New Ducati 848 - First Impressions

[Jolley]

Originally Posted by blairwarlock

Not sure what pricing is in the UK, but in the US, the 848 is approx. $3,000 USD less than a 1098. I test rode the 848 when it came out...great bike! But the reason I didn't go with it is it didn't make economic sense when the 1098 is not that much more considering the 1098 gives you a steering dampener, monoblock calipers, color coded fenders, seat height adjuster, more power, wet clutch, and I believe it's only 11 lbs heavier..what else am i missing? If you're not going to mod the 848, then I would agree it's a better buy, but to me at least, seems like the 1098 is the better buy here. Just my .02.

Now if the 848 came in white with a RED frame...I would have seriously reconsidered

At the end of the day I ended up with a 1098S anyway, so I guess it was all a moot point, but thought I'd share...1098R on it's way

Basic Prices in the UK in US$ are:
848 $18,800
1098 $22,750
1098s $28,200
1098r $47,500

So the price difference is $4,000 here, with the steering Damper around $800.

Personally I like the colour contrast between the White and the carbon (an excuse to spend some money and make my bike different - although the Tri and R get black/carbon belly pans). I also do not think with my experience I will get any more enjoyment (or be any faster) on a 1098, so I would rather save a bit on the initial outlay and spend some cash on extras to make it unique. If you think you can realistically get any more performance from the 1098 than the 848 then go for it.... but that sort of riding confidence is beyond a few of us for the time being.

[julian3449]

Originally Posted by Cess pit

Jolley

Gotta say, DAS straight to 848.....respect mate, I wouldnt do it but well done.
The issue of steering, I am comparing the 848 with a CBR 600. It's not that the duke is slow to steer, a good shove gets it over on it's side nicely but compared a CBR it is slower, however once there it is so much more stable and planted and would leave most jap stuff for dead firing out of the bend.

Forgot to mention my better half suprised me with a booked and paid for track day at Brands on the 19th March, so all in all a bloody top weekend.

I am that inaccurately described large 40 something newbie who just passed his DAS and went straight onto an 848. I'M LIVING THE DREAM. Yes I did crash it after 2 days but not in the manner earlier suggested. I was coming out of a car park and on a very very very greasy surface, accelerated too early and lost the back wheel. It was £1200 not £1100 as reported.

The bike is back now. I love it to bits. It looks fantastic. Everywhere I go bikers make great comments and give me help and encouragement. You chaps are very very nice and friendly.

I do not care that the turning circle is similar to that of a super-tanker.
I do not care about bruised fingers when trying to get full lock.
I do not care that the mirrors are completely useless.
I don't care that I ride slower than kids on Vespas sometimes.
I don't care that I've never been over 8,000 revs or 80mph.
I love this bike to bits. I ride to work a few days a week and at weekend for pleasure.
Riding a bike is fantastic.
I love the fact that I can overtake a car without hardly excelerating or changing gear.
Everyday my confidence and skills grow and one day I'll master this super-bike.
I deliberately and against all advice went for the 848 because I want to learn and become experienced on sports-bikes. They are all I want to own and ride. So why lead up to it. Even though I'm 30 something, time is pressing and I AM LIVING THE DREAM.

Julian (correcting the record)

[mpk1967]

Originally Posted by julian3449

I am that inaccurately described large 40 something newbie who just passed his DAS and went straight onto an 848. I'M LIVING THE DREAM. Yes I did crash it after 2 days but not in the manner earlier suggested. I was coming out of a car park and on a very very very greasy surface, accelerated too early and lost the back wheel. It was £1200 not £1100 as reported.

The bike is back now. I love it to bits. It looks fantastic. Everywhere I go bikers make great comments and give me help and encouragement. You chaps are very very nice and friendly.

