The History and Legend of Ducati Motorcycles

Ducati motorcycles are a legend on the racetrack. Their impressive blend of speed, agility, power, and easy handling makes them a top choice for racing enthusiasts. These features also make them equally enticing for city riding. If you’ve ever wondered how this iconic company came to be, keep reading! Below we cover the highlights of Ducati’s history. When you are ready to check out Ducati motorcycles for sale, visit Cross Country Cycle. We proudly serve those in Metuchen and Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, as well as the state of New York.

The Ducati Brothers

Three brothers living in Bologna, Italy, founded the company. Its original name was the Società Scientifica Radio Brevetti Ducati. The brothers Adriano, Bruno, and Marcello Ducati worked alongside their father Antonio. At first, the business focused on manufacturing radio components. Adriano was passionate about experimenting with the then-new radio technology.

The company saw great success in the 1930s. Then came World War II. The Germans occupied their factory in 1943, which caused production to come to a halt. The brothers tried to hide their expensive production machines, but the Allied bombing destroyed their plant in October of 1944.

These events caused the brothers to rethink their business strategy. At the same time, they struggled with financial problems from the war and their company ended up being taken over by the Italian government. Then the Bologna mayor Giuseppe Dozza gifted them twelve trucks he got from the Allies, which allowed the brothers to diversify their production.

The company then switched to producing four-stroke engines. They released their first motorcycle in 1946. It was named the Cucciolo, which became incredibly popular. In July 1949, they released the Ducati 60. The continued success of their motorcycles led to the creation of a motorcycle division in 1954.

The Ducati Motorcycle Legacy

Ducati motorcycles enjoy a rich and storied history. They created their Sport and Special motorcycles in the 1950s. Between 1969 and 1973, the Ducati motorcycle factory was expanded to keep up with demand. The Monster Dark model came out in the 1990s. These are just a few of the many products Ducati offered.

In 1998, the Ducati Museum was completed in Bologna. It walked visitors through Ducati’s impressive history, from the humble beginnings making radios to the iconic motorcycle producer it is today. It’s the second most visited museum in Bologna, drawing in over 40,000 enthusiasts each year. The company itself employs over 1,500 people and has produced thousands of motorcycles over the years.

The Ducati Motorcycle Racing Roots

A few years after the creation of the Cucciolo bike, it began appearing in races. The company president then hired an engineer specifically to create racing bikes. This resulted in the creation of the Gran Sport 100, which became a highly sought-after racing motorcycle.

During the expansion of the production plant in the 1970s, a racing track was added around the parking lot. This allowed employees to test various racing bikes. In 1996, the track was upgraded to improve its safety.

Over the next few decades, Ducati motorcycles won a range of races around the world. In 1999, the Ducati Corse racing team division of the company was founded. Over 100 employees worked in this division. Ducati motorcycles have claimed 318 wins at the Superbike World Championship, which is more than any other motorcycle manufacturer.

Ready to get your hands on your own Ducati motorcycle? Head on over to Cross Country Cycle. Our friendly staff is happy to help you find your perfect fit. We proudly serve those in Metuchen and Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, as well as the state of New York.