500 Pantah

Shortly before the end of the 1970s, Ducati launched the production of one of its most successful models, the Pantah 500. 

Taglioni realised that the time had come to combine the performance of the twin cylinder engine with the agility of the newly designed trellis frame.

Together with Gianluigi Mengoli, Taglioni took a new evolutionary step with the L-shaped twin cylinder, by implementing a 2-valve desmodromic system driven by rubber timing belts instead of bevel gears. The new trellis frame, with the engine being firmly attached to it, makes the bike more agile and easier to handle.

In 1979, the Italian magazine Motociclismo elected the Pantah as the best 500 cc sport bike of its time. Right from this model a new generation of sport bikes was born at Ducati. 

For Ducati, in fact, the Pantah 500 marks both the end of state administration and the beginning of a new era. In practice, the ideal conditions were created for the company to become one of the most famous brands in the world.

All the necessary ingredients are there. Design, performance, iconic style, unmistakable sound, characteristic frame layout and generous engine delivery: all of this is now encapsulated in the heart of every Ducati.