I bought the SuperSport 939 S, and have no regrets. I was charmed by the new CBR1000 RR SP after a track test ride, but the ducati salesman promised a track test for the new V4S. A couple of my track friends bought the new V4S, and both gave glowing report. Ducatis are getting to be more reliable than previously. You have to own one, to appreciate it.
A ducati is a ducati !!! you can not compare it with other bikes. You love it, or hate it, with nothing in between! The torque, the sound, the power is absolute unique. I was riding the SS for a whole day on a handling track in Italy. Unbelievable!!! Thats my next bike without any doubt!!!
I just bought the Ducati Supersport 950S and it is the 9th motorcycle I have owned. It is by far the best. I missed the rumble of the Ducati engine. I ride on this bike for 5 seconds and I get a smile on my face like I just had a baby. Never felt so connected to anything or anyone as I feel connected to this.
I'm in the market for a sports touring bike so this is a great review and really helpful. If Kawasaki added cruise control, heated grips and TFT display it would still cost less than the Ducati S model and an absolute home run bike that I would buy in a heartbeat. Thanks for doing this comparison!
Yes is true. But it is like saying a Honda civic (fast and the furious) is more reliable than a Lambo. Or that an SUV is cheaper to maintain than a rocket ship. They are really in a different category. The feeling of riding a Ducati and the sound is so different. Harley riders will never compare a Harley with a Gixxer. It is a completely different experience. I have owned 8 motorcycles, but I am glad I bought a Ducati Supersport 950s before I turned 50. Man that is by far the best bike I have ever ridden. It is not only fast, but its handling and steering feel like telepathy. The bike reads your mind and does what you are thinking. It feels like you are skiing down the highway. Every move and every gesture you make - the bike picks up on. It is just feels like a very obedient and subservient Margot Robbie.
The interesting is where and when you get your Hp/Torque and I believe the Ducati twin engine delivers it faster at lower revs makes it a fun street bike.
With so much attention these days drawn to the categories of Nakeds, Supersports or Tourers (to say nothing of dirt, adv, cruisers etc) I for one am simply glad that manufacturers still recognise that there are a lot of us (dozens!) that want it all! A road bike that handles well, has grunt and a fairing but with ergo's that make touring a joy. Viva la Sport Tourer
Eh, I've owned a Supersport S for two years now, and I test rode the 899. They're extremely similar, the biggest difference I noticed is the riding position.
Yes, Ducati are not reliable. But they just look and ride great. Given that I ride on roads 99% and on racetrack 1%, I need to ride within speed limits. Ducati also has that flat torque so it feels great and that max torque is actually where you need it and use it daily.
There is a reason for the price diff, it’s called quality. Break it down part by part and you will understand. 113HP, handles incredibly well and holds its value. Ride them side by side and you will get it. Balance trumps HP all day long
Kris-B-Crunch ! And? Thats 35 more hp! And more torque... Funny when people talk about this! When I upgraded my supra to have 20 more hp i felt the difference! Same weight! And thats a car! 3500lbs and 20 hp are noticeable! So 54 lbs on a bike with 35 more hp is still way better!
How does it not have Character? Have you taken one out for a spin? All Jap bikes? Have you tried the R1 or FZ10 with the cross plane motor? LOTS OF CHARACTER! Plus, Jap Bikes don't break down and leak oil for unknown reasons. Lots to consider when buying an Italian bike. Only Italian Bike I will probably ever own will be a Tuono.
fred: I agree, and I own one (2017 model). There's a lot to like about the bike; it is reliable, looks good and has good electronics, etc. But it doesn't really have any personality. It's too sterile, too clean. I'm most likely selling mine and buying something else. Maybe a Vulcan S. Only engine config I haven't owned yet is parallell twin and V4 (and 6 cylinder, but they're so rare). I've owned a Hayabusa, so nothing else will ever excite me again in the performance department (had to sell it because my wrists are fucked up). So I'll have to look at other things, like sound and general "feel" of the bike. The Z1000SX has no sound to speak of. And to rectify that you have to strip the whole bloody exhaust and slap on a full aftermarket one. The damn silencer box under the frame takes away anything resembling sound, so it doesn't do much when you change just the muffler. And, this may be because my previous bike was a 190ish hp 1300cc space rocket (GSX-R 1300), but I find the Z1000SX really sluggish and not very exciting. That said, it has plenty of torque all through the rev range, which is great for touring. But they really should have given that bike more than 142 horses; certainly considering the high price of the bike. 160-170 would probably have made a good difference, and put it more around the Yamaha MT-10 performance level. I do not agree with your general statement about all jap bikes and cars though. I also own a second bike; a Suzuki DR-Z 400. I adore that bike, I find it loads more fun than the Z1000SX and will choose that one maybe 8 out of 10 times when I'm going for a ride. It's not fast, it's not pretty, but I can beat the hell out of it and it doesn't complain, and I can ride it absolutely anywhere, from the highway to mountain trails to tractor roads (running 50/50 tires on it). Pretty sad about the Z1000SX. I spent months figuring out which bike I wanted, and unfortunately I chose wrong.
Hello there good people of youtube, since you all seem very helpfull and ready to aid i was wondering which one of the 2 you might recommend. I currently ride a Honda X11 ( naked blackbird) ? thanks in advance
I agree with the cruise control part. It is one of those things that, once you use it, cant live without it. Do a 1000 mile road trip in a day with one and without one. You'll know what i am talking abt. And these days even superbikes have it. So on a sport tourer, it is absolutely necessary.
I have done 200 miles on a Ducati Supersport 950 S. And I have done 1300 mile days on BMWs. The Ducati ain't no sport tourer. Anything more than 200 miles, I am missing my BMW.
Stupid comparison, the Duc is a laid back sports bike which no doubt is lighter and handles far better than the Kaw. The Kawasaki is more of an over the road bike, a Multistrada would be a better comparison to the Kaw.
You can get heatgrips from Kawasaki for the Z1000SX as well and there was Öhlins suspension for 2014 modell too, so expect to get a 2017 modell Öhlins as well in the future. For the price difference you can get everything the Ducati has but the Kawasaki not from aftermarket.
