The Supersport models are the most traditional motorcycles Ducati produces. Stepping back from machines primarily geared for serious racetrack use, Ducati turns out some handsome alternatives for completing sporty tasks on the public roads. For its 2003 presentations, Ducati focused on technical updates with three new engines: 620, 800, 1000cc.

Motorcycle traveling has changed a lot in the last 20 years. Nowadays pure touring bikes compete with cruisers, standards, and sportbikes, which can be equipped with luggage racks and bags by the factory. In this comparison, the tourer BMW R1150RT met up with a sport-tourer, the Ducati ST4s.

It had to supercede the other bikes in design, technology, and in performance characteristics on the track and on the street. And now, coming on the heels of its famous 916/996/998-line, Ducati's new 999 is destined to become a great bike that's known for kicking butt and taking no prisoners.

"We think this bike is great for beginners - women, men, [bank presidents] and street sweepers. A Ducati is sexy." Nicola Greco, Vice President of Ducati Sales and Marketing

Ducati's success during the nineties is based on one of the most popular sportbikes from Italy, the 900 SS. This great heritage led to the first fuel-injected SS in 1998 (USA: 1999).