No matter how much you frown, clutch-free motorcycles are slowly finding a purpose in the market. We’ve seen big names–Honda, Yamaha, BMW, KTM–spring aboard the bandwagon in the past couple of years, and it’s only a matter of time before others succumb to the peer pressure. That is exactly what Ducati appears to be doing now, according to its latest filings. Plus, the Italian giant’s clutch-free transmission could have a special purpose.
Ducati Patents Automated Clutch For Effortless Gearshifts
The patent filings show Ducati’s plan to whip up an automated clutch setup, identical to Honda’s E-Clutch present on the CBR650R and CB650R. Emphasis on ‘identical’ because there are some differences between the two. For instance, Honda’s setup works with cable-operated clutches, whereas Ducati’s system is geared towards a hydraulic clutch system.
Next, Ducati has a couple of ideas for the implementation of its electronic actuator. In the first, the master cylinder connects to the bar-mounted cylinder. This helps the electronic actuator and the lever to push fluid separately through the slave cylinder for disengaging the clutch. In the second, there is no bar-mounted master cylinder.
The clutch lever simply sends the signals to the bike’s computer. And judging from the signal, the actuator engages/disengages the clutch. How do you shift? Still via the foot-mounted lever. So this isn’t an ‘automatic’ system but rather an uber-advanced version of a quickshifter-blipper combination.
Ducati E-Clutch Key Highlights
- Uses an electronic actuator for the clutch
- Built to work with a hydraulic clutch system
- Two variations: with or without clutch master cylinder
Ducati Could Use Its New Clutch System In Racing
This is where things get interesting. While Honda’s E-Clutch is for its road-going models, it appears Ducati might use its new clutch in the World Superbike championship. There is no rule against it, and as long as Ducati’s homologation bike–the Panigale V4 R–has it, the company’s race bike may use the system on the track. The new V4 R isn’t too far down the line, so we could very well see the new system then. These are still rumors, though, so please take them with a pinch of salt.
Aside from this, the new V4 R will boast other upgrades all around. A new double-sided swingarm will be one of those, and an updated chassis is on the trot, too. We also expect some sizable upgrades to the Stradale R engine. It already has over 240 horsepower in its current avatar with the race exhaust, so a figure close to 245 ponies doesn’t appear improbable.
2026 Ducati Panigale V4 R Expected Engine Specs
|
Capacity |
998cc |
|
Layout |
V4 |
|
Power |
~245 HP |
|
Torque |
~90 LB-FT |
Read the full article here
