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{{Short description|Italian motorcycle manufacturer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}}
{{For-multi|the parent group|Ducati (company)|the company-affiliated racing team that's commonly known as "Ducati"|Ducati Corse|other uses}}{{Needs more references|date=June 2025}}{{Infobox company
| name = Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A
| logo = Ducati red logo.svg
| logo_size = 170px
| type = [[Subsidiary]]
| predecessor = 
| successor = 
| founders = {{unbulleted list
 | Antonio Cavalieri Ducati
 | Adriano Cavalieri Ducati
 | Bruno Cavalieri Ducati}}
| defunct = <!-- {{End date|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->
| area_served = Worldwide
| key_people = [[Claudio Domenicali]] ([[CEO]])
| industry = [[Motorcycle]] manufacturing
| products = [[Motorcycle]]
| production = 61,562 units (2022)
| services = 
| revenue = {{profit}} [[Euro|€]]731 million (2016)<ref name=finstat>{{cite news |url=http://blog.motorcycle.com/2017/03/15/manufacturers/ducati/ducati-set-another-new-sales-record-2016/ |language=it |title=Ducati Group: nel 2015 vendite, fatturato e risultato in crescita |trans-title=Ducati Group: sales in 2015, sales and earnings growth |date=3 March 2016 |access-date=9 August 2016 |publisher=Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. |archive-date=18 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170318213939/http://blog.motorcycle.com/2017/03/15/manufacturers/ducati/ducati-set-another-new-sales-record-2016/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| operating_income = 
| net_income = 
| assets = 
| equity = 
| num_employees = 
| owner = 
| parent = [[Volkswagen Group]]
| divisions = [[Ducati Corse]]
| subsid = 
| homepage = {{URL|https://www.ducati.com/|ducati.com}}
| footnotes = <ref name=audi_ifr_2012>{{cite web |url=http://www.audi.com/etc/medialib/ngw/company/invest_relations_20121.Par.0008.File.pdf/hjfb2012_en.pdf |title=Audi Interim Financial Report 2012 |publisher=AUDI AG |date=23 July 2012 |access-date=2 August 2012 |archive-date=3 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120803030001/http://www.audi.com/etc/medialib/ngw/company/invest_relations_20121.Par.0008.File.pdf/hjfb2012_en.pdf |quote=Effective July 19, 2012, the Audi Group acquired 100 percent of the voting rights in the motorcycle manufacturer Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A., Bologna (Italy) via Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A., Sant'Agata Bolognese (Italy), a subsidiary of AUDI AG for a purchase price of EUR 747 million. |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| logo_caption = 
| image = Ducati-headquarters.jpg
| foundation = {{Start date and age|1926|07|04}}
| location_city = [[Bologna]]
| location_country = Italy
| locations = 
}}

'''Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A''' ({{IPA|it|duˈkaːti}}) is an Italian motorcycle manufacturing company headquartered in [[Bologna]], Italy. 

==History==
{{Main articles|Ducati (company)}} A month after the official liberation of Italy in 1944, SIATA announced its intention to sell this engine, called the [[Ducati Cucciolo|"Cucciolo"]] (Italian for "puppy," in reference to the distinctive exhaust sound) to the public. 

The first Cucciolos were available alone, to be mounted on standard bicycles, by the buyer; however, businessmen soon bought the little engines in quantity, and offered complete motorized-bicycle units for sale.

In 1950, after more than 200,000 Cucciolos had been sold, in collaboration with SIATA, the Ducati firm offered its own Cucciolo-based motorcycle. 

This first Ducati motorcycle was a 48&nbsp;[[Cubic centimetre|cc]] bike weighing {{cvt|98|lb}}, with a top speed of {{cvt|40|mph|0}}, and had a {{cvt|15|mm |in |adj=mid|[[carburetor]] |abbr=in}} giving just under {{cvt|200|mpgus}}. 

Ducati soon dropped the Cucciolo name in favor of "55M" and "65TL".
[[File:Scooters.Assisi026.jpg|thumb|Ducati 175 Cruiser, 1952]]
[[File:Ducati_Brio_100.jpg|thumb|Ducati Brio 100, 1968<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://cybermotorcycle.com/gallery/ducati-scooters/Ducati-1968-Brio-NZM-Front-RHS.htm |title=1968 Ducati Brio 100 |website=Classic Motorcycles by Sheldon's Emu |access-date=22 May 2020 |archive-date=13 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211113215517/https://cybermotorcycle.com/gallery/ducati-scooters/Ducati-1968-Brio-NZM-Front-RHS.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>]]
[[File:Ducati mach1 800.jpg|thumb|[[Ducati Mach 1]]]]
When the market moved toward larger motorcycles, Ducati management decided to respond, making an impression at an early-1952 Milan show, introducing their 65TS cycle and Cruiser (a four-stroke [[motor scooter]]). 

