It is time to rejoice Ducati fans, as the Italian firm has brought in the SuperSport and the SuperSport S to India for Rs. 12.08 lakh and Rs. 13.39 lakh, both prices ex-showroom India. The bike is the company’s first sports-tourer and has been attractively priced to give the likes of the Kawasaki Ninja 1000 and the Suzuki GSX-S1000F a good run for their money.
Nestled inside the tubular steel trellis frame is the same 937cc Testastretta 11-degree V-twin motor that you would find on the Hypermotard 939 and the recently launched Multistrada 950. However, to suit touring and everyday rideability needs, the engine had to be redesigned. Thus, it comes with a new crankcase, new heads for water passages and an alternator cover for mounting of the new gear sensor. The motor now produces 110hp and 93Nm, slightly lower tuning in comparison to the other two models it is used on. Crucially, the peak torque is generated at a lower rpm to make it more manageable overall. It is mated to six-speed transmission that comes equipped with a slipper clutch.
The SuperSport gets the whole of Ducati’s electronics package, i.e. it comes standard with DTC with eight levels of traction control settings, Ride-by-Wire, three rider modes – Sport, Touring and Urban and three levels on the Bosch 9MP ABS. On the sportier ‘S’ variant, you also get bi-directional DQS which aims to simplify the riding experience in any situation.
The SuperSport has drop dead gorgeous looks with the obvious philosophy transcending from the Panigale range of motorcycles. Upon, close inspection there are the obvious differences which make the motorcycle stand apart from the Panigale. However, its likeliness to its racier sibling with a relatively-relaxed riding posture will bring lots of fans to its yard. The single-sided rear swingarm is made from die-cast aluminium and looks simply stunning. No wonder it won the title for the ‘Most Beautiful Bike’ at the 2016 EICMA show.
Apart from the standard inclusion of the DQS, the SuperSport S gets premium fully adjustable 48mm Ohlins USD forks and Ohlins monoshock, instead of the Marzocchi USDs and Sachs monoshock found on the standard variant. Both bikes get the same twin front 320mm discs Brembo M4-32 monobloc callipers and rear 245mm disc twin-piston Brembo calliper brake setup. They also come shod with Pirelli’s latest Diablo Rosso III tyres, a direct descendent of the Diablo Supercorsa race tyres.
The SuperSport just arrives in the Duacti Red colour scheme while you also get the Star White Silk option on the S, for a premium of 21 grand. Stay tuned as we will be bringing you our experience of the SuperSport S on Monday.