Motorcycles are inherently dangerous vehicles. While there have been some major advancements in safety over the last couple of decades, these safety innovations can only do so much, and when you fall, it hurts… and you will fall. It is just part of the motorcycling experience.
The danger aspect is precisely what makes riding motorcycles so thrilling. For some, that is also exactly why riding motorcycles is anything but “fun.” This two-wheeled passion of ours is not for everyone. Nor is the bike in question. It is not particularly practical, but it is most certainly a whole lot of fun to ride.
Some Equally Fun Alternatives
Supermotos are unique in the sense that they are motorcycles that exist purely for rider enjoyment. KTM is one of the few brands still committed to building a selection of different supermotos, and the recently updated 690 SMC R currently sits at the top of this particular tree. Its LC4 engine was the major benefactor of that update, and has been thoroughly revised to meet increasing emissions restrictions, and gained four hoses in the process.
The Husqvarna 701 Supermoto is essentially just a KTM dressed in white, which leaves the Suzuki DR-Z4SM as the only other real competitor. It only makes around half as much horsepower, and as you might expect, it is significantly cheaper. But it is still a fun bike, and is a much better bet for novice riders. The bike in question might be a single, but just like the 690s, it isn’t exactly beginner-friendly.
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The Ducati Hypermotard 698 Defines Two-Wheeled Passion
MSRP: $13,995
Most motorcycles have a defined practical purpose. Sports bikes need to go fast around a track, adventure bikes need to have the ability to go off-road, and touring bikes need to be comfortable. You can ask ten different enthusiasts which motorcycle defines two-wheeled passion, and you will get ten different answers.
Motorcycles all offer different characteristics that appeal to different riders, and everyone has their own idea of what the ideal motorcycle might look like. The only thing the Hypermotard 698 is designed to do is put a great big smile on your face. It laughs in the face of both logic and simply puts rider engagement front and center.
The Hypermotard 698 Has A Seriously Impressive Single
Power: 78 Horsepower
By the time the Superquadro V-twin went out of production, it was making well in excess of 200 horsepower, and was by some margin the most powerful twin. In racing circles, it had unfortunately hit its performance ceiling, and Ducati had to make the difficult decision to abandon tradition in favor of performance. What we get with the Superquadro Mono is a faithful reincarnation of that legendary engine, simply chopped in half. Well, obviously, it is not quite as simple as that, but other than the missing cylinder, it is more or less the same engine.
Desmodromic Valve Timing Is An Expensive Ducati Tradition
With performance and improved efficiency becoming a priority across the range, Ducati has ditched Desmodromic valve timing in several models. Both the Granturismo V4 and the new V2 make use of conventional valve springs as well as variable valve timing. The Superquadro Mono bucks this trend, staying faithful to the original engine and sticking with Desmo valves.
Super
Unfortunately, there is a price to pay for tradition. While the regular maintenance intervals are set at 9,000 miles, the highly specialized Desmo service will need to be done at 18,000 miles. An accomplished garage mechanic might be willing to take this on, but it is one of those things that is generally better left to a specialist. As such, it is going to be more expensive than any regular valve clearance service.
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The Hypermotard 698 Makes No Logical Sense, And That Is Why We Love It
Supermotos are already something of a niche product, and bigger supermotos like the Hypermotard 698 don’t really make much sense. While it is light for a street bike, it certainly isn’t anywhere near as light as competition spec bikes. It is incredibly powerful for a single, but it is nowhere near as powerful as bikes that are significantly cheaper. While it has all the features you might expect from a motorcycle at this price point – such as cornering ABS, lean-sensitive traction control, and ride modes (that actually make a difference) – it is not the most practical bike with a seat height of 35.6 inches. It is a niche motorcycle within a niche segment, and simply won’t be for everyone, especially at this price.
A Motorcycle Designed Purely For Fun
The Hypermotard is just a fun bike to ride. It has an exceptional power-to-weight ratio; it is lighter than most smaller displacement bikes, and while it certainly is not the most powerful bike in this price range, it has more than enough power for its intended purpose. The safety features keep the fun in check, but more experienced riders can select ABS Level 1, which switches off the rear ABS and traction control. This is not expressly necessary, though, because the electronics all offer impressive adjustability, and you can dial them in to your preferences without having to simply disengage them.
The Hypermotard won’t win any spec sheet wars, and it is not the most affordable bike in the world. But if you are willing to deal with the tall, relatively uncomfortable seat, this might be the most rewarding motorcycle on the market. It is light and nimble enough to dart through traffic during the week, and more than capable of either carving up a canyon road or tracking over the weekend. If that doesn’t define motorcycling passion, we are not sure what does.
Chassis, Suspension, And Weight Specifications
|
Chassis |
Steel trellis |
|
Front Suspension |
45mm Marzocchi USD fork, fully adjustable |
|
Rear Suspension |
Fully adjustable Sachs monoshock |
|
Weight |
333 lbs (no fuel) |
Source: Ducati