2017 Ducati Supersport S Comparison Test | Review | Motorcyclenews.com
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 25 апр 2017
- We take the new Ducati Supersport S to the twisty roads of northern Italy and pitch it against the Ducati Panigale 959, Honda VFR 800 and Kawasaki Z1000SX to find if it's got what it takes to be an all round sports tourer.
Get the best of biking EVERY day...
Latest motorcycle news: www.motorcyclenews.com/
Sign up to MCN Xtra -- the new MCN newsletter: www.motorcyclenews.com/
Like /MotorCycleNews on Facebook at / motorcyclenews
Follow @MCNnews on Twitter: / mcnnews
Follow @MCNsport on Twitter: / mcnsport
Welcome to the official RUclips channel of the world’s biggest print and online motorcycle publication. All the greatest motorcycle video content from the world’s most respected motorcycling media brand. Since 1955 MCN is available weekly in both print and digital editions and 24/7 on motorcyclenews.com. ow.ly/10pe69 
Авто/Мото
no has mentioned this in the comments, but the supersport S in the flesh in red is absolutely gobsmackingly beautiful - you could keep it in the house and look at it every day -its that level.
I bought one. I actually do that.
The Kawi is simply a badass bike that you can ride forever
A day like that, on those roads, on any of those bikes, is good day to me
Agreed! How do I get their job?!? LOL
I do live here, make the Muraglione every couple weeks during summer! Agreed, we got beautiful roads :D
Exactly
Thank you for this follow up review Neevsey. Real world application and comparisons are so much more relevant to the average punter than the glitzy track day launch.
I had a 900SS IE and the more time goes by the more I'm really liking this new SS, I may have to pick one up in a few years. Really happy that Ducati decided to put out a product for those of us who like the idea of a sports standard.
Awesome review. Neeves just nailed it. Supersport is neither a hardcore supersport bike like Panigale nor a dedicated Sports Tourer like the Ninja 1000. It's for all your money a versatile super/sport bike.( Just like most CBRs are).
Good job MCN, I like the direction you've been going in with your videos, lately.
Excellent review! That was fun to watch. Great descriptive review and very informative!
i had a vfr 750 back in the day....i loved that bike
thanks for this i’m going to test ride a Supersport when the weather gets better
Yes I agree that 120bhp is enough for fast road riding as it's more handling than outright power. I am currently on the BMW S1000XR with some weight saving measures and over 150bhp at the wheel as I now get too stiff on Superbikes. The XR really rocks in every way,a proper sleeper.
Great video, looks like a great bike
Never noticed before but the VFR is a great looking / sounding bike and thats from a Ducati owner !
VFR800s sound great. owned 1 and had another before I wrecked it.... Wish I could say the same about the 1200
I've owned several Ducks, but my 5th-gen VFR is the bike I'll likely be buried with (although my 1150 GS is a very close second).
Try it with the factory fitted Akropovik exhaust.... it's a pure MotoGP soundtrack! ;-)
I often have people come up and ask if my red 2015 Honda VFR800DX is a Ducati lol. Love the V4, heated grips, self canceling turn signals, center stand, single sided swing arm, ABS, TC, and LED lighting. My only add on so far has been a SC Project slip-on which added an Italian note to my Japanese bike ha ha.
As a VFR owner I'm a bit biased. however I think I'm justified in my bias, as the VFR has the V4 VTEC, single sided swingarm and comfortable for long hauls. these are all characteristics that you need for an average motorcyclist. most spend their time commuting than on track days or blasting in the mountains. However the VFR can do that too. plenty of torque from the V4. Great video over all.
ThaKenMan vfr has no where near the midrange torque of the Ducati. btw the Ducati has a single sided swingarm.
Definitely the Duc has more power, and both have a single sided swingarm. I guess I was trying to say that the VFR is a more practical and affordable bike with similar features. Similarly the Honda RC51 would be something that could be a cheaper alternative.
