Ducati Desmoquattro engine

The Castiglioni brothers, from Cagiva, bought Ducati in May 1985, and decided to start new investments in order to compete with Japanese firms.

After extensive technical discussions, the Desmoquattro became the preferred solution over the Bipantah, because it could be easily installed inside the cradle of existing models.

Despite subtle changes and increases in capacity, from 851, to 888, 916, and then 996 cc, it remains true to the 851 motor designed by Massimo Bordi.

Fabio Taglioni, the designer of earlier Ducati v-twins, had experimented with four-valve heads, but stuck to his 80-degree included valve angle, not realising that a much lower included valve angle was needed for the benefits of the layout to become apparent.

In 1994, the company introduced the Ducati 916 model designed by Massimo Tamburini, with striking new bodywork that had aggressive lines, under-seat exhausts, and a single-sided swingarm.

But the 916 camshaft gave a softer, less peaky power delivery and less top-end power: Output was 83.5 kW (112.0 bhp) as against the SPS's 92.4 kW (123.9 bhp) From 1999, there were three different 996 models: the first two being the 996 Biposto and the 996S (with Öhlins suspension and the engine of the 996SPS).

The 2003 Ducati 999 was designed by Pierre Terblanche, amid much controversy and criticism relating to the styling.

The bottom end is derived from the 1000 DS Desmodue, with the water pump in the alternator cover.