While the engine clearly represents the beating heart of this fantastic motorcycle, the technological advancements also extend to the chassis. The signature tubular Trellis hybrid frame and highly refined components are dressed in superb carbon fibre bodywork. This is a motorcycle that is destined for an expert rider, someone who is always looking for extreme sports performance in a product that is exclusive, reliable and more than capable of track racing.
The colour scheme of the Desmosedici RR was the work of Alan Jenkins, the designer and one of the many people behind the Desmosedici MotoGP project. He is also responsible for the aerodynamics package which is aimed at achieving maximum speed while ensuring excellent stability. Although totally inspired by the Ducati Desmosedici GP6, from which it inherits its aggressiven lines, the RR will be fitted with the latest lightweight multifunction dashboard, developed in collaboration with Ducati Corse for next year’s racing machine, the Desmosedici GP7.
The bike’s development could not have been made possible without the significant collaboration of Vittoriano Guareschi, the official Ducati Corse tester, whose riding ability and hundreds of hours of track time have made a fundamental contribution to the evolution of the project.
For the first time the Ducati Desmosedici RR uses a new welded tubular steel Trellis hybrid frame (ALS 450) with the same frame geometry as that of the Desmosedici GP6. This construction guarantees an excellent stiffness to weight ratio, allowing superior manoevrability and riding precision. Attached to the red frame is the rear subframe in high temperature resin type carbon fibre. This material, normally used only on race bikes, has the characteristic of being extremely lightweight but exceptionally rigid.
The Desmosedici RR sports a new extra-long, cast, forged and pressed aluminium alloy swingarm. The geometry and the technology of this component derive directly from the MotoGP bike and gives the RR high levels of traction, control, and excellent weight distribution as well as a superb stiffness to weight ratio.
In the suspension department the Ducati Desmosedici RR features the most advanced technical components. The rear suspension geometry and layout is the same as that of the GP6, with the rear shock attached to a rocker which pivots on the crankcase.
The front suspension features 43mm upside-down Öhlins FG353 pressurised forks (PFF), with TiN coated sliders. The forks, which come directly from competition use, are fully adjustable in preload, rebound and compression. The rear shock is also Öhlins and has rebound, low and high speed compression and hydraulic preload adjustment.
Also for the first time ever, this Ducati production motorcycle features Marchesini forged and machined magnesium alloy wheels, with 7-spoke design as on the GP6. This enhances the handling and improves suspension response by reducing unsprung weight and inertia.
With the aim of producing the ultimate track performance, Ducati in collaboration with the Japanese tyre manufacturer, Bridgestone, have developed special tyres for the Desmosedici RR with a dedicated tread pattern, construction and profile.
The racing components used on this high-performance machine also include its Brembo brakes. Up front, the Desmosedici RR features a new pair of radial ‘Monobloc’ calipers with four 34mm pistons. Monobloc technology, until now only used for racing, creates a much stiffer caliper thus improving the braking response. The front brake system is completed by a radial master cylinder with a race-style articulated lever and remote ‘quick’ adjuster. The front brake discs are the same as those used on the GP6 in its ‘wet weather’ race set-up, two semi-floating 320mm x 6mm discs with machined flange, while the Brembo rear brakes consist of a 240mm fixed disc and a caliper with two 34mm pistons.
