Italian VFR

Remember when Honda made cool stuff like that Ducati? There was the CBX, CR450, RC51, CBR900, among others. Now, it seems all Honda wants to make is scooters with automatic transmissions, with traction control, abs, and heated grips. I still like the old Honda's. But I won't buy a new one.

 

How about the African Twin, the CRF 250 and 450, The new 17 CBR...... ?

 

But that Ducati SuperSport also has traction control, abs, and available heated grips - so therefore it must not be cool either.

 

United States pricing released

http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/bikes/ducati-supersport-s-price-usa/

 

Hmm, Ducati just might have it here, I loved the 1098 I had, but it was a beast that didn't care for the open road i ride, one of the reason i went back to the VFR, though that was a timely accident, was just a week away from more than likely getting a Ape Tuono. but that being where faith played a part I land the VFR I have, thing is, I can trust what it does and then there's the money part, Doh. but now back in the VFR saddle for a while then still yearning for a wee bit more, a CBR come this way too. but be nice if it possible to have it in one bike, the CBR ain't a whole lot better than the 1098 was. but it's at a different price point too and easier to live with for the rebel in me to let out. Gota just for nothing else, go to the Duc dealer an check one out , very enticing to say the least, still ain't a Tuono though. fwiw I prefer the red version, must be the red wheels. http://www.ducati.com/media_gallery/supersport_s/1519782/index.do#MGI1533633

 

I notice the gas tank is only 4.2 gallons (compared to 8th gen VFR's 5.2 gallons) - not sure what the mpg on that thing will be but the range will almost surely be well under 200 miles which isn't very good for a sports-tourer. I also notice that while it has LED daytime running lights the actual headlights look like old-fashioned bulbs. I'm also not a big fan of the gauges, er, screen. When it comes to tachs I much prefer old-fashioned sweeping needles. The wheels on the 8th gen look much nicer imo - the red wheels look almost clown like - but then again crazy clowns are the "in thing" right now I suppose. :tongue-new:

 

That is not a sport touring bike. Its a super sport which makes an excellent track weapon or canyon carver.

 

It may say "SuperSport" on the side but I would not consider it a super sport in modern day vernacular - I would consider the Panigale to be the "real" super sport in Ducati's lineup along with bikes like the CBR RR's, GSX-R's, R1/6, and ZX-10/6R's, etc.
OP Lint referred to it as a "sports touring type" which seems aimed at our beloved VFR's. The article he linked described it as a "relaxed"/"everyday"/"versatile" sportsbike - therefore I would say it's not really a supersport despite having that SuperSport badge on the side.
But yeah, my calling it a sports tourer was probably a mistake as well - heck I've seen reviews of the 8th gen criticizing the riding position as being too "sporty" and "aggressive" for a sports tourer, so I suppose the new Ducati is sort of a tweener like the 8th gen. But either way its got a small tank.

 

Super bike ... 1000cc+

 

Not sure I understand your point Gator - Ducati's own website has the 959 Panigale listed under their so-called "Superbike" heading. These are all just marketing terms for sales to the public that we're talking about here - not legally defined terms for sanctioned racing events.

 

Just splitting hairs with terminology, I believe Lint was referring too what comes across as a more laid back 1199. Which would put it in a vfr category. hence more touring. But then look at the Duc Multi. so this new version is more sport than that if one doesn't take into account the Multi can hold its own on the street against most of the modern sport bikes, it's in the rider that makes the bike what it is. just saying

 

I'm referring to the classification of bikes like world superbike does it. Superbike is usually a 1000 cc or more bike and in some cases 959 like you listed. Or the 1098, 1198. Super sport would be your 600 bikes like the R6, or Tiaumph 675. All these bike have low clip ons and are sport bikes. Sport tour comes in a bunch of cc's like VFR 750, 800, 1200, Yahama FJ 1300 or the smaller Yamaha R600rr which was called the Thundercat in the UK and is 600cc. These bikes are more upright seating and can haul passenger and gear more comfortably and still have some canyon/twisty fun. Or like Lint and others track it. I had a thundercat about 12 years ago. It was an awesome bike.

 

All these classifications just make my poor head spin. Then again, I may have the wrong size helmet.