Despite being described as the most interesting new machine at the 1952 show, the Cruiser was not a great success, and only a few thousand were made over a two-year period before the model ceased production.

In the 1960s, Ducati earned its place in motorcycling history by producing the fastest 250&nbsp;cc road bike then available, the [[Ducati Mach 1|Mach 1]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ducati.com/heritage/anni60/mach1/mach1.jhtml |title=Mach 1 |publisher=ducati.com |access-date=25 January 2007 |archive-date=19 September 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090919064900/http://www.ducati.com/heritage/anni60/mach1/mach1.jhtml |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="DUCATI-MOTOR-HOLDING-SPA-Jun-2004-20-F">{{cite web |url=http://edgar.secdatabase.com/2325/115697304000783/filing-main.htm |title=DUCATI MOTOR HOLDING SPA, Form 20-F, Annual and Transition Report (foreign private issuer), Filing Date Jun 30, 2004 |publisher=secdatabase.com |access-date=14 May 2018 |archive-date=15 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180515112504/http://edgar.secdatabase.com/2325/115697304000783/filing-main.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mecossemi.com/H4FrameSet_L.html |title=History of the Motorcycle |publisher=mecossemi.com |access-date=25 January 2007 |archive-date=18 March 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070318230627/http://www.mecossemi.com/H4FrameSet_L.html |url-status=live }}</ref> 

In the 1960s and 1970s, Ducati produced a wide range of small two-stroke bikes, mainly sub-100&nbsp;cc capacities. 
[[File:Ducatilogol.png|thumb|Ducati's old logo used from 1997 to 2008<ref>{{cite web |first=Livio |last=Lodi |year=2009 |url=http://www.ducati.com/heritage/news/storialogo3.jhtml |title=History of the Ducati Logo: The 1990s and beyond |publisher=Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. |access-date=18 September 2009 |archive-date=26 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090626032701/http://www.ducati.com/heritage/news/storialogo3.jhtml |url-status=live }}</ref>]]

== Leadership ==
* Antonio, Adriano, Marcello, and Bruno Cavalieri Ducati (1926–1953)
* Giuseppe Montano (1953–1973)
* Cristiano de Eccher (1973–1978)
* Claudio and Gianfranco Castiglioni (1985–1996)
* Federico Minoli (1997–2000 and 2003–2007)<ref>https://www.roadracingworld.com/news/ducati-ceo-resigns-following-release-of-2002-financial-report/#:~:text=Federico%20Minoli%20was%20Chairman%20and,remained%20Chairman%20of%20the%20Board.</ref>
* Carlo Di Biagio (2000–2003)<ref>https://www.just-auto.com/news/italy-carlo-di-biagio-to-become-ceo-of-ducati-motor-holding-spa/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CCarlo%20has%20been%20an%20integral,Cesare%20Fiorucci%20S.p.A.%20in%20Rome.</ref>
* Gabriele Del Torchio (2007–2013)<ref>https://www.reuters.com/article/instant-article/idUSL215826020070521/</ref>
* Claudio Domenicali (2013–present)<ref>https://www.autocarpro.in/news/ashok-leylands-domestic-yoy-wholesales-slide-by-12-in-september-2024</ref>

==Product history==
{{see also|Ducati Museum}}
===1950s===
{{main|Ducati singles}}
The first 4 stroke Single was the [[Ducati 60]].

===1960s===
{{main|Ducati singles}}
{{see also|Ducati Apollo}}
In addition to manufacturing two-wheelers, Ducati also assembled [[Triumph Herald]]s for sale in the Italian market in their Borgo Panigale plant beginning in early 1963.<ref name=QRFS466>{{citation | title = Le straniere montate in Italia | trans-title = The Italian-assembled foreigners | language = it | volume = 4: 1962-1963 | page = 66 | date = December 1962 | publication-date = May 2013 | journal = Galleria Ruoteclassiche | series = Le fuoriserie 1956-1970. Il meglio di Quattroruote | number = 57 | isbn = 9788872127704 | publisher = Editoriale Domus S.p.A. }}</ref>

{{Expand section|date=November 2009}}

===1970s===
{{main|Ducati L-twin engine}}

In 1973, Ducati commemorated its 1972 win at the [[Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari|Imola]] 200 with the production model green frame Ducati 750 SuperSport.

