On the occasion of Ducati’s 90th anniversary, Ducatisti world over celebrated World Ducati Week. Back home in Italy, they unveiled two new models to the public. While everyone witnessed the unveiling of the Panigale 1299 S Anniversario, the second bike (the Supersport) was held in a private viewing area to which access was limited.
The bike under wraps is called ‘Project 1312’ (the thirteenth project bike started in 2012) and only the populace at WDW 2016 at Misano, some 81,000 people, could see it in the flesh ahead its official unveiling. The Scrambler was unveiled in this manner back in 2014, and images of it were leaked before its official unveiling. Courtesy someone who snuck a camera into the private room, images of Project 1312 also seem to have surfaced.
This new Supersport bike is rumored to have two variants – the Supersport and Supersport S, the difference being the S gets Öhlins suspension up front and in the rear, and a removable rear seat cowl. The Hypermotard 939’s Testastretta 11º liquid-cooled L-twin engine will make it to this new bike. The 937cc engine has been heavily modified – Ducati say 80% has changed – to make is suitable for the new SuperSport. The engine, however, will not be attached to the frame like the Hypermotard’s. Here it will be a stressed member, attached to the same trellis frame of the XDiavel and the Monster.
The Supersport goes much further with its rider aids that just the basic ABS. The two models will benefit from three modes – Sport, Touring and Urban – which will be linked to Ducati’s eight-level traction control. While this is intended as a pure road sportsbike, this level of rider modes and electronic assists now appears to be the expected minimum standard.
While the bike is expected to hit European showrooms in mid-2017, you can expect it in India only as late as 2018. Nothing has been announced on the pricing front either, we’re just going to have to wait and watch until Ducati make a formal announcement.
Image source: Motorcycle.com