[.OrgOwner]

The Ducati 848 appears on paper to be quite a revolution. To look at the photos it's also one of the best looking bikes on the market.

ENGINE

Power 134 hp

Type L-Twin cylinder, 4 valve per cylinder Desmodromic, liquid cooled
Displacement 849.4 cc
Bore x Stroke 94 x 61.2 mm
Compression Ratio 12:1
Power* 134hp - 98.5kw @ 10000rpm
Torque* 70.8lb-ft 96Nm @ 8250rpm
Fuel injection Marelli electronic fuel injection, elliptical throttle bodies.
Exhaust Lightweight 2-1-2 system with catalytic converter and lambda probe. Twin stainless steel mufflers
Emissions Euro3

Frame Tubular steel Trellis frame in ALS 450
Wheelbase 1430 mm / 56.3 in
Rake 24,5°
Front suspension Showa 43 mm fully adjustable upside-down fork
Front wheel travel 127 mm / 5in
Front brake 2 x 320mm semi-floating discs, radially mounted Brembo calipers 4-piston, 2-pad
Front wheel 5-spoke light alloy 5.50 x 17
Front tyre 120/70 ZR17
Rear suspension Progressive linkage with fully adjustable Showa monoshock. Aluminium single-sided swingarm
Rear wheel travel 120mm / 4.7in
Rear brake 245mm disc, 2-piston caliper
Rear wheel 5-spoke light alloy 5.50 x 17
Rear tyre 180/55 ZR17
Fuel tank capacity 15.5L (of which 4L reserve) / 4.1 US gal (of which 1 US gal reserve)
Weight * 168kg / 370lbs
Seat height 830 mm / 32.6 in
Instruments Digital MotoGP derived unit displaying: Speedometer, rev counter, clock, scheduled maintenance warning, warning light for low oil pressure, fuel level, oil temperature, fuel reserve, trip fuel, neutral, turn signals, average speed, average fuel consumptio
Warranty 2 years unlimited mileage
Body colours (frame/wheels) (Red - Red - Black) (Pearl White - Racing Grey - Black)
Versions Dual seat
* = The weight excludes battery, lubricants and, where applicable, cooling liquid.


TRANSMISSION
Gearbox 6 speed
Ratios 1st 37/15, 2nd 30/17, 3rd 28/20, 4th 26/22, 5th 24/23, 6th 23/24
Primary drive Straight cut gears, Ratio 1.84:1
Final drive Chain; Front sprocket 15; Rear sprocket 39
Clutch Wet multiplate with hydraulic control

[slickwill]

I have already sent messages to get my name on the list at the dealerships in Des Moines and Omaha. Not sure that I'll be able to pull it off but I'm going to try. I have to find out how much it will affect my insurance. If not this year then I should be able to get all of my ducks in a row in time for the '09 R version which is what I really want. I hope they make an R or S version soon!

[.OrgOwner]

You will have one of the best looking bikes on the road with awesome performace! Why don't Honda make something like this?

[Maholli]

Originally Posted by .OrgOwner

Why don't Honda make something like this?

It makes ya wonder... Im getting the new RR but after seeing the Ducati's for 08, I just can't seem to wonder why honda just didn't make the new RR better looking(not that its totally ugly either)IMHO.. The 848 is just sick looking as well as the 1098R, and they still are lighter than the new RR and it seems that Ducati with the 1098R is going to be able to compete with the inlines stock.. As well as the 848 is going to dominate any middleweight class.. The only competition is the GSX-R750 which is a few thousands less but if you compare the specs its no contest...

[slickwill]

it seems that Ducati with the 1098R is going to be able to compete with the inlines stock..

Yep, and I've seen dyno charts from a couple of 1098S's that are putting 160+ to the rear wheel with just race ECU and PCIII. I figure that even if they were a little "generous" on rating the 848 at 134hp it should easily see 120+ at the rear wheel. With PCIII and ECU it should be able to see 135 at the rear wheel.

[bjay51d]

thats one sweet machine...Hows the maintenance on those ducks.Do they still require the fequent vavle adjustments?That and my wallet are the only thing that keep me away.

[slickwill]

Ducati has doubled the service interval on all bikes 2007 and newer. This still leaves a maintenance cost that is higher than other bikes but I think it is much closer. The maintenance is the one thing that is a little bit of a hold to me but I still think I'm going to try to get my hands on one.

Here is the 2007 and newer maintenance schedule

Bikes from MY 2007 and on:
Service "A": within 6 months or 1000 km / 600 miles
Service "B": within 12 months or 12.000 km / 7.500 miles
Service "C": within 24 months or 24.000 km / 15.000 miles
Service "D": within 36 months or 36.000 km / 22.500 miles
ecc...

[bjay51d]

Originally Posted by slickwill

Ducati has doubled the service interval on all bikes 2007 and newer. This still leaves a maintenance cost that is higher than other bikes but I think it is much closer. The maintenance is the one thing that is a little bit of a hold to me but I still think I'm going to try to get my hands on one.

Here is the 2007 and newer maintenance schedule

i wish I was in a position to get a new bike.But my car has a **** load of miles.and my 54 is paid for and has a **** load of money invested.so thats not going nowhere.

[slickwill]

Dyno run. 121 rwhp and 68.9 ft/lb's with no mods except the Termi slip-on's.

YouTube - Ducati 848 Dyno runs with Termignoni cans

With race ECU and a full system should easily be 130+ rwhp. For a bike that doesn't weigh much more than a 600RR it could be a lot of fun.

[bjay51d]

Wow that thing sounds sweet...

[slickwill]

MCN's first ride and the 848 release video

YouTube - First ride of the Ducati 848

YouTube - Ducati reveals the 848

[Maholli]

Nice find Will... Pretty bike..

[Mr_RC]

I would trade my RC and the f4i for that bike.

[rokitt51]

Nice bike, i wish honda would have something done with the RC so that there could be more of a competition between it and the 1098. that would be my pick.

[Doomwitha929]

anyone know what this darn bike actually weighs in real life with important stuff like oil gas and a battery in it?

[slickwill]

424# with fuel.

[slickwill]

2008 Ducati 848 - First Ride - MotorcycleUSA.com

Decent read here.

[Simon Vexed]

though the Duc is beautiful, is it really practical? all you guys that looove to ride, are you really gonna rack up miles on a 848? you'd probably ride it on nice days, with NO risk of rain, and baby it cause you paid a lot for it... @ that point, its like having a weekend muscle car that just sits in the garage and is nice to look at, but just sits and loses value (to a certain point). the jap bikes are unbeatable in the sense where they're fast, fun, reliable, and fairly cheap to fix... i'd rather look @ a Duc, than actually own one

[Doomwitha929]

Depends on the person and how much money they have. The 848 is only 2 grand more then an 08 CBR1000.