I opened the "La Gazzetta Dello Sport" here in Italy this morning and saw the first review of the 848 (see attached) and I will translate the more important points.
DUCATI 848 A SMALLER SUPERBIKE!
YES (Si) *performance of the new motor like the 1098 *High level of performance superior to a 600 Japanese bike *Advantages: the 848 is very fast and easy to ride, also for those that aren't experts *Potent brakes, but more manable than those on the 1098, also good for those who ride the bike on the streets
NO (Non) *the pesonality of one of the top bikes, very efficient but with less emotion compared to the 1098 *the saddle is a bit slippery on the track *the price while normal for a Ducati is around $3k more than current 600's!
OTHER KEY POINTS OF THE ARTICLE:
*The sister of the 1098 costs a little bit less, around euro 14k, but offers always great sensations when riding it
*850 cc motor that is very refined and totally new with the objective of beating the Japanese 600's on their ground, the track
*this is just a smaller version of a Ducati superback and lacks nothing, offers superior performace associated with the Ducati name, which is already worth something more than the Japanese bikes (that's what it says!)
*very balanced, powerful with 134 hp at 10k rpm, you won't find any 600 rivals that can compare to 9.8 kgm at 8,250 rpm
*an "entry" level bike with the best parts, Ducati didn't try to scimp to keep the price down basically
*no mono block Brembo's on the front, but normal radial mounts with 320 mm discs, they don't have the force to stop based on just a thought like the 1098's, but this is better for a motorcycle of this level with more modulation possible - and great on the street as well.
*Apart from the front brakes it's equal to it's big sister the 1098 with light wheels and refined suspension.
*Ducati did not try to save money on this little motor! The little Testastretta Evolution was engineered with the same attention as the 1098's. The motor is very very refined with the monoelyptical butterflies as seen on the 1098 and Moto GP bikes, and the desmodromica distributin is the latest generation.
*A new arrival is the wet clutch from Carter, allowing for a much lighter motor than before.
The motorcycle weighs only 168 Kg, a good 20 Kg lighter then the 749 with 24 hp more!
*RIDING: on board you fill the same sensations as the 1098. Measurments and position of the seat are exactly the same. *You find your comfort zone immediately because the motor is a monster than spins strongly throughout all levels of the rpm, and is neve in trouble. Provides a little less emotion than it's big sister but is very efficient and you can above all value from every last hp generated.
*Agile just like the 1098's excellence, great in the curves, only a 600 can change directions like the 848.
That's the translation, anything I didn't know I made up! Just joking!
1st 848 Test!
Linear Mode
