Page 110 - FAST 2026 Calendar Yearbook

Ducati’s New 890cc V2 Supersport kissing their iconic desmodromics good-bye
by Jim Gianatsis
With the introduction of Ducati’s all new model year 2025 890cc V2 Supersport
bike, they have end their tradition of using Fabio Taglioni’s first motorcycle application of
desmodromic valve train operation in their engines that began back in 1967 with their
125/250/350/450cc Bevel Head Singles, and the now legendary 750cc V-twins GT Super-
sports from 1972. Desmodromics employs two camshafts in the engine head to open and
close the same valve with 2 different rocker arms, while conventional 4-stoke engines use
just one camshaft and a rocker arm to open the valve against a heavy steel spring, with
the steel valve spring closing the valve. The advantage of the desmodromic valve system is
the valves are more closely controlled, it robs less power than compressing a heavy steel
valve spring, and the engine can turn higher RPMs and make even more power without
valve spring float.
The only drawbacks of a desmodromic system are, it is more expansive to manu-
facture, it is more time consuming and expensive at a dealership to have the valves ad-
justed when needed, and the engine’s head is larger and taller- making the motorcycle and
its seat height taller, and more difficult for a shorter rider to touch the ground.
For now Ducati will stay with desmodromic valve systems on its high performance
MotoGP factory racers and Panigale V4 Superbikes when maximum power output is es-
sential. But on a more affordable Supersport bike sold primarily for street use, the bike can
be made more affordable, easier to maintain, and easier to foot the ground an ride. We
saw the writing on the wall when last year 2024, when Ducati deleted the desmodromics
and converted their new 1158cc V4 Multistrada Granturismo engined touring bike to a
new valve spring head.
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