Ducati 848
Encyclopedia
The Ducati 848 is a 849 cc V-twin
sport bike
manufactured by Ducati. It was announced on November 6, 2007 for the 2008 model year and replaces the 749
, although the 848 model name was already listed on the compatible parts table for the 1098
fuel tank, giving away the secret a few months early. The 848 makes a tested 115.6 hp at 10,000 rpm and 62 lbft at 8,250 rpm. With a manufacturer claimed dry weight of 168 kg (370.4 lb), the 848 undercuts its larger displacement sibling, the 1198
, by 5 kg (11 lb).
In August 2010, Ducati announced the 848 Evo, as the evolution of the model. The bike featured small revisions such as a black swingarm, Mono-block Brembo
brake calipers, steering damper mount as well as some very minor engine revisions.
, the 848 Trellis frame uses a simplified tube layout from the Ducati 749
featuring main section tubes that are enlarged in diameter from 28 mm to 34 mm, while being reduced in thickness from 2 mm to 1.5 mm. The result is a 14% increase in rigidity and a weight saving of 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs) helping the 848 weigh in 44 lbs less overall than the 749.
that had a hard time producing more than 100hp and even the upgraded Ducati 998
that produced 110 hp at the rear wheel. The "Testastretta Evoluzione" uses a 94 x 61.2mm bore and stroke for 849cc of displacement despite the bikes moniker of 848. The motor casings were constructed using a new vacuum die-casting method called Vacural that helps the engine weigh seven lbs less than the Ducati 749
. The intake valves were increased 2.5mm from the Ducati 749
numbers to 39.5mm. The exhaust valves were enlarged 1.5mm to 32mm. The valve angles are identical to the Ducati 1098
. The bike uses a pair of elliptical shaped 56mm throttle bodies fashioned after MotoGP designs.
The 2011 Ducati 848 Evo featured minor changes to the engine, including new Marelli throttle bodies, revised cylinder heads with straighter intake ports and reshaped combustion chambers. Ducati claimed these changes would result in a 6-hp increase, bringing output to 140 measured at the crank, however Cycle World
Magazines first dyno test
of the engine showed a mere 1.6 hp increase over the previous motor.
/1198
than its predecessor, the 749, did with the 999. In many cases the 1098/1198 and the 848 are identical right down to the part numbers.
The two bikes use the same bodywork, including the fuel tank. With the exception of the steering damper mount, the frame between the bikes is the same, which results in identical wheelbase and rake and trail numbers. The second generation 848 Evo features the same monoblock brakes and the same frame with the steering damper mount as the 1098/1198. The rear suspension, including the suspension linkage is the same, using identical Showa
shocks. Many components of the exhaust system are shared, including the exhaust canisters that house the muffler and catalytic converter
.
Despite the difference in engine displacement, the two bikes share valve angles and magnesium valve covers. The oil cooler and radiator are also very similar. The transmissions are different with the ratios on the 848 being closer together.
One of the more notable difference between the two bikes (aside from the engine) is the brakes. On the 848, the four-caliper Brembo
front brakes are cast rather than machined
monoblocs. The 848 requires greater braking effort than the 1098/1198, in spite of its lighter weight.
V-twin
A V-twin engine is a two-cylinder internal combustion engine where the cylinders are arranged in a V configuration.- Crankshaft configuration :Most V-twin engines have a single crankpin, which is shared by both connecting rods...
sport bike
Sport bike
A sport bike, also written as sportbike, is a motorcycle optimized for speed, acceleration, braking, and cornering on paved roads, typically at the expense of comfort and fuel economy in comparison to less specialized motorcycles...
manufactured by Ducati. It was announced on November 6, 2007 for the 2008 model year and replaces the 749
Ducati 749
The Ducati 749 is a 90-degree L Twin Desmodromic valve actuated engine sport bike built by Ducati Motor Holding between 2003 and 2006. Designed by Pierre Terblanche, the 749 was available as the 749, 749 Dark, 749S, and 749R...
