The 2017 Ducati SuperSport Is The Sportbike For You Everyday Riders

Because we don't need low clip ons or track setups to have fun on the road

As much as I love them, I often dread riding sportbikes on the street. They're uncomfortable, hurt my back and wrists, and are far more jarring when the asphalt gets rough. But, the I get to a fun stretch of road and the riding position makes carving it up a blast. On the flip side, bikes like the Ninja 650 offer a more comfortable riding position that still allows for some sporty riding, but it and bikes like it have always been lacking in the power department.

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Well, it seems as if I'm not the only one who noticed this hole, as the new 2017 DucatiSuperSport and SuperSport S seem aimed at just that buyer.
The Ducati SuperSport takes the 937 cc Testastretta motor from the Hypermotard 939and puts it into a relaxed sportbike trellis frame, but it moves the power lower in the rev range while also swapping for longer final drive gear ratios. Ducati claim that 80% of the 71.3 pound-feet of torque is available at just 3,000 rpm. They're also added in Ducati's Safety Pack (Bosch ABS and traction control) as well variable riding modes.

While it retains the face of the Panigale, the high set clip ons and revised footpeg positioning gives the rider a much more relaxed riding position. The windscreen is moveable, with 50 mm in adjustability for height.

Overall dimensions come in at a 1,478 mm wheelbase, 462 pounds wet, and a 31.9 inch seat heigh. Both bikes get a Brembo braking system with dual 320 mm discs up front and M4.32 calipers. They also get full color TFT screens, LED daytime running light, and an underseat waterproof USB outlet.

The SuperSport is available in one color option, two-tone Ducati Red and Saturn Grey, and it comes with a red frame and black wheels. It gets a fully adjustable 41 mm Marzocchi fork and Sachs shock that's adjustable for spring pre-load and rebound damping.

The SuperSport S comes in both Ducati Red and Star White Silk, and gets a fully adjustable 48 mm Ohlins fork and fully adjustable Ohlins rear shock. It also gets auto up/down shift (an option on the non-S), and a color coordinated rear seat cowl.

In addition to the two models, Ducati has two customization "packs" you can outfit your SuperSport with as well as a host of other accessories.

The "Sport Pack" includes a carbon front mud guard, carbon fuel tank cover, articulated racing lever kit, and billet aluminum covers for the front and rear brake reservoirs.

The "Touring Pack" contains a pair of semi-rigid side panniers, a larger windscreen for touring, and heated grips.

n addition, things like an Akrapovic performance exhaust, Ohlins steering damper, hand guards, a rear LED indicators, a bluetooth module for the multimedia system, and full range of carbon and billet bits exhaust for your farkling pleasure.

Personally, I can't wait until we get a ride on this thing. I love the motor, and think the riding position and aim of this bike will quickly make it one of the best options for a lot of guys who like owning and riding a sportbike, but rarely have time to make it to the track.

From what we hear, the bike will retail for $12,995 for the regular model and $14,795 for the S, and be available next April.

2017 Ducati SuperSport

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Glastonbury confirms Radiohead will headline in 2017

Rock group Radiohead will headline Glastonbury next year, in their first UK festival appearance in six years.

Rumours that the band would return to Worthy Farm began to circulate on Wednesday, when the band's logo appeared near the Pyramid stage.

Eagle-eyed fans saw two men painting the "angry bear" symbol onto the grass via the BBC's Glastonbury webcam.

The festival confirmed the news on Thursday afternoon, posting a photo of the logo on its official Twitter page.

"YES! Radiohead will be back at Worthy Farm and we really can't wait," wrote organiser Emily Eavis on Instagram.

The band will play the opening night of the festival on 23 June, 2017 - marking their first UK festival appearance since 2011, when they played a "secret set" on Glastonbury's small, outlying Park Stage.

Other headliners have yet to be confirmed, although The Stone Roses, Foo Fighters and Lady Gaga have all been rumoured.

French dance duo Daft Punk were also through to be in the running, but organiser Eavis recently shot that one down, telling fans: "As ever, 99% of the rumours are untrue!"

Earlier this week, rock band Kings of Leon also told the BBC they were keen to return to the Pyramid stage.

"We love Glastonbury. I think that was the first festival we ever played in Europe," said drummer Nathan Followill, before asking: "Do they still do it where it's on one year, off one year to let the grass grow?"

On being told that the next fallow year was 2018, he replied: "OK, then we'll have to get on it in 2017. I'll have to text Mr Eavis."

Emily Eavis: "They're as good as it gets"

I've grown up with Radiohead and they're about as good as it gets for me. They're just in a league of their own aren't they? Some of my happiest memories at the festival have been watching them play, from headlining in the rain 20 years ago when I was a teenager, to surprise sets in The Park and DJ'ing late night in Shangri-La. We are beyond excited that they're finally coming back to the Pyramid, it's incredibly special for everyone here.

Radiohead have headlined Glastonbury twice before, in 1997 and 2003 (you can still watch the former on BBC iPlayer). Guitarist Ed O'Brien recently told BBC 6 Music he would "love to" reprise the experience.

"I go to Glastonbury every year, it's my carnival," he told Matt Everitt's First Time programme.

"To be asked to play at Glastonbury again would be magic. I also think Glastonbury is like our spiritual home. It is the mother of all festivals... there's nothing like that one... it would be great to play there."

The band, whose ninth album A Moon Shaped Pool went to number one earlier this year, have recently played a handful of international festivals, including Primavera, Summer Solstice and Lollapalooza, but their only UK dates in 2016 were held at London's 1,700-capacity Roundhouse.

Coincidentally, their symbol was co-designed by artist Stanley Donwood, who creates all of Glastonbury's posters and logos.

The 2017 festival has already sold out, but there will be a resale of any returned tickets in the spring.

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