696 to 848

[Zee]

+1 That's an awesome good ride. I've ridden Desmoquarttro's SS (SuperSport) on many occasions and loved every second.

Now that brings back memories. awesome bike, that...

Z...

[sally101]

I'm getting a real vibe here that the 848 is not well liked.

I don't think they are hating on the 848.. This is more of a "you'll shoot your eye out kid" thread for 707..

[TCK!]

I hate the 848 so much I set mine on fire:

[ROBsS4R]

It sure is impressive though

The words "agile" and "refined" aptly describe the 848.  At 168 kg (369 lbs) the 848 is an amazing 20 kg (44 lbs) lighter than its predecessor, and a significant 5 kg (11 lbs) lighter than its larger capacity brother, the 1098.

The highly advanced 848 engine uses an improved method of engine case production in which cases are vacuum die-cast formed.  While providing significant weight savings of more than 3 kg (6.5 lbs), this method also ensures consistent wall thickness and increased strength.

Further refinements include a sophisticated wet clutch that offers 1 kg (2.2 lbs) less weight, a much higher service life, improved clutch feel and quiet operation.  With the first twist of the wrist, the powerful rush of the Testastretta Evoluzione engine confirms that the rules have changed.  The 848’s 134 hp is not only 30% more powerful than its predecessor, but it provides a power-to-weight ratio even better than the potent 999.

It has 14 more HP than my S4R 996  but about 10 less torque 

Yeah I know apples and oranges huh

[desmoquattro]

It sure is impressive though

It has 14 more HP than my S4R 996  but about 10 less torque 

Yeah I know apples and oranges huh

Interesting...Road Racing World did a comparo (in this month's issue) on the 749R and the 848. Their dyno run had the 848 putting out 113HP at the rear wheel. My S4R has hit 111 and 109 on dyno runs. But that's with an Arrow full system and a Power Commander, mind you  The 848 with Termis would probably win by an even greater margin.

Great friggin' bike, but not one that's suitable for folks without a lot of saddle time. I'd say that's especially true with its slipper clutch: from the little bit I've ridden Desmostro's 848, it was a bit disconcerting to not have any engine braking when downshifting. I guess I need to test it more to be sure though...when are we going for a ride, Eric?

[Desmostro]

+1 on both of these.

I don't think they are hating on the 848.. This is more of a "you'll shoot your eye out kid" thread for 707...

+1

...
As for someone saying just go ahead and buy the 1098, well $3K is a pretty big difference and I cannot make use of all the power that the 848 makes yet and I suspect that if I get to the point that I can drive it to 9/10ths I will be happy so why would I need a 1098? An 848 is faster on a short twisty track, the 1098 needs longer straights to take advantage of its power; and on the road, either one of them will carry you well over 150MPH. How fast do you need to go? This is just all my .02 so take it for what it is worth.

The $3,k diff. from an 848 to the 1098 isn’t why I went for the 848 personally. I mean, if you can do $15k but just can’t muster $18k?  Na!   
For two bikes that look almost identical they feel like different bikes. The 848 has a higher revving, lighter engine. Its spins up and it spins down way faster than the stock 1098 I’ve ridden. The 848 has less low end torch with stock gearing and bit lighter in weight. Those together give it a surprisingly different feel. When the 848 is in the higher rev’s there’s a huge wide power band that’s exquisitely smooth and motha-effing screams out of the corners.

This subject – to bring us back is about fit. I LOVE my 848. Enough to not care that it  's my ass in traffic. It’s where my ridding has evolved to over many years.

They only way to know who you are as a rider comes with miles and miles alone. There’s no substitute IMHO.

[Desmostro]

.... I guess I need to test it more to be sure though...when are we going for a ride?

let's go mang! I got the Fri. Iwanagetouttaherebad's!!! tick tick tick...
One more hour at wrk.

I hate the 848 so much I set mine on fire:

TCK! That's effing funny.  But yer not riding mine now 'k. 

[Cynic]

I don't think they are hating on the 848.. This is more of a "you'll shoot your eye out kid" thread for 707..

