One welcome chassis change is the narrower 180mm rear tire that greatly enhances agility through tighter bends. Minimal steering input and great stability, combined with nearlimitless cornering clearance and the tenacity of the sticky Pirelli Supercorsa Pro radials, let the 848 unravel the twistyAlmeria track at a blistering pace. Even on standard settings, the suspension gave impressive control with minimal pitching under braking or acceleration, despite the compact wheelbase. On the track my only chassis-related concern was lack of room for my long legs (I'm 6-foot-4), but roadgoing comfort will likely be lacking, despite Ducati's claims of all-around ability.
The 848 is still a superbike, just a slightly less powerful, more rider-friendly one. It might look innocent in white, but in performance and personality, it is blood-red Ducati all the way.
Tech Spec
Evolution
The chassis from the flagship 1098 Superbike fitted with a smaller, sweeter 849cc V-twin.
Rivals
Other category-busting middleweights such as the Suzuki gSX-R750 and Triumph Daytona 675.
| TECH |
| Price: | $12,995 |
| Engine type: | l-c 90-deg. V-twin |
| Valve train: | DOHC, 8v |
| Displacement: | 849cc |
| Bore x stroke: | 94.0 x 61.2mm |
| Compression: | 12.0:1 |
| Fuel system: | EFI |
| Clutch: | Wet, multi-plate |
| Transmission: | 6-speed |
| Claimed horsepower: | 134.0 bhp @ 10,000 rpm |
| Claimed torque: | 70.8 lb.-ft. @ 8250 rpm |
| Frame: | Steel trellis with single-sided aluminum swingarm |
| Front suspension: | 43mm Showa inverted fork adjustable for spring preload, compression and rebound damping |
| Rear suspension: | Single Showa shock adjustable for spring preload, compression and rebound damping |
| Front brake: | Dual Brembo four-piston radial calipers, 320mm discs |
| Rear brake: | Single Brembo two-piston caliper, 245mm disc |
| Front tire: | 120/70-ZR17 Pirelli Supercorsa Pro |
| Rear tire: | 180/55-ZR17 Pirelli Supercorsa Pro |
| Rake/trail: | 24.5/3.8 in. |
| Seat height: | 32.3 in. |
| Wheelbase: | 56.3 in. |
| Fuel capacity: | 4.1 gal. |
| Claimed dry weight: | 370 lbs. |
| Colors: | Red, white |
| Available: | Now |
| Warranty: | 24 months, unlimited mi. |
Verdict
Ducati nails its performance targets square on the nose, but needs to address the aggro ergos if it wants a true all-around sportbike.
 Single-sided swingarm is pirated...  Single-sided swingarm is pirated from the 1098, sans ride-height adjuster. |  Stainless steel exhaust plumbing...  Stainless steel exhaust plumbing uses a 2-1-2 layout. LED taillight uses nifty high-diffusion lens. | |