By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Supersport vs Naked Bike
Ducati 848 EVO (MY2011) vs Streetfighter 848 (MY2011)
Ducati 848 EVO vs Streetfighter 848: two kinds of bike, and who each one is for.
Turn in on the Ducati 848 EVO and it's already dropped onto your line, with the front end talking back the whole way. The Ducati Streetfighter 848's wide bars place the nose exactly.
So which one do you buy?
Buy the Streetfighter 848 if…
Daily commuting & city riding
No contest: Streetfighter 848
The Streetfighter 848 earns its keep in weekday traffic better than the other one. For a daily commuter, it's the clear choice.
The Streetfighter 848 has the edge if…
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Nose ahead: Streetfighter 848
The Streetfighter 848 is a touch more fun when the road starts bending. That comes from stronger brakes.
What makes each one tick
848 EVO
Any twitch of the throttle wakes the 848 EVO's twin at once, and the under-seat exhaust answers with a bark that's all its own. The Showa suspension runs track-firm. A bump on broken asphalt comes straight up through the seat. On a clean surface, the trellis frame reports every ripple.
Streetfighter 848
A roll-on is all the Streetfighter's twin asks for, and it doesn't need revving out to shove. Along the Angeles Crest Highway, the brake lever and the engine work in step as speed bleeds off. The Marzocchi fork settles, then holds. You're sitting tall behind the raised handlebar all day.
Nils rode the Streetfighter 848 in 2012 (NastyNils Testride).
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The 848 EVO has the lower wet weight: 430 lb (195 kg) vs 439 lb (199 kg).
- The 848 EVO makes more peak power: 140 hp (103 kW) vs 132 hp (97 kW).
- The Streetfighter 848 has the larger fuel tank: 4.4 US gal (16.5 L) vs 4.1 US gal (15.5 L).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Look elsewhere
Neither one is built for long-haul comfort. For big miles, look at a proper tourer or sport tourer.
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Not their thing
For a brand-new rider, both are the wrong place to start. Learn the basics on a smaller bike first.
Call it even on running costs. Choose on fit, price and the one that makes you grin.
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
Streetfighter 848
What owners say
Strengths
- Agile, confidence‑inspiring handling
- High‑quality, fully adjustable suspension
- Strong mid‑range with accessible power
- Upright and comfortable riding position
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.
Streetfighter 848
- Voltage regulator/rectifier failure The voltage regulator/rectifier can fail, causing erratic electrical behavior, starting problems, and dash voltage spikes. Replacement with an updated unit resolves the issue.
What they cost used
These prices compare a 13-year-old 848 EVO with a 13-year-old Streetfighter 848.
- 848 EVO
- about $8,300
- Streetfighter 848
- about $6,700
Thirteen-year-old examples of the Ducati 848 EVO and Ducati Streetfighter 848 sit around $8,300 and $6,700 in the US market. The Streetfighter 848 runs about $1,600 cheaper. These are estimates, not live listings.
What they share
- Engine
- L-twin
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Fork
- Upside-down (USD)
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
Where the spec sheets split
| 848 EVO | Streetfighter 848 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 32.7 in (830 mm) | 33.1 in (840 mm) |
| Wet weight | 430 lb (195 kg) | 439 lb (199 kg) |
| 848 EVO | Streetfighter 848 | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 849 cc | 848 cc |
| Power | 140 hp (103 kW) | 132 hp (97 kW) |
| Torque | 72 lb-ft (98 Nm) | 69 lb-ft (94 Nm) |
| 848 EVO | Streetfighter 848 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 4.1 US gal (15.5 L) | 4.4 US gal (16.5 L) |
| 848 EVO | Streetfighter 848 | |
|---|---|---|
| Rear tire | 180/55-17 | 180/60-17 |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| 848 EVO | Streetfighter 848 | |
|---|---|---|
| Traction Control | Not offered | Standard |
| Steering Damper | Standard | Not offered |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
