350 S Desmo

1978 Ducati 350 S Desmo Technical Analysis & Specification Breakdown

Engineered by Ducati for the naked motorcycle segment, the 1978 Ducati 350 S Desmo pairs a 350 cc (21.4 cu in) air-cooled twin, four-stroke architecture with road-focused gearing. In factory specification, peak output is rated at 26 HP (19 kW) at 8,000 rpm, transferring power to the rear wheel through a 5-speed gearbox and chain final drive. With a specific output of 74.3 HP per liter, the engine character is indicating a tractable, stress-free state of tune focused on everyday usability and broad torque delivery.

On the scales, the 350 S Desmo measures 193 kg (425 lbs) wet (curb), translating to a power-to-weight ratio of 0.13 HP/kg (7.42 kg per horsepower). The 19-liter (5 US gal) fuel tank supports practical everyday commuting and weekend road stints, while factory top speed is listed at 148 km/h (92 mph).

Within MotoLibrary's Ducati archive, this model family spans 2 indexed model years from 1977 to 1978, allowing buyers to track year-over-year changes in emissions tuning, weight and equipment.