AMCN is presently in Seville, Spain, attending the world launch of the all-new Ducati SuperSport. Chris Dobie has just completed a day of testing the Öhlins and Ducati Quick Shift-equipped S model at the Circuito Monteblanco, and the standard SuportSport in the hills surrounding Seville.
As soon as our Ed stepped off the bike, he sent though his list of the top five things he loves about the all-new SuperSport, and a couple he’s not so keen about. One thing he said he’s sure of is that Ducati has added a new genre of motorcycle to its line-up: Road Sports. The SuperSport is not a racing thoroughbred like the Panigale; it’s a genuine sportsbike built for the road and with enough race DNA to provide proper racebike feel on the track.
Appearance
The SuperSport looks like a Panigale, but it’s not a direct copy. The fairing has been designed for riders who do not want to be in a race crouch position all day. Take a closer look at photographs of the new bike, what don’t you see? Screws. They’re all hidden, accentuating the bike’s sleek lines.
The Monster-derived trellis frame is classic Ducati and, of course, is highlighted in red. The engine is a fully stressed part of the chassis with the subframe and swingarm mounted directly to it.
The seat is butt-hugging, firm and comfortable. It’s 810mm high and tapered towards the tank allowing those a little shorter in stature a better chance of getting two feet flat on the ground. The rear seat cowl (standard on the S and optional on the base model) and removable pillion-peg hangers provide an even sportier look to match the classic single-sided swingarm and alloy wheels. The mirrors actually work as mirrors and the LCD dash may look as though it has been taken straight from a racebike, but it provides real-world information in an easy-to-read fashion.
Comfort
Walking up to the SuperSport it looks like just that – a sportsbike. There’s no doubt it’s a relative of the high-performance race-bred Panigale range. But when you throw a leg over the soft seat and reach forward to the slightly raised handlebars, you feel something new –comfort not compromise. The seating position still feels racy and not too upright, but there’s only a minimal amount of stress on the wrists and ankles. The footpegs are positioned lower and further forward than on the Panigale, which is a much better fit for those not blessed with the build of a WSBK racer. Expect a little ’peg scraping if you’re an experienced track rider.
Engine
Ducati has taken the lovely 937cc Testrastretta 11º V-twin engine from its Hypermotard / Multistrada 950 and blessed the SuperSport with it. This is where the new model will be a winner with everyday riders. The V-twin punches out 83.1kW at 9000 rpm, but it’s the 96.7Nm of torque delivered at just 6500rpm that is the real story of this bike. On the S model, fitted with the Ducati Quick Shifter (up and down) and Öhlins suspension, the bike is more fun than a barrelful of monkeys on the track. You just twist the throttle and drive out the of the corners. On the road, the power delivery means you’re not doing the gear shifter tap-dance when attacking your favourite twisty sections. The engine pulls like a train from idle through to 7000rpm and smart mapping of the fuelling has made a claimed 60 per cent of the torque available at just 3000rpm. Wheelies anyone?
Aero
The two-way adjustable screen (50mm up and down) may appear small, but it works. Crouching down behind it is effortless, and even while sitting upright to enjoy a relaxed cruise there’s a high level of wind deflection. Tucking in knees and elbows doesn’t require you to be a contortionist dwarf.
Usability
From city streets, where it will happily work as a daily commuter, to twisting country roads – even touring with the optional panniers fitted – and then onto the racetrack, Ducati’s new SuperSport appears to be right at home. The comfortable and slightly upright riding position mixed with sporty chassis geometry (24º rake and 91mm trail), and adjustable suspension (Marzocchi/Sachs on the base model and Öhlins on the S) makes this a very attractive choice for riders of all skill levels looking for a sportsbike for real world conditions. It’s a roadbike with the ability to take you to the track and then provide a confidence-inspiring ride once you are out there. Those new to track work will improve as riders, and those with more than a few laps under their belt will revel in the bottom-end torque and programmable electronics that allow more than a little rear-wheel spin and front wheel lift – or not, depending on the settings.
The jury is still out on;
The family face
Top points to Ducati designers for finding a way to retain the Panigale face on the SuperSport with the slightly recessed headlights, however, the monobrow-style daytime running lights may not be to everyone’s liking.
Springy bits
The Öhlins suspension felt a little soft on the racetrack. Some set-up work may be required for more experienced riders.
Stoppers
The radially mounted four-piston Monobloc Brembo M4-32 calipers and a radial pump clamp onto twin 320mm discs up front. They appear to be the right kit for the job, and the feedback is excellent (as you would expect from Brembo kit), but I found the initial lever squeeze a bit too soft both on the track riding the S model, and on the road riding the standard SuperSport.
Fairing
There’s a little too much exposed plumbing, and those with big hoofers may find their boot catches the fairing near the gear shifter.
Verdict: It’s not the original SuperSport or SS Ducati reinvented, this is a whole new style of machine: Road Sports.
Look for our full world launch test review of the new Ducati SuperSport and SuperSport S in an upcoming issue of Australian Motorcycle News.
By Chris Dobie
