The everyday motorcycle with serious weekend performance

If you can’t handle a little pain, motorcycles may not be for you. Any experienced rider will tell you that it is not a matter of ‘if’ you will fall, but rather a matter of ‘when’. It will not only hurt your body, but also your pride. It’s just part of the experience, but there’s a reason we get up and go again.

The overall experience is well worth the pain. While motorcycles are inherently dangerous vehicles, that’s just part of the thrill; it’s part of why we ride. The level of involvement varies from motorcycle to motorcycle, but if you’re looking for a motorcycle that defines the ‘reward’ of motorcycling rather than the risk, there’s only one thing on your mind.

In order to provide you with the most current and accurate information, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Ducati. While the opinions are ours.

The Ducati Hypermotard 698 is the everyday motorcycle with serious weekend performance

MSRP: $13,995

Like most supermotos, the Hypermotard 698 has a relatively high seat and will certainly not be the most pragmatic choice for smaller people. For the rest of us, it offers a level of sophistication that makes it a lot easier to use than you might expect. With a host of modern safety features and a lightweight chassis, it can truly be used as a commuter. There isn’t much competition in this niche space, but the competition that does exist is just as good.

When Ducati first launched the model, it was the most powerful single in production. This fact clearly stung KTM because the LC4 engine in the 690 SMC R had long held this unofficial title. This year KTM hit back by updating the LC4, adding four horsepower and wresting that title back from Ducati. In reality, the power it has is somewhat debatable, as it has always been about how it delivers its power. Although it has a list of similar features, the SMC R has a seriously wild side and is also a seriously fun motorcycle.

The Husqvarna 701 Supermoto also received an update this year, but is simply a slightly nicer KTM. The only other bike competing in this space is the Suzuki DR-Z4SM. It only has half the horsepower of the KTM, Husky and Ducati, but it’s certainly not half the motorcycle. It will be the more pragmatic choice for those primarily looking for a commuter, offering a similar features list and Japanese reliability.

The Hypermotard 698 has a half V-Twin engine

Power: 78 hp

When the Superquadro V-Twin went out of production, Ducatisti from around the world lamented the demise of the iconic engine. By then it was producing over 200 horsepower and had easily reached its performance ceiling. Although the Superquadro Mono is not a V-twin, it is a tribute to that exceptional powertrain.

The Superquadro Mono uses desmodromic valve timing

Lately, Ducati has moved away from desmodromic valve systems. Both the Granturismo and the recently updated V2 feature conventional valve springs and modern variable valve timing. It is clear that Ducati is moving with the times. Desmo valves were a solution to a problem that simply no longer exists, but by distancing themselves from the system it is undeniable that the brand is losing part of its identity.

The Superquadro Mono is a thoroughly modern engine in most respects, but it retains the demodromic valvetrain inherited from that old twin. It doesn’t quite have half the power of the old V-twin, but it does have almost half the torque. It also has quite long service intervals – every 15,000 kilometers are scheduled – but when it comes time to perform the Desmo service, you’ll just be grinning once you reach 30,000 kilometers.

The Hypermotard 698 has all the necessary modern technology

To be honest, the Hypermotard 698 is not a practical motorcycle. But the fact that it’s packed with modern technology makes it feasible to use it as a commuter. Most importantly, it has riding modes, cornering ABS and hill-sensing traction control. All these safety features help keep the feisty single under control while navigating the city streets. Weighing just 333 pounds (without fuel), it’s also incredibly light and agile enough to tackle even the tightest city streets. However, this is not the primary use case.

Motorcycle pleasure distilled in its purest form

This is a motorcycle designed from the ground up with one purpose: to be a fun motorcycle. In a market dominated by incredibly versatile motorcycles that promise everything to everyone, this motorcycle promises to deliver nothing but the very best rider experience. Unlike the other bikes competing in this field, it is not a renewed or updated platform, but a completely new bike. That means not all technology has been added; It was developed together with the powertrain and chassis so that everything works in harmony.

No spec sheet will be able to validate what a difference this makes, only a test drive. We all want different things from our motorcycles, and most manufacturers have done a fantastic job of making compromises and building machines that can appeal to a broad spectrum of riders. This is not one of those bikes. It will only appeal to a select group of riders who don’t need a bike that can wear many hats, just one, a nice one that almost laughs in the face of logic.

Chassis, suspension and weight specifications