Ducati 848 - the good, the bad, and the ugly

[Iceman_19]

Can anyone with ducati experience give me the lowdown on these bikes? I'm interested in one. What kind of power do they make? It's between the 848 and an 09 r1. I have rose the r1, but never an 848.

Opinions please!

[300zxfairlday]

Go ride one first and see how you like it.

Well can't really ride right now but go and sit on one and see how it feels and such.

[Iceman_19]

Yes thank you, I was more looking for owner experiences, I can figure out how to sit on a bike.

[theken]

I can't send a pm. My bb can't fill out the subject field?? Pm me your phone number I'll send you a text with some details.

[Iceman_19]

Pm'ed

[5.0]

Why not a 1098/1198, much more comparable in size and power to the R1. The 848 is 600cc small, and although a fun bike to kick around on if you are considering an R1 you will always kick yourself for not getting the more powerful bike.

Now if its between an R1 and a 1098/1198, I think the choice is pretty clear, unless your a yammy fan :thumbsdow

[Iceman_19]

That was helpful, thank you. I'm a bigger guy so I feel more comfortable on the bigger bikes.

[Stunt66]

Originally posted by 5.0
Why not a 1098/1198, much more comparable in size and power to the R1. The 848 is 600cc small, and although a fun bike to kick around on if you are considering an R1 you will always kick yourself for not getting the more powerful bike.

Now if its between an R1 and a 1098/1198, I think the choice is pretty clear, unless your a yammy fan :thumbsdow

:werd: an 848 isn't even close to the R1 power wise. The new Duc's look and sound sick, you can't beat the look of a single sided swing arm and the sound of these with even the stock pipes sound good. The dry clutch makes a pretty nice sound too. If you're getting these for power than the R1 is a no brainer but if you like the looks than that's a lil harder, they're both sooo damn sexy. Just get the 1098 or 1198 so you've got the best of both worlds:love: Just be prepared to pay a lil more for the aftermarket goodies.

[Iceman_19]

I like to ride 2 up and do longer stints too.

[Stunt66]

if you're talking about doubling and road trips then you don't want these bikes, I hated doubling on my R1 and there's no way I could do a road trip with a passenger. you should maybe look into a sport touring model and all the manufactures will have one.
Now if you like to ride 1 up and do longer wheelies the R1 will definately help with that:D

[Iceman_19]

R1's are fine for riding 2 up. No big deal! Just havin a time!

[revelations]

Just from a maintenance perspective - the Duc still uses the Desmodromic valve system (lifters to open AND close valves) which requires a 800-1000$ adjustment service every what, 15,000 kms?

Just something to keep in mind.

People who buy Duc's are typically purists who understand the "motif" of these bikes - ie. awesome exhaust sound, obnoxious (stupid dry clutch) idle rattle, wicked styling (eye candy), not that much power compared to modern Japanese models, horrible ergo's for the street, etc. ... but the owners wouldnt have it any other way !!

[SpeedIllusion]

I've always had my eye on the Duc's, but for the maintenance cost reasons I'm sticking with the Japanese counterparts. I've been sitting on 3 different 600CC bikes for over 7 years and I still find that they have more than enough power and guts for me(I'm a pretty small guy, 5'4").

But I agree a 848 will feel like another 600CC(size wise). Power wise your looking at about 850CC, right inbetween the 6 and a liter bike.

[Khalil.e]

Originally posted by SpeedIllusion
I've always had my eye on the Duc's, but for the maintenance cost reasons I'm sticking with the Japanese counterparts. I've been sitting on 3 different 600CC bikes for over 7 years and I still find that they have more than enough power and guts for me(I'm a pretty small guy, 5'4").

But I agree a 848 will feel like another 600CC(size wise). Power wise your looking at about 850CC, right inbetween the 6 and a liter bike.

From what I know, a 750CC Japanese sports bike would lay a whooping to a 848 in a straight line.

[ryder_23]

Doesn't the 848 have a wet clutch? Power wise I think its fairly similar to most Japanese 600s.

[Go4Long]

Originally posted by SpeedIllusion

But I agree a 848 will feel like another 600CC(size wise). Power wise your looking at about 850CC, right inbetween the 6 and a liter bike.

statements like this are EXACTLY why he's asking for the opinion of people that have actually ridden the bike. It is significantly closer in power to a 600 than a liter bike.

They are very nice to ride. but expensive to maintain. and yes, they use a wet clutch.

[Iceman_19]

Awesome info, that's what I was looking for. I think I'll get the R1. I wasn't sure if they still had that incredibly expensive maintenece system.

[theken]

The 848 is quicker than pretty much all 600s I've seen and definately be close to a 750. They don't run dry clutches on the 848 and your stance is high on those. If u message my buddy iceman he can give you the full lowdown on the bike. He owns one.

[Iceman_19]

It's been decided, R1 it is. Thanks for the help all.

[turbotrip]

Originally posted by theken
I can't send a pm. My bb can't fill out the subject field?? Pm me your phone number I'll send you a text with some details.

could you pm me the details too

thanks

[CapnCrunch]

Lol, these 2 bikes aren't even in the same class. :rofl:

[theken]

Turbo trip I can't pm from my phone for some reason pm me your number. My buddy owns one for sale with less than a 1000km. White, cf pieces.

