Ducati Desmosedici 800

2007 GP7

GP7

For 2007, MotoGP rules were changed to cap motors to a maximum displacement of 800 cc. In response, Ducati built the GP7. Its specifications were: 800 cc bike, double L-Twin motor (4 Cylinder Twin Pulse), approximately 168 kW (225 hp) at 19000 rpm and a greater than 330 km/h top speed (Confirmed 337.2 km/h (209.6 mph)).[citation needed]

Ducati started its project to build an 800 cc MotoGP bike extremely early and according to Ducati's racing chief Filippo Preziosi, by August 2006 Ducati had already built twenty 800 cc engines with various specifications.[2] In addition, an early version of the bike was track tested for the first time during early May 2006.[3] Public testing with the bike began at the Brno Track, where Loris Capirossi had won the day before riding the GP6, on the 21st of August. Capirossi's lap times on the prototype GP7 were only 1.4 seconds off his track record time set on the 990 cc GP6.

Further testing of the GP7 in Motegi, Japan, revealed that the 800 cc machine could run faster laps than the higher-displacement 990 cc bikes, and held nearly a second advantage over the next fastest 800 cc bike, a Honda ridden by Dani Pedrosa.

MotoGP's 800 cc era officially began with the first race of the 2007 MotoGP season, at the Losail International Circuit in Qatar. Casey Stoner won the race on the new GP7. The bike had a clear top speed advantage over the rest of the grid, due to its higher output motor. A new track record was set on the GP7. Second place contender and five time former World champion, Yamaha's Valentino Rossi, complained that "unfortunately, there was too much difference between (our) bikes in the straight" and "Our Yamaha will never go as quick on a straight as the Ducati." These words turned out to be true, as the GP7 enjoyed a top speed advantage throughout the season, although the other manufacturers (Yamaha, Honda, Kawasaki and Suzuki) closed the gap significantly by the end of the year. Stoner and his Bridgestone-shod Ducati proved to be the top combination in MotoGP and he won the world championship at Motegi, Japan, on September 23, 2007, four races before the end of the season.
[edit] GP8
Casey Stoner's Ducati Desmosedici GP8

An evolutionary update of the GP7 design,[4] Ducati's entry for the 2008 MotoGP World Championship was tested first in February 2007.[3]

For purposes of avoiding chatter which was encountered on some occasions with GP7, the rigidity of the GP8's frame was altered, although further details of relevant modifications are not disclosed.[4][5] In addition, in an attempt to reduce an effect described as "pumping", some modifications to the bike's suspension geometry were made.[4][5]

As with its predecessor the GP8 contains a four-cylinder 800cc engine with desmodromic actuation of its 16 valves. The engine has improved mid-range response and top-end power compared to that of the GP7.

During 2007 Ducati tested a special fuel saving clutch arrangement which disengaged the clutch during braking and reduced fuel consumption, however the arrangement was not incorporated in the GP8 as various advanced lubricants and fuels used with the GP8 are believed to provide comparable fuel savings, while decreasing internal engine friction and increasing maximum power.[6]

In race trim the bike recorded an official top speed of 343.2 km/h (213.3 mph) at the 2008 Chinese motorcycle Grand Prix.[7] However, in a video of the same race, Casey Stoner is seen to ride the bike at the speed of 347 km/h (216 mph).
[edit] GP9

The GP9 was Ducati's entry for the 2009 MotoGP World Championship. Ducati began testing it on track prior to May 2008.[8] On 9 June 2008, Ducati publicly rolled out the Desmosedici GP9 for testing at Circuit de Catalunya.[9]

A distinctive feature of GP9 is its carbon fibre chassis, representing a departure from Ducati's traditional steel trellis chassis.[10] Although carbon fibre chassis were tried in mid 1980s, currently no other MotoGP racing team uses them.[10]

The GP9 reached a speed of 348 km/h in the fifth round of the MotoGP championship at Mugello.
[edit] GP10

On January 15, 2010, Ducati introduced the GP10 for the 2010 MotoGP season.[11] Development concentrated on improving engine longevity, to keep within new engine restrictions, and rideability.[12] Most notably, the GP10 makes use of a big-bang firing order for the first time since the Desmosedici changed from the 990cc to the 800cc engine capacity.[12] It also features redesigned fairing, first seen at the 2009 Estoril round.[12]

2008 GP8

2009 GP9

2010 GP10

2011 GP11