DUCATI 848 (2007 - 2013) Review

Overall rating

The Ducati 848 isn’t just a small 1098, it’s much more than that. The 848 is a proper fast (top speed is 166mph), fine-handling, gorgeous Ducati superbike in its own right.

It’s no longer the poor relation to its big brother, like the 748 and 749 used to be. Although the more powerful 1098 is faster in a straight line and around a track, in the real world the Ducati 848 is every bit as fast.

• Related: 2010 Ducati 848 Evo review
• Related: Ducati 1098 review
• The alternative: Read our in-depth Suzuki GSX-R750 review here
• The modern option: Ducati Panigale V2 review

In 2010 our Chief Road Tester Michael Neeves was lucky enough to race a Ducati 848 Challenge. He reported "it’s the best handling, most agile, sweet steering Ducati I’ve ever had a proper go on". High praise indeed. 

Also in 2010, Ducati launched the 848 Dark. This version cost £700 less than the stock 848 despite sharing the same 849cc engine, steel trellis frame and high quality chassis parts. At the other end of the spectrum, Ducati also revealed the 848 Evo for 2010 - featuring 1198R Brembo Monobloc brake calipers, a non-adjustable steering damper and tweaks to the engine to make it rev harder and faster.

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Watch: Ducati 848 vs Ducati 1098

Ride quality & brakes

Chassis-wise the Ducati 848 is almost identical to the 1098, save for slightly lower-spec, but still fully-adjustable, Showa forks and Brembo radial brakes.

These cheaper units don’t harm the 848’s performance through the bends one bit though. Most significantly the Ducati 848 has a half-inch narrower rear wheel and a 180-section rear tyre, which gives the 848 greater agility and lighter steering than its bigger brother.

In true Ducati superbike style the 848 is rock-solid stable in the corners, at the expense of slightly slow steering through flip-flop chicanes and very tight hairpins.

Engine

The liquid-cooled Desmodromic, 849cc V-twin Testastretta (Italian for 'narrow head') engine was designed and developed specifically for the Ducati 848; it’s not just a cheaper, sleeved-down version of the 1098's motor.

Making a true 122bhp and 66ftlb of torque at the rear wheel the Ducati 848's motor is not only is very strong, but the power delivery is super-smooth and very linear, too. Compared to the 749, the Ducati 848 makes 20bhp and 10ftlb more, while weighing almost 30kg less.

On paper, such an output made it a direct competitor to the supersport bikes of the day, such as the Yamaha R6, Suzuki GSX-R600, Honda CBR600RR and Triumph Daytona 675. Unlike those machines though, the power is flat and linear, rather than peaky and the Duke glides between the curves, rather than frantically chasing redlines.

Watch our full Ducati 848 video review here:

Reliability & build quality

Modern day Ducatis don’t tend to suffer the electrical and mechanical maladies they used to, and like the 1098, Ducati slashed servicing costs on the 848. Build quality is top notch, from the deep pearlescent paintwork to the high-end components used throughout.

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Reader query: Is water getting into my Ducati 848?

Q: I've a Ducati 848 that won't start after I've washed it. I don't jet wash it or over soak it, but straight after washing the diagnostics light comes on and it won't turn over. It also seems like the dash takes longer than normal to light up.

If I switch the ignition on and off sometimes the diagnostic light doesn't come on and it will start - but it's really intermittent. If I leave it for 12 hours or so it starts no problem. It's been into the garage but they can't find anything wrong.

A: This bike had a recall on the battery earth, so it could be worth checking this out either yourself or with a main dealer. The recall number is RM2008/047. But I think it’s more likely that water is sneaking inside the kill switch or the ignition connections.

Why not try 'showerproofing' the kill switch with some rags and a plastic bag before you clean it next? If that doesn’t work move onto those connectors.

Value vs rivals

The Ducati 848 isn’t cheap. You’re undoubtedly paying over the odds for the badge on the tank, but on the other side of the coin depreciation is lower than a Japanese superbike.

Yours for around £9500 when new, you do get a lot of beautiful, exclusive Ducati motorcycle for your money. After 13 years, 2020 prices are still floating between £5000 and £7000, whereas the equivalent Suzuki GSX-R750 can now be picked up for between £4500 and £5000.

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How does it compare to the Suzuki GSX-R750? Watch our comparison video review here:

Equipment

Finished in a gorgeous pearlescent white to show off the lines, although the 848 is an expensive used buy you are getting a very high spec motorcycle. The Showa rear shock is the same as the 1098's, a chunky single sided swingarm and a multi-function LCD dash, which is a replica of the unit used on Casey Stoner’s MotoGP Desmosedici.

Options include the Ducati Data Analyser (DDA), which is an on-board plug-in datalogging system, that records lap times, throttle position, engine speed, engine temperature and distance travelled.

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How to turn the Ducati 848 into a superbike killer

In standard form the Ducati 848 is one of MCN's favourite sportsbikes. It has all the grunt, style and the bombastic soundtrack of its bigger brother the Ducati 1198, with added agility and a revvier, more involving engine. It was born for corners – it’s the exotic, twin-cylinder take on the legendary Suzuki GSX-R750.

You don't have to spend the thousands of pounds on your 848. Lots of bolt-ons don’t make much difference to performance. Here is the gear to get to turn your 848 into a superbike-killer:

• Fully-adjustable 1098R/1198S Ohlins forks and 1198S Ohlins rear shock. They have a plusher action and finer adjustment range compared to standard – and give the 848 a completely different character. The forks are the most expensive bolt-on.
• Forged aluminium wheels from a Ducati Hypermotard are lighter than standard so help the 848 change direction faster and save unsprung weight too. 
• Ducati Performance dry slipper clutch stops the 848 clattering into the corners when changing down through the gears. The exposed, anodised red clutch looks cool and sounds like a proper Ducati race bike. 
• Lighter, sexier and louder than stock, a Ducati without Termis would be like MotoGP without Rossi.