Streetfighter 848 & 1198

[Raux]

so it looks certain.

Ducati is dropping the dry clutch.
Trellis frame on the SBK
L-Twin on the SBK

wonder when Desmo goes away and they start manufacturing in Tunisia

[bikepilot]

I wouldn't worry, people also thought ducati lost their way when they got rid of bevel drives.  What makes a ducati a ducati goes far deeper than a few mechanical design aspects, especially if those aspects become outmoded.  (as it happens, I much prefer a wet clutch for street riding).

[thought]

the list things i would like to see in the new sf's...

848 = destroked engine based on the mts1200/diavel for the service intervals - i think this might happen as the 848 engine production will end soon and they probably want to consolidate the manufacturing as much as possible.

dtc across the board - i'm guessing this wont happen and they might save it for the s versions.  and the 848 prob wont get it at all.

abs as a option/standard - on the sf1198 i'm guessing it will prob happen as the mts/diavel already has it, dunno about the 848

fixing the headers so they wont crowd your right foot anymore - possible

[toudg]

I wouldn't worry, people also thought ducati lost their way when they got rid of bevel drives.  What makes a ducati a ducati goes far deeper than a few mechanical design aspects, especially if those aspects become outmoded.  (as it happens, I much prefer a wet clutch for street riding).

Bevel drive with shims to drive the cam ?  Who the hell thought they lost their way ?  The dry clutch, the treillis frame and now the L-twin are much more than a few "mechanical design aspects".  Its pretty much the core of my decision to buy a Duc.  No wonder I didnt change my S4Rs.  But since sales are rocketing, I must be one of the last reluctant.  I understand their choice is driven by performance but if i compare the current lineup with my decision matrix (aesthetic, feel, etc), the s4rs is a keeper ...

Sorry for my "lousy english, third lang here.

[El Matador]

I wouldn't worry, people also thought ducati lost their way when they got rid of bevel drives.  What makes a ducati a ducati goes far deeper than a few mechanical design aspects, especially if those aspects become outmoded.  (as it happens, I much prefer a wet clutch for street riding).

As much as the purists love to complain, if a company doesnt evolve it stagnates  ust look at hd, they were once some of the fastest, best performing bikes around. Now they're the laughingstock of the motorcycling community. As lonf as ducati keeps the desmo, it shouldn't be a problem anyways. 

[nikkimonster]

would be sweet if they make SF796. lower seat and slightly higher bar.

[muskrat]

look at hd, they were once some of the fastest, best performing bikes around. Now they're the laughingstock of the motorcycling community.

100 years ago anything was fast and they are also evolving to cater to the 45+ crowd that likes to ride slow versus the go fast bikes; riders constantly aging.  The same "dated" argument could be said of the mechanical aspects of air cooled ducs when you compare Yamaha's FZ8 versus the 796 or even 1100.  They still hold a 53% market share with $1.1 billion in motorcycle sales revenue (over a quarter, in addition to moto sales, comes from clothing) and they too are moving to cater to changing demographics.  Hell, Europe accounts for over 50% of their international sales and Japan up to almost 6% - explain that to me.  All evolve and it's our choice what we buy but to say it's the laughing stock of the community is ridiculous.  If this were true we'd see Japan and Europe sales decreasing and they are the sport oriented communities versus the American market which is largely still the lumbering crowd.  

I like the 848 SF concept but still don't like the design so I wont be buying shit and hanging on to my M900 and S4R no matter how "updated" it may be.  

[duclvr]

If they make a "Dark" version, I would buy one.

[thought]

stopped by the dealer today to check something and asked about the sf848 and he said it was def coming, but didnt know when.

[hillbillypolack]

Never gonna happen. As long as the Streetfighter is in the lineup, Ducati will never build a water-cooled Monster.

Yep.  The S4R became the Streetfighter.

[kopfjäger]

Now they're the laughingstock of the motorcycling community.

[Pedro-bot]

I heard Ducati is making a motard.     

[thought]

http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/bikes/2012-ducati-streetfighter-848-spotted-wild/

sf848 spy shot

guess it's real... lower spec forks and brakes from the pics (m1100 spec)

[zarn02]

It doesn't look hateful in yellow, at least from this angle.

And cue gasps of realized expectations with the lower-spec bits and pieces.

[thought]

yeah, i expected the lower spec components... but what i'm still holding out for is the 15k service intervals.  pretty sure that's a big long shot though.

i do wonder if it's going to offer abs though.  and the yellow is pretty meh for me...  that particular shade in that pic looks a bit too school bus yellow imo.  prev yellow ducs looked a bit less orange to me.