Ducati Streetfighter 848 launched in Malaysia
Next Bike Sdn Bhd has launched the new Ducati Streetfighter 848 today, joining other recently launched models such as the Monster 795 and Diavel AMG in the local Ducati line-up. Priced at RM99,333 nett, the 848 sits on a naked Trellis frame and it is powered by the Testastretta 11° engine based on the Testastretta Evoluzione used on the Superbike 848EVO.
From the Evoluzione, Ducati has reduced the engine’s overlap angle from 37° to 11° (hence the engine’s name) in order to achieve fluid power delivery and a wider torque band. The engine’s crankcase is die-casted in vacuum to reduce weight and ensuring constant wall thickness for better strength. For maintenance, Ducati recommends valve regulation just once every 24,000km.
The 11° delivers its peak power of 132hp at 10,000rpm and maximum torque of 93Nm at 9,500rpm. Those figures may sound peaky for those of us accustomed to car figures, but torque curves by Ducati show at least 88Nm available on a plateau between 8,000 and 10,000rpm. Drive is transmitted to a wet clutch system that is said to be more durable and a full kilogram lighter than a comparable dry clutch system.
Its chassis is state-of-the-art in the motorcycle world – extremely light weight at 169kg dry. Front suspension features a pair of fully adjustable 43mm Marzocchi forks, whilst the rear gets a single-sided swingarm mated to fully adjustable Sachs monoshocks. Stopping power is delivered by four-pot Brembos clamping two discs up front, and a single disc at the back with a two-piston caliper. The Streetfighter 848 sits on Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa tyres with lightweight 10-spoke wheels.
To aid its rider with stability, the Streetfighter 848 is equipped with a sophisticated eight-stage Ducati Traction Control system, developed from Ducati’s involvement in motorsports. For those really keen on lap times, Ducati further offers the option of the Ducati Quick Shift system, which allows lightning-quick clutchless gear changes.
Pictures: Official Ducati release.
