Ducati Brisbane GT 1000

GT 1000 / Sport 1000 Monoposto / Sport 1000 Biposto /
Sport 1000 S

Ducati GT 1000

Born as a tribute to the essential beauty of the Ducati GT models of the 1970s, the GT 1000 is ideal for everyday use. Thanks to its perfect balance between the comfort of the Trellis framed chassis and the performance of the Ducati Desmo L-Twin engine the GT is perfect whether you ride alone or two-up. Every component is made with the highest quality materials and designed with performance in mind, and that's just as it should be for a bike based on Ducati's historic models. Despite being unashamedly classic in inspiration, the GT is still a thoroughly modern Ducati when it comes to power, handling, safety and thrilling ride.

The feeling you get astride the GT 1000 is one of comfort and complete control. The riding position is comfortable and upright. The dual-seat is comfortably padded, has a classic design and boasts the Ducati logo in white on the back. The rider's footrests are set forward for maximum comfort and optimum ground clearance and because the GT 1000 is a true biposto, the position of the pillion footrests are designed for maximum comfort even on long trips.

The form of the GT 1000 represents a modern interpretation of the classic lines of the original GT of the 1970s. The slim, ergonomic fuel tank has two indents on the sides to accommodate the rider's legs comfortably, and is crowned with a chromed fuel cap. The front and rear mudguards and side panels are also reminiscent of the 70s originals. Many parts, such as the top yoke and handlebar clamps are made of polished aluminium, which complements the chrome finish of the wheels, handlebars, rear-view mirrors, and instrument panel. The exhaust system is also chromed and is made with dual-walled tubing to make sure the chromed surfaces remain untarnished.

Style

The new feature this year is the two-tone version. In metallic-black and cream, it is based on the classic two-tone livery of the original Ducati GT 750 launched in 1971.

The ALS 450 steel tubular Trellis frame and the swingarm are finished in gloss black. They are similar to the Sport 1000 except for the addition of mounting points for the twin shocks and the side panels. Light, rigid and beautiful, it's perfect for the GT 1000 and delivers precise and confident handling.

The GT 1000 has traditional chrome steel tubular handlebars, which use a classic bend and rise to produce a comfortable riding position ideal for every day use and touring.

Chassis

The GT 1000 model has similar chassis characteristics to the other Ducati SportClassic models, with the GT 1000 having a slightly longer wheelbase of 1425mm and trail of 103mm, achieved by moving the fork legs forward by 25mm with respect to the steering axis (front wheel offset) and setting the fork rake at 24°.

Using a welded steel tube swingarm, made from extruded, formed tubing with an outer diameter of 60mm and wall thickness of 2mm, it features two legs linked by an elliptical cross-member, thus ensuring a high level of rigidity, which has a positive effect on ride precision. It features the same simple chain adjustment system as the Sport models.

Up front the bike is fitted with high performance 43mm Marzocchi upside-down forks, derived from the Sport 1000. As the GT 1000 is a contemporary interpretation of the GT 750 of the 1970s, the rear suspension layout uses twin shocks, which are adjustable for spring pre-load. The two Sachs shocks also have a refined finish; the aluminium top collar, black springs and the bright zinc-coated shock body all recall the style of the past.

Overall, the Trellis frame and quality suspension combine to make the GT 1000 a surprisingly competent sport bike, yet with great comfort and ergonomics for everyday two-up riding and weekend touring.

Like all SportClassic models, the GT 1000 mounts classic wire-spoke wheels that enhance its 'vintage' style.

The classic centre-spoke Excel 17" wheels are formed in chromed steel and laced to silver painted aluminium alloy hubs. The wheels mount modern compound radial construction tube-type tyres with tread designs derived from the classic sport bike patterns of the European sport tyre manufacturers. The 36 chromed spokes are made of dehydrogenated steel.

The front brake system of the GT 1000 consists of two Brembo floating callipers with 30 and 32mm diameter pistons which are thermally insulated. The discs are semi-floating with a diameter of 320mm and a thickness of 4mm. The spoke wheels made it necessary to use this type of caliper, which is more compact on the side facing the wheel. The calipers on the GT 1000 are mounted on two hubs so that the pad on the opposite side of the pistons can be compressed against the disc. The rear brake system consists of a floating single piston Brembo 34mm caliper with high friction sintered pads and a 245mm disc.

The GT 1000 sports a new stainless steel chromed exhaust system. The system features distinctive twin silencers positioned symmetrically on both sides of the bike. The lines and colours of the silencers take their styling cue from the exhausts used on GT bikes of the 70's. A special feature of this system is the dual-walled header-pipes. This is composed of two tubes, one inside the other, which creates a layer of air providing lower temperatures on the outer tube. Thanks to this system, it is possible to maintain the quality of the chrome finish despite the considerably high temperatures of a modern-day exhaust system.