, although the 848 model name was already listed on the compatible parts table for the 1098
Ducati 1098
The Ducati 1098 is a sport bike manufactured by the Italian motorcycle company Ducati since 2007. There were three different versions, called the 1098, 1098S, and 1098R...
fuel tank, giving away the secret a few months early. The 848 makes a tested 115.6 hp at 10,000 rpm and 62 lbft at 8,250 rpm. With a manufacturer claimed dry weight of 168 kg (370.4 lb), the 848 undercuts its larger displacement sibling, the 1198
Ducati 1198
The Ducati 1198 is a sport bike made by Ducati since 2009. For the 2011 model year there are two models: the 1198 and 1198SP . The 1198 shares design elements with its predecessor 1098, but has more power and torque, redesigned wheels, lighter headlights, traction control, and lighter fairings ,...
, by 5 kg (11 lb).
In August 2010, Ducati announced the 848 Evo, as the evolution of the model. The bike featured small revisions such as a black swingarm, Mono-block Brembo
Brembo
Brembo S.p.A. is a manufacturer of automotive brake systems, especially for high-performance cars and motorcycles. It was established in Bergamo, Italy in 1961. Soon after the company was formed, it specialised in disc brakes, which were exclusively imported from the United Kingdom at the time...
brake calipers, steering damper mount as well as some very minor engine revisions.
Trellis frame
Developed in cooperation with Ducati CorseDucati Corse
Ducati Corse S.r.l. is a subsidiary arm of Ducati that deals with the firm's involvement in motorcycle racing. It is directed by Claudio Domenicali and is based inside Bologna, in quartiere Borgo Panigale. More than one hundred people work in Ducati Corse...
, the 848 Trellis frame uses a simplified tube layout from the Ducati 749
Ducati 749
The Ducati 749 is a 90-degree L Twin Desmodromic valve actuated engine sport bike built by Ducati Motor Holding between 2003 and 2006. Designed by Pierre Terblanche, the 749 was available as the 749, 749 Dark, 749S, and 749R...
featuring main section tubes that are enlarged in diameter from 28 mm to 34 mm, while being reduced in thickness from 2 mm to 1.5 mm. The result is a 14% increase in rigidity and a weight saving of 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs) helping the 848 weigh in 44 lbs less overall than the 749.
Engine revision
While most of the chassis components are identical to the 1098/1198, the motor was an all new design in 2008. Producing roughly 116 hp at the rear wheel it out performs the revered Ducati 916Ducati 916
The Ducati 916 is an Italian sports motorcycle manufactured by Ducati from 1994 to 1998. In contrast to Japanese inline four-cylinder competitors of the time, its V-twin engine produced less outright power, but a more even torque spread...
that had a hard time producing more than 100hp and even the upgraded Ducati 998
Ducati 998
The Ducati 998, a successor to the Ducati 996 and the final variation on the Ducati 916, was produced in various models from 2002 to 2004. The new Testastretta engine shared many similarities with the previous Desmoquattro engine in the 996, although it was completely new from the crankshaft up....
that produced 110 hp at the rear wheel. The "Testastretta Evoluzione" uses a 94 x 61.2mm bore and stroke for 849cc of displacement despite the bikes moniker of 848. The motor casings were constructed using a new vacuum die-casting method called Vacural that helps the engine weigh seven lbs less than the Ducati 749
Ducati 749
The Ducati 749 is a 90-degree L Twin Desmodromic valve actuated engine sport bike built by Ducati Motor Holding between 2003 and 2006. Designed by Pierre Terblanche, the 749 was available as the 749, 749 Dark, 749S, and 749R...
. The intake valves were increased 2.5mm from the Ducati 749
Ducati 749
The Ducati 749 is a 90-degree L Twin Desmodromic valve actuated engine sport bike built by Ducati Motor Holding between 2003 and 2006. Designed by Pierre Terblanche, the 749 was available as the 749, 749 Dark, 749S, and 749R...
numbers to 39.5mm. The exhaust valves were enlarged 1.5mm to 32mm. The valve angles are identical to the Ducati 1098
Ducati 1098
The Ducati 1098 is a sport bike manufactured by the Italian motorcycle company Ducati since 2007. There were three different versions, called the 1098, 1098S, and 1098R...
. The bike uses a pair of elliptical shaped 56mm throttle bodies fashioned after MotoGP designs.
The 2011 Ducati 848 Evo featured minor changes to the engine, including new Marelli throttle bodies, revised cylinder heads with straighter intake ports and reshaped combustion chambers. Ducati claimed these changes would result in a 6-hp increase, bringing output to 140 measured at the crank, however Cycle World
Cycle World
Cycle World is a motorcycling magazine in the United States. It was founded in 1962 by Joe Parkhurst, who was inducted to the Motorcycle Hall of Fame as "the person responsible for bringing a new era of objective journalism" to the U.S. and is now the largest motorcycling magazine in the world...
