Man, you won’t believe the journey I’ve had with this Ducati 848. It all started a while back when I finally got my hands on this beauty. It was a dream come true, seriously. This thing had some serious upgrades too – a Ducati steering damper, a full Akrapovic system, and even carbon fiber fairings. It looked absolutely stunning, I gotta say.
First off, I just took it easy, cruising around town. This bike, even though it’s an 848, it’s still pretty chill for just regular riding. I mean, it’s not like my old bike, but it’s manageable, you know? But, and this is a big but, I didn’t even think about pushing it on corners or twisty roads initially. I knew better than to try anything crazy right off the bat.
Now, about the maintenance, this is where it gets interesting. They say the service intervals are longer now, like every 7500 miles or once a year, which is pretty good. And the belts, they need changing every two years. The valve clearances, or what they call the desmo service, that’s checked at 15,000 miles. It’s not as frequent as the older models, from what I gather.
Riding experience? It’s stable, man. On the road, this thing is solid. It can keep up with some of the best sports bikes out there, no joke. This 849.4cc V-twin Testastretta engine, it’s got new cylinder heads and all that jazz. Makes a difference, I tell ya.
- Handling: Super stable on the road.
- Engine: That V-twin engine is a beast.
- Maintenance: Longer intervals, which is a plus.
Honestly, people say that the 1098 is faster, and maybe it is on a track or in a straight line, but out here in the real world, this 848? It’s just as quick. You feel me? It’s a rush, every single time.
I remember when I first got it, it had about 19,000 kilometers on it. I was so stoked, I just took it slow, learning its quirks. It’s a Ducati, so you know it’s got its own personality.
Getting to Know Her
So, I spent weeks just getting used to the bike. Riding around, feeling how it handled, listening to that engine roar. It was like getting to know a new friend, you know? A friend with a whole lot of horsepower.
Then, I started to push a little harder. Not crazy, just a bit more aggressive on the throttle, leaning into the corners a bit more. And man, this bike responded! It’s like it was waiting for me to unleash it. The power delivery is so smooth, and the handling is just… chef’s kiss. You feel so connected to the road, it’s unreal.
The Realization
That’s when it hit me. This bike, the Ducati 848, it’s not just a machine. It’s an experience. It’s about the feeling you get when you’re riding it, the sound of that engine, the wind rushing past you. It’s about the connection between you, the bike, and the road. And let me tell you, it’s a connection like no other.
So, yeah, that’s my story with the Ducati 848. It’s been a wild ride, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. It’s more than just a bike; it’s a part of me now, you know? It changed my view on riding, and honestly, it’s been a blast every single mile.