2008 Ducati 848 Road Test - Ducati.ms

**admin** · Jan 14th, 2008, 10:01 am

When you think of hallowed Italian marque of Ducati, several glorious models come to mind, such as 750 Supersport, the iconic 916, the successful line of Monsters, and more recently the exciting 1098 superbike and Hypermotard wild thing.

But not many revere the 749, a middleweight V-Twin based on the platform of the little-loved 999, whose styling failed to ignite the passions of the Ducatisti. While a competent performer, the 749 weighed nearly as much as the 999 and wasn’t on anyone’s list of prettiest bikes.

All that’s changed with the introduction of this new 848. It not only shares the lovely shape of the wildly successful 1098, it also shames the legendary 916 in terms of horsepower output. We measured nearly 116 hp at the rear wheel. Consider that the revered Ducati 916 had a hard time cracking the 100-hp barrier, and the brawnier 998 barely topped 110 rear-wheel horsepower while weighing considerably more than this Slim-Fast-ed 848.

More: 2008 Ducati 848 Road Test on Motorcycle.com

**Chuckracer** · Feb 15th, 2008, 11:56 am

848's are cool.

jcsport · Feb 19th, 2008, 5:56 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuckracer

848's are cool.

I agree, there is one on my wish list for later on this year - must be RED, the white doesn't do it for me although it would make a great basis for a tricolour

spotcom · Feb 21st, 2008, 6:16 am

Howdy folks. I'm new to this forum, saw this post, and am delighted to say... I just bought one! Red, 2008, 848, and ever so hot. I can't wait until the run-in period is over : ) .

jcsport · Feb 21st, 2008, 6:35 am

welcome to the Forum spotcom. I picked up my SC on the 26th of Jan and am also hanging for the run in period to be over - 550kms to go

when I picked it up they had 3 white 848's arrive that morning, I reckon if they had have had a RED one I would have thought twice about the SC

enjoy the ride!

ProRoad · Feb 29th, 2008, 10:05 pm

Hey guys, I am a new member. I picked up my white 848 from the dealer yesterday and just finished an evening ride thru the canyons near my house. bugs all over my bike, jacket and helmet.

That bike is sick!. So responsive and the power is so smooth that a kid could ride it. But beware, it is a monster. I have really been holding back.

The slightest lean and the bike floats thru the turns. I can't wait till tomorrow, and of course till the break in period is up in 450 more miles. LOL.

I love the white one but the red one at the dealer was nicer than I thought, I wish I had looked before purchasing, but I pulled the trigger while on the phone.

Cheers,
Brian

SP3 · Mar 2nd, 2008, 9:44 am

Sounds like a great bike from this and all other accounts. But, stupid video and comments in the article. To wit:

"it also shames the legendary 916 in terms of horsepower output. We measured nearly 116 hp at the rear wheel. Consider that the revered Ducati 916 had a hard time cracking the 100-hp barrier, and the brawnier 998 barely topped 110 rear-wheel horsepower while weighing considerably more than this Slim-Fast-ed 848."

Well, it has been 14 years since the 916 arrived. A decade and a half of development would tend to have this kind of effect on power and weight.

rob · Mar 3rd, 2008, 4:15 pm

Oh, the humanity! Why is there no GIALLO?!!?

This lump of Italian sweetness also tops my "IWANNA" list. 116hp sounds just about right for me. Fast, but not "pack a change of skivvies before opening the throttle" fast.

tweek · Mar 3rd, 2008, 4:44 pm

What is funny is that the horse power at the wheels seems to be being reported as higher than the 116 reported by that article. Ive seen a number of dyno graphs of stock 848s pushing right around 120hp. Maybe they are ringers but still - impressive.

It would be interesting to see what an 848 with stock pipes and a good dyno tuning could deliver. Then throw on the Termis and go nuts.

**rxrated** · Mar 3rd, 2008, 10:20 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by tweek

What is funny is that the horse power at the wheels seems to be being reported as higher than the 116 reported by that article. Ive seen a number of dyno graphs of stock 848s pushing right around 120hp. Maybe they are ringers but still - impressive.

It would be interesting to see what an 848 with stock pipes and a good dyno tuning could deliver. Then throw on the Termis and go nuts.

114 hp and 61 pounds of torque at teh 600 mile check.