Also factor in once you get one would you ever sell it (special circumstances aside), so the future cost is almost irrelevant? If it makes you smile when you look and ride it then it's worth every penny. Plus owning one would mean you can spend hours on the internet (here) while the wife cleans the house. A no lose situation in my eyes.
The have about bottomed out and will likely hover around the same price for 3 or 4 years and creep up in value - probably enough to offset a little mileage and insurance costs. Someone above said these bikes were the era after Ducati took there eye off the ball - don't think so, they replaced the most successful era of Ducati superbike in racing (749/999) and that ultimately is what the brand is about. If you want an 848 then it's probably the one to buy - but don't jump in and wait for the correct lowish mileage one with full main dealer or specialist service history with 1 or 2 owners. 1198SP will be a better buy from that era if your not into R money - but again, prices vary wildly as people / dealers speculate. Streetfighters are a good bet too as mentioned earlier, especially the S - very few sold and now more popular and a good riding position if you're ok without a fairing.
Found a nice one. Overpriced at the mo, but the main problem is the ergos for an (old) shorty like me. Not sure the heilbars would help much (1" back I read - and £300!). So, risk is buying a bike where I love the looks, sound, engine & handling - but I find really uncomfortable to ride! Agonising decision... Can't justify having it just to look at in the garage!
I'm 5'10" and sit right up against the tank and find it extremely comfortable, when I tuck in i slide backwards but that's not for long. Do you have the option of trying an hours test ride?
Which is why I mentioned the Streetfighter S 1098 frame and top end, 1198 bottom end, rare for a middle range model and already climbing in value...
This is my feeling on this era too... That was me saying this earlier in the thread which I also said I had learnt from 'The Superbike Redefined' book published on this era of bikes... There was no mention of racing or the success in racing, just referring to the words of Domenicali with regards to the company taking there eye off the ball with an ever expanding product line which was unsustainable if Ducati were to stay in business... Apologies for any confusion @Exige, hope that clears it up though...
I don't think so, as others have said, it's really only a run out special paint scheme. I bought one as it was a great example of an 848 that came up locally, but I wouldn't pay the premium they seem to be advertised for at certain dealers. As I understand it 848's don't sell particularly well, I noticed recently that a couple are still for sale (or still advertised anyway) from when I bought mine in December last year. That said I have form with undervaluing my toys. I sold an immaculate, low mileage, Clio V6 for £10k a coupe of years ago - they apparently change hands for £25k now - oops. I'm also doing way too many miles on my particular Evo SE, so they're not allowed to be a future classic - 6.5k miles in 6 months - more than in the first 5 years of its life! - I do love it Slightly relevant question to the knowledgeable types... What will a high mileage 848 Evo SE be worth in 3 years ish? c30k miles? Loved, looked after and serviced etc. Or based on Exige's well informed comments re stable prices over that time period - what do they go for now? I've not spotted any high mileage Superbike Ducatis
I tried to sell my Nero 749 a year or so back, has 22k on it, was offered £1800. Glad i kept it now to be honest. Just keep it and love it like a child.
I bought my 848 Evo corse SE 2nd hand in March 2015 paid 9k I was looking for another bike to buy and found the same model same year and 1500 miles les than mine, up for sale for £10,200 so looks like they are going up, ps I am talking about the one with brushed aluminium tank.
I love my 1198 thinking about giving her a birthday soon as ive been cheating on her with a Japanese whore of a bike.
Not sure how old the OP is but after years out of biking & having just turned 53, I've finally bought my dream bike. My beautiful 1098S. Thought I'd struggle with the position, the power & the handling given all the ads I saw for sale seemed to be with the tag line "thought I could handle it but too old" or "my wrists/back/neck etc can't cope at my age" but you know what? Feels like I've never been away. Loving it more than I could ever have imagined. It's perhaps not as comfy as my mates monstrous looking ZZR but I know what I'd prefer to be riding. Go for it, you won't regret it!
Which is exactly what happened to me, the 848 was just so physical to ride, I really struggled with it but loved the looks and noise! For me the 899 was perfect in terms of ergonomics, it's the best bike I have ever owned. However with regards to value, I genuinely think that one Ducati 'r' models will really work as investments, I think that the 848 Evo Corse is a little pricey at the mo given that it's not radically different from a standard 848 Evo, yes has some nice bits but if it had more power, or Ti engine internals or Ohlins front end or something fair enough, even if it was a numbered bike, but they aren't.
Thanks for all the great feedback. I tried a 959 (they had a demo in the shop) after the 848, and I felt much more comfortable on it. Even though I really like the previous generation of bikes (848/1048 etc) I may have to plump for an 899!
I don't like the side pipes on the 959 and yes I know you can get it slung under the bike. I traded my first 848 evo for an 899, I found the 899 lacking To me a Ducati is a trellis frame and exhausts slung under the pillion seat just mho
yip. i hear yah. i know they have been bought out a few times so it's purely psychological, but that's it for me. that series is the last model that screams Ducati at me. nothing has since. cant see me buying another Duc apart from maybe a beat up scrambler or desert sled. i will however have a 749 in yellow 848, 10** +11** rock.
I have just treated myself to a 1098s streetfighter, on the hunt for an 1198s now will trade my 1199s in for that and I am keeping my 848 Evo wrapped in cotton wool gathering spider webs at the back of the garage
I've heard of quite a few people selling there pani's and going back to the 848/1098/1198 shape bikes.
1198 is the way forward, could never replace it with something else... Sure it will gain a few stable mates to accompany it in the garage though Some also say... The base model with no fancy electronic rider aids is the last 'proper animal' that will ever be produced by Ducati Could well be a desired model in the future! I'm always fully aware that the 1198 is more than capable of spitting you off in to a ditch with your hair on fire should you be over enthusiastic with the right hand or make an error whilst making progress!
