[steeve]

Hi every one, I ordered my Supersport S today. Expect to take delivery in March or April.
My last bike (traded in today) was a BMW R1200RS.

I've been riding motorbikes since I was a young teenager around 54 years ago...

I'm from the East Midlands in the UK...

 

[John]

Hi every one, I ordered my Supersport S today. Expect to take delivery in March or April.
My last bike (traded in today) was a BMW R1200RS.

I've been riding motorbikes since I was a young teenager around 54 years ago...

I'm from the East Midlands in the UK...

Welcome Steve,
A few people are interested in knowing more about the riding position of the SS. You're RS would be a good one to compare against. How would you compare the SS in terms of forward lean to the RS (more, less, about same, etc.)

Also, mind if I ask why you decided to sell the RS? I'm asking becuse it'd be someting I may consider if the SS doesn't work out.

Thanks,
John

 

[MasterMind]

How long did you have your 1200RS for ?? The 939 is definitely much more of a looker, in my opinion of course

 

[steeve]

I'll try and answer those questions.
When I sat on the Supersport my immediate reaction was that the riding position was almost identical to the RS. I'm getting on a bit and suffer with a bad back so I would never buy a sports bike. I felt the SS was a superb looking motorcycle that was going to be comfortable too.

I originally had a lowered version of the BMW S1000XR on order but when I saw the first demo bike it was just too big, tall and the wide bars a huge concern just moving it about. So I tried an RS and loved it. But even though I had an R1100S quite some years ago I never really fell in love with the RS. I had it from new for almost eighteen months. It's a great bike, easy to ride, handles beautifully and flatters the rider.

It's comfortable and the Sport SE is unbelievably well equipped, much better than the SS 939.

Perhaps it's the old fashioned look of the engine. Whilst it may be all new it rattles like a worn out traction engine and the gearbox oh so clunky. I more or less always wore moulded ear plugs when riding it. But if I didn't, like the other day when I traded it in and left it at the dealer, it just sounded awful. I hope the Ducati is a little bit more refined.

Whilst I love riding, motorcycling is much more to me. It's the whole ownership, the beauty of a motorcycle even cleaning it. I want one that when I walk away I can turn and look at it and think "my that's one fine looking machine" I couldn't do that with the BMW.

Thankfully we are all different, I know many who just love their R1200RS's but sadly not a 100% for me. Don't get me wrong it's one fine motorcycle.

 

[rz33v4]

I'll try and answer those questions.
When I sat on the Supersport my immediate reaction was that the riding position was almost identical to the RS. I'm getting on a bit and suffer with a bad back so I would never buy a sports bike. I felt the SS was a superb looking motorcycle that was going to be comfortable too.

I originally had a lowered version of the BMW S1000XR on order but when I saw the first demo bike it was just too big, tall and the wide bars a huge concern just moving it about. So I tried an RS and loved it. But even though I had an R1100S quite some years ago I never really fell in love with the RS. I had it from new for almost eighteen months. It's a great bike, easy to ride, handles beautifully and flatters the rider.

It's comfortable and the Sport SE is unbelievably well equipped, much better than the SS 939.

Perhaps it's the old fashioned look of the engine. Whilst it may be all new it rattles like a worn out traction engine and the gearbox oh so clunky. I more or less always wore moulded ear plugs when riding it. But if I didn't, like the other day when I traded it in and left it at the dealer, it just sounded awful. I hope the Ducati is a little bit more refined.

Whilst I love riding, motorcycling is much more to me. It's the whole ownership, the beauty of a motorcycle even cleaning it. I want one that when I walk away I can turn and look at it and think "my that's one fine looking machine" I couldn't do that with the BMW.

Thankfully we are all different, I know many who just love their R1200RS's but sadly not a 100% for me. Don't get me wrong it's one fine motorcycle.

Interesting comments. I had the opportunity to test ride an R1200RS last Spring and liked it more than I thought I would - strong mid-range torque and a quite comfortable riding position. I do, however, prefer the look/sound of Ducati twins, so the new SS is pretty exciting for me.

 

[John]

I'll try and answer those questions.
When I sat on the Supersport my immediate reaction was that the riding position was almost identical to the RS. I'm getting on a bit and suffer with a bad back so I would never buy a sports bike. I felt the SS was a superb looking motorcycle that was going to be comfortable too.

I originally had a lowered version of the BMW S1000XR on order but when I saw the first demo bike it was just too big, tall and the wide bars a huge concern just moving it about. So I tried an RS and loved it. But even though I had an R1100S quite some years ago I never really fell in love with the RS. I had it from new for almost eighteen months. It's a great bike, easy to ride, handles beautifully and flatters the rider.

It's comfortable and the Sport SE is unbelievably well equipped, much better than the SS 939.

Perhaps it's the old fashioned look of the engine. Whilst it may be all new it rattles like a worn out traction engine and the gearbox oh so clunky. I more or less always wore moulded ear plugs when riding it. But if I didn't, like the other day when I traded it in and left it at the dealer, it just sounded awful. I hope the Ducati is a little bit more refined.

Whilst I love riding, motorcycling is much more to me. It's the whole ownership, the beauty of a motorcycle even cleaning it. I want one that when I walk away I can turn and look at it and think "my that's one fine looking machine" I couldn't do that with the BMW.

Thankfully we are all different, I know many who just love their R1200RS's but sadly not a 100% for me. Don't get me wrong it's one fine motorcycle.

Hi Steve,
Thanks for the detailed response. We seem to think alike on this subject. I was beginning to think I must be the only person in the world who doesn't get excited at the prospect of owning an industrial looking adventure bike, a race replica, or something looking like a transformer toy.

Perhaps we both come from an era where a bike had to look nice, number 1 criteria. Yes, it also must perform and be comfortable, but to me that is still secondary. Would I buy an ugly house or car no matter how good other aspects were, no. Same deal with a motorcycle.

I've always thought the Panigale was one sexy looking motorcycle. Just totally impractical (for me). It's interesting reading a lot of the knockers of the SS on various forums. I reckon they are dead wrong and the bike will sell very well, perhaps go on to be one of Ducati's best sellers. There is a massive hole in the market, and about time someone recognized it. Only time will tell.

 

[steeve]

One of the largest Ducati dealers in the UK has already sold his allocation of the SS for several months from the March date. And no ones ridden it yet. It will be a big seller.

 

[John]

One of the largest Ducati dealers in the UK has already sold his allocation of the SS for several months from the March date. And no ones ridden it yet. It will be a big seller.

I figure that's ok. Anything new generally has some teething problems, so I'm happy to let the first wave of buyers sort any issues out. I won't be far behind, but being the first out of the blocks does have its potential downside.

 

[klev]

Seeing how they have designed it by picking elements from their existing bikes, I wouldnt expect any major issues. Not that i know too much about it, but a test ride is still a must for me. I did sit on the bike and the riding position is comfortable. Though i wasnt too pleased with the gap between the right side fairing and the frame, being empty/hollowed out.

 

[DucMan]

Seeing how they have designed it by picking elements from their existing bikes, I wouldnt expect any major issues. Not that i know too much about it, but a test ride is still a must for me. I did sit on the bike and the riding position is comfortable. Though i wasnt too pleased with the gap between the right side fairing and the frame, being empty/hollowed out.

Good point, I feel the same way about what's going on here.

What helps is they have all these inbetween models and with that you can't for 100% unique on every bike, there are always carry over's and things shared here with what is currently offered or will be.

At the end of the day though its all about seeing what it does in real life, with miles being put on it and a decent sample size to suggest how good/bad it is. That's what i'm interested in.