Ducati 848 Dark 2010 — Specifications

Why pay more for paint? That's the question Ducati asks with this 2010 848 Dark, a version stripped of its colorful finery but not of its dynamic credentials. The concept is simple: take the standard 848, drape it in full matte black, knock 750 euros off the price tag, and let the mechanicals do the talking. At 13,500 euros, it's a gateway into Bologna's Superbike universe that deserves a closer look.

Beneath that dark dress beats the same 90-degree L-twin as the standard version. 849 cc, 134 horsepower at 10,000 rpm, 96 Nm of torque at 8,250 rpm. The numbers speak for themselves: this is a square engine, with a 94 mm bore and a mere 61.2 mm stroke, built to climb through the rev range with typically Italian fury. The 12:1 compression ratio confirms the sharp-edged character of the powerplant. Against a Triumph Daytona 675 or an MV Agusta F3, the Ducati plays the card of superior displacement and torque. Against its big sister the 1198, it offers a more compact footprint and a dry weight of 168 kg that makes it easier to handle. This is a sportbike that doesn't require a World Superbike rider's physique to be exploited, yet generously rewards those who dare to chase the power high in the rev range.

The steel tubular trellis frame, a Ducati signature, wraps around this twin with the precision you'd expect from a machine born in Borgo Panigale. The 43 mm telescopic fork offers 127 mm of travel, while the rear monoshock provides 120 mm. Nothing revolutionary on paper, but the package works with a coherence that commands respect on both road and track. The braking system — two 320 mm front discs with four-piston radial calipers, backed by a single 245 mm rear disc — proves worthy of the machine's temperament. The 120/70-17 and 180/55-17 tires stay within category standards, with a rear end wide enough to handle the available horsepower.

Then there's the question of positioning. With its 830 mm seat height and 15.5-liter tank, the 848 Dark makes no pretense about its intentions: this is a pure sportbike, not a disguised sport-tourer. Range will be modest, passenger comfort negligible, and daily commuting quickly tiresome. But that's not what anyone asks of it. It targets the rider who wants a Ducati Superbike without the 1098's price tag, who prefers matte black over tricolor liveries, and who plans to invest the savings into consumables or chassis upgrades. The technical foundation is identical to the standard 848, and that's its strongest argument. No mechanical compromise, just an aesthetic choice that lightens the bill. For a budding track day enthusiast or an Italian sportbike devotee watching their budget, the formula still makes perfect sense.