Motorcycle.com review of 848

SerialThriller · 12-30-2007, 12:00 PM

2008 Ducati 848 Road Test

slickwill · 12-30-2007, 03:46 PM

Quote:

If you don’t find the 848 attractive, we suggest you check your pulse and ask your KLR in the garage if it’s okay to fantasize about other bikes.

My favorite line.

Shenders1 · 01-08-2008, 05:33 PM

Here's another very positive review.

Soup :: Soup Tested: 2008 Ducati 848 :: 01-04-2008

slickwill · 01-08-2008, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shenders1

Here's another very positive review.

Soup :: Soup Tested: 2008 Ducati 848 :: 01-04-2008

Read that this morning. There is some good stuff in there that really makes me want to go into debt.

ratchetman · 01-08-2008, 07:18 PM

If you have Duc money to spend on a bike why not the 1098?

Shenders1 · 01-08-2008, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slickwill

Read that this morning. There is some good stuff in there that really makes me want to go into debt.

Let's go halvsies - We can keep it at my place

.

Seriously - What's the actual price difference vs the CBR600 - $13k vs $9k? I'd say go for the one that you like best.

Easy for me to say, I'm not in school full-time.

slickwill · 01-08-2008, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ratchetman

If you have Duc money to spend on a bike why not the 1098?

Because of this:

Quote:

A week before this trip I had spent a warm-up day on a 1098S, for which I was thankful, as this 848 felt like a much-lighter, even smaller bike to ride even on this demanding course. When I asked how the 848, being dimensionally almost identical to the 1098, could feel so lively transitioning left to right and back with such ease, Marco Sairu carefully explained that Ducati had removed 36.8% of the reciprocating mass. In other words, the rotational inertia of the crankshaft, piston/conrod, primary gear, flywheel, and rotor (which alone is 46% less than the 1098 and outgoing 749R) have been lightened so much that the effects of this rapidly moving "mass" on the chassis, is this agile, almost racebike feel.

And this:

Quote:

The immense amount of engineering that went into the development of Ducati's new 848 has resulted in a bike that already implements technology that supersedes the just released 1098.

And this:

Quote:

It may be easy to convince yourself that bigger is better but, given the tremendous effort to provide the 848 with broad usable power, lighter weight, and a more agile chassis, many riders should be able to use more of the 848's potential while having more fun at the same time. Ultimately, it would not be surprising if the majority of riders actually ride faster and with increased confidence on the 848 versus not only the company's own 1098, but liter bikes in general.

And it will cost less, use less gas, cost less to insure, and I don't have any kind of ego issues that require to me be on the biggest, fastest, strongest, etc. I'm not a good enough rider to use the 96 rwhp that I have, I'll never be able to use the 121 rwhp that the 848 offers (but it's so pretty), and I for absolutely sure do not need 1098 level power.

ratchetman · 01-08-2008, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slickwill

(but it's so pretty)

true

Two year warranty, enticing.

Baketech · 01-10-2008, 06:05 PM

Haven't had an itch to buy a new sportbike in a looooong time...but this thing is starting to talk dirty to me...

seamus · 01-10-2008, 07:14 PM

And they I say I drink alot...

slickwill · 01-10-2008, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seamus

And they I say I drink alot...

Your avatar keeps freaking me out.

bwhip · 01-10-2008, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baketech

Haven't had an itch to buy a new sportbike in a looooong time...but this thing is starting to talk dirty to me...

If I could race it against the 600's, or in a lightweight twins class, I'd be all over one.

Shenders1 · 01-11-2008, 09:50 AM

Another one:

Soup :: Ducati 848 vs. 1098S: A Snap Shot Comparison :: 01-10-2008

Again quite positive, and the text indicates a much higher level of change between the 848 and 1098 than I'd anticipated.

While this may be just what is needed to get a middleweight 'feel' for the bike, I really enjoyed being able to cross-shop 999 and 749 parts due to their near 100% commonality .... Can't have everything, I guess.

