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848 Grrrrrrrreat!

Most people who snub Ducati think they are just toys for those with money to burn. Too slow, unreliable, expensive to maintain, etc.



I will admit that I was one of those "snubbers" fiercely loyal to Honda (and still have 3 Hondas in my garage! My wife's 600rr and two dirtbikes)



If yo...u're like me and want something bigger than a 600 but not a 1000, there aren't many options. My previous bike was one of those...a 2003 Honda VFR 800. Fantastic bike but heavy and underpowered for my riding preference. Then there's the GSXR 750 and Triumph 675. Can't knock either one in the performance, price or weight categories. BUT there's just too many Gixxers on the road and no matter the displacement, they all look the same. And the Triumph...awsome power to weight but REALLY small bike and once again, I wanted something a little more substantial.

Along comes the 848. Power, lightweight, beautifully styled, and $12900? So whether you pay a bit more for the name or the fact that they just don't make as many as the Japanese do, I thought this was very reasonably priced for the package.

Finally the day came that my dealer let me put down a deposit on a white 848!
I got the 1st bike to arrive and the dealer asked if they could keep it for a week as a showroom piece for the official unveiling on a Saturday night. The only issue was I'd have to wait til the next Tuesday to pick up the bike. After me grumbling a bit, the owner of the dealership said he'd be there on Sunday to deliver my bike even though the dealership is closed on Sundays and Mondays. Can you say "Customer Service"? That phrase will be written a few more times in my review and everyone should then understand why I am now insanely passionate about Ducati.

Enough pre-purchase talk.

There it was sitting outside the dealership waiting for me.
OMFG it's even better looking in person!
AND IT'S MINE....ALL MINE!!!!

I had heard Ducati's run before but generally drive-bys or just idling.
There is NOTHING to explain the sheer joy of sitting on your first Ducati and hitting the start button.
Here's the crazy thing. That first ear to ear grin that warped my face during that moment STILL happens every time I "bring her to life" 4500 miles later!
How many people say that about an inline 4?

On to the specifics...
The ergos are not for everyone. I am 5'10" with a 30" inseam and the bike feels like it was made specifically for me. The only way I can explain it is to compare my wife's 600rr. With the 600rr, I feel like I'm sitting on top of an inline skate and my face feels like it's over the front wheel. With the 848, I am in the bike or a part of the bike perfectly positioned to move around or tuck in as needed.
My knees fit in the tank/fairing cutouts without rubbing or hitting. The handlebars are low but I don't ride with any pressure on my arms or wrists so it's very comfy. The seat is high and not meant for distances BUT this isn't a touring bike.

The brakes....ahhhhhhhhhh Brembo! Not the cruiseship stopping power of the monoblocks but unbelievably strong and easy to modulate. These are the best street brakes out there.

Transmission and clutch. Very precise and smooth. Only gripe is the bike could use a slipper as the rear tends to hop is you misjudge a downshift by even a little bit...did I say precise?

Fuel capacity is a bit weak. The bike does get 40-45 mpg but I've only gotten about 100-120 miles per tank. 2.5-2.8 gallons is all she takes after the fuel light has been on for it's recommended duration. Once again...this is not a touring bike.

The handling is amazing. It does take a bit of getting used to though as the CG of the bike is very different from any of the i4 or v4's I've been on. It doesn't turn in as fast as my wife's 600rr BUT is dead stable once there. Very confidence-inspiring! Some say it's sprung a bit heavy. I'mm 200lbs and it's perfect. If you're a lot lighter, I can see the need for changing the springs.

The engine...well, this is the reason most people who have ridden it, love it. The engine is SO torquey that you don't really have to worry about what gear you're in. If you do hit the sweet spot (about 6-9k) the music is unreal and you'd better be holding on! It has a much wider useable powerband than any 600 I've been on and makes the bike a lot easier to ride.
Did I mention the sound? Nothing else sounds like a Ducati and while some complain about the lack of "dry clutch noise" (848 has a wet clutch) I prefer to hear the engine rather than a bunch of metal clanking around.

Issues with the bike? (my wife reminded me of the saying "don't ever buy the first year of anything!")
Out of the box it had a misaligned fuel injector nozzle which made the fuel economy suffer and placed a small drip on my garage floor every few days.

Other than that, all other issues have been with aftermarket parts.

The dealership experience is worth mentioning. This is like flying 1st class. Everyone at the dealership knows me by name and the service guys even ask "how's the bike running?" Great people doing what they love makes all the difference. You can actually talk to the techs who work on your bike!
Service cost has been another stigma attached to Ducati. Ducati implemented set service pricing for all dealers and extended the intervals as well. Pricing is right in line with what you'd pay for an i4 or V4 Honda properly maintained!
Actually my VFR at the same intervals was more expensive!

Anyway, this may be too much for some to read but I am in awe of this bike and the ownership experience.
Once again, I can't say anything negative about the competition so I focus on the reasons for getting the 848. Unique, powerful, light, gorgeous, great dealerships, FUN!