The VFR's a good bike but it is overweight compared to the competition. Also it's power output is a bit low for a 800 V4. An update is needed. Say lose around 25kg and up the power to around 115 to 120 hp [easily achievable with this motor] and it would become a best seller once again.
Boz wouldn't it be great if the supersport s kicks Hondas ass into updating the vfr800
Boz agreed. if you get the chance look up the Ariel Ace. Ariel creates a bike using Honda's V4 and revamps the entire engine and makes it into a thoroughbred race bike. Honda needs to get back in the game and make bikes that owners can be passionate about.
There are optional saddlebags for the Ducati SS, in my dealer they come included with the purchase... Only a couple of days away from getting one
VFR also has an extra 5.5L of fuel... quite handy here in Oz
I don't think it's a sports tourer at all. It's just a sporty road bike. Like a roadster but a little more sporty. It's the category that aims for the perfect all-round road bike that can do a bit of everything but excels most of all at what we all spend 90% of the time. Mildly sporty road riding. I'd say it's like the cbr650, except they've gone for a lower cc version at the budget end of the market. Perhaps the new 765 speed triple is actually a close competitor
Great quality video review as usual 👍🏻 thanks.
Great review MCN! Answers a lot of questions. It is indeed a surprise package - very practical, great riding position, alas, this bike actually looks MUCH better than the photos and videos can show!
Nice comparison. The review I've been waiting for and the result I was hoping for.
I want this bike.
Going to do a demo and if it goes well I am getting one.
I'm the perfect target market for this thing.
I want a true sports bike that is comfortable enough to ride to work everyday and capable enough to take to the track.
And yeah it might me a tad expensive but I'm willing to pay a little more to get exactly what I want.
This bike seems to be the first one to truly fill both roles well.
I considered a Tuono but after seeing how much fuel it gulps and spotty reliability I questioned if I should get it.
Had vfr800fi non vtec for 20yrs used to get bored with it, so took many test drives and enjoyed them but getting back on vfr made me want to keep it😂, we all crave something else. Never had anything wrong in those years other than servicing. Now old and arthritic, bought a yamaha bt1100 bulldog, upright v twin, loads of torque and shaft drive, no more chain cleaning😬. Only go 80bhp but on uk roads is enough for me.
I enjoyed the review, but where are the pillions? If you put a pillion and a top box on, which bike will still be comfortable, fun to ride to a circuit - and then deliver on track? Kawasaki's have a very special place in my heart, but the Z1000SX was too uncomfortable 2 up. The SuperSport looks divine, but have you seen the service intervals? I mean, really?!! I need a motorbike not a mechanical project. So I went for the VFR800, factory fitted Akropovik exhaust and quickshifter... the bike is amazing 2 up or solo. Can't wait to take it on track (Donnington already booked!), but on UK roads, it's sublime. That quickshifter/exhaust combo gives you a MotoGP soundtrack on every ride. Got to love it! :-)
I'm in the market for one of these or a Ktm SD Gt... Which one is the better bike in the twisties?
Hello good sir(s) I was wondering what use is a bike when u cant properly use the mirrors ? Seem like a HUGE flaw to me , its holding me back from actually buying this bike. Also i wondered why the GSX-S1000F isnt in this comparison ? was curious to see how that one held up amongst these badboys
Any updates on Ducati Supersport reliability?
Great video and great comparison! Nice to see for me since I just sold my red VFR and just bought a white Supersport S :)
Which do you prefer?
@@sivvinod3187 Loved both bikes. The vfr was smooth and had no issues. The SSS got more vibrations, and because of this the mirrors doesnt work that good. But besides that, it is so much more fun to ride with. The acceleration is so much more powerful, and you can feel it is a lot lighter. And there is something special with Ducati :) Love mine and will keep it for a wile :)
@@philair1 :]
i would still go for the VFR just because i always wanted one
Why does Ducati continually make crappy mirrors? All that money that charge for their bikes but yet crappy mirrors year after year.
Caus people who drive "Doecaaaatiiiis" dont care about cops in their mirrors caus they loaded..
