Rennie Scaysbrook | October 31, 2024
Ducati has taken the wraps off the successor to the incredibly successful Superquadro twin-cylinder motor that powered the firm’s 748, 749, 848, 899, 959 and current Panigale V2 models.
The new motor, measuring an oversquare 96mm x 61.5mm for 890cc compared to the Superquadro’s 100mm x 60.8mm/955cc motor, will see duty in at least the revamped Streetfighter and Panigale V2 models for 2025, with the Multistrada, DesertX and Monster to follow at a later date—albeit in various stages of tune. However, Ducati has not formally stated which bikes the new V2 will go into—you’ll probably have to wait for EICMA next week to find out.
Ducati has implemented a new IVT (Intake Variable Timing) system, no Desmodromic valve actuation system, and claims the new motor will produce 120hp at 10,750 rpm and 69 lb-ft of torque at 8250 rpm via 52mm throttle bodies, marking a 30 horsepower and 9 lb-ft of torque reduction over the Superquadro.
But whereas the Superquadro was all about maximum performance, the new 890cc version is aimed more at traditional road riders while still having the ability to get race-level power and torque figures via various modifications.
Ducati claims that the new twin-cylinder will deliver over 70 percent of its torque starting from 3000 rpm, and between 3500 rpm and 11,000 rpm, torque output will remain above 80 percent, which bodes well for road riders.
The 890 is Ducati’s lightest-ever twin-cylinder motor at 120 lb, a 21.7 lb reduction over the Superquadro.
This is due to the IVT system, which continuously adjusts the timing of the intake valve control across a 52° range, using a phase variator at the camshaft’s end. This setup optimizes valve overlap according to engine speed and throttle position, resulting in a smooth, consistent power curve at low and medium revs, along with strong performance at high revs.
The 890 is Ducati’s lightest-ever twin-cylinder motor at 120 lb, a 21.7 lb reduction over the Superquadro. Weight saving has come in the form of finger rockers treated with Diamond-Like-Carbon (DLC), the same material found on the all-conquering Ducati Desmosedici MotoGP bike, the water pump is positioned at the head of the front cylinder for compactness, and the valve stems will be hollowed out.
Durability is key for the new V2, and Ducati has graced it with oil changes scheduled every 9000 miles, with valve clearance checks done at 18,000 miles.
With this new V2, Ducati will have created four completely new engines in seven years via the Desmosedici Stradale, Superquadro Mono, V4 Granturismo and this new V2.
Primary technical data of the Ducati 890cc V2
- 890 cc 90° V-twin engine
- Weight 120 lbs (-21.7 lbs vs. Superquadro 955, -13 lbs vs. Testastretta Evoluzione, -12.7 lbs vs. Desmodue Scrambler®)
- Chain-driven distribution with double overhead camshaft, IVT variable valve timing on the intake, 4 valves per cylinder. 38.2 mm hollow-stem intake valves, 30.5 mm exhaust valves.
- Bore x stroke 96 x 61.5 mm
- Compression ratio 13.1:1
- Maximum power 120 hp at 10,750 rpm – 126 hp with racing exhaust and maximum torque 69 lb-ft at 8,250 rpm
- Version with more powerful alternator and shortened ratios for the first two gears, maximum power 115 hp at 10,750 rpm and maximum torque of 68 ft-lb at 8,250 rpm
- Aluminum cylinder liner
- Multi-disc wet clutch, servo-assisted and with anti-hopping function
- Semi-dry sump lubrication with pressure pump and scavenge pump
- Power feed with 52 mm diameter throttle body
- Six-speed gearbox with the option of fitting the Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) 3.0
- Oil change scheduled at 9,000 mi
- Check and eventual valve clearance adjustment scheduled at 18,000 mi
- CO² emissions (WMTC): 120 g/km
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