Ducati Streetfighter 848 2015 — Specifications

When Ducati introduced the 1098 Streetfighter at the end of 2008, it was quickly imagined that a little brother would follow in its footsteps, as with the 1198 and 848 sportbikes. However, it took 3 years for that to happen, even though technically, it wasn't that complicated to modify the twin installed in this chassis. But it finally arrived, and the mean roadster from Bologna opens up to a wider audience with this 848 Streetfighter.

In terms of style, it’s impossible to distinguish it from the big 1098. The same aggressive and frankly attractive design, monobrach, double exhaust, vicious grin, sporty rear, and Italian-style cycle parts. It’s pure adrenaline-fueled roadster, with charm, aggression, and a twin without sweeteners. Keen to introduce the Streetfighter to less exclusive manners, the factory has reworked and softened the ergonomics: handlebars and seat differ from the big SF. Within the trellis frame, the 849.4 cm³ comes from the youngest of the Bologna sportbikes. Its cylinder head differs somewhat with the adoption of 11° timing already present on the Multistrada and Diavel - enough to soften the twin, which was originally not stingy with its spirit. Moreover, this allows spacing the revisions but not really the power of the stable. 140 horsepower jostle on the 848; the SF 848 retains the essentials but the temperament of this engine is obviously reworked to match a roadster spirit. The figure of 132 horses announces a good series of sensations, with 9.5 mkg of torque delivered in the mid-range and a growling character. Enough to imprint a heck of a pace, because not only does the chassis feel like it’s full of arse, but also the machine only weighs 169 kg. It’s the same weight as the big SF; a logical thing as standardization shares a host of parts between the two models.

But to contain prices and preserve the prestige of the 1098 Streetfighter, the 848 does without monoblock calipers, the discs are smaller but still 320 mm, and the suspension components are no longer signed Showa but Marzocchi. One thing that 90% of users will completely not care about, because the equipment remains worthy of a track bike: steel trellis frame top rigid (but more flexible than on the 848 sportbike, in order to make it more docile), 43 mm inverted fork, Brembo 4-piston radial mount calipers; the bonus is easier piloting than with the big brother, more demanding; especially since the little brawler is equipped with Ducati Traction Control as standard. And to analyze your performances, you can add the DDA (to be picked from the options catalog).

M.B - Photos manufacturer