LOL, I stopped by my local Dunkin Donuts on my way home from work, was sitting inside only to see a young man snap a pic of it on his phone.
I must have been in a Ducati sponsored focus group when this bike was developed
I mean, I must have, right? How else can a motorcycle have been built that checks so many of my boxes? I've owned a lot of bikes over the years but never a Ducati. I was actually in the market for a Multi when I saw the advertisements for the SuperSport. After reading the reviews and Ducati's description of the bike and its place in the lineup, I put my money down with Ducati Vermont in May. I've never bought a bike before that I've never ridden, and I've also never bought any "toy" that operates at the edges in it's first year before the kinks are worked out, but with the SuperSport I didn't hesitate for a moment. Sure, the bike has a je ne sais quoi similar to that described by Harley folks, except for the fact that beyond the intangibles (whatever it is that has me smiling hours after having dismounted), it has characteristics you can absolutely put your hands on. It corners so intuitively, has a power band that can only be described as delicious (I might feel it lacks a bit up top when I get chance to track the bike, I'll admit) and has a sound that I'm genuinely considering recording so I can listen to it whenever life gets too heavy. If there's one drawback, it's the amount of attention the bike gets that I wasn't prepared for. Over this holiday weekend I was forced at every stop to reinstall my helmet and boogie out because I had already lost a lot of time talking to people about what it is that I'm sitting on. Well done, Ducati.
1 - 20 of 22 Posts
I think someone said it best in another thread. Ducati assumed the big hit was going to be the Multi950, but it's actually this one. Thus, the reason demand far outpaces supply right now. The other thing is, SO many people, consumers and journalists alike, truly love this bike. It's not just us trying to find buyers justification...everyone loves it. Very few poor reviews, if any. There are parts of the bike (mirrors) that are not liked, but for the most part, people are willing to look past a couple small shortcomings because the overall package is so great. I hope this euphoria carries on for years. Our resale value will remain high...if any of us ever decide to sell it...lol.
I'm waiting to see if it has the cold start issue many other Duc owners face, as well as any other bugs. If it doesn't, and once the rear shock heat issue is addressed, I'm going to go for a used one in a year or 2.
I might be able to chime in on that. My bike will be idle for 10 days. Fingers crossed.I'm waiting to see if it has the cold start issue many other Duc owners face, as well as any other bugs. If it doesn't, and once the rear shock heat issue is addressed, I'm going to go for a used one in a year or 2.
Cold start issue ?
Xcuse my poor english, do you mean 'difficult to start when cold weather' or '... when not active for few weeks'.
Note that none of mine had problems (904cc 2 valves + 992cc 3 valves).
Regarding dashboard / electronic etc. bugs. That's the same quality stats than your smartphone or laptop : 5 units on 100 may have problems.
I cross my fingers... my SS should work everyday - 12000 km/year avg.
Xcuse my poor english, do you mean 'difficult to start when cold weather' or '... when not active for few weeks'.
Note that none of mine had problems (904cc 2 valves + 992cc 3 valves).
Regarding dashboard / electronic etc. bugs. That's the same quality stats than your smartphone or laptop : 5 units on 100 may have problems.
I cross my fingers... my SS should work everyday - 12000 km/year avg.
I visited KTM a couple of years ago on a customer panel. Sadly the bike wasn't for me... BUt a great trip.
I too must have been on the Supersport panel, but dementia prevents me from remembering
I too must have been on the Supersport panel, but dementia prevents me from remembering
update me whether it gives a problem or not, please.I might be able to chime in on that. My bike will be idle for 10 days. Fingers crossed.
both my Monsters have been hard to start when the weather is cold; all year round, the electronics will sometimes shut down and reset the trip meter and clock when I try to turn the bike on; a flip of the key usually resolves this issue, though. Other friends have had electrical issues that interfere with their bikes' performance, in particular starting. one guy's bike would randomly shut off and had to go to the dealer several times to have his keyless ignition looked at, and the other required some weird dance to get his Multi started, which involved putting up the kick stand and pushing the kill and starter button in some kind of sequence or some sh1t. I can't remember exactly, but it looked like an embarrassing PITA.Cold start issue ?
Xcuse my poor english, do you mean 'difficult to start when cold weather' or '... when not active for few weeks'.
Note that none of mine had problems (904cc 2 valves + 992cc 3 valves).
Regarding dashboard / electronic etc. bugs. That's the same quality stats than your smartphone or laptop : 5 units on 100 may have problems.
I cross my fingers... my SS should work everyday - 12000 km/year avg.
I've wondered if the cold starts might be fixed by a move to lithium batteries. They weigh like 10% of lead acid batteries and have much higher cold cramping amps in the same volume. My only concern has been how well they'll handle Texas summer heat + engine heat. I might try one them in my DR650 first and if that's successful put one in my Rocket and SuperSport.
on both monsters I changed to Li batteries hoping it would resolve the problem and it didn't. So 2 bikes and 4 different batteries, still the same problem.I've wondered if the cold starts might be fixed by a move to lithium batteries. They weigh like 10% of lead acid batteries and have much higher cold cramping amps in the same volume. My only concern has been how well they'll handle Texas summer heat + engine heat. I might try one them in my DR650 first and if that's successful put one in my Rocket and SuperSport.
