I've just bought a 2018 one (the delivery on a new one is quoted as October!). I was aware of these three issues having watched (many) various reviews. From looking at the bulk of the comments they don't seem to be deal breakers and I have to say that so far I am loving every second of it. I tend to ride in Tourer mode and am averaging around 60 miles to the gallon which, if my calculations are correct equates to a range of around 320kms.
Good review ,having owned ducati sport bikes since 1987 there are a few things that havent changed ,the mirrors are there for regulatory reasons they arent meant to function ,invest in some bar end mirrors they work ,i own a 2009 1198s with a full termi race system i ended up ceramic coating the pipes and wrapping them in heat tape and fitting heat shield material under the seat after the 1198 s all other ducatis just feel warm ( i guess its all relative) ,ah the fuel range well i never ride anywhere when the next fuel stop is over a 150 kms and if i see a servo after 80 kms of riding i will fill up because i dont like pushing motorcycles on the side of the road ,would i sell my ducatis no because no other motorcycle turns my cogs like a ducati twin does ,these minor blemishes are there to build character ,for the few of us that have these amazing machines all i can say is we are blessed ,just my 2 cents .
They are great bikes, and none of “annoyance” are deal breakers. Bar ends will be a little problem here in Japan due to the integrated turn signals, will have to find something that will pass mandatory inspection.
I bought this bike a couple months ago and I completely agree with everything you said! I also am really happy with my purchase. The one other issue I find is with the quick shifter, sometimes it struggles to go from 1 -> 2 and drops into neutral which can be somewhat scary if you aren't used to it. Also not surprisingly the quick shift doesn't like shifting the first couple times on a cold morning, really need to let it warm up for a few minutes.
Another happy owner! Regarding the quick shifter, I actually found it easier to use compared to BMWs! I only drop into neutral when going down, 2→1 that is. Hopefully it gets better with a few oil changes?
@@WilliamInJP Hopefully! As it stands it's still better than most of the transmissions I have used from Suzuki and Yamaha, but to be fair a lot of those bikes were older.
@@telboy19652010 honestly, I think they may have shown me that at the dealership and I just forgot! I will definitely check that out, see if it has what I need.
Well said & well presented. Great bike for SOME of us & I agree- it's a far better daily rider than 'specs & numbers' reflect. Heck, I wouldn't have even known about it had someone NOT raved about how comfy, how smooth & how well handling it was? Downsides: excess heat build up, minor but persistent vibration (although- NOT 'buzzy') leaving useless mirrors. The fuel tank is a non issue for me, as I live in the US & gas is everywhere! Finally, I'm getting older, so- shorter rides give me a chance to reset, move around & get ready for another 2 to 3 hours of riding pleasure. I can 'hoon it around town, commit to shorter distance ride & go to track occasionally to improve skills or just gain confidence for the streets. Thanks to advocates like you, this bike doesn't get lost amongst the numbers.
great review! i am going to testride a supersport 2017 tomorrow, wondering about the heat.... last year i tested the 2021 supersport model and did not experience much heat. I also tested a Panigale V2 2021 and that was the first bike I wanted to stop riding after 5 minutes because of the ridiculous amount of heat. Could not understand why anyone would buy a Panigale V2. It was in hot summer and in a slow group so probably that was the reason.
All 3 points are valid, my biggest complain is the mirrors I have no problem seeing out of out of them on my 2021 V2 even at highway speeds so why has Ducati not fixed them on the SS950S?? Also next time you stop at the Ducati dealership why don't you takes us for a tour inside would really like to see what it looks like on the in side...
Unfortunately filming inside stores, shops in Japan isn’t accepted. Will need their permition to do so but I had only known them for less than 6 months, still a hard ask😞
I think that the mirror issue may be solved with bar end mirrors, no? I ride in California where it's very hot in the summer, so the heat from the bike could be a deal breaker. Riding in textile riding gear can mitigate the problem as opposed to jeans which are awful. My FZ07 has a similar fuel range and hasn't been an issue for me, even on long rides in all cases so far, but I agree that the Ducati should have better range. Thanks for bringing up these issues, good job.
They have integrated turn signals, so if I am to go the bar end mirrors path, I will also need to find signals that can pass inspection. Thanks for your comment!
I have a 2021 model and I agree with your points, seat gets hot af, mirrors basically useless, the tank doesn't bother me that much tho. Have you had any problems with the bike like at all?
A combination of these: Aella Navigation Stay Kit AE-77021-SH2 shop.aella.jp/item/IS00000N10958.html Daytona Bike Smartphone Holder 3 Quick Type IH-1000D www.daytona.co.jp/products/single-17234-genre
Legit complaints, my dealer asked me to come by and check if mirror get torqued properly, don’t think it would make any difference but will give a try, worse case scenario just get a bar end and get rid them completely. Heat is more of a issue riding in California, not sure if there is possible solution out there. Btw where did you get the fair sliding bar at? Been looking everywhere but parts out there only fits 939 not us…
Would love bar ends, need to think about where to put the winkers though.Sliders are from a Japanese manufacturer called Aella, they do ship abroad if you are interested: shop.aella.jp/prdct_list.html?category_code=342
It’s a combination of two products: shop.aella.jp/item/IS00000N10958.html daytona-europe.com/en/smartphone-holder-without-case/692-smartphone-handlebar-holder-3c-detachable-type-80219-80219.html
@@WilliamInJP thanks, good summary, i got a 2018 model, so the heat issue is even worse... I was thinking about putting on handle grip mounted mirrors to reduce the vibration. I have an R80, too, so I'm used to not using mirrors :D. Also thanks for the link to the cell phone holder. Looks good and safe But a combined 210 Euro plus shipping (and customs?) is maybe worth more searching rn.