Ducati also targeted the offroad market with the two-stroke Regolarità 125, building 3,486 models from 1975 to 1979, but the bike was not successful.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.motorcycleclassics.com/motorcycle-reviews/the-ducati-regolarita.aspx |title=Ducati Regolarità 125 |publisher=Motorcycle Classics |access-date=15 December 2011 |date=January–February 2011 |author=Alan Cathcart |archive-date=8 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120908152412/http://www.motorcycleclassics.com/motorcycle-reviews/the-ducati-regolarita.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 1975, the company introduced the [[Ducati 860 GT|860 GT]], designed by noted car stylist [[Giorgetto Giugiaro]]. Its angular lines were unique, but raised handlebars made for an uncomfortable seating position at high speeds and also caused steering issues.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.motorcycleclassics.com/motorcycle-reviews/1975-ducati-860-gt.aspx |title=1975 Ducati 860GT |publisher=Motorcycle Classics |access-date=18 July 2011 |date=July–August 2011 |author=Roland Brown |archive-date=16 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716161458/http://www.motorcycleclassics.com/motorcycle-reviews/1975-ducati-860-gt.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> The 860GT's angular styling was a sales disaster, and it was hurriedly re-designed for the 1976 season with a more rounded fuel tank.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ridermagazine.com/2016/01/07/retrospective-ducati-860-gt-and-gte-1974-1975/,%20https://ridermagazine.com/2016/01/07/retrospective-ducati-860-gt-and-gte-1974-1975/ |title=Retrospective: Ducati 860 GT and GTE: 1974–1975 &#124; Rider Magazine |first=Clement |last=Salvadori |date=7 January 2016 |access-date=22 May 2020 |archive-date=13 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211113215517/https://ridermagazine.com/2016/01/07/retrospective-ducati-860-gt-and-gte-1974-1975/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1975 Ducati offered hand-built production racers, the 'square case' [[Ducati 750SS|750SS]] and later [[Ducati SuperSport|900SS]] models, built in limited numbers.  Sales of the 900SS proved so strong, and sales of the 860GT/GTE/GTS so weak, that production of the 900SS was ramped up, and it became Ducati's #1 selling model.<ref>Walker, Mick (2002), Illustrated Ducati Buyer's Guide (3rd ed.), MotorBooks/MBI Publishing Company, p. 148, {{ISBN|978-0760313091}}</ref>

===1980s===
{{main|Ducati Desmoquattro engine}}

Ducati's liquid-cooled, multi-valve 90° V-twins, made from 1985 on, are known as ''Desmoquattro'' ("[[desmodromic valve]] four"). These include the 851, [[Ducati 916|916]] and [[Ducati 996|996]], [[Ducati 999|999]] and a few predecessors and derivatives.

{{Main|Ducati Paso}}
[[File:907ie.JPG|thumb|1993 Ducati 907 i.e.]]
The Ducati Paso was introduced in 1986 with the Paso 750, followed in 1989 with the Paso 906. The final version came in 1991 with the 907IE (Iniezione Elettronica), now without the name "Paso". The design was from the hand of [[Massimo Tamburini]], who also designed the [[Ducati 916]] and [[MV Agusta F4 series|MV Agusta F4]]. The Paso was a typical "you love it, you hate it" bike.{{Citation needed|date=November 2023}} However, at that time it looked like that all-enclosed bodywork would be the future for all motorcycles. The Paso design was copied for the [[Moto Morini|Moto Morini Dart 400]] and [[Cagiva|Cagiva Freccia 125]]. Together with Tamburini's [[Bimota DB1]], they were enormously influential in terms of styling.

===1990s===
In 1993, [[Miguel Angel Galluzzi]] introduced the [[Ducati Monster]],<ref name="monster">{{cite web |url=http://www.monsta.at/site_article_368.html |title=Desmo 2 Valve History |publisher=monsta.at |access-date=25 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050217050440/http://www.monsta.at/site_article_368.html |archive-date=17 February 2005 |url-status=dead}}</ref> a naked bike with exposed trellis and engine. Today the Monster accounts for almost half of the company's worldwide sales. The Monster has undergone the most changes of any motorcycle that Ducati has ever produced.

