New Ducati 848 - First Impressions

[mpk1967]

Black looks the business too but it never carry's in photo's.

[lokyc]

Originally Posted by Keninsussex

Abosutely delighted with mine too! Just had 1st service yesterday so I can start winding her up a bit! Handling is awesome and me Leo Vinces sound nice - baffles out soon methinks

I'll see how we go on longer runs before sorting suspension / bars / throttle assy but will do this based on experiences first.

Interestingly the guys at Pro Twins say that for a 13 - 14 stone person the suspension should be about OK out the crate, but for lighter types the back may need softening up a tad.

Was mentioning in the other treads, must sort the suspension out. I'm about 76kg, and just had mine tune at... Pro Twins. Worse is that apparently, not every bike is set the same from the crate! I used to find it slow to steer and had to hang off. I can now flick it around like any 600, but still feel rock solid. Can get on the power before the apex as well. Brilliant....

[Gibi848]

Just got back from a 1700 mile trip to the nurburgh ring, All I can say is the bike is fantastic. Where my balls would allow it held its own against a gixer though, a R1 A 999 and a RR Blade. I'm not the quickest rider in the world and usualy end up falling behind due to panic braking on the entry to a corner and lack of corner speed. In the last 5 days I've made an effort to trust the bike and leave the brakes. The difference is unbelievable. Everyone keeps telling me that dukes handle better when ridden quickly. Now I know what they mean. I think a few of the guys I was with were a little supprised about how much grunt the 8 has. Every corner was a case of line it up (as best as I could) drop it into the corner then hit the throttle stop untill the next corner turned up.
I did change the tyres to corsa 3's and have the rear shock changed to Ohlins with A DP ride hieght adjuster with a full setup just before I whent. The bike runs a little lower on the rear now which was worrying at first because I though it would turn slower but it doesnt seem to have made a difference on turn in, it does feel more stable on long sweeping bends though and its reduced the amount of weight on my wrists which is good.
I don't think I would have enjoyed the trip so much if I would have gone on my original bike choice (1098) I think I would have had it on my mind that I would be spit off on the way out of every corner.
As far as I'm concirned the 848 is a far better road bike than the 1098 and if you wanted to through some dosh at it it can be as highly specked as a 10 too.

[Cess pit]

Well
As I have posted elsewhere on this site I have reluctantly traded the 848 in for a Monster S4R.
The 848 was an awsome bike but reliability problems left me doubting the bike and my not so well back complained everytime I dismounted, and has been getting worse as the weeks went by.
As my first Ducati she was fantastic to ride but I am now looking forward very much to the monster.
Jolley, we wont look like the "twins" anymore mate, but fear not.....plans for bling, titanium, carbon and noisey things are already in place.
See you soon.

[mpk1967]

Good luck with your back and congratulations on the new Ducati

[Jolley]

Originally Posted by Cess pit

Jolley, we wont look like the "twins" anymore mate, but fear not.....plans for bling, titanium, carbon and noisey things are already in place.
See you soon.

Ahhhh... I can relax and stop spending now!! I don't have to keep up with the pit's!!

Will catch up with you in 2 weeks (not sure how much time I will have, but will have to sort something out). Looking forward to seeing the new beast (I was drooling over one myself when I picked up my 848.

I didn't know you were having any reliability problems.... it is probably worth sharing a few of them on here.

[Cess pit]

Originally Posted by Jolley

Ahhhh... I can relax and stop spending now!! I don't have to keep up with the pit's!!

Will catch up with you in 2 weeks (not sure how much time I will have, but will have to sort something out). Looking forward to seeing the new beast (I was drooling over one myself when I picked up my 848.

I didn't know you were having any reliability problems.... it is probably worth sharing a few of them on here.

Hello mate...2 weeks, brilliant. I'll be ready.
2 breakdowns, both electrical......1st just wouldnt start, actually blamed myself for putting the parking lights on but I am a bit fastidious about stuff like that and had my doubts if it was me. Call out, jump start and ok.
End of bike safe course in London and the regulator blows....stranded, 4 hour wait.
The first breakdown may have been the regulator giving warning of its imending suicide. Now very p*ssed off.
Found out from the dealer that mine was the first 848 they had heard of that had broken down......good news for everyone else, I just thought it must be me, have I got a jinxed bike.
Anyway with that and the bad problems I decided to call sports bike a day and get the monster.
See you when you get back mate.

[Delbert]

1400 miles and no issues. Everything seems to work. Termi's make my ears hurt though, and that is with ear plugs. Wouldn't change a thing!

[Jolley]

Originally Posted by Cess pit

End of bike safe course in London and the regulator blows....stranded, 4 hour wait.
The first breakdown may have been the regulator giving warning of its imending suicide. Now very p*ssed off.
Found out from the dealer that mine was the first 848 they had heard of that had broken down......good news for everyone else, I just thought it must be me, have I got a jinxed bike.

Mine went in London on Sunday Night!... Voltage Regulator diagnosed as the problem.... not allowing the battery to be charged, so just died on me. waiting 3hrs for recovery!!

Apparently it is a known fault and they have a modified regulator to replace those that go... mine will be going in whilst I am away.

Originally Posted by Delbert

1400 miles and no issues. Everything seems to work.

Mine ran like clockwork until the faulty regulator (at 3,500 miles), so anything could happen at any time.

[Cess pit]

Jolley
Sorry to hear that mate...hope all goes well.
Good to have you back in blighty though