Best Supersport bike: 2018 Bikesales Bike of the Year Awards

The 2018 Bikesales Bike of the Year (BOTY) Awards recognise excellence across 11 separate motorcycle categories. After a three-day mega-test in Tasmania in October, we'll whittle our shortlist down to three finalists – with the outright winner then announced at the Melbourne Moto Expo on Friday, November 23.

Let's continue the 2018 BOTY category announcements by unveiling our winner of the Supersport category: the Ducati Panigale V4 S.

The V4 S, part of the new three-model Panigale V4 range to replace Ducati’s V-twin sportsbike line-up, is the first time the Bologna-based motorcycle manufacturer has equipped a standard production bike with a four-cylinder engine.

The 1103cc powerplant pumps out a claimed 214hp (157.5kW) at 13,000rpm and 124Nm at 10,000rpm. The V4 S also has a bi-directional quickshifter, full electronics cleverness, aluminium-alloy frame, three riding modes, a five-inch TFT dashboard, LED headlight and Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP 17-inch (120/70, 200/60) rubber.

When the engine hits five digits on the tacho the howl is indescribably good. The thing is a rocketship, but a really well-behaved, well-managed rocketship – but one that produces a lot of heat. If it’s too much “rocket”, you can switch to one of the two lesser engine maps, which tames it to mere mortal levels of power.

Elsewhere, the Brembo Stylema anchors are faultless, creating a stopping force you are unlikely to have felt before on two wheels.

The V4 S feels light and nimble, steers up there with the best of them and can handle crappy, bumpy roads as well as smooth ones. Even the ride position is good for a sportsbike, meaning a day on the road isn’t going to hobble you for months afterwards.

The Ducati V4 S wants for nothing in performance terms. Yes, its $37,490 retail price is up there, but it’s also utterly justified. Fit and finish is exemplary, the looks alone turn you on, but then you start it...

To say we’re looking forward to riding the Panigale V4 S in Tasmania is an understatement...

2018 Bikesales Bike of the Year Awards
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2018 Bikesales Bike of the Year Awards: Adventure Sport
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2018 Bikesales Bike of the Year Awards: Sports Touring
2018 Bikesales Bike of the Year Awards: Retro/Cafe
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2018 Bikesales Bike of the Year Awards: Touring
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The up-spec version of the new GSX-R1000 ($27,490 ride away) has monster power and torque, and a suite of rider aids and modes and MotoGP looks. 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.

Last year’s Supersport winner remains a damn fine machine. Thanks to the high-set clip-ons and accommodating seat, it’s comfy and inviting, rather than something you know is going to constantly test your mental and physical mettle. Priced at $20,190 (plus on-road costs), the SuperSport S is powered by a 937cc liquid-cooled Testastretta 11° V-twin, and has Brembo M4-32s brakes, a TFT instrument display, adjustable screen and single-sided swingarm. For road riding, the Testastretta engine is one of the best in the business with sharp throttle response, and the bike also handles with absolute conviction – super stable and a quick steerer all in one. It’s not a bargain basement sportsbike – instead a practical powerhouse that just makes so much sense.

The RC 390 is a ripper, complete with its clip-on handlebars, racey styling, slipper clutch and excellent power- and torque-to-weight ratios. The KTM’s WP setup is quite stiff and delivers great handling for sports riding, Exactly as you’d expect, and that’s why the 147kg (dry) RC 390 revels in twisty and tight roads – it’s a pukka little race bike that just encourages you to ride it hard and fast, while luxuriating in that solid connection to the front end. The KTM is priced at $6490 plus on-road costs.