So this is my first real post and review on this forum, do go easy.
Just before the wet dropped here in Sydney I managed to have my first ride on my 2011 848 Evo, for the last 24 hours I’ve been itching to do a review and just tell somebody besides my immediate friends who don't ride...
My 848 story
So the idea of writing a review is based on the premise that before purchasing the 848 evo, there weren’t many reviews available on the Internet that really helped beyond the general idea “this is a sick bike”.
My 848 is a 2011 model (dark stealth) and has been a display bike for about 18 months, only yesterday was I finally able to ride it.
Rider info/background/experience
Just to give a general idea of my riding experience/level, I’ve been riding since I was 16, now I am 19… so about three years of sporadic riding experience (not much compared to many on this forum). At a height of 173cm (5’8”~) and weighing under 70kg (1..50lbs?), yes I am a smaller rider.
I first learnt on a 125cc, a tiny bike that didn’t last long before the need to open 12k rpm to keep up with freeway traffic just didn’t cut it anymore. From here I went with the standard Ninja 250. A step up in power with my confidence on two wheels, but again this was short lived as I found myself on a 500cc bike soon after.
So having established where I am coming from as far as experience goes as a rider, onto the review…
Overall:
The Evo is a whole new level, I guess this is why it is called a superbike. While rider ergonomics is something one should fine tune on this bike, the overall ride is otherworldly. The handling on the street is right where you need to, precise and right where you need it. The power the bike puts out for its weight is just amazing, complimented by the throttle response I don’t think you will ever find yourself strapped for power on the street. If someone tells you to build up riding experience before stepping to an Evo, take that advice. My short three years are certainly not at the level to throw the Evo around, nor stop the demonic grin under my visor while riding. Unfortunately, I do not condone this bike as a daily commute... (unless maybe you have 14" forearms and heatproof pants...)
The specifics.
My test/break-in route
For those who are from Sydney, Australia, you may be familiar with these roads. My first ride started in the Hunters Hill/Gladesville area, west along Pittwater Road (soft leans+ traffic circles), west at epping road (a 200m straight), North-East to Chatswood (easy twisties) and finally some Freeway into the CBD (close drop here on a slow left turn...)and back home... times two.
In short, a broad range of roads.
Ergonomics:
Being a smaller rider, the ergonomics of most bikes has been less than perfect. My local point of service is booked out for a month so I’ve had to make do with the ridiculous seat height (considering I’m 172cm). To get a general idea of the bike for your specific height, google motorcycle ergonomics, its like the first link. The lean angle on this bike is about double what I am accustomed to, it is very, very tiresome on the wrists. In my opinion, the 848 is not my first choice for my daily commutes to and from Uni+gym. However on freeways above 70km/hr you can ever so slightly start to feel the wind supporting the upper body.
As I've mentioned this bike is about an inch too high for me, will be getting it lowered. At stock height, personally, it is not favourable, slow left hand turns + the road concave is a recipe for disaster.
By the way, the mirrors are so pointless, the only benefit they proffer is housing the turn signals. Head check the blind spot, chicken wing technique to see behind you.
Pros: Rides at speed
Cons: Wrists, Height for some..., mirrors really don't do anything
Commuting
I think ergonomics leads into the daily commute, I have yet to try filtering traffic on this bike, and i do not think i will (especially at the current seat height). This bike simply is not built for peak hour traffic, period.
Pros: Bus/Motorbike lanes??, Head turner, Flash, commands attention.. etc.
Cons: Tiring on the wrists+forearms(clutch), HEAT without the air flow the temperature soars.
Handling
In general the handling is precise, unlike previous bikes I've ridden. The 848 demands commitment to turns and it will respond accordingly. Contrasted with say, 500cc bike where a slight shift in weight gets the bike turning. You can really imagine this bike being like a train on rails on track days. I guess this is also thanks to the stock Supercorsas.
