Ducati SuperSport Review | First Ride | Launch Report 

I just bought a 2017 DUCATI Supersport ( non S model ) a little over a month ago. I took a gamble and I bought it over the internet without ever seeing it in person or test riding it. the bike looks like new with 2159 km on it when delivered. it was first bought and registered in 2019. all I saw was a bunch of pictures online and a one minute video of the bike starting and running. and I decided to buy it without ever even riding a Ducati of any kind before. but over the last three years I had test ridden a bunch of bikes to get an idea of what I wanted. but the Ducati wasn't even on my radar until I saw it for sale online. I test road the Kawasaki Z650. Ninja 400, Z900. the Triumph Street Triple. speed twin 900 and 1200. also the Trident. I even tried bikes like the Royal Enfield 650. the Honda 500. the CB 650. the Yamaha MT07 and MT09. and just two weeks before buying the Ducati I test road the Yamaha XSR 900 which I was really considering getting but something was holding me back. so when I agreed to buy the Ducati I was hoping I didn't make a mistake. and the next day they delivered it in a van. and as soon as they opened up the van I was like wow that is nice. and when they pulled it out of the van I started drooling, it is such a nice looking bike. and when I road it for the first time. in a minutes time I knew I made the right choice. I instantly liked it more than the bran new 2023 Yamaha XSR 900. there was just something about the combination of the engine and the bikes stability. and the more I ride it the more I love it. for me it ticks all the boxes. looks great. has nice ergonomics. has a little bit of wind protection. unlike the Naked bikes. it has a really nice engine with power that is totally usable. and the bike is nice and stable and holds its line around a big sweeping turn like a rock. and the stock sound is really nice. and really good tires that make you feel confident when leaned over at higher speeds. and the breaks are really nice. I really can't say enough good things about it. I am totally in love with my bike. I have zero regrets buying it. there are a few things I could nit pick about. like the vibey mirrors. and it can be stubborn going into neutral. mostly when cold, but I've gotten used to it. if you go into neutral before stopping completely it goes in every time. there is engine heat. but not really more than a few of the other bikes I tested like the MT07. I had to take off the left side of the fairing to put a new battery in which is not convenient. but I did it myself. which brings me to my least favorite thing, which is when you turn the bike off and lock the handlebars. most bikes you turn the key all the way to the left. but with this bike there is one position extra.and if you go all the way to the left it leaves a couple lights on. which I accidentally did and killed my battery. in my personal opinion. people buy naked bikes because they want more comfortable ergonomics not because they don't want wind protection, no one likes the wind hammering you all the time. what people really want are sport bikes without the back breaking ergonomics. which is exactly what the Supersport is. its really the perfect bike. and don't get why other companies don't follow in its foot steps. because what good is the power of some of the naked bikes like the MT09 or Speed Triple RS. if you can't go above 60mph without being hammered by the wind. even on the Supersport I wish had better wind protection. but its surely allot better than no wind protection. Ducati should be paying me for this comment.

I see everyone bitching and saying 'just buy a Panigali'. For people who don't want to ride daily in a Superbike position, though perhaps are tired of all the naked bikes everywhere and want more wind protection for motorway riding, this looks perfect. I will probably get this after my street triple has rotted away in the shit English weather.

I actually like the rear end of the S version, especially without the license plate holder. The paint job is fabulous, the engine is the torquy testastretta, it sounds great, it's got a single-sided swingarm and optional Superleggera exhausts... Shut up and take my money!

I had a choice. This or a Panigale. Took the Supersport S for a test ride. Very comfortable and more than enough power for the road. With all the torque it goes like stink , more quick than you’d think and tractable around town. It’s a perfect dry day road bike. When it rains the front mudguard doesn’t do its job and you get road muck spraying up inside the fairing. It handles great and I’d bet that on the road it’ll hold its own against the Panigale. I don’t do track days so screaming top end power isn’t an issue. I bought the Supersport S in white and I don’t regret it a bit.

Wet clutch--check! Pilot friendly exhaust routing--check! Bar risers--check! Mrs friendly pillion seat--check! About time we had an ST replacement.

Only morons would call this a sports touring bike. It's actually an everyday sports bike. A bike that is versatile and can do it all(commute, track, tour or canyon riding) just like old Honda CBR 600F. At the upper level, this is the only bike of its kind, since all the other top sports bike have became either too track oriented(superbikes) or too touring friendly(sports tourers). Versatility is pretty damn alive in the entry level segment(CBR 250R, N300/400, R3 etc.); and thanks to Ducati that concept also gets new high end shape in the form of the SuperSport.

