Like all Ducati engines, on the Desmosedici Stradale the design of the Desmodromic system is a key factor for obtaining top performance. The Desmodromic system in the Desmosedici Stradale uses components that have been completely redesigned and miniaturized to obtain very compact heads, achieving a level of sophistication, compactness and lightness never seen before on a Ducati bike.

On normal motorcycles the crankshaft rotates in the same direction as the wheels. In contrast, in MotoGP the counter-rotating crankshaft rotates in the opposite direction. The Ducati engine specialists have borrowed this technical solution from the racing models for the same reasons it was applied in the competitive world. In fact, this solution has advantages related to two aspects of physics: the gyroscopic effect and inertia.

On normal motorcycles the crankshaft rotates in the same direction as the wheels. In contrast, in MotoGP the counter-rotating crankshaft rotates in the opposite direction. The Ducati engine specialists have borrowed this technical solution from the racing models for the same reasons it was applied in the competitive world. In fact, this solution has advantages related to two aspects of physics: the gyroscopic effect and inertia. The counter-rotating crankshaft makes it possible to compensate part of the gyroscopic effect produced by the wheels while riding, and this results in improved handling and a motorcycle that is more agile when changing direction.

The second advantage is related to inertia (that is, the tendency of an object to oppose a change in state) both of the vehicle and the rotating engine parts. During acceleration, the driving torque transmitted to the ground pushes the vehicle, which reacts by generating a tendency to do a wheelie. Due to inertia, the counter-rotating crankshaft generates a torque in the opposite direction, which thus tends to lower the front end thereby reducing the wheelie phenomenon, with also benefits acceleration.
Likewise, during braking or fast decelerations, the motorcycle experiences a reaction that tends towards rear lift-up, but the crankshaft also undergoes a deceleration (reduced rpms) and this results in an inertial torque in the opposite direction that counters the force seeking to lift the rear end. Consequently, both in acceleration and braking, the adoption of the counter-rotating shaft provides positive effects.
Clearly, this layout requires an additional toothed wheel, the so-called idle wheel, which is necessary to transfer the crankshaft motion to the gearbox and then to the wheels so as to provide the correct rotation for the direction of travel.

The 70° offset of the crank pins combined with the 90° V-engine layout generates a firing order that Ducati has called "Twin Pulse" because it is as if the engine were reproducing the firing sequence of a twin cylinder. The peculiarity lies in the rapid firing of the two cylinders on the left side and then on the right side of the motorcycle. In the timing diagram, the firings are situated at 0°, 90°, 290° and 380°. This particular firing order gives the V4 a sound that is quite similar to that of the Desmosedici MotoGP.

The 70° offset of the crank pins combined with the 90° V-engine layout generates a firing order that Ducati has called "Twin Pulse" because it is as if the engine were reproducing the firing sequence of a twin cylinder. The peculiarity lies in the rapid firing of the two cylinders on the left side and then on the right side of the motorcycle. In the timing diagram, the firings are situated at 0°, 90°, 290° and 380°. This particular firing order gives the V4 a sound that is quite similar to that of the Desmosedici MotoGP.

In practice, imagining a cycle that starts with 0°, the first cylinder of the front bank "fires", generator side, followed, after only 90° of rotation, by the rear bank cylinder on the same side. Then there is an interval during which the engine does not generate drive torque until the firings 90° from each other in the two cylinders on the clutch side.

The "Twin Pulse" firing order, besides producing a unique exhaust sound unlike any other motorcycle, music to the ears of a true enthusiast, generates a type of power that was judged to be the best by the Ducati MotoGP riders as it generates important advantages at the power level and therefore the rideability of the motorcycle, especially when cornering and coming out of curves.

Each throttle body has two injectors: a sub-butterfly one for low-load use and another above it that comes into play when maximum engine performance is required. The throttle bodies of each cylinder bank are moved by a dedicated electric motor. Thanks to the full Ride by Wire system, this allows complex electronic control strategies and modulation of engine 'feel' according to the selected riding mode.

The collaboration with Ducati Corse has made it possible to achieve a compact, lightweight and high performance engine. Weighing 142.2 lbs, the Desmosedici Stradale is only 4.4 lbs heavier than the 1,285 cm³ twin-cylinder Superquadro.

Pistons having a diameter of 81 mm churn in the barrels of the cylinders, with two piston rings, low friction, plus oil scraper ring. They are moulded in aluminium and utilise the "box in box" technology that makes it possible to contain the skirt height and the thickness under the piston crown thus reducing friction and inertia loads while maintaining the required durability and stiffness.

The compression ratio is 14:1, a high value that once again reflects a design of competitive origin. The pistons are coupled to steel forged rods with a centre distance of 101.8 mm.

The perfect functionality of the six-speed gearbox is enhanced by the Ducati Quick Shift EVO (DQS EVO), which offers a fundamental evolution: changing gears with the throttle open. Furthermore, DQS EVO follows different logics to shift up and down. Integration with the slipper clutch and engine brake (Engine Brake Control) ensures the system's absolute effectiveness even on the track.

The wet clutch with progressive control optimally combines high torque drive and rider comfort. In competitive riding conditions, with sudden downshifts and strong engine braking, the slipper clutch counteracts the loss of stability of the rear end, offering excellent control while braking deep in corners.

Like the MotoGP engines, the Desmosedici Stradale uses a semi-dry casing lubrication with delivery and recovery stages to ensure proper lubrication of all moving parts at all times.

Like the MotoGP engines, the Desmosedici Stradale uses a semi-dry casing lubrication with delivery and recovery stages to ensure proper lubrication of all moving parts at all times.
The oil pump, driven by a chain, consists of four stages, one for lobe delivery and three for recovery, one with gears to draw oil from the heads through two ducts, while the other two pumps have lobes and ensure effective recovery of lubricating oil in any condition of engine use, while maintaining the engine crankcase underneath the pistons under controlled constant vacuum conditions, reducing losses due to ventilation, that is, the power absorption caused by the aerodynamic resistance offered by the air and the beating of the oil present in the connecting rod compartment.

The oil tank, which also serves as a filter housing, is situated in a magnesium oil sump mounted under the crankcase and connected to the gearbox compartment, but separate from the crankcase. For cooling the oil a dedicated radiator is used, secured below the water cooler.

The water pump, located in the V of the cylinders, is powered by a shaft driven by a cascade of gear wheels. Its location is designed to reduce the size of the circuit as much as possible, improving its efficiency and optimising engine weight.

The use of lightened components reduced engine weight by - 2.2 lbs.

Engine weight reduction measures included, in addition to the lightened camshafts, the use of lighter components derived from the Panigale V4 R and Superleggera V4 such as the oil pump, alternator rotor and gear drum. Added to these are the clutch, primary and idler gear with a more compact gear band.