Pros: Turns as you desire as long as you commit
Cons: Requires that commitment into turns as opposed to smaller bikes
Power
Moving up from a 500 to the Evo was a major step. Being honest, I personally admit that i wish i had more years of riding under my belt. Weighing in less than my 500, this bike has more than enough power to for street riding. The throttle is responsive, this bike goes (i remember my first 125 would struggle at 11k rpm in 5th against the wind going 80km/r, compare that with the 848 that does 80km/hr on 3500 in 3rd, it is a different league all together) . Again for those, like me not so long ago, considering the 848, if you are new to riding this bike is not for you. My mistake was selling my 500, the 848 is a bike that you want to throw around with that super bike power, to do this, experience is the key.
Pros: track bike on the street: more than enough to get around
Cons: a bike worth building up to experience wise!
Heat
I think this is kind of a biggie with the 848, without a decent airflow the bike heats up ridiculously fast. For the commute/ride with moderate traffic, the heat starts to really transfer into your rear after about 15 minutes. If this really bothers you personally as a rider, I guess there are options out there to reduce the heat, personally its just part of the 848 experience.
Pros: ..rear.warmer.. on cold days?
Cons: On commutes/longer rides the heat really gets to you
Dash/controls
Love it, simple to read. So many features that personally i doubt id use on a daily basis, but its all there.
Pros: simple, think theres a gear indicator now (unnecessary but nice i guess)
Cons: wouldn't an adjustable LED screen colour be nice...
Personal opinion
So this is what I feel about the bike, I'm sure there will be some people who will think otherwise...
- A bike for casual rides, not the commute.
- Looks and sounds amazing (tossing up the idea of an exhaust system later on)
- Requires a certain level of experience (honestly, I'm not there I can accept that. Though I value a lifetime of riding more than hooning around)
- Has one of the most satisfying shifts into first from neutral I've ever experienced (weird right?)
- Wish it had an adjustable rear linkage like the 1098, the i feel ride height ergonomics are designed for the track, being slightly vertically challenged it is uncomfortable on the street.
Where i see this bike in the future personally
Being my first Ducati, it definitely has that sentimental value. Perhaps a few years down Ill have it set up for the track where this bike really belongs. Who knows...
Well I guess that is the end of my review. i hope it proves helpful for those considering an Evo. Again i emphasise that i really do recommend building your experience moving up to this bike. Its always more fun to ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow.
Cheers,
Kevin
Just before the wet dropped here in Sydney I managed to have my first ride on my 2011 848 Evo, for the last 24 hours I’ve been itching to do a review and just tell somebody besides my immediate friends who don't ride...
My 848 story
So the idea of writing a review is based on the premise that before purchasing the 848 evo, there weren’t many reviews available on the Internet that really helped beyond the general idea “this is a sick bike”.
My 848 is a 2011 model (dark stealth) and has been a display bike for about 18 months, only yesterday was I finally able to ride it.
Rider info/background/experience
Just to give a general idea of my riding experience/level, I’ve been riding since I was 16, now I am 19… so about three years of sporadic riding experience (not much compared to many on this forum). At a height of 173cm (5’8”~) and weighing under 70kg (1..50lbs?), yes I am a smaller rider.
I first learnt on a 125cc, a tiny bike that didn’t last long before the need to open 12k rpm to keep up with freeway traffic just didn’t cut it anymore. From here I went with the standard Ninja 250. A step up in power with my confidence on two wheels, but again this was short lived as I found myself on a 500cc bike soon after.
So having established where I am coming from as far as experience goes as a rider, onto the review…
Overall:
The Evo is a whole new level, I guess this is why it is called a superbike. While rider ergonomics is something one should fine tune on this bike, the overall ride is otherworldly. The handling on the street is right where you need to, precise and right where you need it. The power the bike puts out for its weight is just amazing, complimented by the throttle response I don’t think you will ever find yourself strapped for power on the street. If someone tells you to build up riding experience before stepping to an Evo, take that advice. My short three years are certainly not at the level to throw the Evo around, nor stop the demonic grin under my visor while riding. Unfortunately, I do not condone this bike as a daily commute... (unless maybe you have 14" forearms and heatproof pants...)
The specifics.
My test/break-in route
For those who are from Sydney, Australia, you may be familiar with these roads. My first ride started in the Hunters Hill/Gladesville area, west along Pittwater Road (soft leans+ traffic circles), west at epping road (a 200m straight), North-East to Chatswood (easy twisties) and finally some Freeway into the CBD (close drop here on a slow left turn...)and back home... times two.
