[Ducati] My thoughts on the new Ducati 848

[Peter Bonner]

Don't think all those retro's are flying off the floor, but I would have
voted for the Paul Smart LE. Never rode one, but then in Sardegna, my friend
had set up a surprise, we got a dealer to loan us a new Sport for the
afternoon. Immediately felt put off by the bike, first reaction, Where is
the front wheel?  Just seemed a bit of a strange layout.  However, as Luca
and I kept riding, the bike made more and more sense, and actually works
pretty well. Still, it would not be a first choice. I like the imaginary
model below, the 1098 model SS. That Dual Spark motor is awesome for good
smooth power delivery and great reliability.  Funny you mention 400 lbs,
because that is a yardstick I have always used, being bikes under 400 lbs
preferred. Probably came from the fact that the Bonneville Triumphs of my
youth came new at around that weight, and with a little bit of work, fit the
under category. More just didn't work on the combination of street and dirt
riding that we did back then. The prejudice for light bikes remains however.
And that favours simple air cooled motors.

Peter


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Don Hill" <desmonic at sbcglobal.net>
To: "Ducati Owners Group" <ducati at ducati.net>
Sent: Wednesday, December 05, 2007 10:36 PM
Subject: Re: [Ducati] My thoughts on the new Ducati 848


> Something that people don't understand is that the "Sport" is a miss. I
> wanted one until I sat on it. (just my, and a lot of other people's
opinion)
> It is a great idea poorly executed. Reach to handlebars way too long,
angle
> of handlebars sucks, sliding caliper brakes? Give me a brake! Yeah, I
could
> spend a bunch more money on it to try to make it rideable but why should I
> have too?
>snip

  Give me a 100hp, 77ft-lb air cooled 1098 that weighs less than 400 (real
> world) pounds ready to ride and I'll buy one. Give me an S model with
Ohlins
> suspension, lighter wheels, and some exhaust/ECU upgrades and I'll buy IT
> instead, give me a street legal Ducati version of the NCR Milona. $20,000?
> Ok. I've got far more than that into my '93 SS. The new 1100SS/R would be
a
> lot more reliable and easier to get parts for ...
> Don