Ducati mirrors have improved 1000% since my 1995 916. I used to have a blurry view of my elbows, Now I have a blurry view of the cars I just passed. When the police pull me over, I can even see their lights!
Mainly it has to do with the L-twin cylinder engines that vibrate more than traditional inline fours.
I did not subscribe today
@@c.andrewsmith8689 😂😂😂
much better vlog very clear :-)
Ohlins are expensive for a reason people.
CBR1000SP- Ohlins
HP4- Ohlins
Panigale 1299 S - Ohlins
RSV4-RF- Ohlins
RC213- Ohlins
F4-RR - Ohlins
Come on guys... there is a reason we see no other suspension company at the top.. - Price whatever bike you like for sport touring with Ohlins. I'll say it again... Price your current bike with Ohlins and get that sticker shock.
Texarmageddon great point
Because ohlins probably pay the companies a lot of money to put them on their bikes. Not saying they arent good, but there a lot of other top companies out there making suspension for a less money.
Because marketing
what gyro camera mount are you using???
Do you still need to change the ducs belts every year or 10000ks?
The design of z1000sx is sick. One of the best in the market
It's a love it or hate it. Like most kawas. I personally dislike it. The only kawasaki that is unquestionably perfect is the h2
@@TheAerozot This is not a marmite bike. It's not controversial in looks. It is simply outstanding. Sure, everyone has preferences and favourites but it's hard not to appreciate the Kawi.
Excellent review mirrors are bad on the Ducati ss
Link to the gyro tank cams used please.
Supersport would be great if you could only have one bike. For me I'd want something like the VFR for commuting/touring then a sports bike for weekend blasts. Still sounds great but too expensive, will be great buy in a couple years (2nd hand) I imagine.
Tony Marcella i got a gsx s1000f best of both worlds. i commute then smash the canyons on the weekends. best bike ive ever owned!
VFR is still awesome for running up and down twisty roads. No you won't be winning races but 93 horsepower is still objectively very fast and you're less likely to threaten your license than with a faster bike like Mike's Gixxer. As for weight, 529 lbs curb may not be super light but its not really a hindrance on public roads and it manages its weight very well anyhow (super low speeds are eh but not as tricky as a 1200+ upright tourer). And since they don't exactly fly off the lots, you can get SCREAMING deals on them. And then there's that 781cc V4 that will do 100k miles no sweat, and that beautiful V4 sound
Overpriced and underpowered Honda, as usual. 93 horsepower lol what a joke. Keep rationalizing, dude. I'll keep my 140hp Z1000sx, thank you.
Eh everything u jus said is the kawasaki...perfect for touring and weekend blasts with its 140hp
I’ll take the VFR or the Ninja 1000 any day. In my experience of Japanese bikes vs European, the Japanese always win in reliability. My Husqvarna TE 250 needs a lot of service and my Yamaha FZ 6 has been problem free for almost 10 years now.
Agree 100%!!! Ducati’s are probably the sexiest bikes on the planet, but are total unreliable junk! This coming from a previous Duc owner. My Duc left such a sour taste in my mouth that I not only swore off all Italian motorcycles for purchase, but all European motorcycles and cars as well. They’re all VERY high maintenance!
@@mikebuckingham5486 After a 35 year absence I decided to get back into biking and bought a 2005 Ducati MTS 620 .Big mistake!
Overall the Kawasaki SX maybe the better bike with a decent set of mirrors BUT if you want a comfortable road going Ducati , the 950SS is the one I would go for. People stay loyal and hang on to them because they have character. Look much nicer with an Akarapovic set of cans.
panniers?
I love VFR 😍
Good comparison. So, if you're in the market for a true Sport Tourer, get the Kawi 1000SX or the Suzuki GSX1000F. Save yourself a bunch of coin and leave that Supersport in the dust
The 989 is sooo lovely though
What about the laguage options for the ducati? is there anything or just the aftermarket stuff. besides the price: great bike. but: i just bought a Tuono. The Duc can't be that good :)
There are optional saddlebags, in my dealer they come included with the purchase... Only a couple of days away from getting one.
