Ducati.org forum banner

848 Feels terrible

17220 Views 109 Replies 33 Participants Last post by  ANORXIC'51
I bought an 848 Corse. Rode it. Think it feels terrible.

I wrecked my 2007 CBR600RR at VIR about 5 years ago. I haven't ridden since. Riding used to be as natural as walking.

I have since read a lot of people complaining about the geometry of the 848 Evos and I don't want to spend a couple more grand fixing a problem when I can sell it and buy a cheaper bike that I know the geometry is good on. I have always wanted a Ducati and it looks like sex on wheels, but ride quality is more important to me.

For people who went from Honda on the track to Ducati, can you tell me what you think.

I know it's subjective, but please give me your experiences.
1 - 20 of 110 Posts
my last bike was an SV650 haha so i can't really chime in... but i have an easy way for you to find out how you feel!

Why not swing past a dealership or two when u get some time, and ride some other bikes? if you tell them you hate it and you want to ride some other ones they would probably oblige and even take a trade in lol
I bought an 848 Corse. Rode it. Think it feels terrible.

I wrecked my 2007 CBR600RR at VIR about 5 years ago. I haven't ridden since. Riding used to be as natural as walking.

I have since read a lot of people complaining about the geometry of the 848 Evos and I don't want to spend a couple more grand fixing a problem when I can sell it and buy a cheaper bike that I know the geometry is good on. I have always wanted a Ducati and it looks like sex on wheels, but ride quality is more important to me.

For people who went from Honda on the track to Ducati, can you tell me what you think.

I know it's subjective, but please give me your experiences.
What do you mean by "Feels terrible"???

Back end too soft, front end not turning in etc? What exactly about the ride quality/geometry concerns you?

Do you weight 150 kgs and need the back spring stiffened, or are you 50 kgs wet and need it softened?

Is it new with 0kms or has the previous owner played with the set up?

Feet placement a concern which could be fixed with new rear sets?

I am sure you catch my drift, 101 different scenario so a bit more info would help us point you in the right direction.
  • Like
Reactions: 1
Yea I mean, just because your old bike was setup properly from the factory, doesn't mean EVERY bike is setup that way. You may have simply been lucky to find a platform which fit you perfectly from day one. Ducati's platform doesn't fit ALL riders, it also isn't setup perfectly for ALL riders out of the box either. I have ridden a CBR600RR on the track at the same time as my race-prepped/proper geometry Ducati and they couldn't have felt more different. The CBR was stiff, the chassis felt as one unit, the tank was fat and wide, meaning I couldn't hang off as much, but the 600cc motor is an entirely different experience. A lot of people suffer when switching to Ducati's because they're not looking at the bike for what it ACTUALLY is, they're looking at the sex symbol and honestly, if you buy bikes simply on looks, you probably shouldn't be riding it. :(
  • Like
Reactions: 5
My old bike was an F2. Night and day difference. This bike has a higher C.G., the front wheel is next to impossible to feel with stock triple, the stock pegs are a joke, the left grip will spin no matter what you do, the stock gearing is low,the front springs are too soft if your over 150lbs and the rear is too stiff unless you are over 250lbs. Yes there are big differences, but it's still a kick in the pants once you take her to the track.

There are many things you need and should play with. Start by getting the forks and shock adjusted for you, then take her to the track. If you don't her still, then sell.
right

I'm 6'3" and 215 with gear.

As far as suspension setup, I haven't played around with it yet.

The front end feels vague and it seems really hard to turn in. I feel like I fight it into the corner, during the mid corner it don't fight it, but I don't have any feel, then I fight to stay on my line coming out of the corner.

The have had several versions od the 600 cbr sine 1999 and none of them have made me wonder if it was the bike or me, they all felt good and then great once I modified suspension and riding position. I have ridden Kawasakis and Yamahas and sometimes felt like they needed some tweaking, but they never felt totally foriegn. I get that there are a million differences and that what works for one person may not work for me.