The point is that a Ducati just feels like a superior product. In the vicinity of a Lambo or Ferrari. Kawasaki is great, but somehow I have always felt a stronger connection to Italian bikes. The rumble of a Ducati is just poetry. I keep my Ducati in my living room. I look at it damn all day.
I've got a 2013, the complaints are, balance, you don't feel in the bike, you feel too high and separated. Worst stock seat ever designed, Mustang seats are the way to go. Stock seat will have you heading home after 45mins. The power is manageable and the balance is great for slow maneuvers. BUT, don't get comfortable with the power, because she can get wild! You can break loose the back tire with a full hand of throttle at 120, and it will loop out VERY EASY from a stand still. I also feel sometimes the delivery can be a bit abrupt. But mostly incredibly smooth, but its hooligan nature will entice you to blowing away all those Dodge Chargers that seem to stalk you! Got a couple Vettes too!!
"Quite a few alternatives" I struggle to find anything else than these two and GSX 1000 F in this area. Maybe the VFR800 too. Is there anything else really?
GSX S1000F VFR800 - I think it may be discontinued, but they're easy to get cheap VFR1200- Discontinued Ducati Supersport Ninja 1000/ SX MV agusta Stradale 800 KTM- superduke GT Motus MST BMW-R1200 RS If you want something a little more roomy, but still a little sporty I guess you can choose the BMW S1000XR or Ducati Multistrada..
Depends how far you want to travel, i rode 1600 km in a week with my Daytona 675 3 years ago, 2 weeks ago i did the same trip with trip with my second bike, a cbr1100xx blackbird. Quite a big difference on how many breaks i had to take, how fresh i felt upon arrival and the time it took getting there. The first 800km was more than 3 hours faster on the Blackbird, much more comfortable and better windprotection. Didn't stop for more than gas and a fast snack.
Love the z1000sx, absolutely love it. The missus doesn't though. The handles are too low to hang on. Lots of other reviews say the same. Great bike for touring as long as it's not two up
the supersport is the bike for ppl who are not obsessed with numbers and just want a damn good bike (good looking too). 113 it's plenty for the average user, unless you're a track addict. Also, while the extra 25bhp kept being mentioned, apparently the extra 25kg were omitted from the debate.
The Ducati Supersport S has a major design flaw. Rear cylinder exhaust comes out at the rear shock. Exhaust pipe is so close they had to dent it to make room for the shock. Many supersport owners are experiencing heat issues and melting bump stops. Such a shame because I was going to buy one of these things.
I definitely wouldn’t want cruise control, don’t like it on my car let alone a motorcycle, infact I’m not bothered about any modern electronics , I’m old school I’ve anti wheelie and launch control in my wrist , all this shite just knocks the price up and more to go wrong , but what do I no , only been riding for 40 odd yrs. cheers Shane uk 🇬🇧
Heated grips aren't expensive either. My 2017 Z1000SX came with heated grips from the dealer. Didn't pay much for it. Grips are much better too than the standard ones, which are a bit skinny. Cruise control is an entirely different matter though. And considering what the bike costs, it really should be included.
No. Kawa puts out 0,60 hp pr kg and 111 Nm of torque - Ducati puts out 0,53 hp pr kg and 96,7 Nm of torque. Quite the difference. Still, I'm sure the Ducati is fun to ride, but I'd still take the Kawa (I actually own a 2017 model). I will say that the Ducati is a bit sexier though, and has better sound stock. Edit: and the engine on the Kawa is about 100 cc's bigger.
sudeep ok - Test Ride Sudeep, try before you buy. You'll probably end up with the Triumph, they really are a nice place to sit, all their bikes are really comfortable, and the list of official optional extras is huge. but yeah, test ride and see which works better for you because buying a bike is a lot like marriage, it's better to be happy than unhappy, and end up lose half your money in the divorce 😉
RSA Jay, that's a god answer. But I would add that, Sudeep, you are talking about two completely different motorcycles that fulfill completely different roles, so the choice will be even more difficult. It all depends on what riding you are thinking of doing. I'm not sure I'd like to do a 1000km trip on the Triumph but then again, around town on a Z1000SX would not be as much fun.
I would, for a good set of reasons: 1 - MUCH more power, 2 - MUCH more torque, 3 - fairing, 4 - traction control, 5 - power modes, and (this is personal) 6 - MUCH more beautiful. Still, take our friend RSA Jay's advice and test ride them. You will only know if you like the bike after you've ridden it. Peace, man!
Another omission from the N1K: 336 watts of charging. That's not enough to add much of anything to the electronics of the bike. People whined about gen-1 FZ1 for having lame charging power and it had a decent amount MORE than this.
There are small changes in the engine of the Z1000SX.. Earlier engine was buzzy post 160kmph... They have added a new balancer in the crankshaft, i believe.
That's interesting actually - I've a MY2016 Z1000sx and it is extremely buzzy around 7k-8k rpm (probably the level you're at with 160kmph in 6th). Anything that negates this buzzyness would transform the bike. Also, no mention of the tyres. The OEM tyres on the previous version were awful... No wait, awful is too kind a word, I mean super terrible. I've never had a set of tyres I've hated so much on a bike before and I know from forums and friends that I am certainly not alone. Hope they changed those too...
Have the same 2016 model and have never noticed any buzziness that people keep talking about. As for the stock tires, I've had several front end slides in the rain that gave me a scare. Love the bike, but it could lose about 50 pounds and gain about 30-40 horsepower to make it more exciting and competitive.
Mine was from new, and run in properly, so no previous owner effect there. Spoke to the dealer about it who said "yeah, that happens, just ride through it"...
The tires on the 2017 model are horrendous as well. I ordered mine with a Metzeler Roadtec front tyre, as I heard lots of negatives about the stock one. Front tire is still great, but the rear tyre was basically destroyed after 4-5000 kms. So now I've changed the rear tyre as well.
On the basis of being only able to afford one bike and I that like my bikes to run and keep running, I'd go for the Kawasaki. If I was rich I'd go for the Ducati, in fact, I'd buy two. That way I could keep riding, while the other one was in the shop being mended.
+rgd1977 No, that isn't bad. I nearly bought a used 1000 Monster because it had a two valve engine. I figured it would be easier to adjust. It was a 2007 model.
