The 2012 Ducati Hypermotard 796 was created to dominate the road. The bike features an aggressive design which is combined with a host of modern technologies and a fairly capable engine. All these features make it one of the most attractive naked bikes in its segment.

Its engine has na 803cc displacement, is air cooled and delivers a maximum power of 81hp (59.6kW) @ 8000rpm and 55.7lb-ft (7.7kgm) of torque at 6250rpm. This massive power is sent to the rear wheel through a six speed gearbox which is combined with the APTC ‘wet’ clutch. This advanced clutch prevents destabilizing of the rear-end under aggressive down-shifting and also gives the extra benefit of a super-light feel at the lever.

The motorcycle is also fitted with a modern 2-1-2 catalytic exhaust system which uses an efficient pre-silencer configuration with twin lambda probes which help the bike conform to the Euro 3 emission standards.

Hit the jump for more information on the 2012 Ducati Hypermotard 796.

2012 Ducati Hypermotard 796

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2012 Ducati Hypermotard 796
  • Engine/Motor: L-Twin cylinder, 2 valve per cylinder Desmodromic, air cooled
  • Horsepower: 81 @ 8000
  • Torque: 55 @ 6250
  • Transmission: Manual
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

Press Release

When the prototype Hypermotard was first shown at the 2005 Milan show it represented the creation of a new segment, one that bridged the gap between refined sportbikes and minimalist supermotards. But some at Ducati had reservations about the initial Hypermotard concept and were unsure if people were ready for such a motorcycle.

Despite those reservations, the project continued, driven by the belief in the upright and in-control riding position of a dirtbike, but not the harsh characteristics of its single cylinder engine. These confident few designed a bike that combined the agility and lightweight precision of a supermotard with the refined power characteristics of a charismatic L-Twin sportbike.

Ducati presented the prototype Hypermotard at Milan and was rewarded with a 'Best of Show' award. The innovative Hypermotard spawned a new 'cross-over' category that had reinvented pure riding pleasure with a practical and versatile motorcycle that could be used every day.

Engine

The 796 engine is a completely brand new, lightweight Desmodue power unit designed to provide the torquey, smooth and enjoyable character famous of all Desmodromic L-Twins.

The APTC ‘wet’ clutch gives a ‘slipper’ type action that prevents destabilizing of the rear-end under aggressive down-shifting and also gives the extra benefit of a super-light feel at the lever, a great benefit in stop-start city traffic or during longer journeys. The 21-plate oil-bath clutch (11 friction and 10 steel) represents a power-enhancing weight reduction over the ‘dry’ system as well as having a quieter operation and requiring less maintenance.

The 2-1-2 catalytic exhaust system uses an efficient pre-silencer configuration with twin lambda probes providing finer fuel mapping and Euro3 conformity. The system’s lightweight and compact design is achieved by using 1mm thick tubing and terminates in Ducati’s trademark twin under-seat, black exhaust mufflers, stylishly contrasted with great looking aluminium end caps.

Chassis

An improved frame layout eliminates almost all of the forged elements used on previous Hypermotards, replacing them with precision machined components. The lightened frame retains its torsional strength to become even more agile and easier to handle than before.

Through decades of racing and development, Ducati has proven that innovative chassis engineering and evolutionary frame advancements win races. The tubular Trellis frame, used on every Ducati motorcycle, is a signature design element.

This unique Ducati frame is light, rigid and beautiful thanks to its ingenious Trellis design and use of high quality ALS 450 tubing. Each tube is mitred and micro-fusion welded in a complex triangulated pattern and our incredibly strong L-Twin engine cases are functional 'stressed members' of the chassis.

17” 5-spoke wheels by Enkei are produced in lightweight aluminium to keep the unsprung weight low and handling, braking and acceleration performances high.

Brakes

Twin 305mm semi-floating discs gripped by radially mounted 4-piston Brembo callipers provide powerful and progressive front-end braking with that all-important rider-friendly ‘feeling’, while the rear is equipped with a 245mm disc and 2-piston calliper, also by Brembo.

Equipment

The instrument display also doubles as a control panel for the activation of the Ducati Data Analyser (DDA) system, which is available as an accessory from Ducati Performance. The bike has been built ‘system-ready’ for the data acquisition kit, which consists of special DDA software and a memory key that slots into a plug under the seat. The same plug also doubles as the connection for a handy new battery charger available as an accessory from Ducati Performance.

