Ducati 848

What is in the 2011 Ducati 848 Evo that got the attention of England’s Prince Harry? Because it is a fact that he was so impressed with the Ducati 848 that he eventually decided to shell out Royal cash to purchase one. The new middleweight Superbike from Italy’s top motorcycle producer Ducati has a top speed of 159 mph. It was nominated as the successor of the Ducati 749. A substantial reduction in weight is one of the crucial changes from predecessor that the 848 Superbike is proud of. If a prince decided to ride the Ducati 848 Evo for its finesse alone, you will surely be captivated with it for a host of its new offering.

The foundation of its body is the Trellis frame that is entirely based on the simplified tube layout of the 749. The obvious difference in its predecessor is that the diameter of the Ducati 848 in its main section tubes is larger. The catch is that the thickness was reduced from 2 mm. to 1.5 mm, making the 848 Superbike lighter than other larger Ducati Superbikes. With the lighter frame comes speed and agility, which are highlighted by the aerodynamic shape of the whole body. It is also regarded that this entry-level Superbike is closely identical with the 1098 and 1198 Ducati models if only for the chassis components and braking system.

Crucial Changes

Engine revision is the main issue that is a standard topic in an 848 review. The whole rider’s community is talking about the:

• Marelli throttle bodies and redesigned combustion chambers.
• The cylinder heads were also altered together with the intake ports that were made straighter.
• The intake and exhaust valves were also enlarged while valve angles were based in the 1098.

With all of these included in the make-over, the 848 Evo now has a power of 134 hp at 10,000 rpm and torque of 70.8 ft-lb at 8,250 rpm. Ducati stated that up to 6 hp increase in power was obtained from these changes.  The Ducati 848 outperformed the 916 and 998 with 116 hp at the rear wheel while the former has both 100 hp only. On the other hand, some publications claim that less than 2 hp was recorded in their initial test.

The make-over included the chassis wherein the cross-mounted steering damper equipment was utilized. It is neatly mounted between the top triple clamp and the fuel tank. Ducati partnered the wheels with the new generation of Pirelli Diablo Supercosa SP tires. Completing this top of the line rubber is the Brembo monobloc calipers that are capable of stopping the speeding 848 Superbike with the right blend of friction. In comparison with larger Ducati Superbikes that have dry clutches, the Ducati 848 Evo utilizes the wet clutch technology. This clutch system reduces weight as well as noise.

Some might underestimate the impact of cosmetic looks in marketing, especially when it comes to motorbikes, but color has to do with a rider’s psyche. The Ducati 848 is in a Dark edition for the tough and aggressive stance. For riders who want it in elegant red, shelling out additional pounds should not be a problem.

What’s coming?

On the Road

Test riders-cum-journalists have observed the following improvements as they see and handle the bike for the first time.

• A considerable increase in stopping power was brought by the Brembo monobloc brakes compared to the old cast brake calipers. The wheels slow down calmly by lightly yanking the brake lever.
• There are no drastic changes in the engine but it empowers the rider to hold the gear in an extended period without too much shifting.
• The awe-inspiring power boost at the top end.
• Bends are not a problem with the Pirelli SP tires which are designed as race tires for the busy streets.
• The chassis does not fold under pressure while the rider and the 848 are leaned over on the side of the tire in sharp corner bends.
• The price is still lower than that the standard 848 in spite of the enhancements

Minor Drawbacks

For some riders who have purchased the Ducati 848, they seem to be having some problems with starting their babies. Their bikes are struggling, especially when starting cold. Other issues are just minor concerns about covers getting loose. These are actually not big issues and all of them can be addressed with some simple adjustments. If problems occur with the crucial components, there must be some flaw in the new design.

New Philosophy

Most of the awe-inspiring changes riders have seen stemmed from the new corporate philosophy in Ducati production lines. Their new focus is to create every motorcycle with capabilities and specs that will adapt to the environment where it will run and the market that will buy it. The 848 Superbike is intended for the loyal racing fans who want to have their own sport bike that they could ride to the countryside, in busy streets, and when going to work. Most of them are young professionals who are willing to allocate a substantial amount of their earnings just to get hold of the 848. This is a sound philosophy reflecting that an A1 Manufacturer of Superbikes is already willing to reach out to the middle-class with their changing bike models. Another surprising fact is that they are doing these enhancements while lowering down the price of every improved model.

Making the Decision

The lighter 848 is also seen as Ducati’s impressive middleweight Superbike. Shedding off some weight was done by altering the engine, frame, and even the clutch system. Important components like the brakes and tires are also not missed out. The chassis has retained its strength by looking at the characteristics of previous models. Everything was upgraded in the 2011 Ducati 848 Evo. The only thing that seems to be deteriorating is the price. With all the expertise and years of experience that backup the making of the 848, potential buyers will not surely be taking any risk at all. If they can really afford it, they should already not be thinking twice after reading this comprehensive review.