2021 Ducati SuperSport 950 First Look

Dennis Chung
by Dennis Chung

New Panigale-inspired looks and six-axis IMU

Ducati has updated its SuperSport for 2021, giving it Panigale V4-inspired styling and a six-axis inertial measurement unit while bringing it in line with Euro 5 standards. Ducati also officially added “950” to the model’s name, which is interesting in that it suggests other displacements might be in the works, but at this point, the 2021 line-up will consist of the SuperSport 950 and the SuperSport 950 S.

The SuperSport 950 receives a new fairing design with the gill-shaped openings on either side that help vent air while also showing a peek at the red trellis frame. The bottom of the fairing now extends to cover the exhaust up until the silencer.

Up front, the LED daytime running light returns, but the redesigned headlights now follow its V-shaped curve, making it look a bit less like a “unibrow” than the previous design. The headlights are bracketed by new air intakes that funnel air through into fairing where it vents out on the rider’s legs for improved heat management.

The fairing now extends up under the windscreen and the new 4.3-inch TFT display to the front of the triple clamp, adding a bit more color to the rider’s point-of-view.

The engine remains a 937cc Ducati Testastretta 11° V-Twin. In regions where Euro 5 or equivalent standards apply, the engine claims 110 hp at 9000 rpm and 69 lb-ft. at 6500 rpm. Ducati hasn’t confirmed U.S. figures, but they’ll likely remain at the 2020 model’s claimed 113 hp and 71.3 lb-ft. For 2021, Ducati gave the slipper wet clutch a new hydraulic control including a self-bleeding radial pump.

Now equipped with a six-axis IMU, the 2021 SuperSport’s electronic package includes Bosch’s cornering ABS and gains the upgraded EVO versions of Ducati’s traction control, wheelie control and quick shift. The SuperSport conitnues to offer three ride modes, Sport, Touring and Urban.

The chassis remains similar to last year’s model, with a single-sided swingarm, trellis frame and the engine acting as a load-bearing element. The suspension is also unchanged, with the base model SuperSport 950 using a fully-adjustable 43 mm Marzocchi inverted fork and a preload and rebound damping adjustable Sachs rear shock. The S model gets a more premium package of a 48 mm inverted fork and rear shock from Öhlins, both offering full adjustability.

The dual Brembo M4-32 radially-mounted monoblock four-piston calipers with 320mm discs return as standard equipment for both SuperSport models, as do the 245 mm disc and two-piston caliper on the rear. In addition to the cornering ABS, the 2021 SuperSport models, the brake system also gets a self-bleeding radial pump, matching the clutch lever’s hydraulics.

Ergonomically, the SuperSport offers a sporty riding position, though the hand and foot positions are not quite as aggressive as you would find on the Panigale models. The seat height remains at the same 31.9 inches as the previous model, but Ducati revised the saddle’s padding to improve rider comfort.

The 2021 Ducati SuperSport 950 is available in Ducati Red with a matching trellis frame and glossy black wheels for $13,495. The SuperSport 950 S comes in a choice of Arctic White Silk or Ducati Red, and is priced at $16,195.

