On November six, 2007, the Italian motorcycle manufacturer announced the Ducati 848 for the 2008 model year, an 849cc sports bike that replaced the Ducati 749 motorcycle. The Ducati 848 shared the same design, frame, and bodywork as the Ducati 1098, both designed by Giandrea Fabbro.
The first generation of the Ducati 848 was produced in 2008, 2009, and 2010 while in 2009, the maker presented the Ducati 848 Hayden Limited Edition, released in 2010 as a marketing tie-in with Nicky Hayden that started racing for Ducati's team from 2009 MotoGP season.
In 2008, the Italian motorcycle manufacturer launched the Ducati 848, one of the lightest machines in its class, tipping the scale at 168 kg (369 lbs). It featured lightweight Marchesini wheels, MotoGP-derived brakes, and a fully adjustable suspension system.
In the visual department, the bike packed standard features, such as a full fairing with a small windscreen, a dual headlight system, a two-piece dual seat, an under-seat-mounted exhaust system, a single-sided swingarm, and Y-shaped 10-spoke wheels.
As for power, the 2008 Ducati 848 had its soul brought to life by an 848cc four-stroke liquid-cooled V-twin engine with a fuel injection system in charge, boasting 134 hp with a peak force at 10,000 rpm and 96 Nm (71 lb-ft) torque at 8,250 rpm.
The engine power was transferred to a six-speed manual transmission with a hydraulically-controlled wet multi-plate clutch and a final chain drive, spinning the rear wheel to a top speed of 256 kph (160 mph).