KTM AND DUCATI

     

The 848 is Ducati's most impressive middleweight Superbike ever. Its legendary chassis combined with the torque L-Twin Desmo provide the ideal entry to the world of Ducati Superbikes.

ENGINE
With the first twist of the wrist, the powerful rush of the Testastretta Evoluzione engine confirms that the rules have changed. The potent 848 is powered by a liquid cooled, L-Twin, Desmodromic engine that produces 30% more power than the 749 it replaced. The 848 produces 134hp (98.5kW) @ 10,000rpm and a high accelerating 70.8lb-ft (9.8kgm) of torque @ 8,250rpm. 　

The incredible valve performances of our engines are only possible because of Ducati's unique Desmodromic system, where valve closure is activated mechanically. At high rpm it would be almost impossible for the valve to follow the steep closure profile of the cam lobe if it were relying upon a normal valve spring. With the Desmo system, the valve is closed mechanically with the same accuracy as it is opened, enabling steep cam profiles and radical cam timings. This system is used on every single Ducati power unit including our world-beating Superbike and Desmosedici MotoGP engines.

The 848's lightweight crankshaft assembly operates 94mm pistons powering through short 61.2mm strokes.

Further refinements in the 848 engine include a sophisticated wet clutch that weighs 1kg (2.2lbs) less than its dry counterpart, has a much longer service life, improved clutch feel and quieter operation.

The super-efficient power unit exhausts through a lightweight 2-1-2 system equipped with a catalytic converter and lambda probe to conform to Euro3 regulations.

The highly advanced 848 engine was the first Ducati Superbike to introduce vacuum die-cast crankcases, formed using Vacural® technology, a process that achieves a significant weight saving and ensures consistent wall thickness and increased strength.

Attention to weight reduction is further underlined with the cam covers cast in magnesium alloy.

The 848 engine is fed by MotoGP-derived elliptical throttle bodies which are equivalent to a diameter of 56mm. Representing a 30% increase in air flow over conventional throttle bodies, the elliptical shape contributes to a considerable power increase.

CHASSIS
Producing a front subframe in magnesium underlines the attention to weight-saving detail in the Ducati Superbike range. Its construction provides secure support for the headlamp, instruments and fairing, and the weight-saving around this high, forward position contributes considerably to overall 'feel' and control of the machine.

Developed in cooperation with Ducati Corse, the lightweight Trellis frame features 34mm main section tubes with a material thickness of 1.5mm. The result is an incredibly rigid construction that remains one of Ducati's lightest frame solutions ever. Through decades of racing and development, Ducati has proven that innovative chassis engineering and evolutionary frame advancements win races. The tubular Trellis frame, used on every Ducati motorcycle, is a signature design element. This unique Ducati frame is light, rigid and beautiful thanks to its ingenious Trellis design and use of high quality ALS 450 tubing. Each tube is mitred and micro-fusion welded in a complex triangulated pattern and our incredibly strong L-Twin engine cases are functional 'stressed members' of the chassis.

The dual construction technique used for the single-sided swingarm allows the main operational components to use individual aluminium castings so as to ensure strength around the pivot points, wheel hub and suspension links, while lightweight, fabricated aluminium sections are used to complete the construction into a single, beautifully engineered component. The 848 swingarm is colour finished in natural aluminium.

The lightweight 848 features progressive and consistent race-bred braking performance as standard equipment with a tried and tested formula that includes twin radially mounted Brembo callipers each with four 32mm pistons gripping 320mm discs. On the rear is a Brembo two-piston calliper and 245mm disc.

The 848 features fully adjustable 43mm Showa forks.

Carefully designed for aerodynamic efficiency and to hug the sleek lines of the chassis, the Superbike bodywork enables the rider to blend effortlessly into the correct riding position. Its race-developed fairing design ensures perfect integration with the cooling system by providing efficient flow through the advanced, large surface area coolant radiator, which is assisted by lightweight, high flow electric fan assemblies and oil coolers. Aerodynamically shaped air ducts positioned just below the headlamps are precisely calculated to provide ample air delivery to the pressurised airbox. The lightweight bodywork contributes considerably to overall performance by reducing weight, protecting the Testastretta Evoluzione engine's power output, and assisting the rider to effortlessly 'tuck in' from the wind stream and reduce drag to achieve maximum straight-line track speeds.

The rear is controlled by a fully adjustable Showa single shock.

The lightweight front wheels used on all Ducati Superbike models substantially reduces the moment of inertia, enabling a faster change of direction and enhanced acceleration and braking performances. The 848 is equipped with Y-shaped, 5-spoke wheels by Enkei which are finished in black, and fitted with Pirelli Dragon Supercorsa PRO 120/70 ZR17 front and 180/55 ZR17 rear tyres.

EQUIPMENT
This pure racing digital instrumentation originating from Ducati's MotoGP project has no switches or buttons to compromise its clean, minimalist lines. Instead, information additional to the default read-outs is managed from the left-hand handlebar-mounted switch gear, allowing the rider to scroll through and select from various menus. The display, which has a bright white LED back lighting, presents rpm and speed, with the former displayed across the screen in a progressive bar graph. Optionally, the rpm and speed can be displayed in numeric values. Additionally, it displays lap times, DTC level selected (if activated on 1198 S, 1198 S Corse and 1198 R Corse) time, air temperature, coolant temperature, battery voltage, two trips and a trip that automatically starts as the fuel system goes onto reserve. Warning lights illuminate to signify neutral, turn signals, high-beam, rev-limit, low oil pressure, fuel reserve, DTC intervention (if activated on 1198 S, 1198 S Corse and 1198 R Corse) and scheduled maintenance. The instrument display is also used as the control panels for the DDA (DDA kit supplied as standard on 1198 S, 1198 S Corse and 1198 R Corse) and DTC systems as well as listing lap times recorded by using the high-beam flash button as a stopwatch.

The digital display is programmed with a stopwatch function that, when enabled, can be triggered by using the high-beam flash button and each recorded time stored in a memory. After your journey or track session, the times or lap times can be recalled from the memory and scrolled through by using the instrumentation buttons on the left-hand switchgear.
The instrument display also doubles as a control panel for the activation of the Ducati Data Analyser (DDA) system, which is available as an accessory from Ducati Performance. The bike has been built ‘system-ready’ for the data acquisition kit, which consists of special DDA software and a memory key that slots into a plug under the seat. The same plug also doubles as the connection for a handy new battery charger available as an accessory from Ducati Performance.

Ducati Superbikes are equipped with adjustable levers that operate Brembo radial-type master cylinders with remote reservoirs. Add easy-to-use switchgear with stopwatch function and DTC and DDA management and it becomes clear that functionality plays a major role alongside performance.

The horizontal twin headlamps, a signature Ducati style from the iconic 916, are modernised with the latest lighting technology. Two polyellipsoidal units light the way with a powerful beam while maintaining an aggressive look to the front of the machine in pure Ducati Superbike tradition. The rear light employs a specially designed strip of LEDs enhanced by a high diffusion lens shaped into the sleek lines of the tailpiece. The same LEDs are intensified for brake lights. The directional indicators also use the latest in LED technology for illumination.

The frontal indicators are beautifully integrated into the rear view mirrors. All Superbike mirrors come with an optional spacer kit enabling an extension of 30mm over the standard mirror stem length.