With such a pervasive and well-known mirror issue I would assume that there's aftermarket better quality mirrors that can be affixed in the place of the stock mirrors correct?
Unfortunately not much! Especially with Japan's compulsary inspection and integrated signals, actually as far as I know only the ones from Rizoma works!
I love my 939. And so far i have never ridden it long enough to go through a tank of gas in one ride. I agree with the mirrors but i can live with it. And i saw a video where a person put black foam rubber around the mirror and it helped allot. The heat only bothers me at a long red light or in really slow stop and go traffic. My least favorite thing about the bike is it doesnt like being at one or two thousand rpm. Most bikes you can idle in first gear. But this bike doesnt like it. I test road the Triumph 765 speed triple RS. And you can go as slow as you want in first gear without it buckling. And letting out the clutch on the 939 in first gear takes some getting used to. And in really slow stop and go traffic it is not enjoyable at all. You have to ride the clutch allot. Because you cant just idle along at ten kl in first gear. The clutch doesnt fully let out until like 15 kl. So in traffic that constantly stops and starts and just crawls along. You have to work the clutch all the time. The other day i was stuck in one of these situations for around 20 minutes. And it was not enjoyable. And that is also when the heat hits you. It is definately my least favorite thing about the bike. But once you hit the open road i love it more than most other bikes i have ridden. And in normal traffic it is ok. Personally i didnt want a bike with 160 or 200hp. Because its just so easy to get into trouble with it. And i have been riding most of my life. I think the power is close to perfect on the 939. Because the power is very usable. You dont have to wait until 8000 rpm to get some pull like in a Honda 650 which is close in hp. And on the open road i love the feel of the bike.
I currently have a Panigale 899 but have been looking at these as I want something more comfortable. Do the mirrors fold in to squeeze through traffic?
@@WilliamInJP brilliant, thanks for the reply. One of the main reasons I've kept my 899 for so long is because the mirrors fold and on the later 959 & V2 they do not. I need them to fold to access the rear of my property. Thanks again.
Thanks! Am not an owner but love this bike and am thinking of getting one, but for me the big miss is no cruise control -- not even as an option. Ducati have cruise control on the Multistrada 950 S, so there's no excuse. Also surprised they didn't fix the mirrors, as it was an issue on the last version. A couple of extra litres in the tank would also be nice. As for the heat... well, it's a Ducati!
@@WilliamInJP Thank you so much for your prompt response! A great bike you have! I'm thinking either this or the new Moto Guzzi V 100 Mandelo, whenever it comes to the market.
If you like a more comfortable bike, go for the Guzzi. Wind protection on the SS950 is sub par and it doesn't have cruise control. If you are looking for a more "spirited" ride, go for the Duc.
All 3 points are common traits of Ducati sports bikes - period. They are not going to change any of them I do not think for that is what it is. I used to have a 996SPS and now a 1199S. With a Ducati you would be expected to take it into the open roads rather than city riding, heat would be resolved on the move, mirrors would be redundant since you are expected to be overtaking things ahead and not bother what's behind you. Small fuel tank especially for a "tourer" unfortunately. Alternatively, look for the Suzuki GS1000GT that I am sure would have crossed your mind.
I had 2017 s model until this year, did 34000km and desmo service on it. I had 5 mirrors in total changed under warranty, it got so bad that they vibrated so hard in idle that at speed even eith clutch pulled in i could see anything. Tank and range were ok for me, i was also sold the bike under impression it was sports tourer and i compared it to ninja sx and vfr and dealer told me yeah same category, but this bike is more relaxed sport bike. Did side by side comparison and ninja is just much more comfortable, more upright and much more space, knees not so bent etc. Also fenders/mud gusrds dobt do thing, water sprays like crazy from both wheels. My ecu or bbs as ducati calls it died 2 months after purchase, dqs was replaced because it was malfunctioning (dropping gear after change, closing and opening throttle destabilizing bike). Biggest gripe i had was rear brake, it had to be bled every time bike stood in place for longer than 2 weeks, pedal was a mush and brake didnt work. After bleeding it twice in a year i almost crashed on highway because brake pad melted, bike went into limp mode and when i tried to stop rear wheel locked up and i almost crashed. So i suggest if they didnt bother changing mirrors, chances are they didnt change rear brake system, you should have that checked if you leave bike alone for extended period. At first dealer told me rear brake bleeding was an known issue but there is no workaround and that i have to come to dealership/service to have work done (about 2 hours). Sent mail to ducati and they changed brake lines with much thicker ones with extra heat shielding. Pads, disc and abs sensor were changed when pad melted, only thing they didnt change was master cylinder but at that point i gave up on bike since exhaust corroded and i sold it. Beatuiful bike, joy to ride but this streak of bullshit i got from it almost made me chop it into little pieces with an axe. Hope you have no problems like these.