Well that's disappointing.
Historically, the cold start issues - where the bike was sluggish to crank and catch, but everything seemed to be fine otherwise - were resolved with upgraded battery cables. This is a "Ducati thing" that adds to the "charm" of the bike. It seems like they corrected this with the Panigale, but the remainder of the fleet still uses the older DesmoDue and DesmoQuattro/Testastretta engines that this was a common issue on.
Most bikes now have strong aftermarket for these cables, and different vendors will tell you their kit is better for any number of different reasons, but the reality is they'll all perform about the same, and will make a dramatic improvement in the cold start temperament of a Ducati. The trick is increasing the cranking amperage in the starter loop. The kits usually include cables for battery>solenoid, solenoid>starter, starter>ground and battery>ground. Many people have rolled their own and had equally good results as the branded kits, but they also had the knowledge and means to do so.
Sometime you should watch an old carb'd Supersport that's been fitted with FCR carbs try to cold start - it's very entertaining.
Most bikes now have strong aftermarket for these cables, and different vendors will tell you their kit is better for any number of different reasons, but the reality is they'll all perform about the same, and will make a dramatic improvement in the cold start temperament of a Ducati. The trick is increasing the cranking amperage in the starter loop. The kits usually include cables for battery>solenoid, solenoid>starter, starter>ground and battery>ground. Many people have rolled their own and had equally good results as the branded kits, but they also had the knowledge and means to do so.
Sometime you should watch an old carb'd Supersport that's been fitted with FCR carbs try to cold start - it's very entertaining.
My bike sat for 2-3 weeks without being started and fired right up. What is the cold start issue?I might be able to chime in on that. My bike will be idle for 10 days. Fingers crossed.
I haven't encountered it yet cause I haven't left her by alone yet. I was always there to keep Natalia warm.My bike sat for 2-3 weeks without being started and fired right up. What is the cold start issue?I might be able to chime in on that. My bike will be idle for 10 days. Fingers crossed.
I've now used lithium batteries (Shorai) in two bikes over the past few years. Cold starts (below 50 degrees F) are a bit different with these batteries - they need to "warm up" before they'll do much, like turn the lights on for a minute or two, then they'll work.I've wondered if the cold starts might be fixed by a move to lithium batteries. They weigh like 10% of lead acid batteries and have much higher cold cramping amps in the same volume. My only concern has been how well they'll handle Texas summer heat + engine heat. I might try one them in my DR650 first and if that's successful put one in my Rocket and SuperSport.
Cold ambient temperature start.What is the cold start issue?
This is likely my next step, but since not all cases have been resolved with thicker cables, I'm apprehensive to do so. One thing I hate doing is throwing money into parts that may not be the problem and being left to still deal with the issue.Historically, the cold start issues - where the bike was sluggish to crank and catch, but everything seemed to be fine otherwise - were resolved with upgraded battery cables. This is a "Ducati thing" that adds to the "charm" of the bike. It seems like they corrected this with the Panigale, but the remainder of the fleet still uses the older DesmoDue and DesmoQuattro/Testastretta engines that this was a common issue on.
Most bikes now have strong aftermarket for these cables, and different vendors will tell you their kit is better for any number of different reasons, but the reality is they'll all perform about the same, and will make a dramatic improvement in the cold start temperament of a Ducati. The trick is increasing the cranking amperage in the starter loop. The kits usually include cables for battery>solenoid, solenoid>starter, starter>ground and battery>ground. Many people have rolled their own and had equally good results as the branded kits, but they also had the knowledge and means to do so.
Sometime you should watch an old carb'd Supersport that's been fitted with FCR carbs try to cold start - it's very entertaining.
Warming up the battery hasn't worked either.
Did you find a difference in the bikes handling having installed a lithium. I see some adverts claim to reduce battery weight by 50% compared to lead acid.I've now used lithium batteries (Shorai) in two bikes over the past few years. Cold starts (below 50 degrees F) are a bit different with these batteries - they need to "warm up" before they'll do much, like turn the lights on for a minute or two, then they'll work.
Perhaps if you are a professional motorcycle racer you could feel the loss of 4-5 lbs of battery weight, but for the rest of us, not so much.Did you find a difference in the bikes handling having installed a lithium. I see some adverts claim to reduce battery weight by 50% compared to lead acid.
I agree with you, just wondered if there was any difference mentionable. There's a 6% saving in weight changing out the battery and stock exhaust. Before spending stupid money on carbon I would think this is the way forward firstly.Perhaps if you are a professional motorcycle racer you could feel the loss of 4-5 lbs of battery weight, but for the rest of us, not so much.
1 - 20 of 22 Posts
- This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Ducati SuperSport Forum
A forum community dedicated to Ducati SuperSport motorcycle owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, racing, gear, troubleshooting, maintenance, modifications, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Recommended Communities
