Photoshoot of the Week: January 27th-February 2nd 2020 – Ducati 848 & Jana

The Ducati 848 is a sport bike with a 849 cc 90° V-twin engine manufactured by Ducati within 2008 and 2013, when it was replaced by the 899 Panigale. In 1994, when Ducati launched the 748 with the exact silhouette of the 916: basically a baby superbike. In 2003 the 749 carried on fighting the Supersport fight but then in 2008 Ducati launched the 848 and not the 750 or 751 someone might have probably expected. An additional 100cc might not sound like a big deal, but the 848 was ruled out of competing in the Supersport class and since then it’s always been the odd one stood in the corner of the 600 supersport party. Strange how, at 849cc – just 67cc off the original 916 – it’s still managed to keep its baby superbike image and yet it’s putting out more power than the original 916 did.
The Ducati 848 is as agile and light as a Supersport yet as powerful as a Superbike. The old 848 enjoyedall the performance advancements of the entire Superbike family, while adding its own innovations to redefine the middleweight sport bike class.
The words “agile” and “refined” aptly describe the 848. At 168 kg (369 lbs) the 848 is an amazing 20 kg (44 lbs) lighter than its predecessor, and a significant 5 kg (11 lbs) lighter than its larger capacity brother, the 1098.
The highly advanced 848 engine uses an improved method of engine case production in which cases are vacuum die-cast formed. While providing significant weight savings of more than 3 kg (6.5 lbs), this method also ensures consistent wall thickness and increased strength.
Further refinements include a sophisticated wet clutch that offers 1 kg (2.2 lbs) less weight, a much higher service life, improved clutch feel and quiet operation. With the first twist of the wrist, the powerful rush of the Testastretta Evoluzione engine confirms that the rules have changed. The 848’s 134 hp is not only 30% more powerful than its predecessor, but it provides a power-to-weight ratio even better than the potent 999.
The 848 engine is fitted with a silent modular wet clutch, characterized by an exceptional resistance to wear that will lead to superior duration. This solution makes a useful contribution to weight saving, estimated to be around 1.6 kg, which is also due to the use of a different type of clutch cover.
The high power figures achieved by this engine also come from the use of the same type of oil cooler and coolant radiator as the 1098’s engine, with an increased surface area assisted by lightweight, high flow electric fan assemblies.
Finally, the 848’s exhaust system follows the same layout and uses the same innovative technology as the 1098. The system terminates with Ducati’s trademark twin under-seat silencers, delivering the unmistakable signature sound of the big bore 90° L-Twin. The design of a dedicated elliptical throttle body for the 848 demonstrates the attention that Borgo Panigale engineers have devoted to the development of the Superbike range. The cross-section is reduced from the 60 sq. mm of the 1098 to 56 sq. mm so as to optimize fluid dynamics at every engine speed. Just like on the 1098, the cylinder heads benefit from fewer components and include magnesium covers.
That 848, in the end, was just begging to be used. Following the Ducati 848’s release, Ducati sold more than 1,200 units in its first six months of availability, making the Ducati 848 the fastest selling motorcycle in Ducati’s history (beating the previous recording holder, the 1098, by 200 units) and representing 20% of Ducati’s overall sales for North America.