Yeah, the technical part doest bother me much just that i'm gonna need a software to access the onboard computer to turn off the Service icon on the dash which of course only Ducati has the software to do so.
Good video, but they don't explain the major difference between these two ducati and kawasaki. What about agility in close corners? I have a 2017 z1000 sx and she is a little lazy in close corners. That's the only bad thing I can say about her, the rest is absolutely brilliant. But if new 2021 ducati have enough agility to win to my kawasaki in these close corners, I would think about changing. Someone could say something about this? Thanks and enjoy your ride!
Why the hell, you compare two bikes and say that the downsides of one of them are lack if A, B and C and completely ignore that the other one does not have A, B and C as well? What kind of comparison is that?
I just sold a vfr that i enjoyed for years and now have a Ninja 2015 1000 abs US, the difference is night and day between the two, the Kawi is way more fun to ride, the v4 honda is smooth all day long, but so is the ninja, the ninja can be buzzy but that happens in the higher range of the rpms
larry I bought 2014 VFR looks great, drives even better, engine is not punchy at lower revs, vtec is something you have to get used to, i am waiting for power commander to arive, maybe it will give this smooth engine a bit edge
Ich liebe zwar meine Vara, aber ich bin davor Sporttourer gefahren. Ich finde die Duc echt hübsch. Nur auf rot stehe ich nicht. Aber das ist ja wie immer geschmackssache.
Made a testdrive on the Duc today.What a dissapointement.I drove R1 from 1999-2008.Than 7 years no bike.In 2015 I bought a Versys 1000 2015 and love to drive it(I got 40 this year)😤When I got on the SS,it felt even more extreme than my last R1 from 2008.I don't know why every reviewer is speaking about comfort and suitable for long trips??!!but not for me thanks!Pfft,Versys 1000 for me all the way than, it's ugly,I know, but when speaking about taking corners for example, the SS doen't even come close to a Versys......,ok when it comes to looks......
i watched this YT and other and decided to buy the Ninja1000SX 2020 but its quite a heavy motorcycle.... maybe my next will be a supersport 950S with the dual akrapovic exhaust or a 899 panigale... well keep dreaming for now :D
I was looking at both these bikes, thought the Ducati Sport was my dream bike. Until the more I learned the less I liked. The Ducati is a parts bin bike with an ugly rear end seriously lacking in HP. Ducati this bike is an epic failure in an attempt to bring everyone to your table you embarrassed yourself. I ended up getting a ZX14R SE for anyone wondering and loving every minute of it.
It really is not a parts bin bike. Ducati doesn't really do parts bin bikes today. They have platforms. Usually a bigger and smaller motor size defines the platform. This allows them to have a much more reliable bike. A lot of manufactures are switching to this way of doing things. It's a much smarter way of building a bike. You start with a base platform and make additions to make the bike unique. One, unique feature to the SuperSport is the fairings. They are designed to fit really tight to each other, have very clean lines and NO visible fasteners with the matched color so it looks like one flowing piece. But at the end of the day you looked at 2 bikes that aren't even comparable.
Donovan Lewis no offense but you just said Ducati doesn't do parts bins bikes anymore but they just use stuff from other bikes. That is what a parts bin bike is. The only reason you wouldn't consider these bikes comparable is because you don't like that this crappy Ducati bike got destroyed in this comparison. I can throw some ohlins on a piece of crap bike and it will still be a piece of crap bike. I thought this was my dream bike but I learned all about it and it sucks. Ducati made a poor decision with this bike. Hopefully they will upgrade it and make it the way they should have in the 1st place.
I watched countless videos checked forums on this bike I really wanted to buy it. When I learned all about it I was very disappointed. You have videos on your channel so I figured you owned it maybe not. Since you wanted to defend it, I wanted to see if you could tell me something I don't know or something from your experience. If you can't than why are you wasting my time on here commenting to my comments?
I've ridden it and, if it weren't for me not ready to sell my Monster, I'd own it. I don't know what makes you think it's a parts bin bike. It's design and look are unique and ergonomics feel different than any other Ducati they make. All manufacturers make bikes that share motors and other major components such as suspension and brakes. All you have to do is compare various components across different bikes of the same maker to see this. What other things did you learn that made it such a bad bike? Personally, the power delivery was smooth during take off then fast and hard when I cranked on the throttle; I like that. It was also very light and had a smooth ride, which is great on longer trips with winding roads. This made up for its shorter HP. Most riders won't really be able to use the additional 25 HP in the Z, anyway, and in that respect, agility is what makes for a better bike, IMO. Also, they didn't compare weight and distribution, which makes or breaks a bike's feel. The SS does have it's quirks: rougher shift than a Japanese bike and shaky mirrors, but I've ridden Ducati long enough and have adapted. If you went from a SS to a big, heavy, and HP packed zx14 then it's probably that the SS didn't offer what you wanted in a bike, not that the SS was a bad or inferior bike. It just wasn't the bike for you. I'm not being bias in my review; I owned Japanese for way longer than I've owned Duc and appreciate and respect Japanese engineering. I still own a Honda, in fact.
For me riding a bike means just enjoying the corners on a mountain road... Kawasaki is not a match of a sweet handling Ducati... So for me kawa is no go...it is like a fast motorway cruiser with your old lady
I own a Triumph st 955i and a Kawasaki 2016 Z1000sx, the people I ride with after 3 to 4 hours on there sports bikes want to go home they are sore wanting to stop to get off there bikes swap and ride my bike they don't enjoy the same ride as I do due to the unconfutable riding positions lol funny thing is the kwaka can keep up and pull away from the slightly older bikes . Love my z1000sx cost was less than every thing in its class.
I have the 2015 model and love it. I don't need the goofy IMU and i prefer my front turn signals to stick out a little instead of flush mount like the 2017 models Cruise control and grip warmers are for pansies anyway
Apparently no one reviews at night. You mentioned Kawasaki speedo is hard to read!? Try to read the white tipped tach needle in front of the white lines the same size as the white tach tip and white numbers! Sure at cruising, but who cares then? Give it the beans and you cannot find it!!!
no not really. I switched von ja MT09 Tracer (FJ09) to the 2017 Z1000SX and the z1SX handles better. i dont feel the weight at all. Kawa did a great job to the weight destribution. The bike feels more like 190-200kg and not 235kg.