Magazines first dyno test
Dynamometer
A dynamometer or "dyno" for short, is a device for measuring force, moment of force , or power. For example, the power produced by an engine, motor or other rotating prime mover can be calculated by simultaneously measuring torque and rotational speed .A dynamometer can also be used to determine...
of the engine showed a mere 1.6 hp increase over the previous motor.
Wet clutch
Although the 1198 and 848 share many similar components, as per the 916/748 and 999/749 models, the 848 uses a wet clutch rather than the traditional dry clutch of previous superbikes from Ducati. The manufacturer claims it reduces weight, improves both service life and "feel" of the clutch and reduces noise. Ducati has in the past held to only dry clutches in accordance with marketing their bikes as obeying the design imperatives of racing above all, unlike, as Ducati would have it, ordinary street bikes. While a dry clutch "rattles like a bucket of rocks," Ducati and its adherents felt the clutch's "typical noise is music to bikers' ears." The 848's wet clutch is a stark departure from this, because, "Ducati made it very clear that there is a new philosophy within the factory to develop each bike with specifications and capabilities that are aligned with the bike's target audience and intended environment."Comparison with larger Ducati superbikes
The 848 shares more physical and technical design elements with the stronger 1098Ducati 1098
The Ducati 1098 is a sport bike manufactured by the Italian motorcycle company Ducati since 2007. There were three different versions, called the 1098, 1098S, and 1098R...
/1198
Ducati 1198
The Ducati 1198 is a sport bike made by Ducati since 2009. For the 2011 model year there are two models: the 1198 and 1198SP . The 1198 shares design elements with its predecessor 1098, but has more power and torque, redesigned wheels, lighter headlights, traction control, and lighter fairings ,...
than its predecessor, the 749, did with the 999. In many cases the 1098/1198 and the 848 are identical right down to the part numbers.
The two bikes use the same bodywork, including the fuel tank. With the exception of the steering damper mount, the frame between the bikes is the same, which results in identical wheelbase and rake and trail numbers. The second generation 848 Evo features the same monoblock brakes and the same frame with the steering damper mount as the 1098/1198. The rear suspension, including the suspension linkage is the same, using identical Showa
Showa Corporation
is a manufacturer of high-performance automotive, motorcycle and outboard suspension systems based in Gyoda, Saitama in Japan.Founded in October 1938 in Japan's drive to develop its military capability in preparation for World War II, Showa supplied aircraft suspension and landing systems to...
shocks. Many components of the exhaust system are shared, including the exhaust canisters that house the muffler and catalytic converter
Catalytic converter
A catalytic converter is a device used to convert toxic exhaust emissions from an internal combustion engine into non-toxic substances. Inside a catalytic converter, a catalyst stimulates a chemical reaction in which noxious byproducts of combustion are converted to less toxic substances by dint...
.
Despite the difference in engine displacement, the two bikes share valve angles and magnesium valve covers. The oil cooler and radiator are also very similar. The transmissions are different with the ratios on the 848 being closer together.
One of the more notable difference between the two bikes (aside from the engine) is the brakes. On the 848, the four-caliper Brembo
Brembo
Brembo S.p.A. is a manufacturer of automotive brake systems, especially for high-performance cars and motorcycles. It was established in Bergamo, Italy in 1961. Soon after the company was formed, it specialised in disc brakes, which were exclusively imported from the United Kingdom at the time...
front brakes are cast rather than machined
Machining
Conventional machining is a form of subtractive manufacturing, in which a collection of material-working processes utilizing power-driven machine tools, such as saws, lathes, milling machines, and drill presses, are used with a sharp cutting tool to physical remove material to achieve a desired...
monoblocs. The 848 requires greater braking effort than the 1098/1198, in spite of its lighter weight.
External links
- Ducati 848, Ducati
- Ducati at the Open Directory ProjectOpen Directory ProjectThe Open Directory Project , also known as Dmoz , is a multilingual open content directory of World Wide Web links. It is owned by Netscape but it is constructed and maintained by a community of volunteer editors.ODP uses a hierarchical ontology scheme for organizing site listings...