Rennie Scaysbrook | October 4, 2016
Ducati hopes this little gem will help bring sportbike riders back into the fray.
Brand new sportbike harks back to the good ’ol days.
At the Intermot Show in Cologne, Germany today, Ducati has formally announced the rebirth of the SuperSport range that ran from 1988 until 2006.
The new machine, available in standard and S form, aims to bring back the fun for sportbike lovers who don’t want the knife-edge performance of a Panigale 1299 or 959 for a more rounded motorcycle that’s primarily aimed at the street, rather than pure racetrack.
“After sharing a sneak peek with the Ducatista community at World Ducati Week 2016, we’re ready to present the bike to the thousands of enthusiasts who had eagerly awaited a sport bike capable of ensuring both fun and comfort, even in everyday riding situations,” stated Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali. “Expert riders will appreciate the true sports personality of the SuperSport, its excellent road performance and apparent penchant for journeying and everyday use. Riders approaching the Ducati sports world for the first time will discover versatility, easy handling and, above all, the very essence of sports riding as Ducati sees it.”
Powered by the 937cc, liquid-cooled, 11° Testastretta L-twin engine found in the Hypermotard, Ducati claims riders will get 113hp at 9000rpm and 71lb-ft of torque puling 463lb curb weight for their money (pricing is not yet available). Styling has been heavily influence by the Panigale series, with a very similar front cowling and headlight and gas tank and single-sided swingarm, although the back-end takes design hues from the Monster range as does the twin-barrel side-mounted exhaust.
The chassis is a tubular steel trellis design – standard Ducati fodder for generations – that mounts to the cylinder head. Suspension for the standard model comes from the recently revived Marzocchi concern up front and Sachs monoshock out back, while the S model gets the ubiquitous Öhlins of most special Ducatis.
As far as electronics go, both the standard and S models get three riding modes, ABS, traction control, and are ready to be fitted with the anti-theft system. The S also gets the added extra of the Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) system for clutchless up and down gear changes and a seat cover, but you can buy these as a factory accessory is you like with the standard model.
The new SuperSport S will get shiny gold Ohlins suspension instead of Sachs and Marzocchi.
