make Ducati "more" competitive, I bet Ducati will be racing in 2011.  Initially, it looks like WSBK isn't biting.

I don't think they're bluffing. I heard something about them not being able to homologate the 1198r next season too.

It's hard not to get the impression of a company in chaos right now.

other than not competing in one of the production-based championships next year, what makes you say that?

Mostly the fact that they can't deal with a warranty to save their lives :)

After reading the thread, I was wondering about restrictions.  Ducati can build a better V-twin, use a carbon fiber frame etc. but as long as they have 1200cc they could be restricted right back to where they are now if they start winning again.

http://motomatters.com/news/2010/08/27/infront_motor_sports_responds_to_ducati_.html (http://motomatters.com/news/2010/08/27/infront_motor_sports_responds_to_ducati_.html)

I guess this puts a fork in Colin Edwards thinking about leaving MotoGP and getting a Duc factory WSBK ride. Maybe he'll land a satellite ride? I'd like to see him back in WSBK. Also wonder where Haga and Fabrizio go?

Something tells me this announcement is a chess move in a more private negotiation.

Cynical, but likelyhood is very high.  [laugh]

Honestly, I want to see Colin on a top-shelf Ducati.
I'd like to see him on a top-shelf Yamaha (or whatever).

If it's a chess move, it still screws 2011 for Ducs. That said, they can not have a "factory" 2011 team and still give near-factory support to the privateer bikes.  'cept that all the privateers might move to Aprilia (ala Smrz).

Maybe they just need 2011 to figure out why Fabio is such a douche and to design a plan to get a couple more HP out of Haga's walker. 

But aren't the vast Majority of the lead teams in WSBK privateer teams anyway? and Ducati will still be supporting the privateers.

I will say I understand the move, They now have a massive Superstar in MotoGP with Rossi jumping aboard, it would appear to
my inexperienced eyes that this years bike is not performing as well as it should (Stoner in an Interview on Australian TV last night said
the front end is causing massive headaches for the Team, and no matter what they seem to do it nothing appears to be working, new forks
new Geometry, no matter what they try the front end is just not predictable or confidence inspiring)

I look at it this way:
* Rossi on board (Meaning big Pay Packet to retain his services, probably the biggest Ducati have ever had to pay out)
* Current MotoGP bike has issues, limited resources to develop new bike and hopefully fix the problem before Rossi Arrives
* Pull the money and resources from the WSBK team to throw at the MotoGP team.
* No doubt Rossi will have set performance standards for the Bike, they have very limited time to get a new bike ready for next season
* Ducati has limited Resources to throw around, I am not surprised some programs got trimmed or cut, The Doctors bill was always
going to be very high!

Just another thought:
As far as developing a new bike, if they are going to bring a new bike in 2012 WSBK, to a limited extent this does make sense, they now
are not restricted as far as testing time, they can take the bike where ever/when ever and test as much as they want, away from
the harsh testing restrictions placed upon them by WSBK rules and regs.

Or is my thinking to far out of left field?

Rossi for he most part will be paid by Marlboro for Ducati and his sponsors will take care of the rest...

the 2011 bike is probaby already more than halfway done as of this point...there won't be too much for Rossi to be doing development wise in a major part...minor things yes...major changes..not until 2012.

Sad to see this.

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2010/Dec/101215windingdown.htm (http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2010/Dec/101215windingdown.htm)

It will be weird to not see a factory Duc on the WSBK grid next year. Bummer. :P