In 1993, [[Pierre Terblanche]], Massimo Bordi and Claudio Domenicali designed the [[Ducati Supermono]]. A 550&nbsp;cc single-cylinder lightweight "Catalog Racer". Only 67 were built between 1993 and 1997.

In 1994, the company introduced the [[Ducati 916]] model designed by [[Massimo Tamburini]],<ref name="Ducati916">{{cite web |url=http://www.ducati.com/heritage/anni90/916sbk95/916sbk95.jhtml |title=Ducati Official History (The 916) |publisher=Ducati Motor Holdings |access-date= 22 June 2008 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080516040223/http://www.ducati.com/heritage/anni90/916sbk95/916sbk95.jhtml |archive-date= 16 May 2008 |url-status= dead}}</ref> a water-cooled version that allowed for higher output levels and a striking new bodywork that had aggressive lines, an underseat exhaust, and a single-sided swingarm. Ducati has since ceased production of the 916, supplanting it (and its progeny, the [[Ducati 748|748]], [[Ducati 996|996]] and [[Ducati 998|998]]) with the [[Ducati 749|749]] and [[Ducati 999|999]].

===2000s===
In 2006, the retro-styled [[Ducati PaulSmart 1000 LE]] was released, which shared styling cues with the 1973 750 SuperSport (itself a production replica of [[Paul Smart (motorcycle racer)|Paul Smart]]'s 1972 race winning [[Ducati 750 Imola Desmo|750 Imola Desmo]]), as one of a [[Ducati SportClassic|SportClassic]] series representing the 750 GT, 750 Sport, and 750 SuperSport Ducati motorcycles.
* [[Ducati Monster#2000s|Monster]]: 620, 695, 696, 750, 796, 900, S2R, S4R<ref name=DucatiPrevious/>
* [[Ducati Streetfighter|Streetfighter]] S<ref name=DucatiPrevious/>
* [[Ducati ST2|ST2]], [[Ducati ST3|ST3]], [[Ducati ST4s|ST4]]<ref name=DucatiPrevious>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ducati.com/en/bikes/service/archive.jhtml |title=Previous Model Years |year=2009 |publisher=Ducati Motor Holding SpA |access-date=26 June 2009 |archive-date=19 September 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090919053705/http://www.ducati.com/en/bikes/service/archive.jhtml |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Ducati PaulSmart 1000 LE|Paul Smart 1000LE]] and [[Ducati SportClassic|SportClassic]] variants<ref name=DucatiPrevious/>
* [[Ducati SuperSport|SuperSport 750, 900, 1000]]<ref name=DucatiPrevious/>
* [[Ducati 748|748]], [[Ducati 749|749]], [[Ducati 848|848]]<ref name=DucatiPrevious/>
* [[Ducati 996|996]], [[Ducati 998|998]], [[Ducati 999|999]], [[Ducati 1098|1098]], [[Ducati 1098|1098S]], [[Ducati 1098|1098R]],<ref name=DucatiPrevious/> [[Ducati 1198|1198]]
* [[Ducati Desmosedici RR|Desmosedici RR]]<ref name=DucatiPrevious/>

[[File:Ducati TK01RR 2021.jpg|thumb|Ducati TK01RR 2021 at Sredniy Peninsula (Russia)]]
[[File:Ducati DesertX in Barcelona (edited).jpg|thumb|Test ride of Ducati DesertX in Barcelona]]

== Current lineup ==
[[File:2007DucatiHyperMotard-001.jpg|thumb|[[Ducati Hypermotard]]]]
[[File:2007DucatiDesmosediciRR-001.jpg|thumb|[[Ducati Desmosedici RR]]]]
[[File:2007Ducati1098-001.jpg|thumb|[[Ducati 1098|Ducati 1098 S Tricolore]]]]
[[File:Ducati Multistrada 950 S, Scrambler Desert Sled, Multistrada 1260 Enduro, Peninsula Rybachiy, Russia.jpg|thumb|Ducati Multistrada 950 S, Scrambler Desert Sled, Multistrada 1260 Enduro have conquered Kola, Rybachiy & Sredniy peninsulas, Russia]]
; [[Ducati Monster|Monster]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ducati.com/ww/en/home |title=Monster |year=2021 |publisher=Ducati Motor Holding SpA |access-date=8 March 2021 |archive-date=9 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309133630/https://www.ducati.com/ww/en/home |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ducati.com/us/en/home |title=Monster |year=2021 |publisher=Ducati Motor USA |access-date=8 March 2021 |archive-date=9 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309094515/https://www.ducati.com/us/en/home |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Monster
* Monster+
* Monster 821
* Monster 821 Stealth
* Monster 1200
* Monster 1200 S

