For years now, Ducati has been innovating in MotoGP, not only by its desmodromic valve return engine but also in geometry management (Ride Height Device), aerodynamics and vibration control, with the latest visible development being the use of a 2 CV drummer-style Mass Damper on the swingarm.
In this respect, the existence of the Mass Damper introduced by Borgo Panigale is no longer in doubt, even if it remains carefully hidden from view and cameras. In fact, almost nothing is known about it, even if this photo circulated on the Internet in an unidentified way could suggest a curious horizontal assembly with the aim of working when the motorcycle is inclined...
We also know that KTM is working with an elastic blade instead of springs and, honestly, that's about it, no manufacturer is communicating on the subject.
This year, Ducati tested and approved the installation of a second Mass Damper, but this time on the swingarm, that is to say an unsprung mass. Here, the installation is vertical, at the rear of the right branch of the swingarm, and the principle goes back to the beaters of the first Citroën 2 CVs: a fairly heavy mass (7 kilos on the "deudeuch") oscillating on an axle, held by a spring and bathed in oil.
By using the inertia of the system, the objective is both to reduce rear wheel chattering, which is always extremely detrimental to grip and good rider control, but also to slightly favor certain areas such as braking.
Like any oscillating system, this one is difficult to optimize and can even prove counterproductive if poorly adjusted. It should be noted in this regard that if Marc Márquez I use it frequently, in the dry as well as in the rain, this is not the case for Francesco Bagnaia, just like at KTM and KTM Tech3, Pedro Acosta, Brad Binder et Enea Bastianini have so far often used the Mass Damper in the saddle, Maverick Vinales much less…
The Mass Damper on the swingarm is not, however, a Ducati invention, since Edu Perales had made it his favorite subject of study in Moto2, at the time of the SAG team, this time mounted on both sides of the swingarm.
But don't think that's why Marc Marquez is winning everything at the moment... 🙂
Ducati 2 CV
