The Ducati 848 Evo, Amore Di Desmo

Quick look at the new Ducati 848 Evo. Say Ducati and try not to feel pure love for Italian motorcycles. The marque is the embodiment of sensuous velocity. Look, touching, mounting, riding one of Bologna's beauties is an invitation to amore that obliterates all logic. The love affair has heated up with the release of the firm's new Ducati 848 Evo middle-weight superbike – already praised by the pundits as best of breed and marked advance over all middle-weight before it.

The Ducati 848 Evo is for the rider who realizes that the Ducati 1198 is just bragging rights. The 1198 really requires an expert hand. It is the not the most practical street motorcycle. Let's face it, it can bite you. But the new Ducati 848 Evo is a street-able motorcycle that delivers enormous pleasure and solid performance on the road and at the track.

The all-retuned 849cc, with a higher compression ratio, 140 horsepower Testatretta Evoluzione Desmodromic L-Twin engine features an innovative crankcase, MotoGP elliptical throttle bodies, and bore/stroke ratio approaching its big brother. Making this 168 kilogram road motorcycle even leaner calls for an exhaustive list of competition-quality components.

The special Ducati 848 rear subframe saves significant weight. The wheels on the Ducati 848 Evo are actual magnesium-alloy rather than forged aluminum, and Ducati swapped the hubs to make them fit. Extra light front fender, heel guards, and tail section. Billet gas, cap, rearsets and brake/clutch levers; a better performing exhaust system; and progressive linkage with fully adjustable Showa monoshock are just a few of the refinements.