Yeah I think it looks kind of ugly, it isn't cheaper than the kawasaki either, and with an already more than sufficient 142hp I don't really see the benefit of even more power. But if you like the looks of the suzuki then yeah it might be a better pick.
HBY hahaha! Thats funny! I own a z900 and a track specific full race fairings gxsr 750... perhaps you should apply your comments to yourself... you should come and ride with my buddy and his bussa! Hahaha
@@RobertOrtiz1015 Stop lying, you know you don't track. Your dream bike is probably a H2. Any trackday rider can tell by the way you respond to everyone of my statements that you don't prioritize weight and handling over top speed hence that's why you think the hayabusa is a good bike. The hayabusa is trash for cornering junkies - decent for touring and great for highways but it is on the low end of bikes most people want for the twisties. Maybe I'm wrong and your friend is one of the faster advance group riders that for some dumb reason decided to ride a porky ass hayabusa as their street bike. I track all year round and i have yet to see a hayabusa in advance group. I don't even think they have B group riders using the hayabusa on the track at least not in any of the trackdays in north california. Z900 is a great bike, reminds me of my dragster rr but that thing got annoying for long rides on the freeways pass 85mph. Honestly if you do track, you don't sound like it, you sound like the people that 650ib have on his channel. Nothing wrong with that (mad respect for them) but we aren't the same breed of riders. That is why my conclusion is you don't understand why weight is the winner for cornering and if you do track you wouldn't try to shoot down my statement like that.
HBY hahaha! Its all good bro... i font have to convince you or anyone! You should come to Las Vegas and track with us here... you will even see harleys on the track ... i do track and my fifth bike is a track only bike... maybe not as much as you claim tho! Hahaha... you definitely are a better rider than me if you are crying about 40 lbs extra even tho you have 35 extra hp... Great thing you talk about track bikes on a video of bikes that have nothing to do with tracks
I bought the SuperSport 939 S, and have no regrets. I was charmed by the new CBR1000 RR SP after a track test ride, but the ducati salesman promised a track test for the new V4S. A couple of my track friends bought the new V4S, and both gave glowing report. Ducatis are getting to be more reliable than previously. You have to own one, to appreciate it.
2020 SX get quick shifter, cruize control and a beautiful looking dash as standard
And still a ugly bike😂😂😂
A ducati is a ducati !!! you can not compare it with other bikes. You love it, or hate it, with nothing in between! The torque, the sound, the power is absolute unique. I was riding the SS for a whole day on a handling track in Italy. Unbelievable!!! Thats my next bike without any doubt!!!
Japanese bikes r much better!
Italian bikes are wayyy sexier
My heart scream Ducati & my brain works it out as Kawasaki...at the end of the day I got both Japanese & Italian 🥰
I just bought the Ducati Supersport 950S and it is the 9th motorcycle I have owned. It is by far the best. I missed the rumble of the Ducati engine. I ride on this bike for 5 seconds and I get a smile on my face like I just had a baby. Never felt so connected to anything or anyone as I feel connected to this.
manufacturers should make more of these "full-fairings" naked bikes :D
I've just brought the SX and ordered the heated grips, you are right about the dash, love how it handles. Like your show .👍
I'm in the market for a sports touring bike so this is a great review and really helpful. If Kawasaki added cruise control, heated grips and TFT display it would still cost less than the Ducati S model and an absolute home run bike that I would buy in a heartbeat. Thanks for doing this comparison!
Heated grips you can easily add, but yeah agreed
You wont believe this
Kawasaki is far better when it comes to reliability, and cheaper when it does come to repairs in general. Premium bikes seem to have premium problems.
True ! Lol
Yes is true. But it is like saying a Honda civic (fast and the furious) is more reliable than a Lambo. Or that an SUV is cheaper to maintain than a rocket ship. They are really in a different category. The feeling of riding a Ducati and the sound is so different. Harley riders will never compare a Harley with a Gixxer. It is a completely different experience. I have owned 8 motorcycles, but I am glad I bought a Ducati Supersport 950s before I turned 50. Man that is by far the best bike I have ever ridden. It is not only fast, but its handling and steering feel like telepathy. The bike reads your mind and does what you are thinking. It feels like you are skiing down the highway. Every move and every gesture you make - the bike picks up on. It is just feels like a very obedient and subservient Margot Robbie.
The interesting is where and when you get your Hp/Torque and I believe the Ducati twin engine delivers it faster at lower revs makes it a fun street bike.
With so much attention these days drawn to the categories of Nakeds, Supersports or Tourers (to say nothing of dirt, adv, cruisers etc) I for one am simply glad that manufacturers still recognise that there are a lot of us (dozens!) that want it all! A road bike that handles well, has grunt and a fairing but with ergo's that make touring a joy. Viva la Sport Tourer
So they fit a full colour TFT dash to the much cheaper 821 Monster but not to this. Why Ducati? Bonkers or what.
This is one of the two main reasons why I decided not to buy a supersport in the end
Did they not notice it's more like a Ducati Monster with fairings and actually nothing like the Panigale?
Eh, I've owned a Supersport S for two years now, and I test rode the 899. They're extremely similar, the biggest difference I noticed is the riding position.
I got a 2012 Ninja 1000 bought second hand in 2016 and guess how many issues it has had? NONE! Also, it does go much quicker than the Ducati :)
Is the Ninja 1000 the same bike as the z1000cx?
@@MyscBigdrop no it is not
@@XaeroIFBB well I meant z1000sx ofc and they are the same bike.
Yes, Ducati are not reliable. But they just look and ride great. Given that I ride on roads 99% and on racetrack 1%, I need to ride within speed limits. Ducati also has that flat torque so it feels great and that max torque is actually where you need it and use it daily.
Two things I don't need on my z1sx...cruise control and heated grips. This is not a beemer! Going too fast to need either anyways!
Think we need a Ducati 1200 supersport. Please!
That is stupid, it beats the purpose of the intended design.
Thats what a Pinagale V2 is supposed to be not the CC but the intended design.
There is a reason for the price diff, it’s called quality. Break it down part by part and you will understand. 113HP, handles incredibly well and holds its value. Ride them side by side and you will get it. Balance trumps HP all day long
just bought the kawa sx :)
so did I!