I've always liked the BMW K1300S for a sport touring bike
sjsu Aviation not made anymore tho
There's only one thing I can see wrong with the supersport and that is for some reason, everyone I've seen ride it looks absolutely massive on it.
Well is the Kawasaki better than the Super Sport?
Surely it's most direct competitor is the Suzuki GSX S1000 F ?
That's also a comfortable sport bike but not a sport tourer.
Why didn't they include the Suzuki GSX-S1000F? It seems the closest comparison in terms of weight, power, cost, and riding position. VFR is a step down (less power, more weight, 9k cost in parts of USA). Kawasaki is close, but more on the touring side (heavier and more relaxed riding position). The Suzuki is primary bike I want to see compared head-to-head with the Ducati Supersport :P
Did you compare heat transfer in Ft lauderdale ( a boil your jewles climate)
Excellent vidéo but please subtittles please .... in French
at last! someone should have compared z1000sx, vfr800f and supersport!
Motorcycles are the best things.
1st like
great vid guys
I love it. But wish it was a bit cheaper, and I wish the non s came in white !!
No bad bikes here.
Having ridden them all (1 hour test rides) the Ducati SS is the clear winner. The z1000 and VFR are too plain the Panigale too extreme.
The SS does need the £1600 + Vat race exhaust to show it's true character. Check out the videos with the full system fitted it becomes a great looking bike with a sublime soundtrack.
Unfortunately adding the pipe makes the SS nearly £15K in the U.K. which is simply too expensive for a bike that only makes 113 bhp.
I'll look for a second hand one (with the pipe) in a year or two.
The GFV on PCP finance of a three year old SS is £6800 so expect a trade in of £7000 and a private sale price of £8,500 and a dealer sale of £9,500.
The VFR is so slow and heavy compared to,the Ducati, great build quality though. Kawasaki wins all day long. Outsells the VFR 3-1 in the UK. LOADS MORE FUN
Shouldn't the BMW R1200RS have been in there too?
Eh..
Could have made it...
It's strong suit would MPG, Shaft Driven, and torque.
How fast is it though? Is it MT 09 fast?
how does this compare to an 821 monster?
One is a sporty yet semi- practical tourer; the other is a naked street bike. Totally different machines; depends what kind of riding you do.
Where is the GSX-S1000F?
Remapping it to get rid of the snatchy throttle.
Why always review the top of the range model ? Comparing it to the standard versions of the other bikes . It's a very expensive bit of kit and although tempted by it I bought a latest model vfr for half the price . Much kinder on the wallet
Let's just take a minute to realise that it's £3500 more than the Z1000SX and that's before panniers etc if you go down that route. The question is why would you spend that much more ?
Because you are a snob trying to show people you can afford Ducati
God i miss my 959 :(
Ducati Supersport= A versatile sport bike.
959 is next for me I think
It almost sounds like the VFR sounds the best.
I've never ridden a Ducati in whose mirrors I saw anything but my own arms. So adding the vibrations that makes... flabby arms? Doesn't make much of a difference to me :-P
Great video, the ss is just too expensive it will not sell well...come on who will buy a supersport over a 959 panigale for just a 1k difference??
Michal Ptas anyone over 40. Anyone who wants to go out for more than an hour. Anyone who likes to do a bit of distance in Europe. Me.