Where are you Touring bike guys getting the idea or notion that this bike is a touring sport bike or sport touring bike? Never at any point did Ducati ever use the word touring when designing this bike and advertising it. Never not even one time. Somebody out there just decided that this is a Touring bike. it is not a touring bike.
@@JS-fb6ww i asked dealer directly, told them i was considering vfr and z1000/ninja sx and he told me its same category. 🤷♂️ Became apparent to me after few longer rides.
The heat output to the rider is much less on the Supersport versus the Panigales, but that's not an excuse. It depends on where you ride and the speed. This video shows this guy rides in town, so that will be the worst case.
Indeed, stop and go traffic is the worse you can get, but the heat on all Ducatis, are just way too much. Especially when they are water cooled as well.
@@WilliamInJP Yes and no. I've owned several water-cooled Ducatis and have never had a heat issue; however, I ride in the rural areas, not towns, and at higher speeds, so that solves many issues. If most of your riding is like the video on RU-vid, I'm sure you could have heat problems.
All twin sportbikes ride hot and the mirros shake. Why does everyone complain about this? 4 cylinders run smoother and cooler. You dont buy a Ducati for luxury lol.
True indeed 4 cylinders are smoother, but heat-wise I don’t agree. There are cooler bikes with similar power, looking at the older Honda VTRs. The Panigale V4 is also hotter than my SS, but of course way more power generated so can be understood. Also I wanted to highlight what’s not likeable about the bike, therefore they were mentioned.
One thing I hate about this bike are the people who buy it and stick panniers on it and ride it like it's some sort of a touring bike. Makes me cringe.
@@WilliamInJP why? This isn't a touring motorcycle. That's not what Ducati engineered it for. It's a sport bike that has track and road ergos and features. Why don't you just buy a touring motorcycle??
Do you know why this doesn't have a large fuel tank to get you over 300 kilometers? Because it's not a touring motorcycle. Go out and buy a touring motorcycle and stop trying to morph this one into a touring motorcycle
Please stop referring to the Ducati Supersport as a sport-tourer. Where did people get the idea that the Ducati Supersport is a sport touring motorcycle? Yes it has attachable panniers. Bfd.
Factory panniers, adjustable windscreen and heated grips, comes pretty close to a sports tourer no? Not to mention a engine focused on torque not power, comfy seat and riding position
@@WilliamInJP you're assuming based on those things that it's a touring bike. It's a sport road bike with better ergos than the v2 for Riders who want a more comfortable track bike to be used on the track periodically but more on the road for longer commutes. Never at any point has Ducati advertised this bike as a "sport touring" a touring motorcycle.
Tokyo and other city areas? For sure. Hokkaido? No mate they definitely aren't everywhere, especially in the rural areas like Shiredoko and Abashiri =)
I detest all touring Riders who do this to sport bikes. Please go out and buy a touring bike. Let me guess you got the got the panniers on the back and you put half inch risers on the handlebars
You said that ducati's position on this bike is that it's a Touring bike for longer distances. Ducati has never at any point use the word touring in conjunction with this bike. It's all you freaky touring Riders out there that want to usurp a cool sport bike and make it look queer with your touring riding and accessories. It's like buying a Ferrari and then modifying it the suspension to make it softer and adding a cargo holder on the back of the car and driving it around like a Buick lesabre.
@@WilliamInJP yes its true. Ducati never mentions or mentioned the word touring in relation to this particular bike. The only mention of touring it has is a touring package for those stupid hideous panniers. But this was never engineered or designed to be a touring bike.
@@WilliamInJP indulge me. If you like touring riding so much and you like to cruise around at a slow pace for long distances, why didn't you just buy a touring motorcycle? Why did you buy a Ducati super sport?
@@JS-fb6ww As mentioned, love the sound, the engine and how it rides as a package. Never asked you to agree, people have opinions and they usually differ. You have a point and I understand that, but doesn’t mean that everyone see things the same!
@@WilliamInJP how can you love how it rides when you just ride it slowly like a touring bike? It doesn't ride like a Touring bike it rides like a sport bike and you don't ride it like a sport bike you know how I know because I'm watching your videos. I think you would like Ducati panigale V2 or V4 just as well. You should strongly consider buying one of those and writing it around exactly like you doing this video
Hey bill, I want you to get rid of your Ducati and stop embarrassing the rest of us who ride this as the sport bike that it is. I want you to trade it in or sell it and use the money towards this bike- Kawasaki Versys-X 250 Tourer. Also, please stop riding it around like an old man on an electric Rascal scooter on a Sunday afternoon. Why don't you go out and buy a Kawasaki Ninja H2 and ride it around like a touring bike.?
