If you are interested in sport and performance motorcycles, you have probably heard about the Ducati brand, which is based out of Italy. Ducati is a brand that has long been characterized by the type of large capacity engines that they use in their bikes. These V-twin engines feature a specific valve design known as a desmordromic valve. This valve is different than those used in many other performance bikes because it is not closed by spring action but rather through an intricate cam and leverage system.
These types of valves are used in a four-stroke engine like the kind found in Ducati motorcycles because they allow for a better mixture of fuel to air at the beginning of the engine's cycle. The good news is that this means the idling is smoother and that there is a lower risk of the throttle cutting out because of additional air, a problem that some spring-loaded values have. However, the bad news is that these systems are not nearly as practical to work on in one's garage by the average biker. Because of this, Ducati bikes are more expensive to maintain than motorcycles built using the spring system. You needn't worry about reliability in this system either as it has been tested and has been used in Ducati bikes for over fifty years.
However, because of all of the performance enhancing options found on the Ducati motorcycles, the bikes themselves are often seen as some of the best when it comes to racing. They are often coveted as some of the most dominant performance machines on the market today. While they don't fit the profile of the traditional motorcycle, they are definitely a brand to consider if you enjoy the thrill of racing.
