Comments on: Ride Report: 2009 Ducati 848

By: Mark Morrison

Mark Morrison — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 03:24:46 +0000

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

By: Micah

Micah — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 03:14:05 +0000

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?

By: Mikey

Mikey — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 21:02:35 +0000

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.

By: Mark Morrison

Mark Morrison — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 19:18:56 +0000

I used to race a 1988 FZR400 EXUP. Lovely bike with aluminum deltabox frame, braced swingarm and EXUP power valve.

By: Mikey

Mikey — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 15:38:53 +0000

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?

By: Mark Morrison

Mark Morrison — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 23:18:19 +0000

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

By: Richard Morrison

Richard Morrison — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 22:14:07 +0000

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!

By: Ducati Bart

Ducati Bart — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 21:03:32 +0000

“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.

By: Mark Morrison

Mark Morrison — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 19:33:35 +0000

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.

By: Mikey

Mikey — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 18:48:02 +0000

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!