It is amazing to me that everything you said here was informed, intelligent, and entirely on point. Even though you did this around a dinner table with minimal production effort, your content far surpasses almost all of the big motorcycle channels. Good job guys. Subbed.

I love you two, just so you know. Not for this review but just because of the entertainment and information you have provided thus far. Keep it up 44T.

Another great review! Thank you.

Another fantastic review!

Really liking this style of review!

Entertaining & Awesome!! As always guys!

Great review lads!! I ride a naked speed triple and your right it’s for weekend blasts putting a smile on your face. However I think that if I didn’t want the windblast this could me my next bike as for me it would tick the right boxes regarding the fun factor for the road.👍👍

This is like the old Top Gear. You don't have to be into cars/bikes to love it. Keep up the good work!!!

Fun review guys, thanks! Love the BBC. I'm your age and grew up learning to ride back in the days of VFRs and Suzuki Katanas and the market is so devoid of those types of upright comfortable sports bike these days, which is sad.... everything is either naked or built for the track. What would you say is the best new alternative to this bike from another brand? Does this bike have any direct competition being an upright, comfortable, lightweight sport bike with fairings?

imagine 44 teeth with gopros, pure awesomeness

If you had to choose between this, the MT-10, and the new Street Triple RS for pure sporty street riding which would you guys suggest? I've been riding an 07 R1 for the last 7 years, and love it, but my knees and back and wrists can't tolerate it for longer rides anymore.

I don't why so many are confused about Ducatis target market for this bike? They have make a sporty bike you can ride for more than an hour probably all day. I challenge any of you to ride 900km on a pani in a day

Bought a heated seat for my multistrada just in time for a british summer and got 10% off from 44t rewards, so thanks dudes!!

Awesome job guys. I have a 1998 VFR800 (practical sportbike) that I wouldn't trade for anything. I had many bike come and go since owning it, bit the VFR stays. Point being, a comfy sportbike is the best of all worlds in most conditions. When my trusty 98 dies for the last time I'd definitely consider an SS (had a 96 900SS). Cheers.

44Teeth: Hi, could anyone please tell me which Alpinestars model is that jacket at 00:15 - 00:20 and 9:37 - 10:10 ?

Hey guys, will you be reviewing the new Aprilia Shiver this year?

Excellent first big bike. I ride it everyday. Did 4000miles in 5 months everyday commuting, since I bought it in March. Jumped on it from a 125cc gsxr after riding the gsxr for a year.

What wet tyres were you on ?

What's the track at the beginning?

After racking up 25K ball-soaked thigh scarred miles on my 1199, I was hoping this would solve my road/race conundrum, but 113HP just isn't enough. 130-ish HP is more like it. I also don't like the 80s Casio watch gages and the cast steering yoke. I think it looks really good, aside from the single-sided illuminating headlights (why?)

Jesus fuck I didn't think the headlights post 1198 could get worse but apparently I was proven wrong. I miss the aggressive sexy 1198 headlights :(

Really is the bike that much smaller or have you hoisted more pints. I am going with the more pints

Which model is better for beginners

Im so glad

looks so fucking good to me tbh

Not mad on this bike but you guys are ace, keep doing what you're doing :)

Great stuff as always. I want to offer some constructive criticism... I know you're fully aware how bad the sound from Alistair's helmet mic is - but you could do a little more to tone it down in the editing - work on the EQ, drop the bass, or whatever. Listening through a decent sound system the interview part sounds so good and then there's this boomy, too loud bit :( It is a shame considering how good the quality the rest of the video is.

looks like a fun everyday bike, but WTF is up with that windscreen? Fugly.

Am I the only one who likes the looks of this bike? 😂

Anyone think they will come up with the 1200CC version next year?

could you tell us how tall you are mr Fagan,so i can get an idea of how i would sit on this supersport ?

Being new to bikes, and planning to get a sport tourer type like this, i’m surprised by the amount of hate for these more relaxed sport bike looking bikes? Why?

quite like it as a sporty road bike and it sounds so crisp, hope ducati do well with this.

Would the new Street Triple RS be faster?

