Ducati's dream machine
Nov 3 2009 Harriet Ridley
Ducati's dream machine
THE Ducati Hypermotard's unique take on the Supermoto class went down a storm when it was unveiled as a concept at the 2005 Milan show.
Everybody loved the sleek chassis with its aggressive beak, and Ducati's traditonal underseat exhausts, tubular steel trellis frame and single-sided swingarm. Then there were the original touches such as the fold-in mirrors perched on the end of the handlebars
It was enough to convince Ducati to put an 1,100cc version into production for 2007, which it unveiled it at the 2006 Milan show. Where else?
So with the 2009 Milan Show kicking off, you'd think Ducati would wait until then to unveil its Hypermotard 796. But the manufacturer from Bologna clearly couldn't wait and invited me to try it out now. Perhaps its planned arrival at dealerships as early as December has something to do with it
The engine looks identical to Ducati's traditional 750cc air-cooled motor with its 90º V-twin cylinders and cooling fins. Except it's brand new with an 803cc capacity. Ducati chose the 796 denomination to evoke the legendary 996 superbike.
Other changes include a seat lowered by 20mm, lower specification suspension to keep the bike affordable, a slipper clutch and a lighter frame. The 796 is 12kg lighter than its big brother - which makes it noticeably more agile.
Although supermotards are essentially dirt bikes kitted out for the road, the Hypermotard is built purely for Tarmac. Rather than being impossibly tall like most dirt-derived machines, it's a doddle to keep both feet flat on the ground. This isn't a problem with the 1100 version either, but now even the more vertically-challenged will feel happily confident.
This machine does in fact look different to the way it rides, with none of the compromises of a dirt machine adapted to the road.
The suspension looks tall, yet the forks don't dive drastically as you brake with the powerful radial-mounted Brembo set-up.
The Hypermotard doesn't even lend itself to the leg-out supermotard style you'd expect round the twisties. Instead, it rides more like a sports bike, but without the uncomfortable-over-long-distances race crouch. However, the weight's rear bias does give the 796 a less planted front-end feel round the corners than a dedicated sports machine.
Ducati says the new engine is the most fuel-efficient it's ever built, averaging at just under 60mpg. So despite the relatively small 12-litre tank, you should still manage 120 miles between petrol stops.
Power comes in strong from as low as 2,000rpm and spills over deep into the midrange. The 796 may have lower power and torque figures than its 1,100cc brethren, but 803cc is still a decent capacity - it just stops short at being the wild beast the 1,100 can be. There's none of the loud clatter you'd expect from this type of engine either; instead the unmistakably-Ducati V-twin boom sounds almost liquid-cooled in its smooth running. Even fast down-changes are smooth thanks to the slipper clutch.
The slipper clutch has the added benefit of producing a feather-light clutch lever. Oh how things change Stiff Ducati clutches used to kill my wrist in town. And this is exactly what Ducati set out to do: make its smaller capacity Hypermotard easier for women who have inherently weaker wrists, and novices, to ride.
It's these two growing categories that Ducati wants to appeal to with its new bike. Lets just hope it steals sales from rival manufacturers rather than its own entry-level Monster 696.
Other aspects make this machine ideal for city riding.
The upright riding position is comfortable and spacious and provides a great view of what lies ahead. Meanwhile the wide handlebars give tons of leverage. The above-mentioned mirrors with integrated indicators make the Hypermotard too wide for filtering, but they fold in easily to avoid incurring the wrath of whacked car drivers. The downside is you're left with no rear view But you can always fit the traditional-mounted side mirrors available as an option.
So why choose the 796 over the 1100? At £6,995, the 796 is kinder on the wallet. It's also lighter and more agile, and the smaller capacity better suits the less experienced, or those looking for a sexy alternative to our horrendously expensive public transport.
And if you're lucky enough to make Ducati's Hypermotard 796 your first ever bike, then that's quite some dream first bike.
FAST FACTS
Ducati Hypermotard 796
Price: £6,995 matt colours, £7,195 red or white
Available: December 2009
Engine: 803cc aircooled 90º V-twin
Power: 81bhp
Torque: 55.7lb/ft
Seat height: 825mm
Transmission: Chain final drive, wet slipper clutch
Weight: 167kg
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