So did i :D
I've had one for 3 years now absolutely love it.
Oh yeah... That's after downsizing from my beloved ZZR 1200 which I still have.
idk why i love you
35 more hp, but 54 lbs more curb weight on the Kawasaki.
And no Ohlins
@Sports Good Have you actually rode one ?
Kris-B-Crunch ! And? Thats 35 more hp! And more torque...
Funny when people talk about this! When I upgraded my supra to have 20 more hp i felt the difference! Same weight! And thats a car! 3500lbs and 20 hp are noticeable! So 54 lbs on a bike with 35 more hp is still way better!
redboatandrew and?
LOOK AT THE WEIGHT!!! Oh, and the Ducati is Red!
I am such a Ducati groupie the Kawasaki looks good but I’d definitely go for the Ducati
For my first bike I chose to buy the z1000sx and I LOVE it!!! Cannot go wrong with the Kawasaki Reliability either.
How does it not have Character? Have you taken one out for a spin? All Jap bikes? Have you tried the R1 or FZ10 with the cross plane motor? LOTS OF CHARACTER! Plus, Jap Bikes don't break down and leak oil for unknown reasons. Lots to consider when buying an Italian bike. Only Italian Bike I will probably ever own will be a Tuono.
"Character" Why because it doesn't make fart sounds? Another bullshit hipster catch phrase.
S2000? The Z?
So are their bikes, including the Kawi. Butt ugly.
fred: I agree, and I own one (2017 model). There's a lot to like about the bike; it is reliable, looks good and has good electronics, etc. But it doesn't really have any personality. It's too sterile, too clean. I'm most likely selling mine and buying something else. Maybe a Vulcan S. Only engine config I haven't owned yet is parallell twin and V4 (and 6 cylinder, but they're so rare). I've owned a Hayabusa, so nothing else will ever excite me again in the performance department (had to sell it because my wrists are fucked up). So I'll have to look at other things, like sound and general "feel" of the bike.
The Z1000SX has no sound to speak of. And to rectify that you have to strip the whole bloody exhaust and slap on a full aftermarket one. The damn silencer box under the frame takes away anything resembling sound, so it doesn't do much when you change just the muffler. And, this may be because my previous bike was a 190ish hp 1300cc space rocket (GSX-R 1300), but I find the Z1000SX really sluggish and not very exciting. That said, it has plenty of torque all through the rev range, which is great for touring. But they really should have given that bike more than 142 horses; certainly considering the high price of the bike. 160-170 would probably have made a good difference, and put it more around the Yamaha MT-10 performance level.
I do not agree with your general statement about all jap bikes and cars though. I also own a second bike; a Suzuki DR-Z 400. I adore that bike, I find it loads more fun than the Z1000SX and will choose that one maybe 8 out of 10 times when I'm going for a ride. It's not fast, it's not pretty, but I can beat the hell out of it and it doesn't complain, and I can ride it absolutely anywhere, from the highway to mountain trails to tractor roads (running 50/50 tires on it).
Pretty sad about the Z1000SX. I spent months figuring out which bike I wanted, and unfortunately I chose wrong.
Hello there good people of youtube, since you all seem very helpfull and ready to aid i was wondering which one of the 2 you might recommend. I currently ride a Honda X11 ( naked blackbird) ? thanks in advance
Supersport weighs less and I like the rear view mirrors too but Ninja is still a better deal ...
Kawasaki's windscreen looks terrible...
I think the Ducati is way more safely to ride than the Kawasaki - it will break down before you get in trouble on the roads :D
I agree with the cruise control part. It is one of those things that, once you use it, cant live without it. Do a 1000 mile road trip in a day with one and without one. You'll know what i am talking abt. And these days even superbikes have it. So on a sport tourer, it is absolutely necessary.
I have done 200 miles on a Ducati Supersport 950 S. And I have done 1300 mile days on BMWs. The Ducati ain't no sport tourer. Anything more than 200 miles, I am missing my BMW.
Stupid comparison, the Duc is a laid back sports bike which no doubt is lighter and handles far better than the Kaw. The Kawasaki is more of an over the road bike, a Multistrada would be a better comparison to the Kaw.
You can get heatgrips from Kawasaki for the Z1000SX as well and there was Öhlins suspension for 2014 modell too, so expect to get a 2017 modell Öhlins as well in the future.
For the price difference you can get everything the Ducati has but the Kawasaki not from aftermarket.
The point is that a Ducati just feels like a superior product. In the vicinity of a Lambo or Ferrari. Kawasaki is great, but somehow I have always felt a stronger connection to Italian bikes. The rumble of a Ducati is just poetry. I keep my Ducati in my living room. I look at it damn all day.
Kawasaki has more power and budget wise.
What about vibrating mirrors on the Ducati? Jawsr that been taken care of at least now in 2021??
Was the shifting on the Kawasaki kind of vague and was it hard to turn in? I rode a 2011 that was like that. How were the vibrations? Quick shifter?
10:33 brings smile on faces who love Ducati 💕
During test ride I found too much vibrations on the handlebar and footpegs post 170 kmph...Is this normal with Z1000sx ??
You should do a comparison between the 2022 Ducati SS and the Kawasaki z900rs cafe. They're very similar in ergonomics, weight, and horsepower.
Totally agree
I've got a 2013, the complaints are, balance, you don't feel in the bike, you feel too high and separated. Worst stock seat ever designed, Mustang seats are the way to go. Stock seat will have you heading home after 45mins. The power is manageable and the balance is great for slow maneuvers. BUT, don't get comfortable with the power, because she can get wild! You can break loose the back tire with a full hand of throttle at 120, and it will loop out VERY EASY from a stand still. I also feel sometimes the delivery can be a bit abrupt. But mostly incredibly smooth, but its hooligan nature will entice you to blowing away all those Dodge Chargers that seem to stalk you! Got a couple Vettes too!!
How were the vibrations?
"Quite a few alternatives" I struggle to find anything else than these two and GSX 1000 F in this area. Maybe the VFR800 too. Is there anything else really?
rondar2 that's the dilemma I ran into myself.
