Frameless ducs?

[gm2]

http://www.gizmag.com/ducati-pataents-semi-monocoque-motogp-frame-for-roadbbikes/14285/

[SacDuc]

   

[Duck-Stew]

Rider "Bike has a wicked steering head shake / wobble!"

Tech "Oh, that's the cause... I didn't tighten the cylinder head bolt."

Odd...  but I can see why they did it.

[pennyrobber]

Getting rid of the trellis one bit at a time. I doubt this will leave the GP realm anytime soon though. (Save a follow up D16 800cc version)

[gm2]

(Save a follow up D16 800cc version)

that would really, really surprise me.

[teddy037.2]

holy crap

[Triple J]

Early move to a V4 SBK...with better access to the valves for maintenance?? 

[silentbob]

Rider "Bike has a wicked steering head shake / wobble!"

Tech "Oh, that's the cause... I didn't tighten the cylinder head bolt."

Odd...  but I can see why they did it.

If your tech is sending you out there with loose bolts you have more problems than chassis design.

[NorDog]

Forgive me for picking fly shit out of the pepper, but it looks to have two frames; one in front and one in back.

Besides, reminds me of essentially the same set up on the Vincent Black Shadow (and other Vincents).

Still, pretty cool.

[FastAndLight]

Forgive me for picking fly shit out of the pepper, but it looks to have two frames; one in front and one in back.

I think that is the point.  The engine joins together the two monocoque frame sections.  It looks pretty awesome to me.  And light.  And light is fast. 

I, for one, welcome our semi-monocoque overlords.

[Ratfink749]

I think that is the point.  The engine joins together the two monocoque frame sections.  It looks pretty awesome to me.  And light.  And light is fast. 

I, for one, welcome our semi-monocoque overlords.

I do love the heritage and design of the Trellis.  It is one of those things that makes a Ducati a Ducati in my mind.  I however never get tired of saying the word "Monocoque"..... Monocoque..  I'm all for something new and innovative, but I do love my trellis frames.  Sure.. I'd love to own a V4 Monocoque Ducati.. Sounds like it'd be one hell of a trackbike!

[DucatiBastard]

Looks like the "frame" would be hollow to double as the airbox, or does that go without saying?

[muskrat]

 

[Turf]

Whilst i love the trellis frame this is the kinds of things that keep Ducati rolling in world titles.

in 20 years you'll be able to buy a M900 sport classic but it'll have a trellis unobtanium frame, weigh 200lbs and have 200hp 

[Speeddog]

Looks like the "frame" would be hollow to double as the airbox, or does that go without saying?

Yep.