I do not care that the turning circle is similar to that of a super-tanker.
I do not care about bruised fingers when trying to get full lock.
I do not care that the mirrors are completely useless.
I don't care that I ride slower than kids on Vespas sometimes.
I don't care that I've never been over 8,000 revs or 80mph.
I love this bike to bits. I ride to work a few days a week and at weekend for pleasure.
Riding a bike is fantastic.
I love the fact that I can overtake a car without hardly excelerating or changing gear.
Everyday my confidence and skills grow and one day I'll master this super-bike.
I deliberately and against all advice went for the 848 because I want to learn and become experienced on sports-bikes. They are all I want to own and ride. So why lead up to it. Even though I'm 30 something, time is pressing and I AM LIVING THE DREAM.

Julian (correcting the record)

Welcome to the site. Safe & happy riding

[andrewmc83]

Originally Posted by julian3449

I am that inaccurately described large 40 something newbie who just passed his DAS and went straight onto an 848. I'M LIVING THE DREAM. Yes I did crash it after 2 days but not in the manner earlier suggested. I was coming out of a car park and on a very very very greasy surface, accelerated too early and lost the back wheel. It was £1200 not £1100 as reported.

The bike is back now. I love it to bits. It looks fantastic. Everywhere I go bikers make great comments and give me help and encouragement. You chaps are very very nice and friendly.

I do not care that the turning circle is similar to that of a super-tanker.
I do not care about bruised fingers when trying to get full lock.
I do not care that the mirrors are completely useless.
I don't care that I ride slower than kids on Vespas sometimes.
I don't care that I've never been over 8,000 revs or 80mph.
I love this bike to bits. I ride to work a few days a week and at weekend for pleasure.
Riding a bike is fantastic.
I love the fact that I can overtake a car without hardly excelerating or changing gear.
Everyday my confidence and skills grow and one day I'll master this super-bike.
I deliberately and against all advice went for the 848 because I want to learn and become experienced on sports-bikes. They are all I want to own and ride. So why lead up to it. Even though I'm 30 something, time is pressing and I AM LIVING THE DREAM.

Julian (correcting the record)

And why not! you paid your money for it! you don't have to justify yourself. thing is everyone makes mistakes riding (not everyone would admit it tho) and as long as you learn from them and take time to get used to a new bike, your learning curve will follow. hope you enjoy it!
Andy

[rupert]

Originally Posted by julian3449

I am that inaccurately described large 40 something newbie who just passed his DAS and went straight onto an 848. I'M LIVING THE DREAM. Yes I did crash it after 2 days but not in the manner earlier suggested. I was coming out of a car park and on a very very very greasy surface, accelerated too early and lost the back wheel. It was £1200 not £1100 as reported.

The bike is back now. I love it to bits. It looks fantastic. Everywhere I go bikers make great comments and give me help and encouragement. You chaps are very very nice and friendly.

I do not care that the turning circle is similar to that of a super-tanker.
I do not care about bruised fingers when trying to get full lock.
I do not care that the mirrors are completely useless.
I don't care that I ride slower than kids on Vespas sometimes.
I don't care that I've never been over 8,000 revs or 80mph.
I love this bike to bits. I ride to work a few days a week and at weekend for pleasure.
Riding a bike is fantastic.
I love the fact that I can overtake a car without hardly excelerating or changing gear.
Everyday my confidence and skills grow and one day I'll master this super-bike.
I deliberately and against all advice went for the 848 because I want to learn and become experienced on sports-bikes. They are all I want to own and ride. So why lead up to it. Even though I'm 30 something, time is pressing and I AM LIVING THE DREAM.

Julian (correcting the record)

Good on you, enjoy the bike - you only get to live once so make it worth while!

[Gerby]

Hey Julian3449. Congratulations on your purchase. Great attitude and I'm sure you are going to enjoy the bike. Just take it easy for a while as you get used to it.

[Cess pit]

Julian3449

Welcome and well done.

[lokyc]

Just picked mine up today. Hey! where is everyone who's suppose to meet at Ace? I think I'm the only 848 there!

