Ride Report: 2009 Ducati 848
Today, ducatinewstoday reviews the Ducati 848 Superbike. In the world of the 170 bhp 1198 is the 848 irrelevant, or is this machine the jewel of the Superbike model range? Read on to find out!
I took advantage of the Duc Truck being in the Atlanta area to ride the new Ducati 848 at NPR Ducati. When I arrived a shiny lineup of delectable Ducati delights awaited and, after my ride of the newly released Monster 1100S, I aimed for the baby Ducati Superbike in brilliant white. The 848 reintroduced white to the Superbike line (although the new 1198 sports the same color) and there is no denying the bikes is striking to look at. As the entry level model in the Superbike range the 848 sports a wet clutch which is supposedly an attempt to pander to switchers from Japanese brands since research showed only the Ducatisti liked the ball bearing in a tin can, dry clutch rattle.
Getting on the bike, I am struck but how narrow it is, the trellis frame tightly wrapping around the narrow L-twin engine. The rearsets are as high as the bars are low. The position is not at the torture rack level but it is clearly race oriented with few concessions for the street. Perhaps that is why the mirrors provide such an excellent view of my elbows. Thumbing the starter delivers another surprise since the engine fires up and whirs away quietly despite the slipon termignoni’s that are fitted. The engine is very free revving and the clutch engagement is light and smooth.
Although it is fitted with 6 speeds, at least 3 of them are redundant for the street thanks to the ridiculously high gearing that is necessary these days to pass emissions and noise tests. This means that the sweet engine is buzzing away and for some reason it sounds busy even when only running at 4,000 rpm. The engine’s power delivery is very linear, steadily building as the revs rise till the thrust is get your attention strong at the top end without being overwhelming. With stock gearing you won’t get out of third gear until more than 55mph unless you want no response to the throttle and this is an aspect that would annoy me greatly if I owned this bike. At least lowering the gearing is an easy and inexpensive solution.
While I’m complaining I also wasn’t enamored with the engine sound of the 848. The older desmoquattro and testastretta twins bellowed but the 848 seems to prefer to snarl. This nasal sound is more directed at the rider, the engine making a deeper more pleasant sound for those watching it pass by.
The 848 carves up curves with surgical precision. Having just jumped off of a Monster, I was constantly having to correct my lines because I was turning in too early and leaning too far until I got used to the subtlety required at the controls. The Superbike positively encourages you to enter deep and maintain a high corner speed, so confidence inspiring is the front end. The smooth power allows the throttle to be applied early and progressively to slingshot the machine out of the turn in search of the next one. The suspension is a little harsh and would need careful setting up to get the best from it but this middleweight twin would be hours of fun on the track. Many believe that the demise of the 750 multi-cylinder class was unfortunate since these middle capacity machines offer most of the outright performance of open class bikes with a much more manageable feel and outstanding handling dynamics. In this context the 848 makes a strong case for itself even set against the 1198 which is $2,500 more than the $13,995 Ducati asks for it’s little brother. If only Ducati would offer an R model (how about an 888R!!) at 20 grand, but the company has stated on the record that there will not be higher spec versions of their base superbike model.
I admit to preferring the rawer feel of the older 4-valve engines that offer more character (and I don’t mean by that, that they break down alot!). There is no denying the sophistication of the 848 engine but it is too anodyne for my tastes, it dear I say it reminded me of the Honda RC51 engine. This complaint however can’t overcome the fact that this is a corking bike as the English would say. It has an easily accessible powerband, beautiful steering and handling feel, outstanding brakes and would be just the thing for embarrassing more powerful bikes at a track day. And there is nothing more satisfying than that!
This bike is for you if:
- You run in the fast group at trackdays
- You used to own a Suzuki GSX-R750
- You have a volume discount deal with your chiropractor
You want to keep looking if:
- You aren’t as committed to the sports cause as the 848 is
- You expect a Ducati to have a slightly uncivilized character
Ducati 848 in a sentence:
A compelling choice for the trackday junkie and sunday morning sports riding aficionado.
The Ducati 848 and fuel was supplied by Ducati North America.
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I think your “Ducati 848 in a sentence” is bang on. Sums me up to a tee! (Oh, and I DO get a kick out of embarrasing larger bikes on the track too!)
Thanks Chris, good luck for your next track day!
I actually like the pricing of the 848 and the lack of a R model. For the $6,000.00 difference I can procure a Ohlins front end (or Ohlins kit for the Showa) and TTX rear set up for my rather rotund arse. Granted in theory the R model would have other fiddly bits (maybe pipes) but redoing the stock R suspension would have to figure into the pricing as well.
