Ducati Hypermotard

A little has changed in the Ducati Hypermotard ever since its launch when it comes to overall styling it puts on the table. However, the minimal revisions here and there and the fact that its slim profile has been kept intact beautifully does work a lot in favour of the visual appeal of the Ducati Hypermotard.

The motorcycle has a very petite front face comprising of a small all-LED headlamp with daytime running LED and an equally small but wide coloured visor sitting just above it. In a true off-roader fashion, the chin of the headlamp is assisted by a beak-shaped front fender, which comes integrated with two small air vents at its front, for both visual as well as aerodynamic aspects.

The all-LED turn indicators are interestingly placed on the handlebar guards, which also serve that additional purpose of protecting one from frontal impacts. While there is no other mudguard over the front wheel, the lower portion of the front forks do come with wide protection panels on either sides.

The angular theme has been well carried forward in the design of the fuel tank, which has sharp but slim tank extensions and it itself is quite sleek too, with broad knee recesses. The two-part trellis frame looks nice, with the major frame finished in red and the subframe in black colour.

There are no proper side body panels on the motorcycle, which explains its inspiration by the out and out proper off-road motorcycles, with the exposed frames on offer. The almost flat seat starts all the way from the mid of the fuel tank and goes till the tailpiece. In addition to all these bits, the exhaust pipe placed just beside the pillion seat at a height serves the purpose and has a proper shield over it. 

In addition to all the fresh changes which the Hypermotard has received, it also now gets a full TFT instrument console, which offers a plethora of information on display in a coloured panel. The almost flat single handlebar and premium switchgear do offer a great view ahead as well.

In addition to the removable passenger footpegs and USB power socket in the Standard variant, the SP variant also adds in Marchesini forged alloy wheels and carbon fibre finish on the front mudguard and timing belt covers.

The overall slim profile of the motorcycle, in addition to the very capable mechanical setup under the skin, do promise a lot about how the Ducati Hypermotard is one capable and enjoyable motorcycle to ride. The upside-down front forks and fully adjustable mono-shock at the rear (both of which are Ohlins unit in the SP variant) have been fine-tuned with likeable stiffness to it.

The Ducati Hypermotard has been equipped with a four-stroke, L-twin, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected, 937cc engine which it shares with the Ducati Multistrada 950. Here, the engine has been mildly tweaked with a revised performance at higher rpms, with the maximum power output rated at 115 PS and the peak torque output rated at 96 Nm. The 6-speed gearbox offers slick shifts as well.

As with any other premium Ducati motorcycle, the Ducati Hypermotard is equipped with a good set of electronic riding aids, which includes the likes of ride modes, cornering ABS, traction control, wheelie control, and quick shifter (exclusive for SP) on offer.

The Ducati Hypermotard is one great combination, as it offers the versatility of both a naked roadster and an off-road motorcycle, both in terms of the way it looks and rides. The slim and minimalist design of the motorcycle, along with the equipment on board, does give it a solid edge over other similarly specced naked roadsters and edges ahead of them in terms of ride and handling.