We don’t have a crystal ball here at CMG, but we can still give you a peek into the future with this spy shot of what’s supposedly Ducati’s 2012 Streetfighter 848.
The photo, which mysteriously popped up on this Ducati forum, may be a factory plant or even a red herring, but if it’s genuine, it gives us a bit of information on the new machine.
Enthusiasts are saying the five-bolt pattern in the rear hub is a clear giveaway there’s an 848 motor in this bike, as the more-powerful engine in the Streetfighter 1098 uses a six-bolt pattern. They figure a retuned version of Ducati’s 848 EVO mill should put out about 125-130 horsepower.
They also figure the bike’s front end is pretty similar to the equipment on the Monster 1100 EVO, with Marzocchi fork and radially mounted Brembo brake calipers.
The reason for the photo’s release isn’t clear yet, but it could be Ducati’s way of testing public approval for the bike’s yellow paint job, a bit of a departure from tradition for the company.
I wouldn’t say yellow is a departure for Ducati, they’ve used it before such as the old 748 and I think a few of the 900SS models, if my memory serves me right.