The engine holds the front forks and rear swingarm panels of the bike without a frame:


Ducati patents frameless roadbike
By Gizmag Team
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Last year when we did an extensive feature on Ducati’s motogp carbon fibre semi-monocoque frame, we lauded its groundbreaking technology. Though Casey Stoner’s illness prevented the Desmosedici GP9 from challenging for the title, four wins showed it to be worth our plaudits. Now it seems Ducati is so pleased with its handiwork that the semi-monocoque design looks set to replace Ducati’s trademark trellis frame on its road bikes in the future too.

A recent patent application designed to protect Ducati’s GP9 and GP10 design which uses a structural airbox to bolt the steering head to the engine at the front of the motor, and to the sub-frame and swinging arm at the rear. The patent includes several references to roadbikes and production which clearly indicate that the design will be used on roadbikes in the future.

The main benefits of the frame are lower weight (a saving of at least five kilograms is envisaged over the existing road bike frames), greater rigidity, and greater design freedom.



Check out all the carbon fiber:





I wonder when cars will become frameless?

 

i have seen this explain on a MotoGP race before. Looks very interesting and clever. as for the amount of stress on the engine is yet to be seen.

Phil, you might turn me into a Ducati fan boy soon enough. Ducati is coming out with some leading ideas.

 

as 1993ES300x mentioned,


i wonder what the stress on the engine block will be.

although i'm sure the smarties at Ducati figures it's ok.

 

Wouldn't the engine's vibrations go through the entire bike then?

 

Takes the idea of the motor being a 'stressed member' to a whole new level. Pretty cool.

 

That seems amazing to me...but I don't know much about bikes..

 

they're going to need to sell crotch burn cream with the bike

 

burn cream lmao


as long as the bike stays together

 

Race cars did this long ago and have only kept it at the highest levels of competition because the engines die more quickly than when not used as a stressed member. It's cool for sure, but it would not be my choice for anything but a track bike or track car.

 

Crash repairs sound very expensive.

 

i'm surprised no one hasnt done this on a bike.