@hollowaysteve knows! With a few quid in the bank, this is the sort of bike you'd want if you don't want a bone shattering cramped sports bike. Up to date, latest electronics, quickshifter and blipper making riding even easier, great handling and tip top suspension and brakes, it's the perfect all rounder. Yeah It's pricey but it's all down to what you want over what you can get for your money. You can buy a super naked for same money but you might not want something that tears your head off. Supersport still has plenty of power
Steven Watson we all know Ducati can be a bit flakey and that they are expensive. I think this bike would be a great weekend Hooner and capable of hoofing across Europe for a few thousand miles over a week or so. (I travel light and solo) I ride a BMW R1200S and in essence it's a similar type of bike (although BMW touted it as their 'sports bike' when it was released 11 years ago) and its great at doing the aforementioned but perhaps a bit heavy as I get older. This new duke will be a very similar riding position but lighter. I'm used to more power with the R12 (125rwhp) and my Kwack ZRX1200R (130rwhp) but really, in the modern world of traffic and increasingly draconian speed limits and cameras, 113hp is enough. I can't afford one mind. They are a tad expensive. Perhaps a nice used one in a couple of years 😉
Oh, what are these bikes that you consider better options that are just as capable and cheaper?
Me. It is the best combination of sportiness, comfort and looks. The Panigale 959 is a torture rack and most of the other options either don't look as good or are too big. I want a comfortable sportbike with a fairing that looks good. The Supersport is it. Even if they were the same price I wouldn't buy a Panigale.
z900, Z1000, FZ09, fJ09, street triple, speed triple, CB1000R, any of the KTM Dukes.....GSX1000......ect. All of these bikes are more then capable on the road and 100% more comfortable then this Ducati. These also almost all have fairing variants if you just have to have that fairing styling.
I'm not even saying the idea of this bike is a bad one. The problem is it's marketed as a less hardcore track bike for the road, but realistically is not that much more comfortable then a track bike. The price tag kills it.....I just find it hard to believe that people will choose this over the 959 considering the price. Again, if you're looking at even remotely wanting to be comfortable for longer rides you are looking at the wrong style of bike. I feel bad for anyone who buys this over the 959 thinking they are going to ride this thing for 2 plus ours and not be in pain....good luck. Buy the 959 and through some clip ons on it....you'll be happier.
Supersport a bit short on HP.
grand cheaper?...panigale please
I wouldnt blame anyone for being tempted to splash out an extra grand and buy the Panigale over the Supersport but most would be doing it for the prestige of ownership and the feel good factor when looking at it, rather than the enjoyment of actually riding the machine. Panigale on the motorway? No thanks. Panigale in town? Naaah. Track day maybe once/twice a year? Yeah sure.
In short, any of the other 3 bikes would prove to be the better buy for 95% of riders. and of those 3 I'd go for the VFR or the Kwak for the better balance of riding fun and practicality. I ride a VFR and I'm constantly weighing up the Z1000sx as a replacement.
Call me an old timer but when my 2000 fi 929 throws a piston through the tank I think I'll buy another fi 929. There's just a 10kmh difference with a 15,000 dollar saving. And the best part, it doesn't have any limp wrist rd traction control, anti wheelie, anti fun components. Now where's my cane?
if your 929 throws a piston through your tank mate.. a $15,000 bike saving will be the least of your worries... LMAO
Texarmageddon lol true
well...im certain it could use some more bhp...113 just seems to litle....maybe 130/140 would be nicer
Journalistic bias on a new bike launch - an unwritten agreement to report on the new bike favourably. If you're in breach you're not invited back!
That’s why Fortnine is the best!!!
it's funny, it's seems the ducat super sport have an inverted headlight from the Vfr 800 Fi. I'am really looking about that duacti, same specs as an sv1000 engine but with better feature everywhere and damn that 15K kilometers between maintenance schedules for oil is a jewel for a everyyear rider like me.
So its no good in the rain, not ever day ride..
No it was a press bike... no one wants to wreck a press bike so you're obviously pretty tense ...
honda had this concept with cbr600f. Unfortunately current cbr650f is undepowered and lame.
Honda should add 30 more horsepower to the vfr800 and that would be one great motorcycle. Would sell a truck load if they did
And lose some weight.
i have a z1000sx, 2019, and the seat has a very strange shape. Im really doubtful about their comments about how comfy and plush it is, i get some severe pressure points from it.
Also the windscreen only really does anything when its all the way up, and even then it tends to direct wind directly at your helmet. I recommend keeping it all the way down and keeping the wind stream on your chest, OR get one of those ridiculous lookin vstream touring windscreens.