; [[Ducati Multistrada|Multistrada]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ducati.com/ww/en/home |title=Multistrada |year=2021 |publisher=Ducati Motor Holding SpA |access-date=8 March 2021 |archive-date=9 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309133630/https://www.ducati.com/ww/en/home |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Multistrada 950
* Multistrada 950S
* Multistrada V4
* Multistrada V4 S
* Multistrada V4 S Sport
* Multistrada 1260 Enduro

; [[Ducati Diavel|Diavel]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ducati.com/ww/en/home |title=Diavel |year=2021 |publisher=Ducati Motor Holding SpA |access-date=8 March 2021 |archive-date=9 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309133630/https://www.ducati.com/ww/en/home |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Diavel 1260
* Diavel 1260 S
* Diavel 1260 Lamborghini
* XDiavel
* XDiavel S
* XDiavel Black Star

; [[Ducati Panigale V4|Panigale]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ducati.com/ww/en/home |title=Panigale |year=2021 |publisher=Ducati Motor Holding SpA |access-date=8 March 2021 |archive-date=9 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309133630/https://www.ducati.com/ww/en/home |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Panigale 899
* Panigale 959
* Panigale 1199
* Panigale 1299
* Panigale V2
* Panigale V4
* Panigale V4 S
* Panigale V4 SP
* Panigale V4 R
* Superleggera V4

; [[Ducati Streetfighter|Streetfighter]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ducati.com/ww/en/home |title=Streetfighter |year=2021 |publisher=Ducati Motor Holding SpA |access-date=8 March 2021 |archive-date=9 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309133630/https://www.ducati.com/ww/en/home |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Streetfighter V4
* Streetfighter V4 S
* Streetfighter V2

; [[Ducati SuperSport|SuperSport]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ducati.com/ww/en/home |title=SuperSport |year=2021 |publisher=Ducati Motor Holding SpA |access-date=8 March 2021 |archive-date=9 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309133630/https://www.ducati.com/ww/en/home |url-status=live }}</ref>
* SuperSport
* SuperSport S

; [[Ducati Hypermotard|Hypermotard]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ducati.com/ww/en/home |title=Hypermotard |year=2021 |publisher=Ducati Motor Holding SpA |access-date=8 March 2021 |archive-date=9 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309133630/https://www.ducati.com/ww/en/home |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Hypermotard 950
* Hypermotard 950 SP
* Hypermotard 950 RVE

; [[Ducati Scrambler (2015)|Scrambler]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ducati.com/ww/en/home |title=Scrambler |year=2021 |publisher=Ducati Motor Holding SpA |access-date=8 March 2021 |archive-date=9 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309133630/https://www.ducati.com/ww/en/home |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Scrambler 1100 Pro
* Scrambler 1100 Sport Pro
* Scrambler 1100 Dark Pro
* Scrambler Nightshift
* Scrambler Full Throttle
* Scrambler Café Racer
* Scrambler Desert Sled
* Scrambler Icon
* Scrambler Icon Dark
* Scrambler Sixty2

==Product design==
Ducati is best known for high-performance motorcycles characterized by large-capacity [[four-stroke engine|four-stroke]], 90° [[V-twin engine]]s,<ref>{{cite web |title=History of the Two-Valve Twin |url=http://www.ducati.com/bikes/techcafe.jhtml?detail=article&value=technical&part=technical&artID=1 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091202190056/http://www.ducati.com/bikes/techcafe.jhtml?detail=article&value=technical&part=technical&artID=1 |archive-date=2 December 2009 |access-date=25 January 2008 |publisher=Ducati.com}}</ref> with a [[desmodromic valve]] design.<ref>{{cite web |title=Desmo for Dummies |url=http://www.ducati.com/bikes/techcafe.jhtml?detail=article&value=technical&part=technical&artID=2 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090624001536/http://www.ducati.com/bikes/techcafe.jhtml?detail=article&value=technical&part=technical&artID=2 |archive-date=24 June 2009 |access-date=25 January 2008 |publisher=Ducati.com}}</ref> 

=== Designer ===
The chief designer of most Ducati motorcycles in the 1950s was [[Fabio Taglioni]] (1920–2001). 

