Ducati’s two new SuperSport models mark a significant change of direction for the traditionally sportsbike-focused Italian powerhouse. These bikes, according to the factory, “blend Ducati’s sporting side with road focused performance and accessibility.” What this means in practice is an everyday Ducati sportsbike.
“The SuperSport isn’t a sports tourer or an entry level superbike,” explains Paolo Quattrino, the SuperSport’s product marketing manager. “It is a unique bike in its own right, a versatile sportsbike from Ducati.”
While fans of Ducati’s Panigale range may raise an eyebrow at this point, the SuperSport isn’t designed for them. “The target customer for the SuperSport bike desires a good looking sportsbike that is fun to ride and can be used every day,” says Quattrino.
To achieve this goal, Ducati have done something that other manufacturers have failed to do – they have designed a ground-up new model rather than simply take the shortcut of sticking a fairing on an existing machine. So while, on the face of it, the SuperSport models appear to share many components with the Hypermotard and Monster range, in actual fact very few items are common.