Surprised it performs with what seems to be a lack of power
Lack of power??? Compared to what, a RR litre bike? I mean it has more horsepower and almost double the torque of a 600 RR.
superbike1 errr actually 100-110hp is quite enough for fast road riding. It wasn't that long ago that 120 was a lot. You can't actually use 160+hp bike properly on the road without going too fast everywhere or just short bursts. Back in the real world full of speed limits, traffic and prison sentences (in the U.K.) a 100-120hp 1-1.2 litre bike is more than adequate and definitely 'not' underpowered.
Just replaced my ST3 which had 80k on it with one of these. It is a perfect fit for my type of riding. 40 mile daily commute, and I enjoy the occasional 200 mile round trip on twisty roads.
boom
I thought the honda was a ducati for a second! lol But I would choose the Honda vtec v4 and torquey inline 4 over square kawasaki engine any day.
Sorry, square Kawasaki. What do you mean?
He means an the Kawi has an inline four engine
The VFR sounds the best with a stock pipe!
Ducati SUPERSPORT S 💪🏾👍👍👍
Strange: from the review, I thought he was going to say "Don't buy this bike, there are better bikes available." Instead he says it's a great all-rounder. Odd. From the review, my conclusion would be "Get it if you want a Ducati that is sporty yet rideable everyday, but there are better bikes available." Unlike the Panagale, which the reviewer says is too hardcore.
Yeah;; I too was a little surprised by the summary after what had been said leading up to it.
Just purchased one today in red
Bring the fucking 848 Evo back man
+1 sub
Ninja 1000 is the winner if u ask me
Good that nobody asked you
Lol
I think that the Ducati Supersport S is the best bike here.If you factor in what you can buy a new "leftover" Interceptor/vfr800 here in the US.because they are going for about half the price of the Ducati right now.Just something to ponder money wise .
Give it 40hp and 200cc more and it would sell like hot cakes,
lacks a punch and big miles on a 950 is harder on the engine than say a 1100 ,
oh and a colour dash and active suspension for a S model.
An actual fact, as opposed to an un-actual fact
So the ss is the cheapest bike amongst them... because you have 3 bikes in 1?
got to be honest can't see anyone buying one of these over the z1000/vfr unless they want to own a ducati.
I'd own one simply to get a less relaxed riding style and be 50-60lbs lighter than both...
04 VFR800
06 VFR800
10 VFR1200
Cornish_ Boy it's much more sport than either of those two which are both much softer and heavier, so it's not just a desire to own a Ducati, but to own something closer to a track bike like a Panigale but to be much more comfortable on normal roads. The Supersport also has better brakes, better suspension, and more low end torque. People just have to demo ride it to understand, it's a very different animal from a VFR and way more fun to ride.
IL MOSTRO more sporty than the sports touring z1000sx? doubt anyone who buys one will actually take it on track and the z would he quicker anyway. ducati is probably a better bike no doubt buy I don't get it? it's supposed to be like the do everything sports bikes of old like the old cbr600's but cost way way to much for that.
Cornish_ Boy there is nothing soft about the zx..thing is fast its about 140bhp the ss is 113...
Yar D Blah by soft he meant suspension guy..
so this whole video just told me nothing about the bike as to how it really compares.. aside from everything that i already knew just by using common basic comparisons. lol so for sporty sport touring, Z1K, comfort sport touring VFR and if you want expensive with high insurance premiums... Ducks
yu guys are unfair to kawi considering it has saddlebags option
rahil hasan why unfair they said its the best sports tourer
U get the new techs and its cheaper then ducati and it sounds decent but still yu guys think ducati can handle long trips lum if yu really want to test these kind f off or sports tourers make atrip to leh ladkh yu will see the diffrence
Mike fry plz search for leh ladkh yull see
rahil hasan and thats why mcn say the kawasaki is the best sports tourer in the video
Mike Fry sry didnt get that but wasnt this a c9mparison between sports tourers
Panigale any day.
Muraglione pass