If my company doesn't go belly up this year I just may have to put a deposit on one of these babies. Of course that means I won't actually see it until 2009.....

jose_jimenez · 01-11-2008, 10:17 AM

I still take the 1098s instead

Something about 160 RWHP (after ECU/Termis/PC) would keep off the smaller bike but I'd be using it almost 100% for twisties, not the track.

slickwill · 01-11-2008, 10:39 AM

Quote:

I still take the 1098s instead

Something about 160 RWHP (after ECU/Termis/PC)

I think that combo adds up to about $23.5K, $10K more than I plan on paying for an 848 without ECU/Termi's/PC.

jose_jimenez · 01-11-2008, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slickwill

I think that combo adds up to about $23.5K, $10K more than I plan on paying for an 848 without ECU/Termi's/PC.

Worth every penny.

But......

They have tested this week and the race spec 1098R is already out front.
What does this mean? Hopefully Ducati walks all over everyone in WSB this year. Then hopefully the Japanese, more importantly Honda, will release a new model to combat it on the track

tigerblade · 01-11-2008, 11:18 AM

Went to drool over one a couple evenings ago but our dealer only has a red one. I MUST have the white...

bwhip · 01-11-2008, 11:36 AM

Here's someone's photoshop of what it would look like with a white front fender and lower (stock is black):

Heavy-Dee · 01-11-2008, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slickwill

I think that combo adds up to about $23.5K, $10K more than I plan on paying for an 848 without ECU/Termi's/PC.

For that kind of cash you buy the 848 AND a 600.

tigerblade · 01-11-2008, 11:51 AM

I don't mind the black fender since it sort of flows with the seat, but do like the white lower.

Shenders1 · 01-11-2008, 11:56 AM

You folks can fight over the white ones - I'm liking the red.

slickwill · 01-11-2008, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bwhip

Here's someone's photoshop of what it would look like with a white front fender and lower (stock is black):

I have a montage of that photo that has been my background for awhile. I can't remember where I found it. I like it a lot better in the all white. According to my dealer they don't have the white solo seat cowl available yet either but it is shown in the pics.

I still haven't decided if I like the red or white better. I think the white would stand out more but would be harder to keep clean, however, the red "says" Ducati, it still seems wrong to me to not get a red Ducati.

Edit: notice it also shows it with the monobloc calipers that didn't make it to the production bike.

slickwill · 01-11-2008, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jose_jimenez

Worth every penny.

Yeah, it only works out to $250 per horsepower. I'll concede the fact that if you figure in the Ohlins that are on the "S" that number drops a bit.

If I had my way I'd have an 848S model that includes Ohlins and Termi's.

jose_jimenez · 01-11-2008, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slickwill

Yeah, it only works out to $250 per horsepower. I'll concede the fact that if you figure in the Ohlins that are on the "S" that number drops a bit.

If I had my way I'd have an 848S model that includes Ohlins and Termi's.

Ohlins and the wheels bro. What are they going to charge for the 848s? A more accurate comparison would be to figure out the cost of the 848s + Termis + ECU + PC. That isn't going to be a $10k difference by any stretch, probably 5k difference, definitely not 10k.

slickwill · 01-11-2008, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jose_jimenez

Ohlins and the wheels bro. What are they going to charge for the 848s? A more accurate comparison would be to figure out the cost of the 848s + Termis + ECU + PC. That isn't going to be a $10k difference by any stretch, probably 5k difference, definitely not 10k.

There isn't an 848S, I made that up.

slickwill · 03-13-2008, 07:53 PM

Motorcycle Daily

Another road review, the gas mileage is shocking.

Our test bike returned a low of 42 mpg (after a freeway stint where we used 5th gear rather than 6th) and a high of 51 mpg.

12-30-2007, 12:00 PM	#1
SerialThriller ready for some football Join Date: 12-18-2006 Location: Louisiana Bike(s): HD Posts: 498	Motorcycle.com review of 848 2008 Ducati 848 Road Test

01-10-2008, 06:05 PM	#9
Baketech "Able was I ere I saw Elba..." Join Date: 12-14-2006 Bike(s): VFR800 - CBR929 - VFR800 Posts: 1,729	Haven't had an itch to buy a new sportbike in a looooong time...but this thing is starting to talk dirty to me... __________________ "Ten times more charming than that Arnold on Green Acres..."

