2012 Ducati Streetfighter 848 Review

2012 Ducati Streetfighter 848

After Asphalt & Rubber first announced the bike back in July, the 2012 Ducati Streetfighter 848 has finally made its official debut (with a little teaser help from Nicky Hayden). Expanding Ducati’s Streetfighter brand to now include two bikes (we’ll have to wait a little longer for the 2012 Ducati Streetfighter 1198), the 2012 Ducati Streetfighter 848 is certainly not a shocking release. True to the streetfighter movement’s ethos, the 2012 Ducati Streetfighter 848 is a stripped-down version of the Superbike 848, with a twist.

Ducati confirms its new Streetfighter will source the 848 Testastretta 11 engine found in the 848 supersport. The Ducati 848 EVO powerplant turned the MotoUSA dyno up to 119 rear wheel horsepower and 63 lb-ft torque during our 2011 Supersport Shootout. Those 2012 Ducati Streetfighter 848 EVO power stats figure to drop slightly, however, as Ducati says of the L-Twin that it has “enriched its user-friendliness with a smooth and flexible power delivery.”

Even reckoning a dip in peak power numbers for street-friendly tuning, the 848 Streetfighter figures to outclass current middleweight naked rivals, like the BMW F800R and Yamaha FZ8 – neither of which crested 100 hp or 60 lb-ft when tested during our 2-3-4 Middleweight Street Bike Comparison.

Spec sheet details are fleeting, though the 2012 Ducati Streetfighter 848 will employ more street-friendly ergonomics than its supersport kin. The Ducati-standard steel trellis frame is visible, along with components like an adjustable inverted fork and radial-mount Brembo brakes. The chassis rolls on Diablo Rosso Corsa tires.

Available in November 2011 in Europe and January 2012 in North America, the 2012 Ducati Streetfighter 848 comes in traditional Ducati Rosso Corsa, matte-black, and also brings back the Ducati yellow color scheme. Details surely to follow soon.

2012 Ducati Streetfighter 848

2012 Ducati Streetfighter 848

Source : motorcycle-usa