848 roll-out

[tourinoob]

Talked to my local Ducati salesman today (at Goodtimes Kaw/Suz/Duc). He said the worldwide roll-out will be 12/14 and they will have one bike on display that weekend with demo rides avail the next weekend. He wasn`t sure when they would be avaible for delivery but dealers that have deposits down will get priority. He had some freshly delivered "2008 Superbike" literature (which I am currently perusing).

Yeah it`s 13k....but my goodness man these are sweet...maybe just maybe...

[highside]

For some reason this is one bike that I am really excited about. Its way too expensive, but it is such a beautiful machine, and they really managed to make it new without losing the traditional Ducati look.

[atypical1]

Its way too expensive,

You can't put a price on lust.

[R Doug]

FWIW, it's at the top of my lottery list for a track bike.  

[tourinoob]

wow....I need a cigarette

[keystonejenks]

That's nice.

[R Doug]

I believe the image above is a 1098 w/ a photoshopped 848 decal on the side.  But, there wasn't really much difference between the 999 and the 749 in terms of looks.

Anyhow, here's the real thing...

[R Doug]

[R Doug]

[R Doug]

[chornbe]

I'm increasingly losing interest in track-style, full-on sport bikes. Give me a nice "sport naked" or sport-touring bike for the more aggressive riding.

$.02

[R Doug]

Chris, you're becoming a crusty old man.  

To be honest, I agree with you.  But, if I had the money to have a full-time track-only bike, it would be a pure sportbike like this.  After seeing how much fun a more comfortable nekkid sportbike can be, I can't see the need of a pure sportbike as a daily rider anymore.  

[chornbe]

Chris, you're becoming a crusty old man.  

To be honest, I agree with you.  But, if I had the money to have a full-time track-only bike, it would be a pure sportbike like this.  After seeing how much fun a more comfortable nekkid sportbike can be, I can't see the need of a pure sportbike as a daily rider anymore.  

Yeah, on the track where you really don't need 360-degree vision to stay alive while being hunted by 8000lbs of soccer-mom-powered SUV, the riding position isn't a hinderence. On the street, well... I like being up, visible, able to look around, and I just feel like I have better low-speed control on a naked or upright-seater.

As for being crusty, all I can say is GET OFF MY LAWN!

[CRFJohn]

I love it and think that the price isnt too bad!!!!

[Corbeau]

Any idea what the price will be in Canada?

Because, I feel such lust that if the 848 were a woman, Ms. Corbeau would be talking on the phone with her lawyer, stat.

[bubba zanetti]

That bike would never be my one and only ... but .... I love the look of it !!  

[BigHoss]

  Oh man  the 848 is the cats ass. I saw the red and the white one at the local Duc pond today. I would have one in a heart beat if my age wasn't catching up to me . I would be trading the HM in for the 848....just pure sweet Italian sex in heels........Yeah Baby!! I'll take her in the red dress thank you.

[ZED]

Went and saw it at the dealer yesterday.  They even had a bow on it already to put under the tree for me!  Nice bike!  Beautiful lines, great chassis, great engine!  
It would make a great track toy, but with an MSRP of $16k CDN it is a bit much for me for a toy.

Looks like the did cut some corners though to keep the price within sight.  There's no steering stabilizer or mount for one like there is on the 1098.  They went with Showa suspension instead of Ohlins (fully adjustable though).  

Still, those things can be changed.  It's the engine and chassis that you're paying for.  Another $4k into it and you'd have a really, really, sweet track machine.  

[st ryder]

MCN video with a quick, (not in depth) comparo of the 1098 and the 848. I like the comments on the 848's power delivery not being "brutal":

(http://www.brightcove.tv/title.jsp?title=1347885431)  

[buckeye]

Checked one out last Saturday at the local Duc dealership and came away VERY impressed. The dealer claimed that no "R" or "S" version would be forthcoming since neither version of the old 749 sold well. Anyone have any info on later incarnations of the 848?

I'd love to see it in a Tricolore paint scheme.  

[JonS]

This is frojm Soup. http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2008/Jan/0801-848test.htm Boy, I really wish I was young enough to need on of these.  Now a days my back does my talking for me.