SUPERSPORTS

Aiming to fill an apparent gap in the current marketplace Ducati have come up with something rather special indeed

DUCATI SUPERSPORT

WORDS: BENJAMIN J KUBAS CRONIN PICS: MIL AGRO

How many ‘comfortable’ sportsbikes do you think there are in the market right now? That’s not a trick question; we all know that over long distances sportsbikes are actually the most comfy bikes you can buy. Rather, how many bikes are built specifically to be very sporty but also infinitely useable? Honda’s VFR800, you say? You’d be right, kind of, but how many others are there? See, you’re already struggling and need to go back in time, at first a little and then a long way, to find bikes that specifically fit that bill.

Ducati realised this, and despite the fact their Panigale range is rather usable, there could very well be potential owners clamouring for a bike such as the one we’re about to ride, the new Ducati Supersport.

There are two variants on offer – the stock machine and the S. As you’d imagine, the ‘S’ comes replete with shiny gold Öhlins and other trinkets, but it is the overall machine that’s of interest. Using an engine based upon the latest Hypermotard, the SS boasts supreme usability, say Ducati, it’s sporty enough to thrill and competent enough at every other discipline that it will fill that void for those who want a sports Duke, but don’t want to go all the way to the Panigale. Or, it’s for those who want to step down from those bikes, or those who want to step up – it’s for everyone, essentially.

The new bike also fills a gap in Ducati’s own range, one that for years was occupied by things like the SS900 and later the DS1000. These were a rung down from their top sports fare, much like this Supersport, however they still had very racy riding positions and ambitions, whereas the bike we have here adds a healthy dose of geniality.

Let’s get things straight, as far as Ducati are concerned this isn’t a sports-tourer, more a sports roadster that can cut a half decent rug on track if you insist on that kind of action. Even if it only makes about 100bhp by the time power reaches rubber (from a claimed 113bhp), which won’t sound much to most of you, nearly all of the torque is available at a mere 3000rpm. So it should jump out of turns like a frog.