His designs ranged from the small single-cylinder machines that were successful in the Italian 'street races' to the large-capacity twins of the 1980s. 

Taglioni used the [[Ferrari#Identity|Cavallino Rampante]] (identified with the [[Ferrari]] brand) on his Ducati motorbikes. He chose this emblem of courage and daring as a sign of respect and admiration for [[Francesco Baracca]], a World War I fighter pilot who died during an air raid in 1918.<ref>{{cite web |title=Fabio Taglioni: a Legend |url=http://www.ducati.com/heritage/protagonisti/fabiotaglioni6.jhtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090402064800/http://www.ducati.com/heritage/protagonisti/fabiotaglioni6.jhtml |archive-date=2 April 2009 |access-date=25 January 2008 |publisher=ducati.com}}</ref>

=== Engine ===
Ducati has produced several styles of motorcycle engines, including varying the number of cylinders, type of valve actuation and fuel delivery. 

Ducati introduced the [[Ducati Pantah|Pantah]] in 1979; its engine was updated in the 1990s in the [[Ducati SuperSport]] (SS) series. All modern Ducati engines are derivatives of the Pantah, which uses a toothed belt to actuate the engine's valves. 

Ducati is best known for its 90° [[V-twin engine]], used on nearly all Ducatis since the 1970s. Ducati brands its engine as "L-twin", emphasizing the 90° [[V engine|V angle]], to create [[product differentiation]] from competing V-twin motorcycles. As one cylinder is vertical while the other is horizontal, it looks like the letter "L".

==== Past variations ====
Ducati has also made other engine types, mostly before the 1970s. 

Those engines had one, two, three, or four cylinders; operated by pull rod valves and push rod valves; single, double and triple overhead camshafts; [[two-stroke]] and even at one stage manufactured small diesel engines, many were used to power boats, generators, garden machinery and emergency pumps (for example, for fire fighting). 

The engines were the IS series from {{cvt|7|to|22|hp}} air-cooled and the larger twin DM series water- and air-cooled. The engines have been found in all parts of the globe. Wisconsin Diesel even assembled and "badge engineered" the engines in the USA. They have also produced outboard motors for marine use. 

From the 1960s to the 1990s, the Spanish company [[MotoTrans]] licensed Ducati engines and produced motorcycles that, although they incorporated subtle differences, were clearly Ducati-derived. MotoTrans's most notable machine was the 250 cc ''24 Horas'' (Spanish for "24 hours").

Currently, Ducati makes no other engines except for its motorcycles.

=== Desmodromic valve ===
Ducati is also famous for using the desmodromic valve system championed by engineer and designer Fabio Taglioni, though the firm has also used engines that use valve springs to close their valves. 

Desmodromic valves are closed with a separate, dedicated cam lobe and lifter instead of the conventional valve [[spring (device)|springs]] used in most internal combustion engines in consumer vehicles. 

This allows the cams to have a more radical profile, thus opening and closing the valves more quickly without the risk of valve-float, which causes a loss of power that is likely when using a "passive" closing mechanism under the same conditions.

On current Ducati motors, except for the Desmosedici and 1199 Panigale, the valves are actuated by a standard valve cam shaft which is rotated by a [[timing belt (camshaft)|timing belt]] driven by the motor directly. The teeth on the belt keep the [[camshaft]] drive pulleys indexed. 

==== Past variants ====
On older Ducati motors, prior to 1986, drive was by solid shaft that transferred to the camshaft through bevel-cut gears. This method of valve actuation was used on many of Ducati's older [[single-cylinder]] motorcycles — the shaft tube is visible on the outside of the cylinder.

In the early days, Ducati reserved the desmodromic valve heads for its higher performance bikes and its race bikes. These valves do not suffer from [[valve float]] at high engine speeds, thus a desmodromic engine is capable of far higher revolutions than a similarly configured engine with traditional spring-valve heads.