GSX S1000F
VFR800 - I think it may be discontinued, but they're easy to get cheap
VFR1200- Discontinued
Ducati Supersport
Ninja 1000/ SX
MV agusta Stradale 800
KTM- superduke GT
Motus MST
BMW-R1200 RS
If you want something a little more roomy, but still a little sporty I guess you can choose the BMW S1000XR or Ducati Multistrada..
I don't think the long legged ones are in this same category
One the current price tag, cruise control and heated grip are chunk change to spare if one can afford one.
This video started out with almost more hyperbole than I could stand. Modern Super Bikes are NOT THAT uncomfortable for goodness sakes
Depends how far you want to travel, i rode 1600 km in a week with my Daytona 675 3 years ago, 2 weeks ago i did the same trip with trip with my second bike, a cbr1100xx blackbird. Quite a big difference on how many breaks i had to take, how fresh i felt upon arrival and the time it took getting there. The first 800km was more than 3 hours faster on the Blackbird, much more comfortable and better windprotection. Didn't stop for more than gas and a fast snack.
Look at the guy making that comment. Huge gut.
They are for me!
Hope your wrists enjoy the long ride :D
Yes I agree but then he looked like he weighed 160 kilos!
Love the z1000sx, absolutely love it. The missus doesn't though. The handles are too low to hang on. Lots of other reviews say the same.
Great bike for touring as long as it's not two up
How much does the Kawasaki weigh?
$12.50 and the heated grips are done.
The seating position is really odd in the Kawasaki, Ducati hit the sweet spot. The Kawasaki needs a bit more lean.
Hari haran but thats personal preference ...
Heated grips are an available option directly from Kawasaki
the supersport is the bike for ppl who are not obsessed with numbers and just want a damn good bike (good looking too). 113 it's plenty for the average user, unless you're a track addict. Also, while the extra 25bhp kept being mentioned, apparently the extra 25kg were omitted from the debate.
The z1000sx is a bike for people looking for an actual sports tourer.
What currency are you using???
The Ducati Supersport S has a major design flaw. Rear cylinder exhaust comes out at the rear shock.
Exhaust pipe is so close they had to dent it to make room for the shock.
Many supersport owners are experiencing heat issues and melting bump stops.
Such a shame because I was going to buy one of these things.
and not to mention overheated hydraulic fluid in the shock affect its performance too.
Which one you talkin' about?
Ducati Supersport S
Thanks, I've taken a liking to the Z1000SX so I hoped it wasn't the one you were talking about.
theres still fluid in the shock. its the fluid in the shock that controls its movement
I definitely wouldn’t want cruise control, don’t like it on my car let alone a motorcycle, infact I’m not bothered about any modern electronics , I’m old school I’ve anti wheelie and launch control in my wrist , all this shite just knocks the price up and more to go wrong , but what do I no , only been riding for 40 odd yrs. cheers Shane uk 🇬🇧
Ok so the 2 complaints are lack of heated grips and cruise? Didn't mention if the Ducati had those or not. Seems pretty.
Heated grips aren't expensive either. My 2017 Z1000SX came with heated grips from the dealer. Didn't pay much for it. Grips are much better too than the standard ones, which are a bit skinny.
Cruise control is an entirely different matter though. And considering what the bike costs, it really should be included.
Ducati is hot girl you can date Kawasaki is a girl you can marry
Treat them both like you’re renting them!
Why marry ugly?
Can anyone tell me what currency they refer to the price of the bikes? Thank you for telling me.
I think it's rupees, the currency in India
It's South African Rands. They live in South Africa.
how tall is he? im 5.5 shit
Fun unibrow. Nice work Ducati!
But the look is WAY Better on the Ducati (imo) coming from a guy with a Kawaski lol!
The kawasaki Z1000SX has 142 HP...not 138 HP.
weight, for me, is the big difference. 25 kgs. There goes the performance difference.
No. Kawa puts out 0,60 hp pr kg and 111 Nm of torque - Ducati puts out 0,53 hp pr kg and 96,7 Nm of torque. Quite the difference. Still, I'm sure the Ducati is fun to ride, but I'd still take the Kawa (I actually own a 2017 model). I will say that the Ducati is a bit sexier though, and has better sound stock.
Edit: and the engine on the Kawa is about 100 cc's bigger.
Hey should i buy a ninja 1000sx over a Triumph Street Triple R 765?
sudeep ok - Test Ride Sudeep, try before you buy. You'll probably end up with the Triumph, they really are a nice place to sit, all their bikes are really comfortable, and the list of official optional extras is huge. but yeah, test ride and see which works better for you because buying a bike is a lot like marriage, it's better to be happy than unhappy, and end up lose half your money in the divorce 😉
RSA Jay, that's a god answer. But I would add that, Sudeep, you are talking about two completely different motorcycles that fulfill completely different roles, so the choice will be even more difficult. It all depends on what riding you are thinking of doing. I'm not sure I'd like to do a 1000km trip on the Triumph but then again, around town on a Z1000SX would not be as much fun.
I would, for a good set of reasons: 1 - MUCH more power, 2 - MUCH more torque, 3 - fairing, 4 - traction control, 5 - power modes, and (this is personal) 6 - MUCH more beautiful. Still, take our friend RSA Jay's advice and test ride them. You will only know if you like the bike after you've ridden it. Peace, man!
Another omission from the N1K: 336 watts of charging. That's not enough to add much of anything to the electronics of the bike. People whined about gen-1 FZ1 for having lame charging power and it had a decent amount MORE than this.
There are small changes in the engine of the Z1000SX.. Earlier engine was buzzy post 160kmph... They have added a new balancer in the crankshaft, i believe.
That's interesting actually - I've a MY2016 Z1000sx and it is extremely buzzy around 7k-8k rpm (probably the level you're at with 160kmph in 6th). Anything that negates this buzzyness would transform the bike. Also, no mention of the tyres. The OEM tyres on the previous version were awful... No wait, awful is too kind a word, I mean super terrible. I've never had a set of tyres I've hated so much on a bike before and I know from forums and friends that I am certainly not alone. Hope they changed those too...
Have the same 2016 model and have never noticed any buzziness that people keep talking about. As for the stock tires, I've had several front end slides in the rain that gave me a scare. Love the bike, but it could lose about 50 pounds and gain about 30-40 horsepower to make it more exciting and competitive.
