BIKE REVIEWS
Ducati
848:
The Super Model
by Tony D'Augusta
When Ducati sat down to design the current generation superbikes they pulled out a clean sheet of paper and got down to work. It is a departure from the 999/749 series with a slight homage of its past in the 916/996/998. The result is a clean, fresh, lean and sculpted piece of Moto-art.
Think of it as perhaps Pamela Anderson fresh on the scene long before Hollywood and the plastic surgeons had their way with her. Do you remember? ;-)
The gamut of modern superbikes is extensive. From 600’s to 1000’s and beyond there are many choices, but my contention has always been that the middle-weight displacement bikes were truly the best of all their brethren for their balanced blend of power and handling.
The 848 is Ducati’s rendition of that magic blend.
Its sleek lean body is complimented by its powerful but manageable v-twin motor. With about 124 rwhp and copious amounts of torque it’s really all you need. The motor builds revs in a deceptive rush that has things in fast forward before you know it. As it pulls through the gears it produces that flat metallic whuurrrr, whuuurr…” that is synonymous with its racing counterparts in World Superbike competition.
Our demo was white with Showa front forks and Sachs rear shock. There is no S version in the 848 line, however with the accessory catalog in hand that can be resolved if so inclined. I found the front forks responsive to changes and arrived at a good setting. The rear was more of a challenge due to its more progressive action. This is a characteristic of the suspensions linkage ratio which has it feeling very stiff. I found removing a lot of rebound and some compression damping got it to where it was manageable.
Super Models are not without their drawbacks. Let’s face it, they are purpose built. Just as you wouldn’t imagine taking a Super Model on a cross country vacation, you would in all likely-hood not take the 848 on a touring road trip. That’s not the point of it. This is not really a bike that is made for commuting on or exploring the country with.
This bike is made for flicking through back roads or on a track and being thrown on your knee railing through turns. That’s what it does well and that’s when it feels best, period!
The motor is fluid in its delivery and I found the transmission to be light and positive in its action. The gearing is typically Italian, which is to say it will benefit from dropping one tooth on the countershaft sprocket to avoid shuddering around town and to get it in its sweet spot on back roads.
The chassis shines on this bike. It’s light, stable and flickable. While I can’t say in its stock geometry it flicks effortlessly, it is so balanced that it doesn’t occupy your attention, it just works. With an adjustable rear link for ride height adjustment you would be able to alter it’s characteristics to suit your taste. After some time in the saddle I did find the bike almost taunting me to throw it into turns to which it would respond with exemplary cornering manners and a feeling of great precision.
The front brakes are powerful and linear without being overly aggressive. Again balance is a good term to describe their characteristics.
So there we have it, a blend of hero making elements in a package that is manageable and doesn’t make you tired from the shear amounts of concentration that other bikes might demand of you.
Welcome to middle-weight bliss!
Pros:
- Linear Manageable Power
- Great Balanced Chassis
- Lean Sculpted Looks
- Rewarding Blend of Elements
- Slick Shifting Gearbox
- Precision Scalpel when it comes to cornering
Cons:
- Storage: Keys, not much else.
- Mirrors – Mostly to hold turn signals
- Ergonomics – Demanding and focused if not railing around on your knee puck.