Anyway, first impressions. Able to take her out on the open road. No Termis. only alarms and pazzos. Superb riding position. Really feel the front end. Bike is definitely made for counter-steering. The bars dun need moving. Just drop the shoulder or shift that arse.

Controlled oversteer as well due to the additional torque. Engine loves to be revved! Stock pipes are awesome even when cold.

Despite lower handle bars, arms not more tired than SV650S. Agree with previous comments that one sits IN it rather than ON it.

Best position is at speed, with head down, elbows tucked in. No need to do the chicken!

Now, i really should have gotten a screen....

[andrewmc83]

Originally Posted by lokyc

Just picked mine up today. Hey! where is everyone who's suppose to meet at Ace? I think I'm the only 848 there!

Anyway, first impressions. Able to take her out on the open road. No Termis. only alarms and pazzos. Superb riding position. Really feel the front end. Bike is definitely made for counter-steering. The bars dun need moving. Just drop the shoulder or shift that arse.

Controlled oversteer as well due to the additional torque. Engine loves to be revved! Stock pipes are awesome even when cold.

Despite lower handle bars, arms not more tired than SV650S. Agree with previous comments that one sits IN it rather than ON it.

Best position is at speed, with head down, elbows tucked in. No need to do the chicken!

Now, i really should have gotten a screen....

no rear hugger yet? coz that cr*p has a nack of gettin all over the shock and i have a little one fitted. the mirrors do vibrate alot tho don't they?

[lokyc]

Originally Posted by andrewmc83

no rear hugger yet? coz that cr*p has a nack of gettin all over the shock and i have a little one fitted. the mirrors do vibrate alot tho don't they?

Ordered the long hugger. Arrived as i started the handover. but they came with the wrong sized bolts! duh.

yea, my biggest concern is dirtying the shocks. As luck would have it, I have the wrong number plate! Another salesman from another branch assigned it previously without telling anyone. Going down today. Hope the bolts are here. Forgot a tank pad as well.

Vibration? well, not too bad at the moment if you stick with lower gears i suppose. but the acid test is when i pop down to the city later.

[lokyc]

Originally Posted by lokyc

Vibration? well, not too bad at the moment if you stick with lower gears i suppose. but the acid test is when i pop down to the city later.

Correction, vibration really bad at acceleration, which is when overtaking manouvres take place. Its shoulder checks and use speed to get out of trouble! Ahh, but still breaking in. Restricted to 6k rpm. Maybe I'll just rumble behind that MPV....

Yep, one hail storm and now i've got crud all over. At least i haven't got the Termis yet. Will, no MUST buy the bolts myself and fit the hugger tomorrow.

[simonw]

Guys / ladies
See my new thread re Free burgers /tea/848 but if you want to see a 848 in black and loads of carbon we will have ours ready in about a week ( Red Dog UK in Potters Bar )

Simon

[andrewmc83]

Originally Posted by simonw

Guys / ladies
See my new thread re Free burgers /tea/848 but if you want to see a 848 in black and loads of carbon we will have ours ready in about a week ( Red Dog UK in Potters Bar )

Simon

free 848??? and i went and paid!!! well i could have a spare??

[andrewmc83]

Originally Posted by lokyc

Correction, vibration really bad at acceleration, which is when overtaking manouvres take place. Its shoulder checks and use speed to get out of trouble! Ahh, but still breaking in. Restricted to 6k rpm. Maybe I'll just rumble behind that MPV....

Yep, one hail storm and now i've got crud all over. At least i haven't got the Termis yet. Will, no MUST buy the bolts myself and fit the hugger tomorrow.

thats the worst overtaking, looking out for the fuzz and other bikes when your about to filter (don't want to use the "never say you mate" myself!)

[mrs 848]

Originally Posted by simonw

Guys / ladies
See my new thread re Free burgers /tea/848 but if you want to see a 848 in black and loads of carbon we will have ours ready in about a week ( Red Dog UK in Potters Bar )

Simon

if kate comes and gets her lovely boobs out will neil let us have the 848! go on please please.