2017 Bikesales Bike of the Year Awards: Supersport

The 2017 Bikesales Bike of the Year Awards will recognise excellence across 11 separate categories, after which we'll shortlist three finalists and then announce the outright winner on Friday, November 24 at the Sydney Motorcycle Show.

This time out we announce the winner of the Supersport category, and that bike is the Ducati SuperSport S.

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Squint a little bit, and the new Ducati SuperSport looks like a Panigale. The S version even more so, thanks to the golden Ohlins up front. But as your gaze switches to the price tag, your eyes widen – but not in a bad way.

That Panigale-ish Supersport you are eyeing off may run a tight sticker price – $19,990 (plus ORC) – but what you get for that money and, most importantly, how it rides, is far from a bargain basement proposition.

It might look like a sportsbike, but is in reality closer to a mid (-ish) capacity sports tourer, so easy is it to ride and broad in its applications. The bars are high, the seat soft and the whole bike lends itself to long days in the saddle like no Panigale ever does.

This is one of the best Ducati engines for the road. Very similar to the sweet beast powering the 950 Multistrada, the overwhelming sweetness of the 937cc liquid-cooled Testastretta 11° V-twin translates to a similar level of road-smart prowess on this bike.

However, it still has the Ducati sporting heritage permeating its core, thanks largely to a bottom-end grunt fest of an engine. You don’t need to buzz the top end mercilessly to force it up to speed.

The chassis is like-wise user-friendly, and the bike steers nicely on its Pirelli Diablo Rosso rubber, with the stability/quick steering ratio absolutely nailed.

For a start, the design of this thing is striking. It’s not until you notice the high bars that it looks less

The Brembo M4-32s are magnificent, and the standout features on the S is the two-way powershifter,

Old-school Ducati riders might find this bike lame in some areas, but if they are honest with themselves they will enjoy the bike for that reason and appreciate the lack of serious commitment needed to ride it. They may even ride it more than their older-school machines!

Congratulations Ducati!

Honourable mention: Suzuki GSX-R1000R
The up-spec version of the new GSX-R1000 has monster power and torque, a suite of rider aids and modes to combat the likes of BMW, Ducati, Kawasaki et al, MotoGP looks and remote-reservoir suspension. It’s one of the easiest bikes to ride of all the 1000cc throng. The rider aids are welcome, not annoying (lack of ABS switchability aside), and the engine is among the good bikes of the pack. We love the roominess, the gearbox (the best-ever?), the suppleness of the suspension, the throttle response, and the brakes. Price from $25,490 (plus ORC), the GSX-R1000R has all the fruit and is good value.

Honourable mention: Yamaha YZF-R6
The appetite for 600cc supersport machinery has waned in recent years, but Yamaha has decided there's still some life left in the category. The updated YZF-R6 has YZF-R1 KYB 43mm upside-down forks, ABS, seven-way traction control (including off), three riding modes, YZF-R1-type front brakes, a one-way (up) quickshifter, slimmer subframe, new seat, lighter aluminium fuel tank and new aerodynamic fairing. It really is a sensational looking motorcycle. The 599cc engine now meets Euro 4 standards as well, but in essence it's the same donk that's been around since 2006. The $17,499 (plus ORC) machine loves – and kinda expects – to be ridden hard, and if you can make it work it still provides one of motorcycling's best experiences. Everything just feels feather light and super stable, and the updated R1 forks and brakes (including 320mm rotors) really help to shape a new personality for the 2017 YZF-R6.

Best LAMS Supersport: Suzuki GSX250R
This bike is aimed firmly at novice riders, providing them with a superb foundation on which they can build their riding skills. The gearbox is typically Suzuki-sweet, shifting cleanly and with reasonable precision. No issues or false neutrals were experienced during our time on the bike. The suspension package on the $5790 (plus ORC) machine is basic, comprising a non-adjustable and conventional front fork and a preload-adjustable rear monoshock, but between the springs and the chassis this bike is a fun little thing to punt down a twisty road. If you're on the hunt for a first bike or budget commuter, Suzuki's GSX250R fits the bill on every level. Attractive, comfy, fun to ride, priced right and with cheap on-going running costs, there's a whole lot to like about this model, and we're sure it's set to see a new generation of riders up on two wheels.