Why don't Ducati compete at the IOMTT?
Discussion
Glenn Irwin proved at the NW200 it can compete on the roads, and Shane Byrne took it to victory in BSB - etc.
I get that the bike can't exceed 1200cc (unless at the TT's discretion, of which we know there are loopholes), but when it was <1200cc it still didn't feature. The last time I can find is Michael Rutter way back when. What aspect of the TT doesn't suit the Duke?
- Cue the "it can't go 37.7 miles without breaking down" comments!
I get that the bike can't exceed 1200cc (unless at the TT's discretion, of which we know there are loopholes), but when it was <1200cc it still didn't feature. The last time I can find is Michael Rutter way back when. What aspect of the TT doesn't suit the Duke?
- Cue the "it can't go 37.7 miles without breaking down" comments!
SO I was told by someone who races at the TT, most of the corners are of the higher speed variety and the Dukes grunt is of limited advantage and as you say, those 2 big, heav(ier) pistons Vs the IL4s in a tuned engine are more likely to let go at full chat after 200+miles ..
Cant think of any other twins doing well in recent years at the TT except maybe Joey on the SP1?
Cant think of any other twins doing well in recent years at the TT except maybe Joey on the SP1?
Ducati as a manufacturer wasn’t interested, and certainly back in the days of the 916/996, the bikes simply weren’t durable enough, so no privateer teams bothered with them.
I recall Troy Corsers 955 going bang an awful lot in WSB. Might have been his trademark one-legged wheelies everywhere!
I recall Troy Corsers 955 going bang an awful lot in WSB. Might have been his trademark one-legged wheelies everywhere!
Interesting question – so a bit of web searching found some information.
Motorcycle.com says:
“IoM calls for maximum high-rpm horsepower and sustained periods of Wide Open Throttle, a thing that’s more reliably achieved by splitting the work among four smaller pistons rather than two big ones. The extra torque Twins produce by being allowed 200cc more displacement isn’t enough of an advantage…”
Mark Miller (former TT rider)
“I think it’s mostly because the high-speed, bumpy nature of the circuit destroys modern Twins, be they KTM, Ducati or EBR. It’s the sustained top rpm, the weight and velocity of the pistons – plus the rear wheel is often airborne, which kills crankshaft bearings. Taken all together, it’s just the most abuse you can give a motorcycle.
Our EBR 1190cc Rotax broke constantly or rattled much-needed parts and oil-retaining bolts off its engines.”
[Ducati has won 10 TT races and has finished 704 races.
(Honda has won 256 with 9,745 finishes…)
Rutter came 10th in the 2011 Senior on a 1200cc Ducati and McGuinness came second in the 2003 Senior and third in the F1 race (998cc Ducati).]
Motorcycle.com says:
“IoM calls for maximum high-rpm horsepower and sustained periods of Wide Open Throttle, a thing that’s more reliably achieved by splitting the work among four smaller pistons rather than two big ones. The extra torque Twins produce by being allowed 200cc more displacement isn’t enough of an advantage…”
Mark Miller (former TT rider)
“I think it’s mostly because the high-speed, bumpy nature of the circuit destroys modern Twins, be they KTM, Ducati or EBR. It’s the sustained top rpm, the weight and velocity of the pistons – plus the rear wheel is often airborne, which kills crankshaft bearings. Taken all together, it’s just the most abuse you can give a motorcycle.
Our EBR 1190cc Rotax broke constantly or rattled much-needed parts and oil-retaining bolts off its engines.”
[Ducati has won 10 TT races and has finished 704 races.
(Honda has won 256 with 9,745 finishes…)
Rutter came 10th in the 2011 Senior on a 1200cc Ducati and McGuinness came second in the 2003 Senior and third in the F1 race (998cc Ducati).]
Plinth said:
Interesting question – so a bit of web searching found some information.
Motorcycle.com says:
“IoM calls for maximum high-rpm horsepower and sustained periods of Wide Open Throttle, a thing that’s more reliably achieved by splitting the work among four smaller pistons rather than two big ones. The extra torque Twins produce by being allowed 200cc more displacement isn’t enough of an advantage…”
Mark Miller (former TT rider)
“I think it’s mostly because the high-speed, bumpy nature of the circuit destroys modern Twins, be they KTM, Ducati or EBR. It’s the sustained top rpm, the weight and velocity of the pistons – plus the rear wheel is often airborne, which kills crankshaft bearings. Taken all together, it’s just the most abuse you can give a motorcycle.
Our EBR 1190cc Rotax broke constantly or rattled much-needed parts and oil-retaining bolts off its engines.”
[Ducati has won 10 TT races and has finished 704 races.
(Honda has won 256 with 9,745 finishes…)
Rutter came 10th in the 2011 Senior on a 1200cc Ducati and McGuinness came second in the 2003 Senior and third in the F1 race (998cc Ducati).]
Just clicked this post as it interested me and that right there I'd say has gotta be the answer Motorcycle.com says:
“IoM calls for maximum high-rpm horsepower and sustained periods of Wide Open Throttle, a thing that’s more reliably achieved by splitting the work among four smaller pistons rather than two big ones. The extra torque Twins produce by being allowed 200cc more displacement isn’t enough of an advantage…”
Mark Miller (former TT rider)
“I think it’s mostly because the high-speed, bumpy nature of the circuit destroys modern Twins, be they KTM, Ducati or EBR. It’s the sustained top rpm, the weight and velocity of the pistons – plus the rear wheel is often airborne, which kills crankshaft bearings. Taken all together, it’s just the most abuse you can give a motorcycle.
Our EBR 1190cc Rotax broke constantly or rattled much-needed parts and oil-retaining bolts off its engines.”
[Ducati has won 10 TT races and has finished 704 races.
(Honda has won 256 with 9,745 finishes…)
Rutter came 10th in the 2011 Senior on a 1200cc Ducati and McGuinness came second in the 2003 Senior and third in the F1 race (998cc Ducati).]
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