Ducati 2008 Desmosedici RR | V4 MotoGP clone

2008 Ducati Desmosedici RR

With Ian Fallon

Ducati joined MotoGP in 2003, and for the first four years they raced the 990 cc four-cylinder Desmosedici (Desmo 16 valve). In the last MotoGP race for 990 cc MotoGP bikes, in Valencia in October 2006, World Superbike Champion Troy Bayliss performed brilliantly.

He led from start to finish, with Loris Capirossi coming in second on a similar machine. A change in regulations for 2007 saw the 990 cc four-stroke engine replaced by an 800 cc four-stroke engine.

Rookie Casey Stoner immediately proved he has the aggressiveness and ability to make the most of Desmosedici. After winning the opening race in Qatar, Stoner took the championship with a total of 10 race victories.

The downfall of the 990 gave Ducati an opportunity to repeat the success they had previously achieved with the round-cased 750 Super Sport “Green Frame” in 1974 after their spectacular 1972 Imola 200 victory.

The D16RR, the first off-road MotoGP clone, is derived from the Desmosedici GP6, body design and aerodynamics in the same form. Like on the GP6, the engine on the RR is a 16-valve Desmodromic 989 cc Vee-Four, with a diameter of 86 mm and a stroke of 42.56 mm and an asymmetrical Twin Pulse firing configuration.

The dual overhead camshafts are gear-driven, and the six-speed transmission is cassette type. The clutch is a hydraulically actuated dry multi-disc slipper.

Due to limited production, the engine’s crankcase and cylinder head are sand-cast aluminum, the connecting rods and valves are titanium, and the engine housing is sand-cast magnesium.

Four 50 mm Magneti Marelli throttle bodies, with 12-hole ‘microjet’ injectors feed the cylinders and are controlled by the Magneti Marelli 5SM ECU. The 4-in-2 exhaust, with a vertical tailgate silencer, contributed to 200 hp at 13,800 rpm (with a 102 dB racing silencer and a dedicated CPU).

Despite this extremely high power output, the Desmosedici RR is certified suitable for use on the road, with an exhaust catalytic oxygen sensor to comply with Euro3 emissions standards.

The red-painted welded tubular steel frame (ALS 450) has the same shape as the Desmosedici GP6, and includes a carbon fiber saddle and rear rack.

Also inspired by the GP6 is the long-lasting, forged and extruded aluminum alloy swingarm, with the rear shock mounted above the swingarm to a hinge that attaches to the crankcase.

43 mm pressurized hlins FG353 upside down fork (PFF), with TiN-coated forks similar to racing parts, as well as fully adjustable Öhlins rear shocks and 17- and 16-inch Marchesini magnesium alloys spokes forged and machined wheels. As a supplier for GP6, Bridgestone has developed special street tires.

Other racing influences include a pair of radial Brembo ‘monobloc’ front brake calipers with four 34 mm pistons and 330 mm discs. Alan Jenkins is responsible for the styling of the carbon fiber bodywork, aluminum fuel tank and color scheme, with two versions available.

This is a Rosso GP with a white license plate on the tail and a white Ducati logo on the bibs, and the Team Edition is painted like the factory Corse bikes, with a white stripe on the bibs. A set of team sponsor decals is included with each bike.

They also come with a new lightweight multifunction console, fitted to the 2007 Desmosedici GP7. Production began in October 2007, with the final delivery of 1500 units completed in late 2008.