Currently looking to go for a supersport s from a street triple rs (I have achy wrists from previous breakages) and like the raised bars over the panigale. I just bloody wish they would lacquer the things. Not putting a clear coat on the tanks can’t be saving Ducati much financially at all....it’s poor cheap skating especially when the bikes are neck and neck now with the V2

can i have the tyres from this test please? need some with unused edges. good leg dangling tho.... made you look fast

New to your channel. Found it via Fancy Animal. Been thinking about a Super Sport S as my next Ducati purchase. If it is Monster "like" why not a Monster 1200s. I ride a 2014 Monster 796 now. Looking for something with longer legs and a bit more sporty. Thank you for your channel. I watch it all the time at the gym after a long day of work. #loopsak #akduc #mostrorosso

comfortable sports bike sums it up perfectly

I wish you guys could review some naked 650s instead of only 1000cc sport bikes. Others have already reviewed and compared the MT-07, Z650 and SV650A, but I would like to hear what you think as well. That said, I watch everything you upload regardless of what it is. It's always high quality with a good amount of fun. :)

Channeling a bit of Rick and Morty with the plug at the end there

This is the bike that someone who is in college with an SV650s upgrades to when they get a good job.

I feel like I may have slagged off this bike on the original post on the 44 teeth page but this is exactly what I was fringing at and was hoping for. An every day gentleman's bike to do it all fairly comfortably. In other words a Gucci VFR. And not the last one because that was a bit limp.

Sorry to hear about the aching wrists. Just as an observation, it seemed in the clips you're holding on to the bike with just your arms and not your legs - that might contribute to your aches. Thanks for posting - good insight on the bike.

really loud in track, quiet in the living room, noticed it on a few videos, anyway of making it more homogeneous? great review and vids btw

I think it provides a great alternative to both the Panigale line and the Monster. To me, the near-overlap in price between the 959 and the Supersport S is not that big a deal because the Supersport S has upgrades that the 959 does not offer (upgrades that you would need to move up to the 1299S in order to find). Also, as you noted, this bike feels very different from the Monster (which I love, along with the Panigale), providing both agility and a protective fairing but without the fully leaned forward position of a full-on sport bike. I think there will be a big market for the Supersport in both iterations.

first off love your videos and always look forward to your reviews/posts. this bike is just so un-exciting though. even you guys seem to think it's quite lackluster...especially for the price. why would anyone buy this over say, an s1000r or a tuono 1100 for the same price???

I'm starting to zap forward to the adverts at the end out of habit. Which is daft. Great review.

I think everyone forgets about the Honda CBR650f when looking at this bike. their underlying concept and some of the design ideas are very similar. The price and specs are way different of course. I'm a fan of neither but I do wanna see someone ride those two together in the same video.

Your audio levels are off! pay some attention to mastering the mix so that I could listen to it without my neighbours waking up in the middle of the night.

That face of that bike looks so much like the Superman poster in the background 🙃

looks great except the usual lack of tank range put a 23l tank on that and i would seriously consider it

How does it cost the same as the Panigale?! In the Netherlands, the Panigale 959 costs >19k €, and the Supersport S costs >14k €. So that's 3/4 of a Panigale, 5000 € difference!

it's ducati version of a cbr600f to me.

ducati supersport vs suzuki gsxs1000?

Exactly what I thought when I saw the specs etc., basically a revamped, lighter take of the VFR800... For a fair bit more dosh!

How about a quick specs rundown guys?! FFS. Enjoyed it regardless, cheers!

im so glad i buy MV!

If Ducati would fit a beefed up rear subframe and rigid panniers, they'd have a brilliant new ST.

I like the looks of the front end, but they went and spoiled it with that chintzy windscreen. And, the rear looks much better with the duallies. I just can't make sense why it's so down on power, though. For that asking price, it doesn't make sense if it's not one that's track worthy. Imo, it's a bit of a miss. But, I guess there are some people who just want to be able to say they have a Ducati that's a super sport. I like the vlog format. Would improve with more music or sound effects and some adjustments to the on-board mic (sounds a bit muffled).

Why not bring this to the market at $9k and take it by storm? I understand Ducati has an image of the higher priced bike to uphold but wouldn't they rather take over the market and sell more? I'd buy this instead of a scrambler at the same price point. Somebody at Ducati forgot to study why Honda, and Yamaha sell so many bikes.

Yeah I thought they made a 300 or 500cc bike I think it looks great you don't have to expect to go 9/10ths on the road but you still have the option to do so great review!

I'm not a huge fan of the SuperSport but the front end looks good.

Fantastic review. I really can't get on with the looks of it, to me it looks like a confused parts bin special. Struggling to understand how it fits in really... if it's aimed at the sportstouring market it's gonna want more ponies in the stable surely...

Front is stunning

why bother using mikes if you don't check the volume levels?

