2022 Ducati SuperSport 950 S Review | Motorcyclist

Not everyone wants, or needs, a 190 hp superbike. Enter Ducati’s SuperSport 950 S. Designed to be an everyday sportbike, this particular Ducati pays homage to the original 900 SuperSport, a simple, practical, and above all else charismatic air-cooled L-twin sportbike. The formula remains the same: trackdays, street riding, backpack day touring, this bike’s good for a little bit of everything. Think Honda’s VFR750 and VFR800.

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But the first trip is taken with the eyes. We’ve written about it when reviewing the various Panigales; Ducati aesthetic engineers do a remarkable job. The styling and the sheer presence of this motorcycle is matched by few other bikes on the road. We love the Panigale V4 S-esque front end, the LED running lights, the elemental steel trellis frame prominently visible on the motorcycle’s flanks. This streetbike pays elegant homage to where Ducati has been and where it is now.

The SuperSport is powered by Ducati’s 937cc Testastretta L-twin. Testastretta means “narrow head.” If you’re an old-school Ducati person, you’re going to like this powertrain. Compared to bikes like the Panigale V2 and other models with the high-revving Superquadro L-twin engine, the SuperSport’s powerplant is classic Ducati, similar to the engine used in the Hypermotard 939. It has good bottom-end torque, good midrange; don’t have to rev this engine to the moon to get decent acceleration out of it.

The S-specification SuperSport adds an electronic quickshifter, making it easy to go up and down through the six-speed gearbox. Just tap on the shift and it goes into the next cog without having to use the hydraulic clutch; super slick. Other electronics are typical Ducati: adjustable engine power modes, traction control, adjustable ABS modes.

However, while using all the gadgetry is straightforward enough, the instrument panel could be bigger. It’s great that it’s a color TFT display, but the display area of the panel is too small, as are the fonts. There’s a fuel gauge, which is nice, but menu navigation needs improvement, as does the switch gear; there’s way too much fumbling at the controls to get into and out of menus, too much button pushing. Ducati would do well to invest in its user interface.

Get out of the dash and on the road, though, and there’s little to complain about; we love the way this motorcycle handles. Where Panigales are designed for circuit riding and high-speed corners, this Ducati performs best during the low- to medium-speed stuff most riders see every day. We like how low the rider sits; the bike almost feels like a Suzuki GSX-R, positioning the rider low in the chassis. It all makes for agile, composed handling.

We also appreciate the up-spec Öhlins suspension. We’re typically not big fans of the Öhlins production suspension on Ducati’s S models, but this is a well-calibrated package. We particularly like its lighter spring rate, which strikes a good balance between around-town comfort and good support when leaning through turns. One gripe: We wish the shock offered remote preload adjustment. If you want to adjust the ride height of the bike, you’ll have to do it the old-fashioned way, with tools.

The 4.2-gallon fuel tank is fine for general street riding; those who want to go sport-touring will find capacity a touch too small. A 5-gallon fuel tank would be a decent improvement. Also, where’s the cruise control? Still, we like the ability to purchase cleanly integrated Ducati accessory hard luggage ($1,662.41), a no-brainer add-on purchase if it’s our bike.

On the downside of user comfort, there’s a bit of a buzz problem. While we appreciate the old-school Testastretta engine with its abundant delivery of low-end and midrange torque, it also delivers borderline excessive vibration. To be fair, the vibration is almost soothing during some rides, as if the engine is talking to you. The gripe is that it completely clouds the rearview mirrors, which are a blurry mess when riding at freeway speeds.

Photography: Joseph Agustin
Video/edit: Ray Gauger

Motorcycle Riding Gear Worn

[williamwintemberg]

Good honest review Adam! This bike looks so good and the agronomics as you described them is me all the way. Listening to the downside my brain gave me a slow no. Damn it! I wish it different.

[Gnux]

put it on 1.5x speed and no need to thank me

[tubeboy]

This guy has the enthusiasm and articulation of a can of mushrooms

[chris]

Gorgeous machine and it rides as good as it looks, mine’s arriving in 3 weeks, my first Ducati at 64 years old.

[davidcarpenter]

Great review. Bought a 2021 last year and couldn't be happier!

[Metrobus]

With Adam’s speech pattern, I feel as if I’m consistently lurching forward waiting for the next word. But, I’ve gotten used to it because his insightful reviews are worth it.

[rogerdittus]

Have been riding an '18 base model Supersport I picked up just over a year ago. I like the vibes and the amount of power - for me the power feels just right for the B roads here in N. Ireland. Quickshifter, heated grips and touring pack make it a pretty versitile. Yes, it has some quirks like the mirrors, low rpm chugginess, and bars that pinch your fingers against the tank in U turn, but it's an endearing good looking characterful little scoot.

[KiwiMoto]

the Testeretta engine is butter. I love it. I love my V2 Pani on the track as a dedicated track bike but seriously considering a 950s for the street. The V2 and V4s are torture racks on the street

[raywalteroutdoors]

Thoughts on moving from a 1200cc Harley to this? Am I nuts? I hate to buy a 600- 750 and then sell it a year or two later.

[feloniousmonk]

Perfect bike for the road imho. Which is why I bought one a few weeks ago. Absolutely loving it! Great review, thanks :-)

[allbikestuffz]

With the advent of technology.. it's okay if production could provide the voice over at 1.5x while retaining the bikes normal engine noise. We wouldn't mind. It's nothing to be ashamed about.. not everyone has great speech patterns

[justinc.]

If you watch the video at 1.5 speed, it really helps this guys slow speech pattern

[christophercatuogno]

I had a 2018 Supersport S for years and it’s such a great bike and so much fun to ride. The Ohlins suspension is the best suspension I’ve ever felt on any motorcycle I’ve ever owned. My gripes are one that Adam mentioned about the mirrors being useless because they vibrate like crazy and second, this bike produces a lot of heat under the seat. On cooler days it’s not an issue but on hot days it could get uncomfortable. In 2023, I will be switching to the new Monster SP to change things up a little. Hoping the mirror vibration isn’t as much of an issue on the Monster SP and looking forward to seeing some reviews in the coming months.

[tjthenovicerider]

I saw one in person during night meetups. Man i can agree those headlights are impossibly bright. Very good for night rides and bad weather

[marcos]

The Quickshifter is not "S" version specific, is standard on all of the 950 Supersports, it was option on the old 939 supersport. Agree with the tank, too small and the lack of cruise control. For reference, the riding position is very similar to the CBR650R.

Can´t understand how the mirrors vibrate soooo mucho, not even my old g310R vibrated that much

[FxRiderST]

He's underlining every word again :)

[RayBanJockey]

I'm collecting my white one April 1:st yay

[yanikstaley]

One thing that has prevented me from ducati has been the high cost of the maintenance is this one any different?

[olivino]

One question, you mentioned engine vibration, does the vibes/buzzy feeling go thru to the handlebars making your hands numb? I have had issues like this before with Ducs, sometimes proper aftermarket bar ends will reduce this.

[anxiousappliance]

I have the 821 version of this engine and there are no crazy vibes. Did the bump in displacement throw it off?