Under siege at home by the Aprilia RSV4 and soon to be released MV Agusta F4.
Denied safe haven on the Continent by the German-born BMW R1000SS and Austrian KTM RC8R.
Facing invasion from the far east's Big Four: Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, and Kawasaki.
Its fair to say that Ducati was going to have to do something cool, mind blowingly spectacular even, if it wanted to keep the mantle of Superbike in the liter class. To compete, and to survive, Ducati would have to adapt to the new technologies and materials. The Ducati Superbike would have to evolve.
So no surprise to any follower of fast, exotic motorcycles that rumors surrounding a new generation Ducati Superbike have been swirling around Bolgna for months. And that the rumors told tales of radical changes to this new type of Duc: lighter, faster (200hp), no trellis frame (the horror!), under-engine exhaust.
Yet no photos have been available to substantiate even the most believable of claims.
Until now:
Looks like the rumors were true. Plus a side-mounted horizontal shock and extended, and still single-sided, swingarm, which is said to improve traction.
Darwinism at its finest. Let the evolution begin!
Denied safe haven on the Continent by the German-born BMW R1000SS and Austrian KTM RC8R.
Facing invasion from the far east's Big Four: Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, and Kawasaki.
Its fair to say that Ducati was going to have to do something cool, mind blowingly spectacular even, if it wanted to keep the mantle of Superbike in the liter class. To compete, and to survive, Ducati would have to adapt to the new technologies and materials. The Ducati Superbike would have to evolve.
So no surprise to any follower of fast, exotic motorcycles that rumors surrounding a new generation Ducati Superbike have been swirling around Bolgna for months. And that the rumors told tales of radical changes to this new type of Duc: lighter, faster (200hp), no trellis frame (the horror!), under-engine exhaust.
Yet no photos have been available to substantiate even the most believable of claims.
Until now:
Looks like the rumors were true. Plus a side-mounted horizontal shock and extended, and still single-sided, swingarm, which is said to improve traction.
Darwinism at its finest. Let the evolution begin!