Ducati 848 test ride

[scracha]

Pull finger lad! The harder you push a Ducati (Euro bike) the better they handle...just watch out at rounderbouts

Agreed. They don't actually work until you're doing at least 140.

[LBD]

Agreed. They don't actually work until you're doing at least 140.

My S4rs starts getting into the groove at 125....

[boomer]

My S4rs starts getting into the groove at 125....

the s4rs i rode was quite funky till it crashed itself.. not very fookin stable.

As for the write up, i get the feeling you're a bit of a commuter type rider, without being too insulting. I rode the 1098 in the twisties and ive never been so enthrawled in my life... having no wing mirrors ( which seems such a large part of your wtite up) was the very least think i was thinking about....

torque, brembo's hauling your fast ass to a stop and sounding beautiful; The setup is thin, precise, energetic and like no other IL4 you'll ride.. these things were made to ride fast.. and will make anyone ride fast...

sorry u didnt like it; but thres no accounting for honduh riders

[Marmoot]

Au contraire. Nothing feels betterer than a warm 848 in the morning. Makes going to work very much worthwhile.

[captain_andrey]

the s4rs i rode was quite funky till it crashed itself.. not very fookin stable.

As for the write up, i get the feeling you're a bit of a commuter type rider, without being too insulting. I rode the 1098 in the twisties and ive never been so enthrawled in my life... having no wing mirrors ( which seems such a large part of your wtite up) was the very least think i was thinking about....

torque, brembo's hauling your fast ass to a stop and sounding beautiful; The setup is thin, precise, energetic and like no other IL4 you'll ride.. these things were made to ride fast.. and will make anyone ride fast...

sorry u didnt like it; but thres no accounting for honduh riders

Hehe yeah fair enough. The thing is I need a bike that does both commuting and weekend warrior stuff. Millage wise I do about 50/50 commuting/having fun so I will always be after a bike that is well balanced. Maybe if I lived on a race track, or anywhere near one for that matter it would be an option.

[LBD]

the s4rs i rode was quite funky till it crashed itself.. not very fookin stable.

sorry u didnt like it; but thres no accounting for honduh riders

Crashed itself?

I have a damper on this un but not on the earlier S4, no stability complaints with either and that includes track days where they are not ridden like nanna's either.

The 848 definately looks the part...

[NighthawkNZ:Me]

My S4rs starts getting into the groove at 125....

3000-4000 cruising around 100-120kph... Most big V-Twins not just Ducati are just that, big and lazy, yes you do need to work them and they don't start to come alive until they in the mid to high rev range then you start to notice a difference... and they start to suck back the fuel...

[LBD]

3000-4000 cruising around 100-120kph... Most big V-Twins not just Ducati are just that, big and lazy, yes you do need to work them and they don't start to come alive until they in the mid to high rev range then you start to notice a difference... and they start to suck back the fuel...

I don't think Lazy describes a Duc motor in any sense....

Fuel consumption? I have no complaints 250km/11.5 L of moderatly agressive riding.

[slowpoke]

The OEM gearing is seriously screwed up (to suit noise regs?). Throw another couple of teeth at the rear sprocket and you'll find you can actually accelerate in top gear from 100kph, instead of hooking 5th every time you pass a truck going the other way. Mileage won't be affected and you'll find it a lot more fun everywhere.

[LBD]

The OEM gearing is seriously screwed up (to suit noise regs?). Throw another couple of teeth at the rear sprocket and you'll find you can actually accelerate in top gear from 100kph, instead of hooking 5th every time you pass a truck going the other way. Mileage won't be affected and you'll find it a lot more fun everywhere.

14T front is a popular mod Duc mod, not sure if that would apply to the 848.

Switched to a 14T for a while, then back to the original 15T. It suited my country riding style better. If I rode any amount in the city, definetaly a 14T.

I suspect OEM gearing is aimed at Euro motoways.

[2wheeldrifter]

It is a committed riding position..... not a tourer
Is made to be pushed.... Look at what it has.. some comprehensive components ready for the track, from the dash to the wheel nuts! Ducati's Data Analyzer ready to plug in, is an option.. but it just say's again.. this is for the track.


Your right if you lived by a track...

Most Duc's sportsbikes mirrors are poor.... no need though as no one is going to pass you

[Sparky Bills]

They are geared up to pass emisions laws overseas.
Down 1 on the front and you have a very fun piece of kit.

If I was a weekend/sunny day warrior id have one of these in a flash!
Oh wait!.... Or would that be a hypermotard....or a streetfighter.... or a 1098...or a.....

SOO MANY OPTIONS!

[Tony.OK]

They are geared up to pass emisions laws overseas.
Down 1 on the front and you have a very fun piece of kit.

If I was a weekend/sunny day warrior id have one of these in a flash!
Oh wait!.... Or would that be a hypermotard....or a streetfighter.... or a 1098...or a.....

SOO MANY OPTIONS!

How about throwin all them shiney bikes in a truck and haulin em up to Manfeild for a REAL demo day


Just as a thought about test rides etc from shops......................how many send someone out on a bike without giving the sags a quick look at? 5 min of pre sale time might make all the difference to the victim.........er I mean customer..................................even the best bike can feel like shit if its not set somewhere in the ball park for a particular person.
Be a great thing for any shop to offer IMHO...........sorry gone of topic a tad

[pritch]

Captain A's comments are in line with the road tests I've seen.

The 848 is more useable on the road than its larger sibling but the mirrors are still crap and there is basically no comfortable riding position.

BIKE tested the big Duc at the Nurbergring and had at least one nasty incident involving nearly getting run over by a fast moving Porche the proximity of which they were completely unaware due to being able to see nothing in their mirrors.

None of which will deter those who succumb to the "passion"...

[Marmoot]

BIKE tested the big Duc at the Nurbergring and had at least one nasty incident involving nearly getting run over by a fast moving Porche the proximity of which they were completely unaware due to being able to see nothing in their mirrors.

The ducati was going through the track in reverse gear, I assume?