By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Supersport
Ducati 848 EVO (MY2011) vs Yamaha YZF-R6 (13S)
Ducati 848 EVO vs Yamaha YZF-R6: one garage spot. Here's what should decide it.
You'll feel a ripple in the pavement come straight up through the Ducati 848 EVO's adjustable Showa suspension as feedback you can read. On a smooth surface, the Yamaha YZF-R6's fork and shock report that same ripple in sharp detail. Its front stays planted and the line doesn't drift.
So which one do you buy?
The YZF-R6 has the edge if…
Racetrack use
Inches ahead: YZF-R6
On a closed course, the YZF-R6 edges ahead. Most of that is more feel through the bars and more lean clearance. Not by enough to settle it.
Keeping running costs low
Narrow edge: YZF-R6
The YZF-R6 is a touch easier on the wallet to run. Condition still matters more than the model.
Daily commuting & city riding
Slight edge: YZF-R6
Day in, day out, the YZF-R6 nudges ahead in traffic. The reason: lower running costs. It isn't a big enough gap to plan around.
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Edges it: YZF-R6
In the twisties, the YZF-R6 asks a bit less of you to go quickly. Call it a modest edge.
Which one's the smarter buy
Even on value
At these used prices, neither bike is the clear better buy for the money.
What makes each one tick
848 EVO
There's a deep bark from the under-seat pipes whenever the 848 EVO's twin pulls, with torque that swells evenly with the revs. Corner entry happens fast. The steering tips it in off a light push on the bars, and the trellis frame doesn't go quiet through the arc. The Brembo lever bites hard and meters every stop.
YZF-R6
The YZF-R6's chassis carves into a bend off the lightest nudge, and its low bars and tall footrests fold you over the tank. Down low, a twist of the throttle doesn't wake much. You'll keep clicking down gears. Up top, the inline-four screams toward its redline.
Nils rode the YZF-R6 in Japan in 2007 (NastyNils Testride).
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The 848 EVO has the lower seat: 32.7 in (830 mm) vs 33.5 in (850 mm).
- The YZF-R6 has the lower wet weight: 414 lb (188 kg) vs 430 lb (195 kg).
- The 848 EVO makes more peak power: 140 hp (103 kW) vs 129 hp (95 kW).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Neither is a natural fit
Long-haul comfort is a weak spot for both. If you tour, shop with that in mind.
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
YZF-R6
What owners say
Strengths
- Exceptional handling precision
- Screaming high-rpm engine
Trade-offs
- Virtually no low-end torque
- Punishing ergonomics for daily use
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.
YZF-R6
- Fork seal leaks Front fork seals can weep suspension oil down the stanchions, especially under heavy use or following dirt ingress.
What they cost used
These prices compare a 13-year-old 848 EVO with a 13-year-old YZF-R6.
- 848 EVO
- about $8,300
- YZF-R6
- about $8,600
What they share
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Fork
- Upside-down (USD)
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
- Rear tire
- 180/55-17
Where the spec sheets split
| 848 EVO | YZF-R6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 32.7 in (830 mm) | 33.5 in (850 mm) |
| Wet weight | 430 lb (195 kg) | 414 lb (188 kg) |
| 848 EVO | YZF-R6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 849 cc | 599 cc |
| Engine | L-twin | Inline-four |
| Power | 140 hp (103 kW) | 129 hp (95 kW) |
| Torque | 72 lb-ft (98 Nm) | 49 lb-ft (66 Nm) |
| 848 EVO | YZF-R6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 4.1 US gal (15.5 L) | 4.6 US gal (17.3 L) |
| 848 EVO | YZF-R6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake | 320 mm | 310 mm |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| 848 EVO | YZF-R6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Steering Damper | Standard | Not offered |
| Slipper Clutch | Not offered | Standard |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
