Famous for its 90-degree V-twin engines (L-twins to the Ducatisti) and more recently its V4 engine, Ducati has now revealed its brand-new single-cylinder engine. Called the Superquadro Mono, it is derived from the fire-breathing 1285cc mill of the erstwhile Panigale 1299.
- Uses desmodromic valves, not conventional ones
- With racing exhaust output rises to 84.5hp, 67Nm
- 15,000km oil change interval, 30,000km valve clearance interval
Displacing 659cc, the liquid-cooled thumper from Bolgna has a peak output of 77.5hp at 9,750rpm and 63Nm of torque at 8,000rpm. If you decide to slap on the racing exhaust, these figures rise to 84.5hp and 67Nm. Ducati claims that 70 percent of the torque is made available at 3,000 rpm, and it never drops below 80 percent from 4,500 to the 10,250 rpm redline.
With a 15,00km interval between periodic services and 30,000km interval between the dreaded and pricey Desmo service (where valve clearances are inspected), the Superquadro Mono has the same intervals as the Multistrada V2’s 937cc mill. Ducati claims that thanks to the use of two counterbalancers the vibration level of the Mono is comparable to that of its 90-degree V-twin engines.
The number of gears hasn’t been revealed yet but Ducati claims this mill’s transmission is modelled on that of the Panigale V4, so presumably it will be a 6-speed gearbox.
While no details have been revealed officially as to what future models this new engine will find a home in, we have spied a single-cylinder Ducati Hypermotard test mule in the recent past.