Maybe the previous commenter did not break-in the engine properly?
Mine was from new, and run in properly, so no previous owner effect there. Spoke to the dealer about it who said "yeah, that happens, just ride through it"...
The tires on the 2017 model are horrendous as well. I ordered mine with a Metzeler Roadtec front tyre, as I heard lots of negatives about the stock one. Front tire is still great, but the rear tyre was basically destroyed after 4-5000 kms. So now I've changed the rear tyre as well.
Kawasaki for me, looks more upright and more exciting
Great review
On the basis of being only able to afford one bike and I that like my bikes to run and keep running, I'd go for the Kawasaki. If I was rich I'd go for the Ducati, in fact, I'd buy two. That way I could keep riding, while the other one was in the shop being mended.
I can't believe it , Don said there's more to life than horsepower?
Thomas Evers balls have gone weak lol
Yep, there's weight... and they didn't even mention it.
Japanese bikes are reliable, I wouldn't want to go long distance touring on an Italian bike, no thank you.
Trains are more reliable than any bike, so I guess you are traveling by train?
yeah I guess you never went touring at all
Lol you kidding me? Ducati is damn reliable i did a full tour of the himalayas on the SS
Yeah I took the wife touring on my SS. Not a single problem
Ducati valve adjustments and timing belt replacements. No thanks. I'll take the Kaw.
+rgd1977 No, that isn't bad. I nearly bought a used 1000 Monster because it had a two valve engine. I figured it would be easier to adjust. It was a 2007 model.
i bought a Ducati but then i started thinking about the timing belt replacement. Doh! At that moment is when i knew i'm fucked!
akuAR...You're not fucked, it's time to learn. From what I understand, the belt replacement isn't bad. Just a PITA.
Yeah, the technical part doest bother me much just that i'm gonna need a software to access the onboard computer to turn off the Service icon on the dash which of course only Ducati has the software to do so.
+akupehsluarketatAR Yup.....
Good video, but they don't explain the major difference between these two ducati and kawasaki. What about agility in close corners? I have a 2017 z1000 sx and she is a little lazy in close corners. That's the only bad thing I can say about her, the rest is absolutely brilliant.
But if new 2021 ducati have enough agility to win to my kawasaki in these close corners, I would think about changing.
Someone could say something about this? Thanks and enjoy your ride!
I can. If you're that concerned about close corners then it's unclear why you purchased a sports tourer?
Why the hell, you compare two bikes and say that the downsides of one of them are lack if A, B and C and completely ignore that the other one does not have A, B and C as well? What kind of comparison is that?
how it compares to VFR800?
I just sold a vfr that i enjoyed for years and now have a Ninja 2015 1000 abs US, the difference is night and day between the two, the Kawi is way more fun to ride, the v4 honda is smooth all day long, but so is the ninja, the ninja can be buzzy but that happens in the higher range of the rpms
by then your going way over legal US speed limits
larry I bought 2014 VFR looks great, drives even better, engine is not punchy at lower revs, vtec is something you have to get used to, i am waiting for power commander to arive, maybe it will give this smooth engine a bit edge
such a sweet Kawi, but so darn expensive :-/
Finally a commonsense comparison. A good match up. Is the duc name worth the extra $
Kawasaki hands down.
I got the first like yeehaw :) Awesome review cheers guys.
Ich liebe zwar meine Vara, aber ich bin davor Sporttourer gefahren. Ich finde die Duc echt hübsch. Nur auf rot stehe ich nicht. Aber das ist ja wie immer geschmackssache.
Made a testdrive on the Duc today.What a dissapointement.I drove R1 from 1999-2008.Than 7 years no bike.In 2015 I bought a Versys 1000 2015 and love to drive it(I got 40 this year)😤When I got on the SS,it felt even more extreme than my last R1 from 2008.I don't know why every reviewer is speaking about comfort and suitable for long trips??!!but not for me thanks!Pfft,Versys 1000 for me all the way than, it's ugly,I know, but when speaking about taking corners for example, the SS doen't even come close to a Versys......,ok when it comes to looks......
i watched this YT and other and decided to buy the Ninja1000SX 2020 but its quite a heavy motorcycle.... maybe my next will be a supersport 950S with the dual akrapovic exhaust or a 899 panigale... well keep dreaming for now :D
Ahem, Aprilia did a better bike than both of them all waaaay back in 2001. APRILIA RST FUTURA ALL THE WAY!
I was looking at both these bikes, thought the Ducati Sport was my dream bike. Until the more I learned the less I liked. The Ducati is a parts bin bike with an ugly rear end seriously lacking in HP. Ducati this bike is an epic failure in an attempt to bring everyone to your table you embarrassed yourself. I ended up getting a ZX14R SE for anyone wondering and loving every minute of it.
It really is not a parts bin bike. Ducati doesn't really do parts bin bikes today. They have platforms. Usually a bigger and smaller motor size defines the platform. This allows them to have a much more reliable bike. A lot of manufactures are switching to this way of doing things. It's a much smarter way of building a bike. You start with a base platform and make additions to make the bike unique. One, unique feature to the SuperSport is the fairings. They are designed to fit really tight to each other, have very clean lines and NO visible fasteners with the matched color so it looks like one flowing piece.
But at the end of the day you looked at 2 bikes that aren't even comparable.
Donovan Lewis no offense but you just said Ducati doesn't do parts bins bikes anymore but they just use stuff from other bikes. That is what a parts bin bike is. The only reason you wouldn't consider these bikes comparable is because you don't like that this crappy Ducati bike got destroyed in this comparison. I can throw some ohlins on a piece of crap bike and it will still be a piece of crap bike. I thought this was my dream bike but I learned all about it and it sucks. Ducati made a poor decision with this bike. Hopefully they will upgrade it and make it the way they should have in the 1st place.
Please give me your opinion of this bike its strengths and weaknesses. What you like or don't like?
I watched countless videos checked forums on this bike I really wanted to buy it. When I learned all about it I was very disappointed. You have videos on your channel so I figured you owned it maybe not. Since you wanted to defend it, I wanted to see if you could tell me something I don't know or something from your experience. If you can't than why are you wasting my time on here commenting to my comments?
