By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Supersport
Ducati 848 EVO (MY2011) vs 899 Panigale (MY2013)
Ducati 848 EVO vs 899 Panigale: which one to buy for the riding you do.
Hit a ripple at speed on the Ducati 848 EVO and you'll feel its trellis frame read it out through the bars. The Ducati 899 Panigale's fork keeps the front end talking.
So which one do you buy?
The 899 Panigale has the edge if…
Racetrack use
By a nose: 899 Panigale
For track days, the 899 Panigale comes out a touch ahead. Most of that is more suspension adjustment. Your setup and tires matter just as much.
Sporty riding on twisty roads
A touch ahead: 899 Panigale
Once the road starts to bend, the 899 Panigale noses ahead. It's down to better suspension. Your own skill counts for more than a gap this size.
Which one's the smarter buy
Even on value
Neither bike is the clear better buy for the money. The 848 EVO and 899 Panigale sit close enough in price that the choice comes down to what you want from the ride.
What makes each one tick
848 EVO
Every crack of the throttle on the 848 EVO gets an instant answer from its Testastretta twin. The bike tips into a corner on its sharp geometry and holds the line you've picked all the way to the apex. Bumps don't get softened.
899 Panigale
Out of the middle revs, the 899 Panigale's Superquadro twin pulls hard, then surges again near the top. A pull on the brake lever brings in heavy stopping power from the Brembo monoblocs, and there's feel through the whole stop. It'll trail-brake deep into the turn.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The 899 Panigale makes more peak power: 148 hp (109 kW) vs 140 hp (103 kW).
- The 899 Panigale has the larger engine: 898 cc vs 849 cc.
- The 899 Panigale has the larger fuel tank: 4.5 US gal (17 L) vs 4.1 US gal (15.5 L).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Both fall short
For all-day comfort, both fall short. Keep the rides short and you'll get on fine with either.
On commuting and running costs, these two are a wash. That's where your budget and your inseam get the final say.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
848 EVO
What owners say
Strengths
- Iconic Italian design
- Precise, race-bred handling
- Soulful, charismatic V-twin engine
- Strong Brembo braking system
Trade-offs
- Excessive engine heat in slow riding
- Unforgiving ergonomics for street use
- Firm suspension on rough roads
- No ABS or electronic rider aids
899 Panigale
What owners say
Strengths
- Exceptional handling and front-end feel
- Accessible yet thrilling engine
- Superb electronics package
- Powerful and consistent braking
- Stunning Panigale design
Known problems to check before you buy
848 EVO
- Rear brake pad friction material detachment (recall 12V-188) Recall 12V188000 On 2012 models, the rear brake pad friction material may separate from the backing plate, causing sudden loss of rear braking efficiency. Ducati issued a recall to replace pads.
- Hard starting due to low-capacity battery terminals Many owners report slow cranking and failure to start, especially when cold. Upgrading to heavier-gauge battery cables (e.g., Motolectric HICAP) often resolves this.
- Fuel tank swelling from ethanol-blended fuel The plastic fuel tank can deform and swell when exposed to ethanol, making removal difficult and potentially causing fitment issues.
- Voltage regulator / rectifier failure The stock voltage regulator is prone to overheating and failure, causing charging system problems and electrical gremlins. Upgrading to a more robust unit is a common fix.
899 Panigale
- Front Brake Air Ingress Air enters the front hydraulic braking circuit over time. This leads to a spongy feel at the brake lever requiring frequent bleeding.
What they cost used
These prices compare a 13-year-old 848 EVO with a 13-year-old 899 Panigale.
- 848 EVO
- about $8,300
- 899 Panigale
- about $9,100
What they share
- Seat height
- 32.7 in (830 mm)
- Engine
- L-twin
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Fork
- Upside-down (USD)
- Front brake
- 320 mm
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
Where the spec sheets split
| 848 EVO | 899 Panigale | |
|---|---|---|
| Wet weight | 430 lb (195 kg) | 425 lb (193 kg) |
| 848 EVO | 899 Panigale | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 849 cc | 898 cc |
| Power | 140 hp (103 kW) | 148 hp (109 kW) |
| Peak power at | 10,500 rpm | 10,750 rpm |
| Torque | 72 lb-ft (98 Nm) | 73 lb-ft (99 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 9,750 rpm | 9,000 rpm |
| 848 EVO | 899 Panigale | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 4.1 US gal (15.5 L) | 4.5 US gal (17 L) |
| 848 EVO | 899 Panigale | |
|---|---|---|
| Rear tire | 180/55-17 | 180/60-17 |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| 848 EVO | 899 Panigale | |
|---|---|---|
| ABS | Not offered | Standard |
| Traction Control | Not offered | Standard |
| Ride Modes | Not offered | Standard |
| Quickshifter | Not offered | Standard |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
