Hi all I’m considering an 848 as a track bike. Am I mad? Are they reliable enough? I’m happy to maintain a bike, but don’t want to miss track time because of issues when I’ve paid out for a track day… anyone got experience (good or bad) thanks
What are your aspirations ? The 848 will be an admirable bike for shorter circuits where the power of the bigger bikes is less of an advantage but will be tedious on tracks with long straights where you will be left behind by the bigger bikes. The TDP groups seem to mean little nowadays so you can expect a mixed bag of abilities on a mixed bag of bikes in any group. The 848 has known weaknesses including the gearbox which doesn’t respond well to a QS, especially if it’s not set up perfectly. The 899, the 959 and the latest Panigale V2 are all more modern and in their own way, better. Or just do what many do, get a cheap, bullet proof JIL4 and thrash the nuts of it. Andy
I can vouch for the gearbox on the 848 not being great with a poorly set up quickshifter, the other thing to consider from the 848 will be the effort required to get the chassis dialled in, which isn’t a problem but it’s set up in standard form can be a little compromised often overloading the front, potentially slow steering. mid it were me, for track I’d get a 899, it’s reviver, has a QS, has some electronics and is a little easier to move around and get comfortable on.
Never had any gearbox problems with my ex-Trioptions 848. Not as quick as the 899 or as nimble as the 748, but perfectly capable of hustling bigger machines on circuits like Le Mans, Donington & Silverstone. The stand-out is how relatively cheap they are.
FYI it took quite a while before the tri=options guys were beating 848 times on 899 bikes... Great bikes, if well set up they handle lovely and don't need tyres at the rate of larger bikes. Slipper clutch essential. QS not so and, IMHO, wouldn't fit one as those gearboxes don't like them...clutchless is fine anyway IME KTECH or ohlins rear, front springs & valving and get the centre of gravity up.
Thanks all. I’m just looking for something different from everyone else’s JIL4. Love Ducatis and think I’ll enjoy thrashing a 140hp bike more than nursing a 180hp one around a circuit. Comments about QS noted, although didn’t the SE Corse come with one as standard? Haven’t heard any horror stories about reliability yet, so that’s good news…
I used a 1098 on track for a while which I enjoyed. It wasn't as easy as the more modern bikes as the gearbox was lethargic and it turned quite slowly but the stomp out of the bends was addictive.
You’ll have as much fun as anyone else with an 848. Most fun track bike I had was a 999R. Similar power wise. I think there’s still a few knocking about from the Tri options series?? Or am I getting confused with other models?? The one I’m thinking about had upgraded con rods and possibly transmission. Get one of those if you can….