Definitely no hate for the 848, just a recommendation to perhaps not jump on one in your first year or so of motorcycling

[duckwrench13]

For two bikes that look almost identical they feel like different bikes. The 848 has a higher revving, lighter engine. Its spins up and it spins down way faster than the stock 1098 I’ve ridden. The 848 has less low end torch with stock gearing and bit lighter in weight. Those together give it a surprisingly different feel. When the 848 is in the higher rev’s there’s a huge wide power band that’s exquisitely smooth and motha-effing screams out of the corners.

+1 to this assessment.

My first, and continuing impressions of the way the 848 feels, in comparison to the rest of the Ducat SBK over the years, is that it has a very "Japanese" feel.

By "Japanese" I mean that it has a very stiff...kinda like an over starched shirt sort of stiff...quality about it. It's motor is crisp, and has a very deceptive power band... very easy to get into trouble with. It definitely spins up quicker, and much fiercer than previous world super sport spec'd SBKs. The clutch feel is a cross between the traditional heavy pull dry clutch of a large bore Duc, and the smooth late engagement of a Japanese 1K 4 cyl.

Power delivery is flawless! High rpm 5th gear to 2nd gear down shifts, and trail braking @ entry to a corner are almost idiot proof! Mid corner throttle response is very well behaved, and the drive out is brutal, by any definition!

It's most certainly a machine that will eat you for lunch if you're not ready for it. In the hands of a skilled pilot, I can see this pup giving much larger capacity bikes a serious run in the twisties.

My biggest gripe about it's "Japanese" qualities has to be the body work. 916 series through the last of the 999's, all you had to do was pop 10 Dzus clips and your plastics were off in less than 30 seconds! Now it's several overlapping/interlocking panels, and 30-some-odd little screws! If I wanted to take the panels off of an R-1, I would've bought an R-1!!! But hey, if that's the only thing I can gripe about on an 848, that's fine by me. I'll need further abusing of...uh, I mean long term testing of one, to put my final seal of approval on it.

[TCK!]

OMG Dzus should be a requirement by DOT... I fawkin' hate having a myriad of different allen key bolts and phillips screws hidden all over the bike... especially when they are screwed into plastic making it damn near impossible to back out the screw/bolt without squeezing on the plastic to give the teeth something to bit into... GRrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

[ROBsS4R]

After reading duckwrench's assessment I want one even more 

+1 to this assessment.

My first, and continuing impressions of the way the 848 feels, in comparison to the rest of the Ducat SBK over the years, is that it has a very "Japanese" feel.

By "Japanese" I mean that it has a very stiff...kinda like an over starched shirt sort of stiff...quality about it. It's motor is crisp, and has a very deceptive power band... very easy to get into trouble with. It definitely spins up quicker, and much fiercer than previous world super sport spec'd SBKs. The clutch feel is a cross between the traditional heavy pull dry clutch of a large bore Duc, and the smooth late engagement of a Japanese 1K 4 cyl.

Power delivery is flawless! High rpm 5th gear to 2nd gear down shifts, and trail braking @ entry to a corner are almost idiot proof! Mid corner throttle response is very well behaved, and the drive out is brutal, by any definition!

It's most certainly a machine that will eat you for lunch if you're not ready for it. In the hands of a skilled pilot, I can see this pup giving much larger capacity bikes a serious run in the twisties.

My biggest gripe about it's "Japanese" qualities has to be the body work. 916 series through the last of the 999's, all you had to do was pop 10 Dzus clips and your plastics were off in less than 30 seconds! Now it's several overlapping/interlocking panels, and 30-some-odd little screws! If I wanted to take the panels off of an R-1, I would've bought an R-1!!! But hey, if that's the only thing I can gripe about on an 848, that's fine by me. I'll need further abusing of...uh, I mean long term testing of one, to put my final seal of approval on it.

[duckwrench13]

After reading duckwrench's assessment I want one even more 

Just to turn the knife a little deeper....
http://www.youtube.com/v/7eM8MWhGAQw&fs=1

[TCK!]

That guy drags a whole latta toes.. got to get expensive for the shoes!

[ROBsS4R]

On a side note.

Does anyone know anything about Competition Werkes Exhaust.

At Laguna Seca they had a pearl white 848 in there booth with a prototype of there exhaust on it. It looked slick.

[DanTheMan]

Just to turn the knife a little deeper....

looks like a couple of storm troopers on the bikes