From Powersports Information Wiki Source
The Ducati Desmosedici GP8 is the 4-Stroke V4 Prototype racing motorcycle developed by Ducati to compete in the MotoGP World Championship. The number following the GP designation in the name of Ducati's racing motorcycles indicate the year the bike competed, for instance, the GP3 model raced in the 2003 season, and so on and so forth.
2008
The 2007 MotoGP champion team Ducati, unveiled the Ducati Desmosedici GP8 during its annual Wrooom - MotoGP Press Ski Meeting at Madonna di Campiglio in early January. With already a championship-caliber vehicle at its disposal, Ducati engineered the GP8 as the evolution of its predecessor with the main objective of giving its riders more power and better fuel economy than ever before. Among the minor developments implemented by the engineers include changes in the frame area, rear suspension geometry, motor and electronic system. The Desmosedici is equipped with exactly the same traction control system used on the new 1098 R road bike which swept all before it in motorcycle magazine awards around the world. Ducati test driver Vittoriano Guareschi rode the 2008 model for the first time before the press during the unveiling.
Ducati worked on the chassis set-up of the GP8, utilizing a lighter frame for optimised torsional and flexural rigidity to solve the rather minimal chattering experienced last season. Another area worked on was the rear suspension geometry in order to reduce the pumping effect observed in certain tracks and in special conditions. Engine-wise, several modifications were implemented in order to both minimize friction and obtain a small power increase without affecting fuel consumption. Also, the engine response was proportioned to the rider's torque requirements in order to obtain a fuller engine response especially mid-range and maintain a longer peak power. Electronically, the GP8 had a few tweaks on its sensors and actuator details to increase reliability and safety.
Ducati Corse CEO and product director of Ducati Motor Holding, Claudio Domenicali generalized the GP8 with his statement saying, "Our 2008 bike is an evolution of the 2007 model, how could we have done otherwise? There was so very little wrong with that bike."
Specifications
| Chassis
|
| Frame
| Tubular steel trellis-style chassis, pressed aluminium swing-arm
|
| Front Suspension
| Öhlins upside-down 42 mm front forks
|
| Rear Suspension
| Öhlins upside-down 42 mm front forks
|
| Front Brakes
| Brembo, two 320 mm carbon front discs with four-piston callipers
|
| Rear Brake
| Single stainless steel rear disc with two-piston callipers
|
| Tyres
| Bridgestone 16.5" front and rear
|
| Dry weight
| 148 kg / 326 lbs
|
| Exhaust
| Termignoni
|
| Engine
|
| Engine
| Liquid-cooled, 90 degree V4 four-stroke
|
| Timing system
| Desmodromic DOHC
|
| Valves
| Four valves per cylinder
|
| Capacity
| 799 cc
|
| Maximum power
| more than 200 HP
|
| Maximum torque
|
|
| Top speed
| In excess of 310 kph / 192 mph
|
| Transmission
| Six-speed cassette-type gearbox, with alternative gear ratios available
|
| Final drive
| Chain
|
| Clutch
| Dry multiplate slipper clutch
|
| Carburation
| Indirect Magneti Marelli electronic injection, four throttle bodies with injectors above butterfly valves
|
| Ignition
| Magneti Marelli
|
| Fuel
| Shell Racing V-Power
|
| Lubricant
| Shell Advance Ultra 4
|
Videos
Sources
External Links
