2023 Ducati SuperSport 950 S Review: White Stallion

No matter how impractical they can get, Ducatis hold a special place in my heart. The Bolognese bike maker in its existence of soon to be 100 years, has delivered some of the best-looking, sounding and speed-crazy machines. Posters of Ducati bikes have adorned the walls of many motorcyclists and enthusiasts for years. Holding a high aspirational value, Ducatis aren’t the kind of motorcycles you’d spot frequently. But when you do, you just can’t take your eyes off them, right? 

However, all this exclusivity comes at a price, even for a brand like Ducati. In today’s competitive world, it has become a challenge to maintain a balance of exclusivity while being visible at the same time. Ducati realised that and in came the Supersport a couple of years back. Designed to be a relaxed sportbike that isn’t too track-focussed, the Supersport is a good motorcycle, no doubt. But now the Italian bike manufacturer has further improved the motorcycle by packing it with better looks, added features and improved comfort. That said, could the 2023 Ducati Supersport 950 S be the alternative to the other sensible Japanese bike out there?

The split-type headlamp with LED projectors and Panigale-style LED DRL gives the Supersport 950 S an aggressive look

Design & Features

Ducatis are good at making you give them a second look, but that unfortunately wasn’t the case when I first got to ride the previous Supersport a few years back. Dynamics aside, the front face of the motorcycle never grew on me to like it. Thankfully, that isn’t the case now, as the new and updated Supersport with the 950 suffix, draws inspiration from the Panigale’s angry face. The odd-looking single-unit headlamp has been replaced with a split-type design with LED projectors, flanked by air vents on either side. The signature Panigale-style LED DRL sits on top of the headlamp asserting the inspiration it takes from.

The single-sided swingarm with the Y-shaped three-spoke lightweight alloys looks very appealing

The rest of the fairing has been reworked for a more chiselled look with vents at different places for better heat dissipation. Underneath, the Supersport continues to be held by the same steel trellis frame, painted in red, borrowed from the previous-gen Monster. While the standard model is offered only in Ducati Red, this one being the higher-spec S variant, gets an additional colour scheme option of Arctic White Silk. Not the shade I am used to seeing Ducatis in, but I quite like it, honestly. 

Also Read: 2021 Ducati Monster Track Review

Two-position windscreen is hand-operated. Pulled up it offers some protection by deflecting the wind off the rider

Other than that, the seat is new and has been designed to be more comfortable with thicker cushioning. The motorcycle continues to come with a two-position hand-operated windscreen. I left it down for most of my riding, as much of my testing involved sport riding, and secondly, because the gap between the windscreen and fairing when pulled up, spoils the bike’s looks. But it does offer some protection from the wind during highway runs.

The L-twin might be sound clattery on idle, but on the move, it is nothing by V-twin symphony

Engine & Performance

Any Ducati is incomplete without a potent powerhouse, and the Supersport 950 S manages to fulfil that to the tee. Slide the started knob, and the 937 cc L-twin Testastretta mill starts up in an instant. The raspy note of the exhaust along with the the clatter of the desmodromic valves that irons out as the motor warms up feels different. The motor is the same unit that also does duty on the Hypermotard and the Multistrada. However, compared to the previous iteration, due to the required compliance with emission norms, the motor registers slightly less power and torque figures of 108 bhp at 9,000 rpm and 93 Nm at 6,500 rpm, on paper. But, on the move, there actually isn’t even a noticeable drop in power to say. Transmission duties continue to be handled by a 6-speed gearbox, which is slick with positive shifts. 

Instrument console is packed with information, but all the important information are easy to read

While the Supersport continues to feature three riding modes (Urban, Touring and Sport), with different settings, Ducati has further improved it by adding a 6-axis IMU to the package.  This has improved the functioning of the rider aids to make the bike more forgiving and manageable for the rider. Equipped with a 4.3-inch colour-TFT display, the interface for accessing the settings is a lot easier now. With a kerb weight of 210 kilograms, the 2023 Supersport is a kilogram lesser than its predecessor, which is always a good thing. 

The Supersport 950 S is capable of doing 0-100 kmph in just over three seconds

In terms of performance, this Ducati means absolute business in putting out a show. The motorcycle manages to breach the 100 kmph mark from a standstill in just over three seconds, while nice full whacks of the throttle through the cogs will take you beyond the 200 kmph mark in absolute urgency. And to add to that, the two-way quickshifter works like a charm during upshifts and downshifts. Personally, I enjoyed downshifting more on this bike because of the popping sound followed by the crackle from the burning of the unburnt fuel in the exhaust. It is an addiction.

