It takes a certain kind of chutzpah to call yourself a motard->ke298, let alone a hypermotard. But since 2007, that’s what Ducati->ke622 has called this high-riding, lightweight, powerful, and dirtbike-like machine. It’s the Ducati Hypermotard->ke2130, and yes, it still evokes the same childlike enthusiasm out of me now as it did eight years ago.

Since first breaking into the market in 2007, the Hypermotard has wrestled a specific niche motorcycle segment and has called it its own. It’s an impressive achievement for a bike considered to be young by Ducati standards, but the Hypermotard and its fellow offsprings - the Hypermotard SP and the Hyperstrada - have become fan favorites in their own right, thanks in large part to their seamless integration of a dirtbike’s elusive agility with the refined power and sporty characteristics of a sports bike.

It’s no wonder that the Hypermotard is still going strong to this day. Whether you’re a young rider looking to gain some experience on two wheels or you’re a grizzled vet looking for something fun and enjoyable, the Hypermotard has extended its reach far beyond Ducati’s original plans for the bike.

Then again, that’s what happens when you appeal across a broad spectrum of riders.

Click “continue reading” to read more about the Ducati Hypermotard.

2015 Ducati Hypermotard SP

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2015 Ducati Hypermotard SP
  • Engine/Motor: Testastretta 11° L-Twin, 4 Desmodromically actuated valves per cylinder, liquid cooled
  • Horsepower: 110
  • Torque: 65
  • Transmission: 6-speed

Design

There’s a lot to like about the Hypermotard’s design, specifically with how Ducati seems to have taken the bike’s trademark dirtbike-inspired look to a whole new level. I’m not a particularly big fan of the higher ground clearance from a functional standpoint, but as far as aesthetics go, I have to admit that it dos make the Hypermotard look more versatile than ever before.

Outside of that, Ducati also put in some new features on the bike, most specifically the remastered rear-view mirrors and the redesigned body that now proudly shows a more streamlined look that pays added homage to its dirtbike roots.

The bike also received new headlights and indicators. The headlights is now comprised of a single "blue-vision" filament lamp that features dipped and full-beam functions whereas the directional indicators, which are integrated into the hand guards, carry standard LEDs. At the back, the rear light makes use of a specially designed strip of LEDs that are enhanced by a high-diffusion lens shaped into the sleek lines of the tailpiece, functioning both as a rear light and a brake light.

If you can manage to get comfortable on the Hypermotard SP, you’ll also notice that the bike’s instrument panel now features a new LCD display with a DOT-matrix readout to view all the cursory data you need. That includes info on speed, revs, mileage, trip 1 and trip 2, engine coolant temperature, ambient temperature and the time. In addition, it also shows the bike’s current fuel consumption, average fuel consumption, average speed and journey time.

Design Specifications

Seat height

890mm (35.0in)

Wheelbase

1.505 mm (59.3 in)

Rake

25,5°

Trail

104mm (4.1In)

Fuel tank capacity

16l - 4.2gallon (US)

Number of seats

Dual seat

Standard Equipment

Riding Modes, Power Modes, Ducati Safety Pack (ABS + DTC), RbW. Marchesini forged rims, tapered aluminium handlebars, carbon fibre components: front mudguard, cam belt covers. Ready for anti-theft system, heated grips, sat-nav


Frame

You have to give it to Ducati for putting in some pretty nifty equipment on the Hypermotard to ensure that it handles like a bike that’s true to its character. The new tubular steel Trellis frame is sturdy enough that riders can feel safe on the bike and knowing that it’s still agile enough to tackle rough corners.

Likewise, the addition of the Ohlins rear shock on the Hypermotard SP is a bonus, too, as are the Marchesini forged aluminum wheels, the 17-inch Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP tires, and the Bosch-Brembo braking system that features double Brembo M4.32 monobloc 4-piston radial callipers on the front that can be activated by a radial brake master cylinder with an adjustable 5-position lever. Is there really anything else to say about this that doesn’t invite even more confidence in the bike’s wheel-tire-brakes setup? I don’t think so.

But like anything else, the Hypermotard SP isn’t a perfect bike because there’s really no such thing as a perfect bike. Every motorcycle comes with items that can be improved and this one is no different. My specific gripe about the Hypermotard SP is the alarmingly high ground clearance of 35 inches. I don’t know about you guys, but I’m only 5’5” on a good day. That kind of clearance makes it next to impossible for me to get on the bike, let alone touch the floor when I’m seated. The aforementioned Ohlins shock may be keep the bike sturdy, but that 6.9-inch travel lifts the seat a little too high for me.