In short, a broad range of roads.
Ergonomics:
Being a smaller rider, the ergonomics of most bikes has been less than perfect. My local point of service is booked out for a month so I’ve had to make do with the ridiculous seat height (considering I’m 172cm). To get a general idea of the bike for your specific height, google motorcycle ergonomics, its like the first link. The lean angle on this bike is about double what I am accustomed to, it is very, very tiresome on the wrists. In my opinion, the 848 is not my first choice for my daily commutes to and from Uni+gym. However on freeways above 70km/hr you can ever so slightly start to feel the wind supporting the upper body.
As I've mentioned this bike is about an inch too high for me, will be getting it lowered. At stock height, personally, it is not favourable, slow left hand turns + the road concave is a recipe for disaster.
By the way, the mirrors are so pointless, the only benefit they proffer is housing the turn signals. Head check the blind spot, chicken wing technique to see behind you.
Pros: Rides at speed
Cons: Wrists, Height for some..., mirrors really don't do anything
Commuting
I think ergonomics leads into the daily commute, I have yet to try filtering traffic on this bike, and i do not think i will (especially at the current seat height). This bike simply is not built for peak hour traffic, period.
Pros: Bus/Motorbike lanes??, Head turner, Flash, commands attention.. etc.
Cons: Tiring on the wrists+forearms(clutch), HEAT without the air flow the temperature soars.
Handling
In general the handling is precise, unlike previous bikes I've ridden. The 848 demands commitment to turns and it will respond accordingly. Contrasted with say, 500cc bike where a slight shift in weight gets the bike turning. You can really imagine this bike being like a train on rails on track days. I guess this is also thanks to the stock Supercorsas.
Pros: Turns as you desire as long as you commit
Cons: Requires that commitment into turns as opposed to smaller bikes
Power
Moving up from a 500 to the Evo was a major step. Being honest, I personally admit that i wish i had more years of riding under my belt. Weighing in less than my 500, this bike has more than enough power to for street riding. The throttle is responsive, this bike goes (i remember my first 125 would struggle at 11k rpm in 5th against the wind going 80km/r, compare that with the 848 that does 80km/hr on 3500 in 3rd, it is a different league all together) . Again for those, like me not so long ago, considering the 848, if you are new to riding this bike is not for you. My mistake was selling my 500, the 848 is a bike that you want to throw around with that super bike power, to do this, experience is the key.
Pros: track bike on the street: more than enough to get around
Cons: a bike worth building up to experience wise!
Heat
I think this is kind of a biggie with the 848, without a decent airflow the bike heats up ridiculously fast. For the commute/ride with moderate traffic, the heat starts to really transfer into your rear after about 15 minutes. If this really bothers you personally as a rider, I guess there are options out there to reduce the heat, personally its just part of the 848 experience.
Pros: ..rear.warmer.. on cold days?
Cons: On commutes/longer rides the heat really gets to you
Dash/controls
Love it, simple to read. So many features that personally i doubt id use on a daily basis, but its all there.
Pros: simple, think theres a gear indicator now (unnecessary but nice i guess)
Cons: wouldn't an adjustable LED screen colour be nice...
Personal opinion
So this is what I feel about the bike, I'm sure there will be some people who will think otherwise...
- A bike for casual rides, not the commute.
- Looks and sounds amazing (tossing up the idea of an exhaust system later on)
- Requires a certain level of experience (honestly, I'm not there I can accept that. Though I value a lifetime of riding more than hooning around)
- Has one of the most satisfying shifts into first from neutral I've ever experienced (weird right?)
- Wish it had an adjustable rear linkage like the 1098, the i feel ride height ergonomics are designed for the track, being slightly vertically challenged it is uncomfortable on the street.
Where i see this bike in the future personally
Being my first Ducati, it definitely has that sentimental value. Perhaps a few years down Ill have it set up for the track where this bike really belongs. Who knows...
Well I guess that is the end of my review. i hope it proves helpful for those considering an Evo. Again i emphasise that i really do recommend building your experience moving up to this bike. Its always more fun to ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow.
Cheers,
Kevin
