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For those of you that aren't up for going toe-to-toe with the super stiff 1098 Streetfighter, the 848 slips off its shirt and steps into the ring.
the Ducati Streetfighter 848 will do this all day.
The 2012 Ducati Streetfighter 848 is the bike Ducati is hoping will take the fight to the naked bike hordes. Where the Ducati Streetfighter 1098 had suspension so firm and brakes so harsh you climbed off one looking like you'd had the shit kicked out of you, the 848 version is slightly softer and more welcoming.
Only a couple of parts on the hole bike are unique to the Streetfighter 848. The swing arm is gravity cast aluminium, rather than vacuum cast, as per most of the Ducati range. The camshaft is also unique, now providing the 849cc motor as found in the 848 Super bike with the same 11 degrees of (inlet and exhaust) valve overlap that the M1200 Multistrada and the bonkers Diavel benefit from.
What does this mean? It means you get a (claimed) 132bhp naked bike with all of the attitude of the Streetfighter 1098, coupled with 9,300 mile service intervals.
The 8-level Ducati traction control system comes as standard, the quick shifter is but a box tick away. Small adjustments have been made to key components to improve feel and performance and as a package, the Streetfighter 848 is a seriously tempting bike if you're in the market for a naked bike.
You'll need to buy the December 2011 issue of SuperBike* to read the full test, but after a track test in Modena, as well as a superb road ride through the Maranello hills surrounding the home of Ferrari, we've got plenty to prattle on about. *Have we, um, mentioned before we're in the iTunes store for iPad and iPhone and in the Android market for the rest of the world? We have? Oh...
Prices in the UK start at £9,995, there'll be an S version to choose from as well as a stack of peachy looking accessories. Get yourselves along to the NEC bikeshow to see the little beauty in the flesh, or click here to buy one today
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