I've ridden it and, if it weren't for me not ready to sell my Monster, I'd own it. I don't know what makes you think it's a parts bin bike. It's design and look are unique and ergonomics feel different than any other Ducati they make. All manufacturers make bikes that share motors and other major components such as suspension and brakes. All you have to do is compare various components across different bikes of the same maker to see this. What other things did you learn that made it such a bad bike? Personally, the power delivery was smooth during take off then fast and hard when I cranked on the throttle; I like that. It was also very light and had a smooth ride, which is great on longer trips with winding roads. This made up for its shorter HP. Most riders won't really be able to use the additional 25 HP in the Z, anyway, and in that respect, agility is what makes for a better bike, IMO. Also, they didn't compare weight and distribution, which makes or breaks a bike's feel. The SS does have it's quirks: rougher shift than a Japanese bike and shaky mirrors, but I've ridden Ducati long enough and have adapted. If you went from a SS to a big, heavy, and HP packed zx14 then it's probably that the SS didn't offer what you wanted in a bike, not that the SS was a bad or inferior bike. It just wasn't the bike for you. I'm not being bias in my review; I owned Japanese for way longer than I've owned Duc and appreciate and respect Japanese engineering. I still own a Honda, in fact.
For me riding a bike means just enjoying the corners on a mountain road... Kawasaki is not a match of a sweet handling Ducati... So for me kawa is no go...it is like a fast motorway cruiser with your old lady
Pointless comment really. Think about what a z1000sx actually is.
You've eaten a few eggs 🍳 dude 😉😉
got a red fz1 with fairings... i see which model of ducati people keep mistaking it for lol
I own a Triumph st 955i and a Kawasaki 2016 Z1000sx, the people I ride with after 3 to 4 hours on there sports bikes want to go home they are sore wanting to stop to get off there bikes swap and ride my bike they don't enjoy the same ride as I do due to the unconfutable riding positions lol funny thing is the kwaka can keep up and pull away from the slightly older bikes . Love my z1000sx cost was less than every thing in its class.
The tall guy is not that bright. The power to weight ratio of the ducati is higher than the ptw ratio of the kawasaki.
I have the 2015 model and love it. I don't need the goofy IMU and i prefer my front turn signals to stick out a little instead of flush mount like the 2017 models
Cruise control and grip warmers are for pansies anyway
I just want @ least the power of my old cbr929rr.
Why does he start talking and walking from 1/4 mile away? ;)
Kawasaki its an emotional
Apparently no one reviews at night. You mentioned Kawasaki speedo is hard to read!? Try to read the white tipped tach needle in front of the white lines the same size as the white tach tip and white numbers! Sure at cruising, but who cares then? Give it the beans and you cannot find it!!!
Heated Grips in Australia? Cruise Control is not expansive. Maybe has understood.
The only real problem with z1000sx is that it's effing heavy. I mean, common, if it weighted at max 210 kg, (curb) it would be a different machine.
yeah especially with those horsepower and torque. It will be one hell of a machine
no not really. I switched von ja MT09 Tracer (FJ09) to the 2017 Z1000SX and the z1SX handles better. i dont feel the weight at all. Kawa did a great job to the weight destribution. The bike feels more like 190-200kg and not 235kg.
Or just get a 2017 Gsxs1000f. More power, lighter, rider modes and better handling.
Megayoshio8 no quicksh
balsara 675 no but the new slipper clutch on the 2017 means clutchless down shifts
and almost as ugly as a hayabusa....
It looks awful though, i hate the front end. Couldn't live with it tbh.
Yeah I think it looks kind of ugly, it isn't cheaper than the kawasaki either, and with an already more than sufficient 142hp I don't really see the benefit of even more power. But if you like the looks of the suzuki then yeah it might be a better pick.
2020 Ninja 1000 SX now has cruise and so much more. Too bad the color is so boring this year.
The Ducati sounds absolutely dreadful
Ducati,no doubt!very nice bike 😉
I lv the Kawasaki
Blipper ohlins are worth it
Duke 😍😍😍
Cue the kawasaki fanboys who buy kawas because they're cheaper. You guys are even worse than GSXR squids...
10 years from now the Kawasaki will be worth nothing. The Ducati will increase in value.
what ... no cruise control on the kawasaki. No ashtray and no cupholders either.
weight vs horse power: weight wins
HBY hahahaha! This is hilarious! Its 35 more hp! Have you even ridden a motorcycle? Hahahaha
Only weights 40-50 more lbs! Hahahaha
@@RobertOrtiz1015 you have no idea how to corner i assume or else you would know what I'm talking about. Go do some track days squidy.
HBY hahaha! Thats funny! I own a z900 and a track specific full race fairings gxsr 750... perhaps you should apply your comments to yourself... you should come and ride with my buddy and his bussa! Hahaha
@@RobertOrtiz1015 Stop lying, you know you don't track. Your dream bike is probably a H2.
Any trackday rider can tell by the way you respond to everyone of my statements that you don't prioritize weight and handling over top speed hence that's why you think the hayabusa is a good bike. The hayabusa is trash for cornering junkies - decent for touring and great for highways but it is on the low end of bikes most people want for the twisties. Maybe I'm wrong and your friend is one of the faster advance group riders that for some dumb reason decided to ride a porky ass hayabusa as their street bike.
I track all year round and i have yet to see a hayabusa in advance group. I don't even think they have B group riders using the hayabusa on the track at least not in any of the trackdays in north california.
Z900 is a great bike, reminds me of my dragster rr but that thing got annoying for long rides on the freeways pass 85mph.
Honestly if you do track, you don't sound like it, you sound like the people that 650ib have on his channel. Nothing wrong with that (mad respect for them) but we aren't the same breed of riders. That is why my conclusion is you don't understand why weight is the winner for cornering and if you do track you wouldn't try to shoot down my statement like that.
HBY hahaha! Its all good bro... i font have to convince you or anyone! You should come to Las Vegas and track with us here... you will even see harleys on the track ... i do track and my fifth bike is a track only bike... maybe not as much as you claim tho! Hahaha... you definitely are a better rider than me if you are crying about 40 lbs extra even tho you have 35 extra hp...
Great thing you talk about track bikes on a video of bikes that have nothing to do with tracks