Theory is all good an well but until you actually pilot the 848 and 1098 (or any bike) you just don't really know.  This was the case for me the last few months.  Up until the last few days when I went to the Demo Day at Eastside MotoSports.  The Ducati North America truck was there with a host of 2008 bikes just begging to be ridden. 

That 848 was first in line gleaming even in the overcast Pacific Northwest Spring day.  DNA staff Danny Carson, Adam Fausett and a couple guys from ESM lined up and we rode off for a short demo ride around town. 

All in all the 848 reminds me of my 2002 748 in many respects.  Put aside the obvious gains in power to weight ratios different gearing etc.  On the street I'm really looking at criteria like: will my arse be sore in the first 100 yards?  Will downtown be Hell between stop lights? and...Can I stay out of trouble in a 25mph zone?  The answer in my journal: Yep, Yep, Nope.  I don't miss my 748 anymore after this ride.  Well ok I miss all the attention from folks but not the same torture rack riding position.  The instant-on, Warp 7.2 throttle will be great on the track, the races and occasionally blowing away the Squids on their over-hyped ZX6R's, and even the GSX750.  (Sorry but this bike will leave the GSX behind.)

On the other hand...if I were to have a track only bike the 2008 848 would be the tool.  Quick turn in.  Quick like a quick draw sharp shooter.  I had a chance to ride a race prepped R1 last year and it was quick and steady in the turns.  The 848 though I can see the right pilot waiting for a turn point further than most even on an R1.  Imagine those quick draw guys who modify their holsters so that the front is cut out.  Their draw and shoot times are measured by laser beam and are in the thousandth of a second range....yeah that's the 848. 

A little too much for this amateur on the street.

Now for the 1098.

Beautiful.  Aesthetically if follows what I would imagine for the evolutionary progress of the 916 styling with some updating.  (I still can't stand the air vent on the side though, I like the '02 look better).

Right out of the gate though the bike is WAY more comfortable than the 848.  I'm off my wrists, don't have to pinch my legs all the time and I feel more centered on the bike.  For those who don't know I'm only 5'6" and my legs are the shortest part.  Thus I thought the 848 would have suited me better. 

The throttle response is more palattable for the street IMHO.  It's still Warp Drive but at least the pilot can use a range of input even from the beginning.  I can sanely accelerate from a stop sign or insanely, at whim.  The 1098 was stable and calm in the turns on the street.  It definitely wants to hold a the line I put it in whereas the advantage the 848 has (again better for the track) is it's ability to change lines quickly.

Personally I choose the 1098.  I could kill many bugs on the street and thoroughly enjoy myself on a track day.  Now if the air temperature would just WARM UP ALREADY!!!!!

Yousef

"found my new Rockstar"

President - FCDucati.

hmm very well written I have been wondering about this.

Damn It!. Now you have me wanting a 1098. I'm going to have to take one for a ride and see if I think I can ride a 1098 faster than my PS on the street. There's no question that the 1098 will smoke me on a track, but curious: with equal riders aboard is is faster than my PS on the street?