You know you can still buy a VFR 800? They cost about 11k and are nowhere near as well specced as the supersport. It doesn't even have traction control. Ducati looks pretty well priced.

Baron never reviews the Triple Triumphs lol.

Is it any better than my Fazer 800. that's the big question. Obvious current competitor is a VFR800, would make a nice comparison. (And include my £4k Fazer just for reference!)

What I can't understand is...if this is supposed to be an all-rounder, all-day rider...what happened to the wind protection on this bike? How does it feel sitting behind that microscreen, miles upon miles at continuous 100km/hr + speeds? What about the fuel range?....Ducati's are notorious for having enough fuel to get you from one gas station to the next, which is extremely frustrating when going on longer rides/trips, because it seems you have to plan your route according to fueling stations, and not by what YOU want to see...it's more about what your bike needs. thnx guys...great video.

So this cost more than a gsxs 1000f? You guys rode that as well. Which one's better? Just imagine clipons on the Suzuki.

Someone PLEASE tell the Ducati designers to wake up!!! They must be sleep, they have about 4 sport bikes that look damn near identical. This one is a little different but come on guys, I know you can do more than fiddling with the handle bars and calling it a new bike. Good video though, BTW.

I would love to see ducati bring the supersport into the V4 family as well... give it a touch more power, say 130hp/85-90ftlbs and i think itd sell out real quick.

A year on and its clear that the SS has indeed priced itself out of the marke (relatively). In depth review here bit.ly/2hnGEb2

The volume level in this video is really inconsistent. The mics are pretty soft, and then the onboard narration is MUCH louder...

Is this the ultimate touring/track machine?

I feel like AudiDucati overextended its lineup, a bunch of bikes that look the same. Anyway when is the first ride of the new R6 coming?

Nice bike. btw you guys are awesome lol

Looks better from the rear however riding it from the shape of the screen looks like you'd be riding a peacock round the track. Based on that it'd be a non starter - the z1000sx would be a much better option.

Howling!! Gents.....better than suzuki GSX1000F?? is that the main rival ?

You guys need to go to the next level with sound. Wireless headsets or shotgun mics and a small mixer.

At last a reviewer has said it looks like a VFR800! None if this 'it's a beautiful ducati' I mean don't get me wrong its a ok looking bike but it's clear where the inspiration came from, but then if you're going for the sports touring market the VFR is the bike you aim to take down. So steal its customer base by emulating its appeal.

Baron von dieting?

Agree with all the comments regarding windscreen, what were they thinking. Work a bit harder and buy a panigale

I think the bike is beautiful, especially in white but I’m really failing to understand why they decided to put an engine that large in a bike only to produce 113 hp. Coming from a cbr650f, I just couldn’t justify spending that kind of money to (apart from looks) only get 20 more hp. I Went with an almost new 2015 cbr1000rr (1460 miles) instead and saved myself loads of money in the process. I feel like most young adults like myself will make the same choice I did. I feel that Ducati really missed an opportunity simply due to the power.

44T please approach TopGear I'm sure they'd give you a slot! You guys are amazing

Styling wise, it looks like a mix of Panigale/Multistrade/Monster

The bike with lighten eyebrows

Ditch the tea mugs. Have a cocktail of the day. With umbrellas and shit.

Kind of looks like a new ER6. They should make a 1200 version. I like the concept. Multistradas are ugly as fuck and Panigales are torture racks. This is a nice compromise

"So light and nimble" Maybe it feels that way, but it's 463 pounds fully fueled. That's not especially light. Also, it's got less power than the Yamaha MT-09. If someone wants to track the thing, they'd be better off buying a left-over GSX-R750 for less money. Another 35-40 hp. If someone wants to tour/commute on it, it's going to be a great sports bike. But enough power to keep someone interested for more than a few years? Considering everything else Ducati makes?

I think the design manager must have been drunk when he signed off on it. Good review though!

03:45 Looks pretty dry to me...

I wonder how many people that trash this bike here, saying "rather have the panigale or a gsxr" and all that crap, as actually ever ridden a panigale or even been to a ducati dealer?

I think the Ducati SS pricing is too tall for what it is offering. Look at the market. I love the 765 and that price is also a tall one. This is a topic to talk about because both are overpriced realistically. When you look at what else is being offered in the market. Does that mean Ducati and Triumph won't sell these bikes, no it does not. These are two perfect examples of niche bikes. Maybe in the future we will see more of this from the other manufacturers or maybe the pricing will be the downfall of great ideas.