I will go ride some demos, that's a great idea.
As far as buying a bike for looks, I bought a Ducati because I've always wanted one. That's why I was looking for other peoples experiences. If a bunch of people were to say that they had the same problem, but after a couple months they were turning faster lap times, then I would give it more of a chance. I love the look and sound of the bike but, but as stated in the original post, ride quality is more important. I know that I can't be the first to have issues and was looking for riders who did not like the 848 to say whether they came to love it or if it took changing back to a different bike to make everything sunshine and roses again.
I absolutely hated my 848 when I first got it (was also coming from an R6). There was no confidence in her whatsoever and it was almost scary to ride hard...after spending $40 getting my stock suspension set up I'll never go back to an I-4. It also just took some time as well going from one engine configuration to another.
  • Like
Reactions: 5
Yes I think this last post is good advice. Many have asked similar questions on here after first contact with a Ducati. The difference between the Ducati and the rest is greater than many realise. It is a very different animal.

I come from the other perspective, after 40 years of Ducatis. Anytime I have to test ride an IL4 I can't wait to get it back. If that was the only choice in motorcycles, I probably wouldn't even ride.

So give the Ducati some time, and learn to ride its 'differentness'. The engine characteristic is the primary point of difference.

Once you learn to ride the mid-range torque through corners, rather than revving it to buggery the way the IL4s taught you to ride, you might realise you are going faster than you think.

Ducatis can be deceptively fast once you know how. They feel like they're 'doing it easy' compared to most fours.

Setting up the suspension for your weight, and giving yourself time to accustomise to the Ducati's different nature, might yield a machine which you become as addicted to as the rest of us here.

But it occurs to me you may have a problem with the bike. Be sure to set the tyre pressures (start with 33 psi front and 35 rear) and have a close look at the tyres. Lack of pressure in the front, or wear in the rear, can give that problem you describe.

These are a fairly razor-sharp machine, and it doesn't take much of a problem (such as those above) to really change their feel.
See less See more
  • Like
Reactions: 3
Fishrl,

I had a very similar experience, but have come to love the 848 and feel exceptionally comfortable on it now.

I had an '05 600RR that felt like an extension of my body. In 2009 or 2010, I wrecked at the track when the front end washed out. The bike was totaled, and I messed up my shoulder. Later that year, I bought an '08 848 and had the darndest time feeling comfortable on it. Especially in corners. Even at low speeds, I "felt" as if the bike would wash out on me again.

But, that changed once I went back to the track and built my confidence back up. I now feel like the 848 is an extension of my body.

In all honesty, my comfort issues stemmed from the crash. I was just scared it would happen again, so my riding/body positioning was affected, which affected the feel of the bike, and consequently my comfort level.

At least that was my experience. ;) I hope this helps some.
  • Like
Reactions: 1
when i go to the stealership to get my TB reset for my termis, i'm gonna get my suspension tuned as well. for $40 it seems well worth it!
I bought an 848 Corse. Rode it. Think it feels terrible.

I wrecked my 2007 CBR600RR at VIR about 5 years ago. I haven't ridden since. Riding used to be as natural as walking.

I have since read a lot of people complaining about the geometry of the 848 Evos and I don't want to spend a couple more grand fixing a problem when I can sell it and buy a cheaper bike that I know the geometry is good on. I have always wanted a Ducati and it looks like sex on wheels, but ride quality is more important to me.

For people who went from Honda on the track to Ducati, can you tell me what you think.

I know it's subjective, but please give me your experiences.

First question: how many miles have you put on it? Get the suspension properly set up and check your tires for proper pressure.
  • Like
Reactions: 1
when i go to the stealership to get my TB reset for my termis, i'm gonna get my suspension tuned as well. for $40 it seems well worth it!
Unless you have a shit stealership like mine that refused to adjust the suspension for me and said it was already set up properly.... All the more reason to learn your bike and do all your own work!
I bought an 848 Corse. Rode it. Think it feels terrible.

I wrecked my 2007 CBR600RR at VIR about 5 years ago. I haven't ridden since. Riding used to be as natural as walking.

I have since read a lot of people complaining about the geometry of the 848 Evos and I don't want to spend a couple more grand fixing a problem when I can sell it and buy a cheaper bike that I know the geometry is good on. I have always wanted a Ducati and it looks like sex on wheels, but ride quality is more important to me.

For people who went from Honda on the track to Ducati, can you tell me what you think.

I know it's subjective, but please give me your experiences.
I went from a CBR 600, my best advice is to think of the Ducati as a unbroken horse that you need to master. Feather the clutch, get use to the engine braking, understand because of the torque you will not run through the gears like you did with your Honda.

