As seen in the image, a test mule was recently spotted in Italy, and on closer inspection it resembles a Ducati Hypermotard. Well, it IS the upcoming Hypermotard, and as per documents filed and homologation procedures completed in usa in 2022, the results seem to have materialized. Ducati’s are very well known for their 11° Testastretta L twin engines and more recently the V4’s. All these are very torquey and eager engines in their states of tune but this, a single cylinder format is a first.
The engine is a 659cc 4 valve unit capable of pumping 75 bhp which is quite street friendly but still good amount of power. When this comes out, this supermoto style Ducati will sit alongside the likes of KTM SMC 690 and Husqvarna Vitpilen 701. (Aprilia’s Dorsoduro range is unfortunately defunct)
Apart from the heavy camouflage on the bike, this Hypermotard carries the same looks of the elder sibling with a sharp front beak and under-tail exhaust. Here, the bike carries a double sided swingarm, tubular steel frame, USD forks and linked rear monoshock setup. It also carries Quick Shifter and hydraulic clutch. Aluminum swingarm and subframe is present, as well as aluminum rims which means Ducati has taken efforts to reduce the weight. This might prove to be way lighter than the 950/1200 Hypermotards and Monsters which are known to carry good weight despite their size.
A formal debut it EICMA 2023 is likely, and so are possibilities of launch in markets like India and South East Asia/ China. If prices are attractive, this baby ‘motard could definitely make great sense in India compared to the lineup Ducati offers presently.
