Design and engineering remind us of the 1098. In fact, the 848 is a 1098 at a smaller performance scale, which can only make things sound more interesting. Ducati’s latest idea of a middleweight resumes to combining a 370 pounds dry weight with the 134 hp at 10000 rpm and 70.8 lb-ft of torque at 8250 rpm developed by the liquid-cooled 849.4 cc, L-Twin cylinder, four valves per cylinder Desmodromic engine, which was specially developed for the bike.
Using a Marelli electronic fuel injection system and just the right gearing, the motor meets Euro3 regulations without sacrificing performance. The gearbox is a six-speed unit and couples with the engine through a wet multiplate clutch with hydraulic control. You know what that means don’t you? Easy to pull, great feedback provider, all translating into impressive time laps.
The tubular steel trellis frame meeting the fully adjustable 43mm Showa upside-down fork at a 24.5-degree angle and the fully adjustable Showa monoshock are all the result of the Ducati 848 being built with performance in mind. The bike rides on Marchesini 5-spoke light alloy 17-inch wheels with Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa rubber.
Considering the engine and chassis capabilities, there’s nothing to stop a rider from having an extremely good time on it unless he decides to hit the brake levers and determine the Brembo calipers (4-piston, 2-pad) to squeeze the 320mm discs up front and 245mm single disc at the rear (this only gets a 2-piston caliper). Stopping power is claimed to be more than needed for this bike, but it was put it to the test anyways, so read on for more.
Ducati may not have set the 2010 standard 848 superbike apart from the previous model year, but they do offer an extremly cool Nicky Hayden Edition exclusively for the North American market. While keeping the same power-to-weight ratio, the Hayden edition comes with an American inspired paint scheme and the racing celebrity’s signature on the gas tank. Only 150 such bikes have been made and they wil hit dealerships on July 7.
Competition
With the 848, Ducati goes mainly against the Japanese middleweight supersport motorcycles, which are all powered by 600cc inline-four engines. Given the 848’s L-Twin performance figures, it is easy to expect it to make quite a big impression in comparison to the Honda CBR600RR, Yamaha R6 and the R6S as well as to the Suzuki GSX-R600 and Kawasaki ZX-6R.
Exterior
A single look at the 2010 Ducati 848 superbike is enough to make it clear to everyone that the 1098 R was a direct source of inspirations. The sharp headlights and air intakes are by now Ducati trademarks and so is the tiny nose.
On the sides, the fairing is smooth and the aggressive cooling scoop remind us once again of the bike’s bigger sibling. But so does the 4.1 gallons gas tank, the very thin rider seat, which is positioned at a fair 32.6-inch distance from the ground, as well as the rear tail section. On Japanese supersport bikes, this is as sharp as possible (especially on the R6), but Ducati’s designers seem to be more forgiving with passengers and offer decent padding. We don’t know for sure if that’s because of the exhaust silencers being positioned underneath the seat, but it is definitely an advantage, one that helps the bike stand out as being made in Italy.
Another feature that speaks about the European style is the single-sided swingarm, which allows that Y-spoked rear wheel to be instantly noticed. Both rims are black painted regardless of the chosen color. This can be Red, Pearl White or Matt black.
2010 Ducati 848 Nicky Hayden Edition
While we like the 848 a lot, 2010’s special edition model is the closest thing you get to a racing bike with headlights. The 848 Nicky Hayden gets the Hayden Laguna Seca Special Livery with Red frame and Black wheels, which is guaranteed to turn heads.
“The 848 is a really strong Twin. It is nothing like the other five bikes but is still a fun and a good bike to ride or race. It has the most torque out of all the bikes, it just took some getting used to when it came to shifting. It was hard to tell when it was going to hit the limiter.” – motorcycle-usa
"The power of the mid-sized V-twin punches through corners and easily grunts around moms in minivans. The stock brakes are as good, if not better, than most aftermarket squeezers I’ve tested, and the look and the sound of the Italian stallion are second to none and continue to set the benchmark in motorcycle style." – superstreetbike
"On the chassis side, the quick steering exhibited on the street shone through at the track. Turns 9 and 10 are part of a quick chicane that leads onto the front straight and shows off the bike’s nimble chassis." – sportrider
“The 848 turns in crisply and handles with excellent accuracy. Though it lacks the premium Öhlins suspension components of the 1098S, its light weight makes it eager to turn and lean, and its brakes are plenty strong.” – motorcycles.about
"In professional hands the bike looks devastating – and even with a ham-fisted amateur it still looks capable of living with the best supersports machine on the planet." – superbike
"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." – MCN
Price
Buying a Ducati motorcycle, riders look for a different kind of excitement and that doesn’t necessarily have to come at a price. For instance, 848’s $12,995 MSRP (Matt Black painted) is nothing out of the ordinary for the class, but the bike sure is. The Red/White paintjobs will add on $1000 to the starting price, while the best of the best –meaning the Nicky Hayden Edition – starts at $14,495.
Conclusion
Ducati is worthy of appreciation for exploring a challenging segment and managing to offer an original blast of which riders already brag about. We’ve come to find that the 848 is all about offering the ideal power-to-weight ratio and a riding position that sacrifices the rider’s back over sharp handling. Not all riders like it, but all of them surely take it in consideration.
2010 Ducati 848 Nicky Hayden Edition
Engine and Transmission
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