Setting the Bar: Ducati Motor Holding
In the world of motorcycles, every manufacturer focuses on something different. Some focus on off-road racing, while others focus on on-street speed. Some focus on comfort, while others focus on customizability. In the end, however, there are some companies that simply rise above the rest'setting the bar across the board, these manufacturers quickly become household names, and will never be overlooked when the topic is motorcycles. Located in Bologna, Italy, Ducati Motor Holding first began producing motorcycles in 1950'since then, however, Ducati has redefined the notion of speed.
From Bombs to Motorcycles
In 1926, the Ducati company was founded in Bologna by three brothers to produce tubes, condensers and other components for radios. The second factory building, constructed in 1935, was a popular target for Allied bombing during World War II, but production continued throughout the attacks. Eventually, the company developed a small engine, designed to be mounted on a bicycle. Named the Cucciolo, the engine was the first new automotive product released in postwar Europe.
By 1950, however, Ducati decided to produce its own complete motorcycle, built around the capabilities of the Cucciolo. A well-designed 60cc bike, the motorcycle weighed only 98 pounds and boasted a top speed of 40 mph. In the 1960s, Ducati made motorcycle history by offering the fastest 250cc road bike on the market, the Mach 1. Released in 1979, the Pantah was the first belt-driven motorcycle offered by Ducati, and has since become the basis for all other engines. Utilizing an L-twin engine, the Pantah was able to compete against other four-valve designs.
However, the Monster is the most popular modern design released by Ducati. It is a naked bike'meaning its sport bike style is accentuated by a fully-exposed frame and engine. The Monster series continues the company’s love of L-twin engines, and it also includes tubular steel trellis chassis. The first Monster models were released in the 1990s'the M600, M750 and M900. While the overall physical aspects of the Monster models remained unchanged during that first decade, a few mechanical changes were introduced, including fuel injection, semi-floating disc brakes, lighter wheels, inverted forks and, in 2001, the use of a liquid-cooled four-valve Superbike engine. Currently there are six models offered in the Monster series, with prices ranging from $6,795 to $15,495.
Under the Ducati name, racing teams compete both in the MotoGP World Championship and the Superbike World Championship. Consistently the company has boasted the fastest bikes on the track?even when MotoGP reduced the legal engine size to 800 cc. In the Superbike World Championship, Ducati has won twice rider’s championships'the race has only been sanctioned since 1988.
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