The two systems, which are joined by a compensation tube on which the lambda probe is mounted, flow into two silencers which are fixed to the foot-peg units by means of a black stainless steel support. The GT 1000 responsibly complies with EURO 3 anti-pollution standards by way of a lambda probe inside the compensation tube of the exhaust and two trivalent catalysers housed in the two silencers.

As with the first Sport models, the GT 1000 introduces an array of features that profoundly reflect the style of the past, albeit in a modern way. The unmistakeable style of the GT 1000 is accentuated by the rounded lines of the fuel tank and the harmonious form of the side panels. The unique shape of the seat, which has been specifically designed for rider and passenger comfort, as well as the exclusive fully-chromed exhaust system and the gorgeous spoked chromed wheels complete the stunning effect

Astride the bike you are immediately aware of the attention to detail: the shiny chromed fuel cap and the distinctive polished and anodised steering head that support chromed handlebars.

The chromed rear-view mirrors are specially designed for this new SportClassic and their exceptional size ensures excellent rear visibility even with a passenger on board.

Your gaze also falls upon the instrument panel with classic black faces set-off by chromed trim rings and control buttons.

The distinctive shape of the plush padded seat, highlighted with a stitched cover, enhances the classic looks of the GT 1000, without neglecting rider and passenger comfort.

The Family Electronics

All the SportClassic models have a new layout for the electrical system, which helps to conceal wiring while giving users easy access to all main components of the system, specially located beneath the seat in a well designed storage compartment.

A compact Magneti Marelli 5AM engine control unit manages the fuel injection and ignition of the 1000 DS engine. This contains the hybrid power circuits and a re-programmable Flash EPROM. Among the innovative features is the use of a stepper motor for automatic control of idling speed, and the advanced PICO fuel injectors.

Finally the multi-function display has a software which includes a trip-fuel function allowing remaining mileage to be checked whenever the fuel reserve light is on and auto light off system function that automatically switches off the lights after 60 seconds of 'key-on' if the engine is not running.

The Family Engine

When choosing the powerplant for the SportClassic family, the ideal choice was the muscular Desmodue 992cc air-cooled twin-cylinder Ducati 1000 Dual Spark engine, known and appreciated for its abundant torque and excellent reliability.

The exuberance of this highly advanced power-unit perfectly underlines the true sporting character of all SportClassic models. This Euro 3 compliant engine is the result of our most current engineering and easily meets the latest strict emission standards while producing excellent performance.

Compact, powerful and acknowledged as the ultimate expression of the Ducati philosophy of air-cooled twin-cylinder design, the 1000 Dual Spark Desmo - already used on the Monster and Multistrada families - represents the result of decades of experience and a whole series of innovations that extend from the combustion chambers to the crankshaft. The end result is a powerful engine that is particularly exuberant in the mid-range and generally acknowledged as the most advanced air-cooled L-Twin ever designed. In addition to offering the significant advantages of an air-cooled power plant, the 1000 DS also draws inspiration from the advanced Testastretta racing engine, including the special casting techniques used to make the cylinder heads, the use of oil-pressurised plain bearings to support the camshafts, and the angles and configuration of the valves. All this, plus the exclusive Dual Spark ignition, with its "double flame front", offers more complete combustion, while simultaneously boosting mid-range power and reducing emission levels.

A closer look at the 1000 DS engine reveals a reduced angle between the intake and exhaust valves which allows for a more compact combustion chamber, reducing the volume and thus obtaining improved combustion. The improved efficiency of the combustion chamber allows the engine to run on a leaner air/fuel mixture without compromising performance at high temperatures and significantly reduces emissions of hydrocarbons (HC).

The camshafts are supported on oil pressurised plain bearings, which reduce the overall dimensions, the weight, and the number of moving parts, while also improving heat dispersal. The new configuration also puts the camshafts in a more direct relationship with the valves, reducing friction and stress on valve components and thus increasing reliability. In fact, although the cylinder head is more compact, it allows more space for the intake and exhaust valves, these being 45mm and 40mm in diameter respectively. Further innovations include valve seats made of beryllium bronze, a technologically advanced material that affords better heat dispersal and wear-resistance and thus maintains valve clearances more accurately over a longer period of time.

The 1000 DS engine uses an over-square 94mm bore and 71.5mm stroke. The pistons are now fitted with nitrided steel rings, which afford improved sealing and significantly reduce oil consumption. The 94mm pistons are linked to the crankshaft with new connecting rods, made from a new material composition (30NiCrMo4) that has exceptional flow characteristics during forging. In cross section, the new rods are thinner side-to-side, but wider fore to aft, increasing strength and lowering weight for increased reliability and performance. The new crankshaft is of a more compact design and the oil passages have been strategically repositioned in areas less critical for its structural strength. The result is a crankshaft that is more rigid and with less flex, making for less vibration and improved reliability.

Finally, both the clutch housing and the clutch plates are now made from a special aluminium alloy. Thanks to this new material, the clutch has a significantly longer service life due to the more balanced wear factor of the alloy. The clutch also now runs quieter due to improved tolerances and the lower resonance value of aluminium compared to steel.