The specs: 2018 Ducati SuperSport S
Price, base / as tested: Dh74,900 / Dh85,900
Engine: 937cc
Transmission: Six-speed gearbox
Power: 110hp @ 9,000rpm
Torque: 93Nm @ 6,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 5.9L / 100km
As somebody who has spent most of her time on a motocross bike riding in the desert, it is always a thrill to hop on a bike with a bit more power, and the Ducati SuperSport S certainly doesn't disappoint. It is a brilliant bike, with plenty of torque when you grab a handful, but it's still a comfortable ride.
The SuperSport S is marketed as perfect for road riding without compromising its sporting spirit, to paraphrase Ducati. The subsequent lack of any soreness after riding definitely backs up that statement. The seating position makes for a pleasant commuter ride, while the handlebar set-up allows you to sit high, and the soft, wide – but not quite Honda Gold Wing wide – leather seat is perfect for stylish road riding.
Ducati has included three riding modes: Sport, Touring and Urban. Each mode adjusts the ABS, traction control and horsepower to fit the terrain you are riding on. Get the lowdown on how to switch between modes before setting off, though, because it isn’t very intuitive.
My favourite modification to the stock set-up is the full Akrapovic exhaust system that Ducati UAE has seen fit to put on my test model in place of the original pipes. It gives the bike a slick look and beautiful purr. Having seen the stock pipes, the alternatives are worth the investment.
Let's face it, in the UAE, you need some pretty reliable brakes – and the radial brake system is a regular set-up for grand prix racing bikes that allows you to feel the feedback in your fingers. Another helpful feature on our roads is the position of the indicators, which sit nice and high in the front, increasing visibility for other motorists on busy roads.
Depending on your height, you might encounter an annoying knob digging into your knees: the top rear-cylinder mounting point to the frame protrudes a little bit.
Ducati has thought ahead and added rubber mounts, although this might affect your riding position to a small extent.
And while I understand that vibrating side-view mirrors are somewhat unavoidable on a powerful beast such as this, while riding at night, I wasn't too sure if there were cars behind me or a long-exposure light photograph had replaced my mirrors, rendering them almost useless. A user manual would also be helpful – I feel a bit silly trying to adjust the fixed mirror holders until I realise you just need to poke around with your fingers to get the mirrors themselves at the right angle, avoiding smearing your fingerprints across them if possible.
But these are just minor details on an otherwise very impressive bike, and one that definitely catches the eye. I thought it might be because I'm a woman on a Ducati that I attracted some stares rolling into my favourite burger joint one evening, but I couldn't take all the credit. Once I hopped off, various phone cameras were pointed toward the bike and I got all sorts of questions about it, even from the burger joint staff.
I can’t guarantee that this will happen every time, but it is some measure of the effect that the SuperSport S has on onlookers.
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Russia's Muslim Heartlands
Dominic Rubin, Oxford
So what is Spicy Chickenjoy?
Just as McDonald’s has the Big Mac, Jollibee has Spicy Chickenjoy – a piece of fried chicken that’s crispy and spicy on the outside and comes with a side of spaghetti, all covered in tomato sauce and topped with sausage slices and ground beef. It sounds like a recipe that a child would come up with, but perhaps that’s the point – a flavourbomb combination of cheap comfort foods. Chickenjoy is Jollibee’s best-selling product in every country in which it has a presence.
SERIE A FIXTURES
Friday Sassuolo v Benevento (Kick-off 11.45pm)
Saturday Crotone v Spezia (6pm), Torino v Udinese (9pm), Lazio v Verona (11.45pm)
Sunday Cagliari v Inter Milan (3.30pm), Atalanta v Fiorentina (6pm), Napoli v Sampdoria (6pm), Bologna v Roma (6pm), Genoa v Juventus (9pm), AC Milan v Parma (11.45pm)
UAE's role in anti-extremism recognised
General John Allen, President of the Brookings Institution research group, commended the role the UAE has played in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism.
He told a Globsec debate of the UAE’s "hugely outsized" role in the fight against Isis.
"It’s trite these days to say that any country punches above its weight, but in every possible way the Emirates did, both militarily, and very importantly, the UAE was extraordinarily helpful on getting to the issue of violent extremism," he said.
He also noted the impact that Hedayah, among others in the UAE, has played in addressing violent extremism.
Blonde
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The UAE squad for the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games
The jiu-jitsu men’s team: Faisal Al Ketbi, Zayed Al Kaabi, Yahia Al Hammadi, Taleb Al Kirbi, Obaid Al Nuaimi, Omar Al Fadhli, Zayed Al Mansoori, Saeed Al Mazroui, Ibrahim Al Hosani, Mohammed Al Qubaisi, Salem Al Suwaidi, Khalfan Belhol, Saood Al Hammadi.
Women’s team: Mouza Al Shamsi, Wadeema Al Yafei, Reem Al Hashmi, Mahra Al Hanaei, Bashayer Al Matrooshi, Hessa Thani, Salwa Al Ali.
What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
- Professional ethics.
Uefa Champions League play-off
First leg: Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
Ajax v Dynamo Kiev
Second leg: Tuesday, August 28, 11pm (UAE)
Dynamo Kiev v Ajax
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The specs: 2018 Ducati SuperSport S
Price, base / as tested: Dh74,900 / Dh85,900
Engine: 937cc
Transmission: Six-speed gearbox
Power: 110hp @ 9,000rpm
Torque: 93Nm @ 6,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 5.9L / 100km