The orange back-lit display provides an extensive amount of data including speed, revs, time, oil temperature, battery voltage, A & B trips, fuel reserve trip and scheduled maintenance, while the warning lights illuminate for neutral, turn signals, high-beam, rev-limit, oil pressure and fuel reserve. In addition, it can list recorded lap times by using the high-beam flash button as a stopwatch.

The slim-line switch bodies house easy-to-use switches and buttons and feature a unique weapons-like 'trigger catch' that slides down to cover the starter button when the kill-switch is activated.

The challenge of maintaining a clean, racing look around the handlebar area, motivated the design of the folding mirror concept which is based on the handguards typically found on off-road bikes. Flipped out for high visibility street mode and easily folded in for a quick change to ‘Hypermode’, the mirror handguard assemblies also integrate the LED directional indicators for an even cleaner front-end.

Specifications

ENGINE TYPE

L-Twin cylinder, 2 valve per cylinder Desmodromic, air cooled

DISPLACEMENT

803cc

BORE X STROKE

88x66mm

COMPRESSION RATIO

11:1

POWER

81hp (59.6kW) @ 8000rpm

TORQUE

55.7lb-ft 7.7kgm @ 6250rpm

FUEL INJECTION

Siemens electronic fuel injection, 45mm throttle body

EXHAUST

Lightweight 2-1-2 system with catalytic converter with twin lambda probes

GEARBOX

6 speed

RATIO

1=32/13 2=30/18 3=28/21 4=26/23 5=22/22 6=24/26

PRIMARY DRIVE

Straight cut gears, Ratio 1.85:1

FINAL DRIVE

Chain, Front sprocket 15, Rear sprocket 41

CLUTCH APTC

wet multiplate with hydraulic control

EMISSIONS

Euro 3 (Europe) - USA: follows the US Federal Regulation

FRAME

Tubular steel Trellis frame

WHEELBASE

1455mm (57.3in)

RAKE

24°

FRONT SUSPENSION

Marzocchi 43mm usd forks

FRONT WHEEL TRAVEL

165mm (6.5in)

FRONT WHEEL

5-spoke in light alloy 3.50x17

FRONT TYRE

Pirelli Diablo Rosso 120/70 ZR17

REAR SUSPENSION

Progressive linkage with adjustable Sachs monoshock. Aluminium single-sided swingarm

REAR WHEEL TRAVEL

141mm (5.6in)

REAR WHEEL

5-spoke light alloy 5.50x17

REAR TYRE

Pirelli Diablo Rosso 180/55 ZR17

FRONT BRAKE

2 x 305mm semi-floating discs, radially mounted Brembo callipers 4-piston, 2-pad

REAR BRAKE

245mm disc, 2-piston calliper

FUEL TANK CAPACITY

12.4l - 3.3 gallon (US)

DRY WEIGHT

167kg (366lb)

INSTRUMENTS

Digital unit with displays for: Speedometer, rev counter, lap times, time, oil temp, battery voltage, A & B trips, fuel reserve trip, scheduled maintenance. Warning lights for: Neutral, turn signals, high-beam, rev-limit, oil pressure, fuel reserve. Plus: Immobilizer system

WARRANTY 2 years unlimited mileage

BODY COLOUR (FRAME/WHEEL)

Red (red / black) - Matt white (racing black / black) - Matt black (racing black / black)

VERSIONS

Dual seat

SEAT HEIGHT

825mm (32.5in)

DDA

DDA system-ready for Ducati Performance accessory

DTC

Not available on this model

ABS

Not available on this model


Quotes

Bikez----"The 796 rides the common ground between manners and madness, mixing Ducati´s unrivalled twin-cylinder power and sportbike heredity with the lightweight and minimalist supermotard concept."

Autoblog News----"Here are the 2012 Ducati HYPERMOTARD 796 review, photos, and wallpaper. In late 2009, Ducati introduced a new Hypermotard model – the 796 – featuring a 20 mm lower seat height (825 mm) and a smaller-capacity, less powerful engine. The 800 cc engine features Siemens fuel injection and is derived from the Monster. Power output is 81 bhp (60 kW), just 9 bhp less than the 2007–2009 1100 models, although torque output is considerably lower making it more suitable for less-experienced riders."