Test-ride it, love it, buy it, ride it like you stole it, love it more!
Read Full Review

848 Track weapon

The first thing you have to accept about Ducati Super Bikes is that they are designed to race. As delivered, they lack some of the "comforts" of other sport bikes but these bikes are basically race bikes with lights. Do not expect it to feel like your 600RR!



The 848 base is an excellen...t track day ride! As with most sport bikes, suspension setup is required to get the most out it. As delivered, the rear shock is setup for two-up riding so it is too stiffly sprung for all but the more "hefty" of us so I suggest you get the shock re-sprung for your weight. I've also found the forks to be sprung too soft for riders over 180 lbs which also requires some adjustment via a new spring based on rider weight. These are compromises required to make the bike handle in a safe manor for a wide range of riders and conditions. There is alot of adjustment available and, with some expert guidance, it can be made to handle well for beginner and intermediate level trackday riders needs. Once you get the bike "dialed in" you will be very impressed with the stability and cornering characteristics!

The Brembo brakes on the 848 provide linear and powerful stopping force but lack the initial "bite" of the 1098's monos. Changing the brake pad compound can bring this brake system to within 90% of the 1098's. They are well suited to street use in OEM form so it will be rider preference as to whether or not you feel this will be beneficial.

Heat under the seat when in traffic is a bit of a problem on this and many other sport bikes with underseat exhaust systems. I applied a fiber type heat shield material under the seat and wrapped the header which pretty much solved this problem.

I can't find a single fault with the engine on the 848! The power delivery, quality and quanity are well above anything else in the middleweight catagory! The only real changes I suggest is to go down one tooth on the countershaft sprocket to a 14T. This makes the bike much happier around town and allows better utilization of the mountians of torque produced across the rev range! 2nd gear wheelies will be the "order of the day" with the addition of the 14T!

We must also consider "value" when selecting a new stead as there are a myrid of choices these days in this class. The 848 is $3K more than comperable Japanese 600s, 675s, and 750s which will limit the sales somewhat. What I have found in the ownership of the 848 is a certain amount of respect the bike garners from my peers. This a bike that wears it's Italian pedigree in full view! It is a goal to be attained and a prize to be possesed! These are intangibles but they do tend to balance the difference in cost for the 848. It will set you apart from the cookie cutter looks and squidly owners of the lattest crop of Japanese equipment! IMHO, this is worth the price of admission!

I use my 848 as a daily driver and I also race it in CCS competition. I have added several thousand $$$ worth of upgrades to suit my needs but the bike is very satisfying to ride right out of the box! Given that Ducati will allow test rides (for qualified riders) I would suggest you take one for a spin and see for yourself. If the styling of the bike doesn't make your testosterone level rise when you see it in person for the first time, you lack the necessary glands to appreciate it! "and that's all I have to say about that!"{ in my best Forest Gump voice!} Read Full Review

duc 848

my ducati 848 has been a pleasure. The powers great, torque makes it real fun in the twisties, and the handling is a dream, its so 'flickable' for lack of better words, i find it very inspiring. The tank of the bike feels narrow compared to most jap bikes, but its similar to the triumph daytona 675.... If your coming of a r6 or r1 your gonna hate it because it feels so much different with the tank and the riding position. The riding position is feels most similar to the GSXR, but its still a considerably different bike than it.

As most ducs, the gears are too tall, meaning you always have to use more throttle on take off, making it less user friendly in city driving. Making it not as easy to ride as something like a 600rr. I changed my front spocket to a 14T, and that cured the problem.

The power is great, its most comparable in that sense to a GSXR750, which is faster at the top end, but the 848 has better low end acceleration. Some might claim this makes the better for the track, but their close enough that rider ability would determine that kind of result.

Alot of what I bought this bike for was its styling. I really love the way it looks, and how few you seen on rode. If you love the way it looks buy it, you won't be disappointed. I'm loving mine. Read Full Review

Best bike evaaaaaaaaar!!

Went from owning many I4's from various manufacturers to the 848 and I won't be going back. It handles as well or better then any Big 4 I've owned and sounds phenominal. Being narrower, I find the bike easier to ride. I'm 6' and it's the most comfortable bike I've owned. I don't get the cramped leg ...that some say or the sore wrists that other say. I've done 1000+ trips 2 up on it with my wife and loved every corner of it. My first Duc and not my last. I went out and bought a 696 I like Duc's sooo much now!! Read Full Review

Best mid-sized Ducati yet!

Having owned several previous Ducs. I have to say this new 848 is an amazing, perhaps even evolutionary improvement. Better power and amazing torque. Shoot, it could best the old 996 and stick with a 999. If you want to avoid looking like every other Accord, oops, I mean CBR owner out there, you can...'t beat the Ducati. Service and reliability have also improved to a similar degree and I have no issues with mine to date. Other than finding a new $300-$500 toy for it every other week! LOL!! Read Full Review