Comparing my 848 to my ’07 R6, I find it hard to fault anything with the Duck. The 848 is far more confidence inspiring and even stock has loads of feel over the R6. I think the comment made over and over of the latest superbike chassis is easy to ride fast.
My only real gripe is the lack of the steering damper mount on the frame. I didn’t expect it to come with the damper but it would make life easier if the mount was already there.
Great site Mark, glad to meet you last night and that your site was mentioned!
Great comments Mike! Ducati seem to be intent on keeping the 848 at a entry level only status so as not to cannibalize sales from the more profitable 1198 range.
“You have a volume discount deal with your chiropractor” – I STILL don’t understand why people (magazine publishers, web site reviewers) have such a supposed issue with the 848 and 1098 being uncomfortable. I’m 6’5″, 220 lbs. and out of EVERY sportbike I had test ridden when choosing among the many I considered, the 1098 was the only one that felt natural the second I threw my leg over. The narrow tank, and mid section, the “bend over, here it comes!” seat height, the “I’m Flying” handlebar reach, they all felt like the bike had been built for me. Ruling 600′s out because of my Big-Guy-On-A-Minibike appearence, every japanese literbike I rode (08 CBR, 08 GSX-R, 08 R1 Whats a “Kawasaki”?) felt like I was straddling a fat girl during a piggyback ride. The aprilia, however beautiful it was, also felt like a 600 to me. And MV Agusta was out of my price range, as was Bimota, and Buell… Anyway. Perhaps its because I’m so tall, you say, but my best friend who is probably around 5’6 owns a 996 and also a 1098, and he feels the same way: the bike fits perfectly. He almost never rides the 996 because that bike really IS uncomfortable.
And yet, every article or review I had ever read seems to HATE the ergonomics of the newest superbikes.
Maybe if the tests were performed on roads where the Ducati belongs, such as long stretches of smooth highway or twisty alpine roads, the opinion would greatly change.
Wow did I just go completely off topic there?
AAAANYWAY someone please care to tell me why people hate to actually RIDE a ducati? I’ve taken mine across 3 states with maybe 3 short stops, and never had to hit the local yellow pages for a chiropractor masseuse or even spa…
Please elaborate.
Ducati Bart, if i was you I’d consider myself lucky that no matter how one folds themsleves up in order to resemble a pretzel you can still feel no pain – all power to you I say, though you don’t say how old you are and if you’re the south side of 25yrs then that could explain some things…..
I remember when an FZ750 was deemed too sporting…. the first model GSXR1100′s – racebikes on the road – if you rode one now they’d be considered an armchair interstate cruiser… the oassage of time does great things!
IMHO – it’s not just ducati’s that are ridiculously unfortable but just about any sportbike you care to mention. Horrible horrible things all of them, but of course I’m in the minority given how many of the things they sell.
May your pain free riding days continue!
Ducati Bart, I didn’t find the 848 particularly bad which I think I mentioned in the review. However all sportsbikes sport riding positions which are not ideal for the road. Sometimes you just find a bike that fits you well which is a great deal! The Yamaha R1 (’04-’06 models) had a relatively relaxed riding position but something about the bar angle didn’t agree with my wrists. Naked bikes are much more comfortable but seem only popular in Europe
Yep…I did a 500 mile day on a FZR400 (even put the clipons below the upper triple for the “better” riding position) when I was 18.
Didn’t seem like a bad idea at the time…17 years down the road, I’d much rather ride a Monster or Multistrada on the street.
Not that I couldn’t do it, not that I would need medical attention the day after, just really what is exactly the point?
I used to race a 1988 FZR400 EXUP. Lovely bike with aluminum deltabox frame, braced swingarm and EXUP power valve.
I had a ’88, ’89 and ’90. Street Bike, Supersport Spec, and Superbike Spec. Lovely bikes and a hoot to roost around on. Made doing 50mph feel like 150mph.
I’d love to find a clean one to have around but a truly clean one is near impossible to find.
I’m considering getting the 09′ 848…i will be mainly riding on the streets as opposed to the track. Would this bike be too uncomfortable to ride on a day to day basis?
The 848 has a pretty extreme riding position so it is not going to be comfortable for things like commuting or riding on the interstate. Having said that this is an issue with all modern sportbikes. I don’t know how old you are but it took till my late 30′s to become tired of the sports bike riding position. I wouldn’t go back now but if you covet a supersport machine you have little choice but to get used to it unfortunately