Ducati may be moving its factory

[ducpainter]

What are the drawbacks & advantages of chain driven cams compared to belt-driven cams? 

BTW, I found out recently that some people make fun of our belt drives by referring to them as "Hoover" drives (as in similar to a vacuum cleaner).

Advantage....Chains in an oil bath last forever...

Drawback...Everyone does it that way.

[jmoth79]

What are the drawbacks & advantages of chain driven cams compared to belt-driven cams? 

Only advantages.
Strength/durability, less likely to slip, resistance to wear, longer lasting, more robust,  ....noisier

[Howie]

Some disadvantages of chains:

         More rotating mass.
         Require oil.
         Require more space required.  This also means more weight.
         Though they are maintenance free they do, at some point, break.

[derby]

Some disadvantages of chains:

         More rotating mass.

one would think two thin gears and a chain would be less mass than two inch-thick pulleys and a hefty, reinforced belt.

         Require oil.

plenty of that already floatin' around the motor (hopefully).

         Require more space required.  This also means more weight.

again, gear/chain vs belt/pulley...

         Though they are maintenance free they do, at some point, break.

everything breaks... eventually. 

[Spidey]

one would think two thin gears and a chain would be less mass than two inch-thick pulleys and a hefty, reinforced belt.

Just the cam chain on a Ninja 250 weighs a ton more than our Duc belts.

Also, if you have cam chains, you can't take off the covers and watch 'em spin (yes, I'm a guy that is easily distracted by shiny things too).

[Howie]

one would think two thin gears and a chain would be less mass than two inch-thick pulleys and a hefty, reinforced belt.

As Spidey said and my 40+ years of engine reair experience says, lighter

plenty of that already floatin' around the motor (hopefully).

But you need to deliver it to the chain

again, gear/chain vs belt/pulley...

Chain requires an enclosed, sealed case more than likely needing chain guides and a chain tensioning device plus provisions for delivering and returning oil.

everything breaks... eventually.  

[caperix]

I have heard that a belt requires less horsepower to drive than a chain, I'm sure the differance is very minimal though.  The current engine has been around in some form for a long time, theres only so much more reengineering they can do to it.  I would not be surprised to see them switch to a narower angle V in a future design to allow more compact chasis.
Gear drive cams are cool, the D16 uses them as does honda's RC51.  The sound is cool, not quite dry clutch and desmo valve cool, but it would be a nice addition to those sounds.  I don't think the bike would stop being a ducati if it didn't have belts and desmo.  As long as they don't build an inline four.

[DanTheMan]

Not sure what was wrong with the old place, it was close to the hookers. If you have ever been there you'll know what im talking about.

[NAKID]

I don't think the bike would stop being a ducati if it didn't have belts and desmo.

What about the bevel drives?

[jwoconnor]

I would bet on gear driven cams. Less maintenance than even chains and they are usually reserved for "racing breeds" which would go well with the Ducati panache.

[psycledelic]

I am sure that Ducati would really benefit from a new, state-of-art facility.  Eco-friendly is a big plus.  Purpose built facility will really make their production more efficient.  Newer / better equipment means tighter / more consistant tolerances.  (Although, when all said and done, I wonder how much of the old equipment will just be relocated). 
End of the day, I doubt the saving of efficiency comes close the equaling the cost of a new facility.  Which means belt driven, chain driven, and/or gear driven, the bikes are gonna be even more expensive in the future.   

[jerryz]

gear drive cams will be expensive to produce ..ask Honda about VFR costs?...so not really a sensible way to save money.

[jwoconnor]

Getting out of MotoGP/WSB would save money but would that happen?

[derby]

Getting out of MotoGP/WSB would save money but would that happen?

i'm pretty sure marlboro picks up the tab for that.

[Autostrada Pilot]

Not sure what was wrong with the old place, it was close to the hookers. If you have ever been there you'll know what im talking about.

Yes I do, and I have a picture to prove it!   [moto]