I get on the Ducati now and everything is second nature and I didn't change any of the stock items, levers, clutch cylinder, sprockets, rear sets, not even SAG etc... I didn't break the horse she taught me how to ride her in the end.

PS I'm 6'1 200lbs
  • Like
Reactions: 1
Can't speak for Honda's but I came from every generation of GSXR up to my 2004 600 and the Ducati is far superior to them in all aspects. As some have already said, I paid $50.00 to have someone dial my stock suspension as close as could be. It made a huge difference. I also switched to Michelin Pilots as soon as my Pirelli's wore out and the difference in rear tire shape improved turn in.

Dialing in the front pre-load made a world of difference for feel. Yes the triples will help with steer but it felt more planted than my GSXR 600. I went ahead and spent another $1000 on parts and labour to revalve forks and shock and have both ends sprung properly for my weight. Best $1000 I've ever spent. Front end feel and steer improved greatly.

I found the 848 to be like riding a 10spd compared to the Japanese bikes in terms of width and agility. I also had to adjust to the power delivery of the engine from the I4's but once there, it's a hoot to rail around.

Give it a chance and do some small tweaks to it and you'll find it much better. It's going to find your riding weaknesses but once you come to grips with it, you'll be spanking all the middle weights out there.
See less See more
My 848 Corse was by far the best bike I've owned, street and track....

I had it dialed in pretty good, it handled awesome to me :)
As far as buying a bike for looks, I bought a Ducati because I've always wanted one. That's why I was looking for other peoples experiences. If a bunch of people were to say that they had the same problem, but after a couple months they were turning faster lap times, then I would give it more of a chance.
There is a HUGE difference, astronomical difference, between putt-putting around town, vs going to the track and churning in lap times. The CBR600RR was designed for stock class racing, that's its intention out of the factory. The Ducati's are not, in fact the 848 didn't even have a home in racing for a while until race series accepted it and changed the rules.

@ 215lb, the stock suspension is going to be under sprung in the front and most likely over sprung in the rear. Ducati assumes you're going to have a passenger, so the shock spring is VERY stiff. You can try to set sag with the shock and see what you get, but my guess is, it won't be close. So first step is spring's (as others above mentioned). I will also add, the stock tires feel very nervous with the wrong pressures. I know it may sound dumb, but try experimenting with alternative tire pressures. You may simply hate the Pirelli's… I loved them for 500 miles, but they were toast shortly there after.

In terms of track… yea, the bike is going to need work. It doesn't want to fall into the corner, it has understeer issues and it doesn't want to hook up on exit. These issues are related to trail AND location of the weight with in the frame (leverage point). The reason older Ducati's have these issues is simply because they have a long motor. From the tip of the horizontal head, to the pivot point, the engine is WAY longer then a CBR's. Thus, its nearly impossible to run a long enough swing arm, without having too much wheelbase. Longer wheel base is great for high speed stability, but not great for around town. So Ducati compromised, they tried to keep a short wheel base (short swing arm) to make the bike work OK in slow speed stuff. As a consequence, it ruins the bikes ability to run quick times on the track. Its very easy to fix these issues, add more trail to the front end and bring the rear wheel back in the eccentric. But most people opt for replacing the stock suspension at the same time with Öhlins, simply because the stock shock and forks, are so poorly setup from the factory.

Its unfortunate people assume Ducati's are the "ultimate racer" out of the box. I had no problem riding my 848 to quicker lap times when it was stock. Thats because, I wasn't quick enough to tell the difference at that particular time. Once you pickup speed and have a sense of what a bike should feel like, its very hard to get on a stock/production Ducati and expect those same results out of it. So unfortunately, your expectations aren't going to be met right away. However, if you truly wish to go down the path of making your EVO work, it can be done for not much money and the results are outstanding when done properly. My 848 race bike was absolutely stellar and something easily capable of breaking club-level lap records in the right hands.
See less See more
yeah i built my car so i can definitely do the work myself, but i want it to be as dialed in as possible haha, and pay not for their mechanic skills but rather for their experience in setting up suspension. and i figured, i will have to go anyway for the termis so why not.

Looking forward to my first track day on this thing in about a month. definitely going to be setting everything up before then.
415hp Audi A4??? I'd like to see pics of that beast....I'm currently the pilot of a 2008 S5...dig it!
haha its a beast... when it's running. currently daily'ing the 848 lol
  • Like
Reactions: 1
1 - 20 of 110 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top