[Toilet_D]

Originally posted by CapnCrunch
Lol, these 2 bikes aren't even in the same class. :rofl:


yeah i dunno, i kind of agree. ive ridden both the gsxr 750, and the 848 and in my opinion, i found that the 848 has just as much oomph, if not more. thats just me though, hell i could even be wrong. gosh those 848's and are uncomfortable for me though :(

[Go4Long]

the power delivery of the Duc is what makes it seem fast around town. it's got a lot of torque, so driving them around the city is a blast. Realistically riding either bike and not taking it to the track is a waste. I like the twins for riding around town though, I've ridden a couple twins of varying degrees around town and found them all to be much easier to enjoy in a sane manner than the big 4 cyl bikes...

[CapnCrunch]

Originally posted by Toilet_D



yeah i dunno, i kind of agree. ive ridden both the gsxr 750, and the 848 and in my opinion, i found that the 848 has just as much oomph, if not more. thats just me though, hell i could even be wrong. gosh those 848's and are uncomfortable for me though :(

Yeah they're a bit of a torture rack. A lot of weight on your wrists.

[CLiVE]

I prefer Ducs, for the low end torque as mentioned. Great usable power, and more than enough 'oomph' for me. You get used to the ergos after a while. Both are great bikes, test ride both and decide from there...

[revelations]

Honestly, I love the look of most Ducs but the ergos and the maintenance kills it for me.

I guess you can get used to the ergos once your bum, wrists and back are numb :rofl:

The RC51s, SV1000s, VTRs and TLR's dont look like a Duc, but they will do everything else better.

[5.0]

The RC51 is a classic, always wanted one of the later black models.`

TLR`s make me :barf:

[revelations]

Originally posted by 5.0
The RC51 is a classic, always wanted one of the later black models.`

TLR`s make me :barf:

Not the best pic.... but not bad looking

http://www.tradenote.net/images/users/000/122/889/products_images/2006_Honda_RC51__RVT1000R___.jpg

[Toilet_D]

Originally posted by CLiVE
I prefer Ducs, for the low end torque as mentioned. Great usable power, and more than enough 'oomph' for me. You get used to the ergos after a while. Both are great bikes, test ride both and decide from there...



maybe im just a big wuss :(

[RiceMonkey]

Originally posted by CLiVE
I prefer Ducs, for the low end torque as mentioned. Great usable power, and more than enough 'oomph' for me. You get used to the ergos after a while. Both are great bikes, test ride both and decide from there...

I used to have Ducati now 06 R1. I will not buy a Ducati again unless i have another Jap bike for back up..With Torque? -1+1 For my R1 :burnout:

[Supa Dexta]

What does that last comment mean? About the -1+1??

[oasis]

I have 3 Ducati's (999r, 749bip, monster 1000s) and I love them all but I also have a black rc51 sp2 for the times the duc's don't feel like starting which is often haha. IMO a Ducati should always be a second bike.

Mike

[5.0]

Originally posted by Supa Dexta
What does that last comment mean? About the -1+1??

Sprocket size, down 1 tooth in he front, add 1 tooth in the back.

[RiceMonkey]

Originally posted by 5.0


Sprocket size, down 1 tooth in he front, add 1 tooth in the back.

Yep.. My R1 pull really strong after installed 520 Conversion

[Supa Dexta]

Ok I figured thats what you meant, just wasn't clear. I love my 07, haven't changed gearing but I did go to a 190/55 out back which I like.

[95EagleAWD]

I loved the 848 till I rode it. It's so goddamned uncomfortable, it made my R6 feel like a couch.

[revelations]

^ thats pretty brutal if it makes a (presumably) newer R6 feel good

[avishal26]

I have a raven 2008 R1 (badass looking), and if I were offered a straight trade for a 1198 (2008 or newer) then I would take it simply because the ducs look amazing.

But as some have already said in here... Ducs are expensive for maintenance.

[unkicrackie99]

Originally posted by 95EagleAWD
I loved the 848 till I rode it. It's so goddamned uncomfortable, it made my R6 feel like a couch.

Now that you mention that, I'm kind of debating if I should get a Ducati for my next bike... :confused: I don't think a 848 would be much of a "power" upgrade from the typical 600cc sport bike. I would probably choose a 1098 for a much noticeable transition.

[95EagleAWD]

Originally posted by revelations
^ thats pretty brutal if it makes a (presumably) newer R6 feel good

Yeah, my R6 is an '07, so it's pretty new. But man, the 848 was brutal.

[Go4Long]

I found it to be really comfortable when I rode it. I'm 6'4" though so I didn't have to lean as far forward to reach as some.

[95EagleAWD]

Yeah, I'm 5'11", so that's a huge difference. I just found it really, really aggressive.

[CLiVE]

Originally posted by oasis
I have 3 Ducati's (999r, 749bip, monster 1000s) and I love them all but I also have a black rc51 sp2 for the times the duc's don't feel like starting which is often haha. IMO a Ducati should always be a second bike.

Mike

Have never had a problem with my SS1000 ('06), and has been more reliable than the Yamaha I owned.

Have not owned a Ducati superbike though. At least the SS requires less maintenance. There is a reason I went with the air cooled 2 valver....

[oasis]

Originally posted by CLiVE


Have never had a problem with my SS1000 ('06), and has been more reliable than the Yamaha I owned.

Have not owned a Ducati superbike though. At least the SS requires less maintenance. There is a reason I went with the air cooled 2 valver....

Clive, you are right I really can't complain to much about my 2 valve air cooled monster, lately its been great. Although it did have a short in the main engine wiring harness which burned a good section of it and fried the ecu :nut:

The main problem with the superbikes is if the battery voltage is slightly low its done, wont start, electrics do strange things but when they run they are amazing :love:

Owning a ducati is a love and hate relationship, its not for everyone.

Mike