New SF848, sorted.

I will sort some pictures over the next couple of days. Picked up my new SF848 last week. Quite a few tweaks from standard, nothing too OTT.

I've only managed about 120 miles before heading away for the weekend so can't say too much other than it hasn't been a massive transition from the Monster 796 so far.

Would be good to find a few others in the south east and hook up as the weather improves and chances to get out improve.


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SF848, now with images

So I've managed about 120 miles on the SF before other intrusions such as work/weather/weekends away and GF stopped me playing.

I come from a Monster 796 so was cautious the SF848 might be a handful at first. I'll write up some on first impressions as well, bear in mind I'm not a professional bike tester so this is real world on UK roads, not the glamour of bike magazine launches with Ducati hospitality.

Pro Twins in Godstone are my dealer and I've always found them easy to deal with and they get the small details right. I'd recommend them for anyone in the area.

The bike itself (red of course) has a few changes from standard:

Termis, baffles out!
Radiator guards
New Rizoma LED indicators front and back
Tail Tidy
Streetfighter 1098 steering damper (it's a straight fit - I can change to a better model like Ohlins later but probably won't)
Rizoma fluid tanks x3
R&G/Rizoma crash protection, a few bits, frame, water pump, bar ends and forks.
DP tank carbon tank pad (the multi piece one)

I've even been a tyre tart and personalised the tyres with the Pirelli tyre personalisation thing they do now.

Other odd bits are Optimate plug, some ACF50 etc.

Overall, I'm happy with the bike, I didn't blow a fortune on carbon fibre as I don't see the justification but I can see why people do it.

First impressions from riding:

I'm running in but the hasn't meant any real changes in riding, the 6k limit might have been breached already It's much easier to ride than I was expecting. The clutch is more aggressive than the Monster but I'll get used to it. Ergonomics are great for me, no real adjustments needed. The higher bars are more akin to a Monster than a Superbike so position is pretty comfortable. The seat height for me at 6'1 is fine, I can pretty much flat foot at a stop.

The handling is really good, like really really good, I've found it great so far, turn in on a dime and very sorted. The steering damper I ordered just as a safety measure but I think it might be overkill on this bike. I've not played much with the DTC, it's set on 4 out of 8 and hasn't kicked in more than once maybe. I'm hopeful it won't be noticeable, I think it might just save a slip on UK roads where exits on pothole strewn roads can kick the bike if you're pressing on. I have one local roundabout where the exit has smooth manholes and lines and potholes and I've always been wary to push hard on the exit as the surface is lousy, it's when I don't know the local knowledge I think the DTC might save you. I've not really gunned it full beans from the off yet so no experience there yet of DTC doing anything.

The engine and gearing are better than I had hoped. I wouldn't change the front to 14T and it's been easier in traffic than my Monster where the gearing seemed taller. I was filtering and it was easier than I'd expected, the fuelling is sorted (new ECU/filter with the Termis probably helps).

I get a few pops and bangs from the Termis and hopefully this will get worse/better You know I'm coming!

Overall, the bike looks killer imho, I haven't gone too far on styling but enough it's got my stamp on it. The tail tidy really sorts the back end and my plate (in honour of my cheating ex-wife !) is legal sized but I won't go smaller as it looks fine. The LED indicators are way bright so I'm pleased with that change which was the dealer pressing me for something I wasn't thinking would look good. The radiator guards are excellent, they look factory and I think sort a vulnerable area on the bike.

Storage space is excellent, I can store at least two credit cards before it is cramped. Other than that Kriega is your friend.

Some shots from this morning:


Ducati Streetfighter 848 - 01 by ramsden_board, on Flickr


Ducati Streetfighter 848 - 04 by ramsden_board, on Flickr


Ducati Streetfighter 848 - 02 by ramsden_board, on Flickr


Ducati Streetfighter 848 - 03 by ramsden_board, on Flickr


Ducati Streetfighter 848 - 05 by ramsden_board, on Flickr


Ducati Streetfighter 848 - 06 by ramsden_board, on Flickr


Ducati Streetfighter 848 - 07 by ramsden_board, on Flickr


Ducati Streetfighter 848 - 08 by ramsden_board, on Flickr


Ducati Streetfighter 848 - 09 by ramsden_board, on Flickr


Ducati Streetfighter 848 - 10 by ramsden_board, on Flickr

 

I am very close to Box Hill. Would love to come along but my weekend to see my kids so no playing alas! I've registered for the Horsham Italia event though. Should be run in by the as well

I'm done with any add ons for now. I'd like to lose the pillion pegs but the DP exhaust hanger in carbon was pricey for a simple bracket. My partner is too scared to ride on the back so ideally I'd replace the seat with a carbon cover, lose the pegs and tidy up the back end. The pegs are oddly spaced anyway to allow for the exhaust so the rear view looks skewed. I quite like minimalist and losing bits I'll not need on the bike.

Storage is quite a pain, no space even for a disk lock and I don't like carrying lumps of metal in pockets, not a great idea in the event of any off. Still, I've got plenty of Kriega packs and they attach fine.

No tax disk! I have ordered a tube and there are a couple of spare bolt holes that should mean an easy and subtle placement. I will start a whole new thread on that in Ducatisti tradition when it is fitted.

One other point, the new spec rear tyre is different and looks huge with the tail tidy clearing the back end. I'm not sure how much of a difference it makes to a regular r55/50 as no direct comparison but I certainly found the ride compliant on bumpier stuff and no chance of swing arm rubbing!



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Should get in 100 miles tomorrow so might be at 200 plus before I'm swamped in single parent mode and no childcare cover - not sure the nanny for my kids will extend her week to cover my weekend bike rides the weekend they see their mother is my downtime so hopefully next weekend will be clear.

Happy to sort a social ride out, especially as this bike has arrived at a point where the weather is improving. My last bike I took delivery of in November I think and within 2 weeks we had more snow than a cocaine dealers grotto.


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@Char - which bits are you thinking of?

I'd say Termis are a must, pricey though but the sound....

 

Be interesting to see exhaust options. I like the fact the Termis have the ECU and filter change, I know the fuelling etc is sorted then.

The single side swing arm doesn't look as good with the exhaust shotgun style but the Termis are quite a bit smaller than stock so it improves it some. Under the seat would be good, as per my last Monster, that with the tail tidy looks great.

I seem to be alone in not finding the stock mirrors that bad. They work pretty well and I don't mind the look, the design flows fine for me, I prefer them to a classic mirror on a stork look which most of the aftermarket mirrors have.


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