TEST: Ducati Hypermotard 698 Mono

Bruce Wilson offers Ducati’s Hypermotard a jolly good exercise. Right here’s what it’s worthwhile to know…

Ducati shocked us all with the large reveal of its first mass-production single motor – which has been squeezed into the most recent technology of its bonkers, however good, Hypermotard.

4 years in the past, somebody on the manufacturing unit reckoned they might create a strong and playful motor by severing a cylinder from its now-defunct Panigale 1299 powerplant. The precept proved sound, and earlier than it knew it, Ducati discovered itself in unknown territory, sporting a production-based single-cylinder in its vary for the primary time ever. And never simply any single-cylinder, however one with magnesium casings, an over-square racing piston, and an aluminium cylinder sleeve designed and constructed for the second-generation Superleggera.

It’s one factor having a tasty motor, however the subsequent problem was arising with a chassis to do it justice. The answer was discovered within the form of a tubular metal, trellis choice, utilizing the engine as a pressured member. It additionally defied conference for typical supermoto-type machines by giving the Hyper a extra relaxed, much less MX-style fork angle; although it does get some typical lengthy journey suspension at each the entrance and rear.

There’s a raft of electronics, too. 4 rider modes, 4 ranges of ABS, 4 ranges of wheelie management, adjustable engine braking, and even launch management are a number of the principal speaking factors; but it surely was Ducati’s new slide-by-brake system that actually captured my creativeness. Supposedly making it inconceivable to highside right into a bend, the tech hyperlinks the entrance brake, rear brake, six-axis IMU and some different techniques to permit the consumer to get the rear wheel wagging.

The characterful engine didn’t take lengthy to win me over, delivering a great punch out of bends and a daft variety of revs, too, which means gears may very well be held for for much longer than anticipated.

The bike felt good and lightweight and simple to pitch round, however let me be sincere… we had been all using so slowly because of the minging situations that the primary three periods taught us little greater than survival methods. I used to be half anticipating to have worn strong by my boots by lunchtime, however fortunately there was just a little left on the only, so I used to be in a position to play on the now virtually dry monitor that afternoon.

To spice issues up, Ducati exchanged our base bikes for the fancier RVE machines, which value about £900 extra and are available kitted with a distinct paint job, plus an up-and-down shifter. And, they’d additionally been fitted with a full Termignoni race system (one-in-to-two… costing £2000) that not solely boosted energy by about 10bhp, but additionally saved roughly 6kg from the burden of the Hyper. Final however not least, to maintain us on our sliders, the rubber was modified to Pirelli slicks, which means we’d don’t have any excuse for lean angles as we obtained caught into the afternoon’s trio of periods.

It didn’t take lengthy for the genius of the Ducati to begin shining. The factor that hit me first was how agile this bike was, with the ability to throw it on its aspect so effortlessly, and with the reassurance of a entrance finish that felt heaven-sent. You solely needed to suppose the place you wished the Hyper to go and right away it was on the fitting path.

For a motorcycle with greater than 200mm of journey at both finish, it was mad to suppose how steady the bike was, with my solely gripe being the occasional little bit of pumping from the rear shock when firing out of a bend at full lean.

I did get the prospect to mess about with the electronics although, and gave my finest go at making use of the slide-by-brake system. I by no means often contact the rear brakes on street bikes, so the method of braking right into a nook onerous with the entrance anchor whereas stomping on the rear and in some way seeking out an apex proved just a little difficult. I might see that the system labored, particularly having been given a masterclass in its performance by Ducati’s head of product communications, Giullio Fabbri, however I simply couldn’t get it proper. I realised I may very well be a complete lot sooner, extra correct, and content material by using it like a sportsbike, braking purely with the spectacular, single-sided Brembo entrance caliper and making my desired line each time. Some individuals are blessed with the abilities for supermoto, however I’m not certainly one of them.

Regardless of although. Perched on its large seat, gripping its broad bars, I had a everlasting grin on my tacky face as I twisted the fun-tube and indulged within the joys of the single-cylinder. At circa 70bhp (with the system fitted), the Hyper was hardly arm-wrenchingly quick, however round that monitor it made good sense and was greater than fast sufficient. What’s extra, the character of the engine was so attractive. Down low, it gave an actual punch on the preliminary pick-up and by no means didn’t ship a crossed-up wheelie with a pop of the clutch.

I’d been frightened the Ducati would’ve been too targeted or gimmicky, however that merely wasn’t the case. And whereas the jury remains to be out so far as street using goes, I daresay that you just’d abdomen its lack of consolation for the fun it brings.

WORDS: Bruce Wilson PHOTOS: Ducati/Alexphoto