[sportrider - sport bikes] - 2008 Ducati 848 - Stepping Out Of The Shadows

[Ninjette Newsbot]

2008 Ducati 848 - Stepping Out Of The Shadows

Ducati's 848 may just be the ideal V-twin sportbike.Opinions
Troy Siahaan
I'm not really cross-eyed, I swear.
Prior to riding the 848 I was testing the latest crop of 600s for our 600 shootout. Before that I was riding the newest literbikes for our 1000 comparo. So with all these varying power levels in mind, I really didn't know what to expect from the Ducati. Its displacement is in the middle-and it's a twin. I went into it open-minded and came away pleasantly surprised: The power isn't overwhelming like the literbikes, but it has more gusto than the 600s. Being a twin, that go-juice was available much earlier in the rev range as well. Add to that a great chassis and awesome brakes and you have the makings for an all-around perfect motorcycle. Well, almost. Ducati's decision to cheap out on the suspension is ultimately the bike's fall from grace. Can't please them all, I guess, but hey-at least it looks like a million bucks!


Photo Gallery: 2008 Ducati 848 - Sport Rider Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2008 Ducati 848 - Sport Rider Magazine


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