Ducati 848 evo CORSE Special Edition 2013 — Specifications

Who still remembers that between the 749 and the 1098, Ducati slipped in a bastard displacement, an 849 cc that didn't fit into any of the usual categories? That's precisely what makes the Ducati 848 evo Corse Special Edition so unique. For 2013, Bologna decided to give its middleweight sportbike one last lap with a special edition that reeks of paddock life and razor-sharp racing lines.

On paper, the 90-degree L-twin spits out 140 horsepower at 10,500 rpm and 98 Nm of torque at 9,750 rpm. Figures that place this Italian in the big leagues, up against a Triumph Daytona 675R that's admittedly lighter but less volcanic, or an MV Agusta F3 with a sharper temperament. The 13.2:1 compression ratio and ultra-short 61.2 mm stroke betray an engine designed to climb through the rev range with gusto. This twin doesn't have the smoothness of a Japanese four-cylinder — it pulses, it vibrates, it reminds you with every surge through the revs that there are two pistons down there and nothing else.

What sets the 2013 Ducati 848 evo Corse Special Edition apart from the standard 848 evo comes down to the details that matter. The fuel tank switches to 2 mm thick aluminum, saving a kilo while adding 2.5 liters of capacity for a total of 15.5 liters. A clever compromise when you know that fuel consumption on track climbs fast. The Öhlins rear shock replaces the standard unit and offers 120 mm of travel perfectly calibrated for the demanding track rider. Up front, the 43 mm inverted fork with its 127 mm of travel completes a steel tubular trellis frame whose recipe Ducati has mastered for decades. The Brembo braking system with its two 330 mm radially-mounted discs and four-piston calipers inspires immediate confidence. Add the quickshifter and an eight-level adjustable traction control system, and you've got a machine ready to hit the track straight off the truck.

The black and gray livery highlights the bright red frame, a visual signature that's enough to spot the beast in a crowded parc fermé. At 168 kg dry and 194 kg wet, this sportbike stays contained for a twin of this displacement, even if a British 675 does better on the scales. The seat perched at 830 mm won't do any favors for shorter riders, but that's the price you pay for a rider-footpeg-handlebar triangle built for attack. The 120/70-17 front and 180/55-17 rear tires offer a coherent compromise between grip and stability, without falling into the trap of an overly wide tire that would weigh down the steering.

At €15,990, the price tag is steep for a machine that will never race in Superbike. But that's precisely where its charm lies. This 848 is aimed at the amateur rider who wants a Ducati track bike without the brutality of a 1199 Panigale, at the track day enthusiast looking for a precise and rewarding tool without burning through superbike-sized rear tires. It ages well, this little Italian. And this Corse edition remains arguably the most desirable of the lineage.