The riding triangle is not too committed but sporty enough for spirited riding

Ride & Handling

Since the motorcycle has been designed to be a relaxed superbike, any updates to the riding triangle have been centred to make the motorcycle comfortable for riding day in and day out! Apart from replacing the previous seat with an improved saddle that's thicker and better cushioned, the rest of the ergonomics remains unchanged. The clip-ons aren’t too low and the foot pegs aren’t too rear-set. With the controls easy to reach and operate, one can easily pull off an entire day of saddle time with this Ducati.

The new  saddle is more comfortable and with thicker cushioning

I was able to ride the bike with a sporty yet comfortable stance and could easily duck down to the tank when going hard on the gas. With this bike, the rider doesn’t have to lean all the way forward as in the case of other faired motorcycles in Ducati’s portfolio.

The pops on gearshifts and the crackle from the exhaust on deacceleration is addictive

The Supersport before and now continues to offer a likeable ride experience that is very welcoming. An attribute that not many Ducatis are known to offer. Being a typical Ducati L-twin, the motor has its own set of vibrations, but it is the kind that eggs you to open that throttle more. Beyond 5,000 rpm, the motor starts to ooze of emotion and adrenaline, making its way to your soul. Just one of those Ducati things, in case you didn’t know.

The slim profile of the Supersport 950 S makes it very nimble and is a charm to ride through corners

Yes, one has to be mentally prepared to deal with the heat radiated from the engine, especially with the rear cylinder that is located close to the seat. It just loves to cook the lower half of your body. By the way, just another thing about Ducatis. But, if you have spent decent time riding high-displacement motorcycles, it’s more or less the same case with most of them.

However, none of that mattered to me, as my mind was occupied by appreciating the Supersport’s handling most of the time. Rather than diving into the corner like on the Panigales, the Supersport likes to roll into the corners. It is best enjoyed when carrying that flow of motion and momentum into the corners and exiting them with finesse and commitment. It is the poetry-in-motion feeling that this Ducati offers you generously. The ride quality is stiff but feels more towards the plusher side, thanks to the new seat. The contour of the seat gives the feeling of sitting inside the bike rather than on it, resulting in a snug feeling while is further fortified by the recesses for the knees to hold the tank. 

Ohlins USDs and the Brembo brakes together do a fantastic job of keeping the bike stable and shedding speeds, respectively 

All of that is possible due to the excellent grip from the Pirelli Diablo Rosso III tyres, and the work of the fully-adjustable Ohlins suspension at both ends. The anchors aren’t top-spec Brembos, but work superbly. They pack a strong bite with progression while returning feel and feedback at the controls.

The Supersport 950 S has a ground clearance of 132 mm and a fuel tank capacity of 16-litres

Pricing & Competition

At Rs 18.39 lakh (ex-showroom), the Ducati Supersport 950 S isn’t the cheapest sport tourer out there. But for the kind of kit and the level of comfort, it isn’t too difficult to see where the money is going. The overall build quality of the bike, fit-and-finish levels, machining, and even the paint quality are top notch, which ranks higher in comparison to the competition.

While the Supersport 950 S faces no direct competition segment-wise in India, for its sticker price, it rivals against the faired Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R priced at Rs 16.31 lakh, the retro-styled Kawasaki Z900RS at Rs 16.47 lakh and the popular Suzuki Hayabusa at Rs 16.90 lakh, all ex-showroom.

Also Read: DRE Racetrack Academy Review: The Sepang Experience!

The Supersport 950 S offers the best of both worlds. Easy to ride within the city, while being comfortable for highway jaunts

Verdict

It is actually hard to come across a faired Ducati that is this comfortable, manageable and compact. The Supersport 950 indeed ticks the boxes for a superbike that’s fast, looks gorgeous and is easy to ride within the city or out on the highway. It is now smarter with the upgraded electronics which makes it a more forgiving motorcycle when pushed hard. All of that, coupled with the experience of riding a sporty L-twin motor, the Supersport 950 S is a bike that delivers performance in true Ducati fashion. If I had the money to spare, the Supersport 950 S would be my pick over the sensible, smooth and tech-loaded Japanese ones.

(Photography: Pawan Dagia)

Specifications