The Ducati 848 is a sport bike with an 849 cc 90-degree L-twin engine, announced on 6 November 2007 for the 2008 model year as the replacement for the 749. The 848 and the 1098 were the same design by Giandrea Fabbro and used the same frame and bodywork.
Ducati 848 at a glance
| Maker | Ducati Motor Holding, Borgo Panigale |
|---|---|
| Announced | 6 November 2007 |
| Production | 2008–2013 |
| Engine | 849 cc Testastretta Evoluzione, 90° L-twin |
| Bore × stroke | 94 × 61.2 mm |
| First-generation power | 123 hp (92 kW) at 10,000 rpm |
| 848 EVO power | 138 hp (103 kW) at 10,500 rpm |
| Dry weight | 168 kg (370 lb) |
| Clutch | wet multiplate |
| Successor | Ducati 899 Panigale |
This page is based on English Wikipedia only, so the facts were not cross-checked against a second source.
History of the Ducati 848
The 848 was announced in November 2007 and shared its design, frame and bodywork with the 1098. Its trellis frame was developed with Ducati Corse from the 749 layout: the main tubes grew from 28 mm to 34 mm in diameter and their walls went from 2 mm to 1.5 mm, which Ducati said gave 14 percent more rigidity and saved 1.5 kg.
The engine was a new design for 2008, the Testastretta Evoluzione, with 94 mm bore and 61.2 mm stroke, despite the 848 name. The crankcases were made by a vacuum die-casting method called Vacural, which saved 3.2 kg against the 749 unit, and the intake and exhaust valves were enlarged. The first generation made a claimed 123 hp and covered model years 2008, 2009 and 2010; a 848 Hayden Limited Edition arrived in 2009 as a 2010 model tied to Nicky Hayden’s move to Ducati.
In August 2010 Ducati announced the 848 EVO with monobloc Brembo calipers, a steering damper and engine work that lifted output to 138 hp, along with a higher 13.2:1 compression ratio and an 11,300 rpm redline instead of 10,800. For 2012 and 2013 the 848 EVO Corse Special Edition added the Corse colour scheme, 330 mm front brakes, Öhlins suspension, quick shift, data logger and traction control. The 848 was replaced by the 899 Panigale in 2013.
Design and features
- Wet clutch: a departure from Ducati’s traditional dry clutch, for less noise and easier service.
- Shared chassis: the same frame, bodywork and suspension as the 1098/1198, down to part numbers.
- Stiffer trellis: larger-diameter, thinner-walled tubes for 14 percent more rigidity.
- EVO updates: more power, monobloc brakes and a steering damper from 2011.
Ducati 848 versions
- 848 (2008–2010): the first generation with 123 hp.
- 848 Hayden Limited Edition (2010): a Nicky Hayden tie-in model.
- 848 EVO (2011): 138 hp, monobloc calipers and steering damper.
- 848 EVO Corse Special Edition (2012–2013): Öhlins suspension, quick shift, traction control and, in 2013, an aluminium tank.
The 848 replaced the 749 and shared its chassis with the 1098 and 1198; it was replaced by the Panigale family. More Ducatis are in the Ducati collection.
Sources
- Ducati 848, English Wikipedia: engine, frame, versions, EVO changes
