With pierre terblanche and pippo in hiding due to post-999 threats, it was impossible to speak with him or his pet dog about the now-aged styling of the 2003 Supersport 1000DS. But nobody cares what this bike looks like, because the really important thing we're dealing with here is the air-cooled future of Ducati. The DS designation stands for "Dual Spark," as in two plugs per head. In the beginning it was called TS, where the T stood for "Twin." Turns out that's trademarked by Alfa Romeo. And while Alfa was cool with Ducati using the name, the boys from Bologna were supposed to put that little "TM" next to it on every reference everywhere, including service manuals and such, and include a subtitular remark that the name was lent to Ducati by Alfa. So, Dual Spark it is! And Dual Spark is it! What a fabulous powerplant. This is the first application for this engine, which will also power the forthcoming Monster 1000 and Multistrada. There's lots of immediate torque, with higher peaks and more twist sooner. This Supersport, even with its fairly severe weight-forward riding position, was easy to wheelie and a joy to rev.
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