Frame Specifications

Frame

Tubular steel Trellis frame

Front suspension

Marzocchi 50 mm pressurized and fully adjustable usd fork with hard anodized aluminium lightweight slider

Front wheel

3-spoke in forged light alloy 3.50x17

Front Tyre

Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP 120/70 ZR17

Rear suspension

Progressive linkage with fully adjustable Ohlins monoshock. Aluminium single-sided swingarm

Rear wheel

3-spoke forged light alloy 5.50x17

Rear tyre

Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP 180/55 ZR17

Front wheel travel

185 mm (7.3 in)

Rear wheel travel

175 mm (6.9 in)

Front brake

2 x 320 mm semi-floating discs, radially mounted Monobloc Brembo calipers, 4-piston 2-pad, axial pump with adjustable lever, ABS 9MP as standard

Rear brake

245 mm disc, 2-piston caliper, ABS 9MP as standard

Instrumentation

Multifunction digital dashboard with white backlight, composed of LCD segments for rev counter and a Dot-Matrix area for all other information: odometer (total, trip 1 and trip2), speedometer, clock, coolant temperature, selected riding mode, current fuel consumption, average fuel consumption, average speed, air temperature, trip time, maintenance intervals indicator (Km), errors detection (diagnosis), setup menu and customization functions. Interface for the management of Riding Modes (ABS, throttle response power, traction control). Lights: oil pressure, neutral N, fuel warning, turn signal, EOBD (diagnosis), high beam, DTC intervention (Traction Control) and deterrent immobilizer (in Key-Off). Headlight control: auto switching-off during engine start, auto turning-off after 60 seconds from Key-On without starting the engine, hazard lights. The key management of the various function menus are integrated in the left and right switch controls.

Dry weight

171kg (377lb)

*Weight data refers to the dry weight of the motorcycle without battery, lubricants and coolants for liquid-cooled models.

Wet weight (KERB)

194 kg (428 lb)

*Kerb weights indicate total bike weight with all operating consumable liquids and a fuel tank filled to 90% of capacity (as per EC standard 93/93).


Drivetrain

The Ducati Hypermotard SP comes to the dance packing Ducati’s new 821 cc Testastretta engine that produces up to 110 horsepower and 65.7 pound-feet of torque. Those are pretty impressive numbers for a bike with the size of Hypermotard SP.

But numbers only paint one part of picture. The other side doesn’t involve the output as much as what riders can do with them. In this case, Ducati set up the Hypermotard family with a Ride-by-Wire system, which allows three different riding modes - Race, Sport, and Wet - with each coming with their own set of features. The Race mode, for instance, comes with 110 horsepower and sporting high torque numbers whereas the Sport mode also packs 110 horsepower, albeit with a progressive medium torque. The least powerful of the bunch, the Wet mode, only carries 75 horsepower with progressive low torque for understandably reasons.

In addition to the riding modes, the R-b-W system also features four levels of ABS and nine-level traction control, all of which were developed for the specific reason of allowing riders to enjoy a full scope of riding capabilities on the Hypermotard SP.

That was something Ducati made sure the bike had and for the most part, the company succeeded in that regard.

Drivetrain Specifications

Engine Type

Testastretta 11° L-Twin, 4 Desmodromically actuated valves per cylinder, liquid cooled

Displacement

821.1cc

Bore x Stroke

88 x 67,5 mm

Compression ratio

12,8:1

Power

110hp (81kW) @ 9250rpm

Torque

89 Nm (65.8 lb-ft) @ 7750 rpm

Fuel injection

Electronic fuel injection system. Throttle bodies with full Ride by Wire system

Exhaust

Single stainless steel muffler with catalytic converter and two lambda probes.

Gearbox

6 speed

Primary drive

Straight cut gears, Ratio 1.85:1

Ratio

1=37/15 2=30/17 3=28/20 4=26/22 5=24/23 6=23/24

Final drive

Chain, Front sprocket 15, Rear sprocket 45

Clutch

Slipper and self-servo wet multiplate clutch mechanically operated


Special Packs

One of the nice things about the Ducati Hypermotard SP is the wide range of accessories it can receive courtesy of Ducati. Whether it requires a sporting touch, the convenience of touring fixtures or clean urban design, the Sport, Touring and Urban packs are the ideal complementary packages for the Hypermotard SP.

The Sport Pack includes Termignoni low exhaust using high-quality titanium and carbon components, as well as racing footpegs, an adhesive carbon tank protector, and a low silencer kit homologated for EU countries as well as the USA and Canada.

Meanwhile, the Touring Pack, which is more advisable on the Hyperstrada, comes with heated handgrips, passenger grab handles, a tank bag kit and, a top case kit. Last but not least is the Urban Pack, which is made up of components conceived for city dwellers. These include a carbon fibre rear mudguard with an eye-catching matte finish, a racing number plate holder for extra zest, and a high-security anti-theft system.

Pricing

The Ducati Hypermotard SP comes with a price of $14,995. Every purchase of the bike comes with a two-year unlimited mileage warranty with maintenance service intervals recommended at 9,000 miles or 12 months and a valve clearance check at 18,000 miles.