=== Dry clutches ===
While most other manufacturers use [[wet clutch]]es (with the spinning parts bathed in oil)<ref name="Transmissions">{{cite web |title=What is in an oil |url=http://www.yamaha-motor.ca/our_company/news_item.php?news_id=45 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071117211117/http://www.yamaha-motor.ca/our_company/news_item.php?news_id=45 |archive-date=17 November 2007 |access-date=25 January 2008 |publisher=yamaha-motor.ca}}</ref> Ducati previously used multiplate [[dry clutch]]es in many of their motorcycles. 

The dry clutch eliminates the power loss from oil viscosity drag on the engine, even though the engagement may not be as smooth as the oil-bath versions, but the clutch plates can wear more rapidly.  

Ducati has converted to wet clutches across their current product lines.

=== Others ===
Ducati also extensively uses a [[Space frame|trellis frame]], although Ducati's MotoGP project broke with this tradition by introducing a revolutionary carbon fibre frame for the Ducati Desmosedici GP9.

In 2025, the custom motorcycle brand Bandit9 released a limited-edition version of the Ducati Monster 821 featuring a futuristic design and carbon fiber elements.<ref>[https://www.casawi.eu/post/bandit9-custom-ducati-821-limited-edition-motorcycles Bandit9 Custom Ducati 821 Limited Edition Motorcycles – Casawi]</ref>

== Marketing ==
{{As of|2009}}, Ducati was still pursuing the "win on Sunday, sell on Monday" business model and spending 10% of company revenues, {{Format price|40000000}}, on its racing business.<ref>{{Citation |last=Boland |first=Vincent |title=Ducati cuts production and salaries |date=12 August 2009 |newspaper=[[Financial Times]] |page=12 |url=https://www.ft.com/content/effbe60c-8697-11de-9e8e-00144feabdc0 |access-date=17 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090822091500/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/effbe60c-8697-11de-9e8e-00144feabdc0.html |archive-date=22 August 2009 |url-status=live |format=[[General OneFile]]}}</ref><ref name="Radosta1970">{{Citation |last=Radosta |first=John S. |title=Auto Manufacturers Keep One Eye on the Track and the Other on Consumer |date=5 April 1970 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |page=414 |type=[[ProQuest]] |quote=There's an old saying in the auto world: Win on Sunday, sell on Monday}}</ref>

=== Enthusiasts groups ===
A key part of Ducati's marketing strategy since the 1990s has been fostering a distinct community identity in connection with branding efforts including online communities and local, regional, and national Ducati enthusiast clubs. 

==== In the USA ====
There are more than 400 Ducati clubs worldwide and 20,000 registered users of the Ducati Owners Club web site and 17,000 subscribers to the racing web site.<ref>{{Cite web |publisher=Global Co-Operation in the New Millennium The 9th European Conference on Information Systems |location=Bled, Slovenia |date= 27–29 June 2001 |title=EMBARKING ON E-BUSINESS AT DUCATI MOTORCYCLES (ITALY) |first1=Tawfik |last1=Jelassi |first2=Stefanie |last2=Leenen |url=http://is2.lse.ac.uk/Support/ECIS2001/pdf/040_Jelassi.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110221173802/http://is2.lse.ac.uk/Support/ECIS2001/pdf/040_Jelassi.pdf |archive-date=21 February 2011}}</ref> Enthusiasts and riders are informally referred to in the motorcycling community as Ducatista (singular) or Ducatisti (plural).

In North America there are several Ducati enthusiasts organizations with varying degrees of factory sponsorship, such as the Bay Area Desmo Owners Club (BADOC) located in and around the city of San Francisco, CA. Ducati Riders of Illinois (DRILL) located in Chicago, IL. DESMO, the Ducati Enthusiast Sport Motorcycle Organization, is a North American group affiliated with the factory Desmo Owners Club.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Desmo Owners Club |publisher=Ducati Motor Holding |year=2009 |url=http://www.ducati.com/ducatiworld/clubs/home.jsp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090702044233/http://www.ducati.com/ducatiworld/clubs/home.jsp |archive-date=2 July 2009}}</ref> 

Some groups are focused on vintage Ducatis<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ducativintageclub.com/ |title=Vintage Ducati Club Homepage |website=www.ducativintageclub.com |access-date=22 May 2020 |archive-date=7 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180807142617/http://ducativintageclub.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref> while several are based primarily or entirely on email discussion lists or web forums.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/savvyguidetomoto0000kenn |url-access=registration |page=[https://archive.org/details/savvyguidetomoto0000kenn/page/186 186] |title=The Savvy Guide to Motorcycles |first=Shirley |last=Duglin Kennedy |publisher=Indy Tech Publishing |year=2005 |isbn=9780790613161}}</ref>

=== Merchandising ===
Ducati has a wide range of accessories, lifestyle products and co-branded merchandise bearing their logos and designs. 