01-10-2008, 07:14 PM	#10
seamus is feelin alright Join Date: 12-13-2006 Location: Rocket City Age: 34 Bike(s): 1KRR; VFR; FMX650 Posts: 5,469	And they I say I drink alot... __________________ Ducit Amor Patriae Richard Herald, The Gentle Giant The nation that makes a great distinction between its scholars and its warriors will have its thinking done by cowards and its fighting done by fools. --- Thucydides

01-11-2008, 10:17 AM	#14
jose_jimenez Not Sure's Legal Representation Join Date: 01-05-2007 Bike(s): Hurricane Posts: 1,977	I still take the 1098s instead Something about 160 RWHP (after ECU/Termis/PC) would keep off the smaller bike but I'd be using it almost 100% for twisties, not the track. __________________ http://www.bushslastday.com/

01-11-2008, 11:18 AM	#17
tigerblade Just curious Join Date: 12-15-2006 Location: The MIL Age: 34 Bike(s): SV650S Posts: 2,114	Went to drool over one a couple evenings ago but our dealer only has a red one. I MUST have the white... __________________ Seems that doomsday's come early this year

01-08-2008, 05:33 PM	#3
Shenders1 2 Cylinders, 4 Valves, No Waiting Join Date: 01-14-2007 Location: South Lyon, MI Age: 43 Bike(s): Ducati HM Posts: 968	Here's another very positive review. Soup :: Soup Tested: 2008 Ducati 848 :: 01-04-2008

01-08-2008, 07:18 PM	#5
ratchetman How fast will it go? Join Date: 06-03-2007 Location: London ON Canada Age: 38 Bike(s): 2000 929 Posts: 111	If you have Duc money to spend on a bike why not the 1098?

01-11-2008, 09:50 AM	#13
Shenders1 2 Cylinders, 4 Valves, No Waiting Join Date: 01-14-2007 Location: South Lyon, MI Age: 43 Bike(s): Ducati HM Posts: 968	Another one: Soup :: Ducati 848 vs. 1098S: A Snap Shot Comparison :: 01-10-2008 Again quite positive, and the text indicates a much higher level of change between the 848 and 1098 than I'd anticipated. While this may be just what is needed to get a middleweight 'feel' for the bike, I really enjoyed being able to cross-shop 999 and 749 parts due to their near 100% commonality .... Can't have everything, I guess. If my company doesn't go belly up this year I just may have to put a deposit on one of these babies. Of course that means I won't actually see it until 2009.....

01-11-2008, 11:36 AM	#18
bwhip Every ride a gift... Join Date: 12-13-2006 Location: Idaho, USA Bike(s): 1098S-SXV550-849-Ruckus Posts: 3,899	Here's someone's photoshop of what it would look like with a white front fender and lower (stock is black): Attached Thumbnails __________________ My Gallery

01-11-2008, 11:51 AM	#20
tigerblade Just curious Join Date: 12-15-2006 Location: The MIL Age: 34 Bike(s): SV650S Posts: 2,114	I don't mind the black fender since it sort of flows with the seat, but do like the white lower. __________________ Seems that doomsday's come early this year

01-11-2008, 11:56 AM	#21
Shenders1 2 Cylinders, 4 Valves, No Waiting Join Date: 01-14-2007 Location: South Lyon, MI Age: 43 Bike(s): Ducati HM Posts: 968	You folks can fight over the white ones - I'm liking the red.

03-13-2008, 07:53 PM	#26
slickwill 67 Kg Join Date: 08-31-2007 Location: Idaho/Iowa Age: 29 Bike(s): Western Flyer Posts: 2,142	Motorcycle Daily Another road review, the gas mileage is shocking. Our test bike returned a low of 42 mpg (after a freeway stint where we used 5th gear rather than 6th) and a high of 51 mpg. __________________ If it has wheels, I've crashed it, and some things that don't skis, snowmobile, card board box, giant tube, sentra, dirtbike, lawn tractor, grandmas bread tray, kayak, canoe, raft, bicycle, waterskis, tobaggan, horse, ATV, Now my CBR (women)

03-13-2008, 10:29 PM	#27
QuikMike Back Amongst Friends...... Join Date: 06-12-2007 Age: 32 Bike(s): 1098S...in my dreams Posts: 190