2021 Ducati SuperSport 950 Specifications

Specifications

SuperSport 950

SuperSport 950 S

Engine TypeTestastretta 11°, L-Twin cylinder, 4 valve per cylinder, Desmodromic, liquid cooledTestastretta 11°, L-Twin cylinder, 4 valve per cylinder, Desmodromic, liquid cooled
Displacement937 cc937 cc
Bore x Stroke94 x 67.5 mm94 x 67.5 mm
Compression Ratio12,6± 0.5 :112,6± 0.5 :1
Power110 hp at 9.000 rpm (claimed)110 hp at 9.000 rpm (claimed)
Torque69 lb-ft. at 6.500 rpm (claimed)69 lb-ft. at 6.500 rpm (claimed)
Fuel InjectionElectronic fuel injection system, 53 mm throttle bodies with full Ride-by-WireElectronic fuel injection system, 53 mm throttle bodies with full Ride-by-Wire
ExhaustLightweight 2-1-2 system with catalytic converter and two lambda probes. Twin aluminum mufflersLightweight 2-1-2 system with catalytic converter and two lambda probes. Twin aluminum mufflers
Gearbox6 speed with Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) up/down EVO6 speed with Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) up/down EVO
Primary DriveStraight cut gears; Ratio 1.84:1Straight cut gears; Ratio 1.84:1
Ratio1=37/15 2=30/17 3=28/20 4=26/22 5=24/23 6=23/241=37/15 2=30/17 3=28/20 4=26/22 5=24/23 6=23/24
Final DriveChain; Front sprocket 15; Rear sprocket 43Chain; Front sprocket 15; Rear sprocket 43
ClutchSlipper and self-servo wet multiplate clutch with hydraulic control. Self bleeding master cylinder.Slipper and self-servo wet multiplate clutch with hydraulic control. Self bleeding master cylinder.
FrameTubular steel Trellis frame attached to the cylinder headsTubular steel Trellis frame attached to the cylinder heads
Front SuspensionFully adjustable Æ 43 mm usd Marzocchi forkFully adjustable Æ 48 mm usd Öhlins fork with TiN treatment
Rear SuspensionProgressive linkage with adjustable Sachs monoshock. Aluminum single-sided swingarmProgressive linkage with fully adjustable Öhlins monoshock. Aluminum single-sided swingarm
Wheel Travel (Front/Rear)130 mm (5.1 in)/144 mm (5.7 in)130 mm (5.1 in)/144 mm (5.7 in)
Front WheelY shaped, 3-spoke in light alloy 3.50″ x 17″Y shaped, 3-spoke in light alloy 3.50″ x 17″
Front TirePirelli Diablo Rosso III 120/70 ZR17Pirelli Diablo Rosso III 120/70 ZR17
Rear WheelY shaped, 3-spoke in light alloy 5.50″ x 17″Y shaped, 3-spoke in light alloy 5.50″ x 17″
Rear TirePirelli Diablo Rosso III 180/55 ZR17Pirelli Diablo Rosso III 180/55 ZR17
Front Brake2 x 320 mm semi-floating discs, radially mounted Monobloc Brembo M4-32 callipers, 4-piston, radial pump with Bosch Cornering ABS. Self bleeding master cylinder3 x 320 mm semi-floating discs, radially mounted Monobloc Brembo M4-32 callipers, 4-piston, radial pump with Bosch Cornering ABS. Self bleeding master cylinder
Rear Brake245 mm disc, 2-piston caliper, Bosch Cornering ABS245 mm disc, 2-piston caliper, BoschCornering ABS
InstrumentationFull-TFT color displayFull-TFT color display
Dry Weight184 kg (405 lb), claimed184 kg (405 lb), claimed
Curb Weight210 kg (463 lb), claimed210 kg (463 lb), claimed
Seat Height810 mm (31.9 in)810 mm (31.9 in)
Wheelbase1.478 mm (58.3 in)1.478 mm (58.3 in)
Rake24°24°
Trail91 mm (3.6 in)91 mm (3.6 in)
Fuel Tank Capacity4.2 gallons4.2 gallons
Number Of Seats22
Safety EquipmentRiding Modes, Bosch Cornering ABS , Ducati Traction Control (DTC) EVO, Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) EVO.Riding Modes, Bosch Cornering ABS , Ducati Traction Control (DTC) EVO, Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) EVO.
Standard EquipmentPower Modes, Day Time Running Light (DRL)**, Full-TFT color display, Adjustable windscreen, Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) up/down EVO,Power Modes, Day Time Running Light (DRL)**, Full-TFT color display, Adjustable windscreen, Öhlins suspension, Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) up/down EVO, Passenger seat cowl
Ready ForAnti-theft system, Heated grips, Ducati Multimedia System (DMS)Anti-theft system, Heated grips, Ducati Multimedia System (DMS)
Warranty24 months unlimited mileage24 months unlimited mileage
Maintenance Service Intervals15.000 km – 9.000 mi/12 months15.000 km – 9.000 mi/12 months
Desmoservice30.000 km – 18.000 mi30.000km – 18.000 mi

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Dennis Chung
Dennis Chung

Dennis has been a part of the Motorcycle.com team since 2008, and through his tenure, has developed a firm grasp of industry trends, and a solid sense of what's to come. A bloodhound when it comes to tracking information on new motorcycles, if there's a new model on the horizon, you'll probably hear about it from him first.

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  • John B John B on Nov 19, 2020

    Looks-wise, this motorcycle checks all the right boxes, and frankly for me it has plenty of power. There are several niggles, however. My size 13 boots hit the fairing whenever I use the rear brake. And the Kawi Ninja 1000 SX, which is much less expensive, has way more power, a much bigger dealer network, and much better sport-touring chops. In short, this is one of those motorcycles that I really like but would never buy. Give it 160 HP for the same money and then we can talk.

  • Sburns2421 Sburns2421 on Nov 19, 2020

    I have to wonder of they did special paint schemes it might help sexy the bike up a bit (white wheels & frame with throwback graphics on red or yellow bodywork colors of the early '90s SuperSport).
    If I had one it would be really tempting to do just that.
    The white bike looks like a hand blender. Boring.

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