The company has a licensing agreement with [[Tumi Inc.]], launching a collection of eight co-branded [[luggage]] pieces in 2006, sold through both of the brands' retail outlets.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://images.businessweek.com/ss/07/01/0124_tumi/source/5.htm |title=Tumi Time: Tumi+Ducati Collection |magazine=[[Business Week]] |date=24 January 2007 |access-date=28 March 2009 |archive-date=8 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308092238/http://images.businessweek.com/ss/07/01/0124_tumi/source/5.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Racing==
{{Main|Ducati Corse}}
[[File:Ducati 350 cc racer 1968.jpg|thumb|right|A Ducati racing motorcycle from 1968]]
Ducati has rejoined [[Grand Prix motorcycle racing]] in {{MGP|2003}}, after a 30-year absence.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ducati.com/racing/index_motogp.jhtml |title=2003 Ducati MotoGP Team |publisher=ducati.com |access-date=25 January 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071220235432/http://www.ducati.com/racing/index_motogp.jhtml |archive-date=20 December 2007}}</ref> 

On 23 September 2007, [[Casey Stoner]] clinched his and Ducati's first Grand Prix World Championship. And 15 years later, Bagnaia became the Italian manufacturer's second-ever MotoGP champion.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-11-06 |title=MotoGP champion Bagnaia: 'I recognised that I had a problem, ups and downs...' |url=https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/1016534/1/bagnaia-i-recognised-i-had-problem-rider-lot-ups-and-downs |access-date=2022-11-07 |website=Crash |language=en}}</ref>

Nine-time world champion [[Valentino Rossi]] rode for Ducati Corse for {{MGP|2011}} and {{MGP|2012}}.<ref name="DucatiPR2010">{{cite web |url=http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2010/Ducati+announce+Rossi+deal+for+2011 |access-date=18 August 2010 |date=15 August 2010 |title=Rossi to ride for Ducati in 2011 (press release) |author=Ducati |publisher=MotoGP.com Official Website |archive-date=21 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120921110230/http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2010/Ducati+announce+Rossi+deal+for+2011 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="YamahaPR2010">{{cite web |url=http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2010/Fiat+Yamaha+announcement |access-date=18 August 2010 |date=15 August 2010 |title=Yamaha and Valentino Rossi to part company at end of 2010 (press release) |author=Fiat Yamaha |publisher=MotoGP.com Official Website |author-link=Fiat Yamaha |archive-date=21 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120921110532/http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2010/Fiat+Yamaha+announcement |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Citation |url=http://www.motorbikenews.co.uk/ducati-and-rossi-to-part-ways-at-end-of-2012/ |title=Ducati And Rossi To Part Ways At End Of 201 |date=10 August 2012 |publisher=Motorbike News |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150903221336/http://www.motorbikenews.co.uk/ducati-and-rossi-to-part-ways-at-end-of-2012/ |archive-date= 3 September 2015}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Year
! Champion
! Motorcycle
|-
| {{MGP|2007}}
| {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Casey Stoner]]
| [[Ducati Desmosedici#GP7|Ducati Desmosedici GP7]]
|-
| {{MGP|2022|MotoGP}}
| rowspan="2" | {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Francesco Bagnaia]]
| [[Ducati Desmosedici|Ducati Desmosedici GP22]]
|-
| {{MGP|2023|MotoGP}}
| [[Ducati Desmosedici|Ducati Desmosedici GP23]]
|-
| {{MGP|2024}}
| {{flagicon|ESP}} [[Jorge Martín]]*
| [[Ducati Desmosedici|Ducati Desmosedici GP24]]
|-
| {{MGP|2025}}
| {{flagicon|ESP}} [[Marc Márquez]]
| [[Ducati Desmosedici|Ducati Desmosedici GP25]]
|}
Aside from MotoGP, Ducati has also deployed teams in various [[motorcycle racing]] competitions.

''* Jorge Martín raced in the Ducati satelite team [[Pramac Racing|Prima Pramac]].''

==See also==
* [[List of Italian companies]]
* [[List of motorcycle manufacturers]]
{{Portal bar|Italy|Companies}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Ducati}}
* {{Official website}}

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