The 2012 Ducati 1100 Desmodue Evoluzione Engine
The Ducati Monster 1100 EVO is powered by a new evolutionary engine. So what do we know about this new Ducati engine. The 1100cc Desmodue Evoluzione power unit continues to use a bore and stroke of 98 x 71.5mm, but now has its power boosted to 100 horsepower (73,5kW) at 7500rpm with 10,5kgm (103Nm) @ 6000rpm.The 1100 Desmodue Evoluzione engine's crankcases are vacuum cast using the same Vacural technology used for the latest Ducati Superbike engines, saving weight.
In addition to the new magnesium alternator cover, the Ducati 1100 Desmodue Evoluzione engine now has a lighter crankshaft assembly, using an 848-style Superbike flywheel, and the search for further weight reduction even went as far as using lightweight rare-earth magnets for the generator assembly.
Power gains have come not only from the new lightweight crankshaft, but also from an evoltion of the top-end of the Desmodue power unit. The cylinder head, which now has improved lubrication and cooling performance, also has a redesigned inlet port shape for optimum flow and a modified combustion chamber shape for improved burn efficiency. This improved efficiency is the result of increasing the compression ratio from 10.7 to 11.3:1 and the change to a single spark per cylinder ignition now managed by high-speed Siemens electronics.
Ensuring a sufficient feed is a 5% increase in inlet valve lift and 4% for the exhaust, enabled by Ducati's unique Desmodromic system, where valve closure is actived mechanically. At high rpm it would be almost impossible for the valves to follow the steep closure profiles of the cam lobes if they were relying upon normal valve springs. With the Desmo system, the valves are closed mechanically with the same accuracy as they are opened, enabling steep cam profiles and radical cam timings. This system is used on ever single Ducati engine including the race-winning Superbike and Desmosedici MotoGP engines.
