Hi chaps. Been a while as I've recently bought a ktm rc8r for the track but decided to improve the 848 steering further after enjoying the rc8's super quick handling. I've already fitted the 1098 ride height adjuster and that's nearly maxed out (~4-5 threads showing either end). Over the w.e. I dropped the front to the lowest setting and the handling improvement is massive. Turns easily and is still stable. The bike also currently has a slightly taller tyre a 190/55 (there's plenty of space around the Swingarm) Adding some rear compression also helped (it's now 6 clicks out on the ohlins shock). Question is what can be done next? It still feels a little slower to turn than the rc8 but I've maxed out the ride height range. Is it ok to drop the front past the lowest lines on the forks for example? Forks are almost bottoming out so may need a respring and shim re stacking. Will that raise the front though? Preload is at 2 lines showing. I'm about 13 stone with gear.
What about switching the steering head angle into the 'track' setting? I remember someone on here had done it and said it totally changed the bike, I'm not sure what the trade off is though, you probably need to then run the back slightly more like the normal setting for ride height so it doesn't turn into an animal. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Hey phil. I was pricing up the moto46 adjustable yokes yesterday (the ones in PB mag) as I don't think my bike has angle adjustment.... Does it??? You're right though sorting the steering angle would rectify the issues and give me more height range to play with. Was wondering if there was something less full-on that I'm missing first. (Btw. Are you coming to the 675 bash still?)
Hi mate, yes I may be confused as its a while since I actively read the 848 threads, it really bugged me with my 848 at the time that it was so heavy to turn. I just didn't feel confident that when I needed to adjust my line I could, I didn't have the adjustable ride height though! Yeah I am still coming! Just for the social, two of my mates are riding, are u camping etc?
Put a 75 rear spring in 180 tyre revert back to factory settings on the front and take it to 100% suspension to get set up, job done Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
That's exactly the same problem I have with it, couldn't carry the entry speed, running wide etc but it's getting a lot better with ride height adjustment. It's the last 10% of agility I'm chasing. I know it's in there somewhere (Yep I'll be camping. Booked both days, will be on the rc8)
Cool, see U there, I'm gutted but I am a bit skint at the mo and can't afford to spend £200+ tyres if I'm likely to get turned away. I have to say, out the box the 899 is much easier to handle, much more 'nosey' and lively. It gives me so much more confidence but I did really like some aspect of the 848, seemed to be a giant killer in terms of how it delivered power. And I loved the noise and the brakes! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
This has the ohlins shock, not the rock hard Showa. It's not stiff at the rear like the older bikes. I've had the suspension set up at a local race shop and the spring was ok. Richard at louigi moto had a look for me a few months back and said there was nothing more he could do unless it was done at track side. I really think geometry has to be sorted first as the changes I've made have all been in the right direction (shifting weight forward and reducing trail). I also have a 14t sprocket which has lengthened the wheelbase a smidgen. Are new yokes really the only option?
Gutting Phil. Seems things will only get worse noise wise. I tested an 899 and it was so much easier to turn than the 848. There's something I like about the older bike though, it feels tight and precise. Stunning breakes too, I agree. Look forward to meeting you at the bash!
I think so if I'm honest mate from memory, but if u do so I think u have to make sure your forks aren't dropped though or u can run into some clearance issues. One of the trade offs with the attack yokes if it's the same one is that u can raise the bar height a touch which may help u feel more comfortable Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I know it's an ohlins which way to hard, here's mine setting from a few years back with the 80 rear spring in, with the 75 you can fine-tune the rear far better
Don't think the 848's got an adjustable headstock so I'm presuming that's fixed. You've only maxed out the current adjuster, you can get a longer one DUCATI BILLET RIDE HEIGHT ADJUSTER ROD SUSPENSION LINK SILVER STREETFIGHTER | eBay providing you don't have a problem reaching the floor this is probably a better option than dropping the forks further. Sticking it on it's nose is however reducing trail (feel, not good) the reduced offset yokes regain the trail but won't make it "easier" to turn, if anything slightly the opposite.
I've got no complaints at all with comfort It's specifically the turning issue I'm trying to solve. As I said ride height was working but I'm running out of adjustment. Maybe a softer spring and more preload would help???
I did try dropping the front and rear by 10mm and it was dog shit so reverted back, try taking out as much as possible the per load on the back Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Why did you reduce the rear as well? That'll keep the rake/trail and weight distribution the same so won't have much effect on turning, IIUC? I can understand why you didn't like it. Have you tried raising the rear relative to the front? This has been a seriously massive improvement for me when I got the rear ride height adjuster. It tips in well and is progressive through the turn without running wide (as much!) when I get on the gas. It's not quite as good as the RC8 but its a lot easier to control than before and I'm more relaxed. Looks like your preload and ride height is set the same as mine judging from the pic. Though I have the heavier spring. [On a side note the whole trail thing might be a red herring. I think turning is more to do with steering rake. Raising the rear/lowering the front steepens the rake which *incidentally* reduces trail. When I got the RC8 I raised the rear as well, thinking like the 848 it'll improve the handling, and that was a disaster! It did not work at all on that bike (a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing). Lowering the rear was actually the key. I've read that 30mm offset triples are the way to go on the Ducati and that these increase trail but have a steeper rake (someone pls correct me if I'm wrong). More stability but quicker turning. Which would be win win ]
Just to throw a spanner in the works, I ride my mates 748R quite a bit and often back to back with my 899. I don't ever think his is hard to steer or slow turning, even with what feels like incredibly narrow bars compared with my 899. The only reason I can think of is that he has the lighter marchesini wheels, along with having had his ride height adjusted at the rear. I often think about getting another 848, and actually looked because I figured I would go all out and put a aftermarket rear shock and fork cartridge in it, but the prices of tidy 848 Corse SE and 848 Evo's are nearly 899 money at the mo!
