Change of course for Ducati in 2013: the Ducati Hypermotard family rocks in modernity by adopting a very new engine cooled by 821 Cm3 of water, which does not miss potential. Esthetics and it part-cycle is re-examined, the assistance electronics unload: Ducati Hypermotard 2013 and its version SP make clean slate of the past.
The appointment was taken to test the news Ducati Hypermotard and its variation SP on and around the splendid Spanish circuit of Ascari. Even if the practice of the track with this kind of motorcycle is not frankly revealing of its real use, the idea to make rounds on this temple speed made me salivate in advance.
It was not counting on the factor weather: rain, drizzle, gusts of wind, Re-rain… for breaking with bottom of 4, one will pass by again. Good, we nevertheless could roll. And the new generation of Ducati Hypermotard is announced full with promises.
The same one by far, any news of near
You could say: “still Ducati Hypermotard? However Evo is recent…” And you would not have twists. But since 2007, Ducati produced not less than 26,000 Hypermotard and gradually, this motorcycle of a new kind finds its public, even if the family remains far from the bestsellers of the brand.
If only one furtive glance is lent to him, Ducati Hypermotard SP 2013 does not seem quite different from the preceding one, with its red dress, its modified way nozzle Ducati Multistrada 1200 and its beautiful wheels… But, while insisting, one notices the presence of a radiator which indicates the abandonment of air cooling as well as a low line of exhaust.
More closely still, one discovers a new framework drawn to marry with this new engine Testastretta 11° inheriting the technical background of the news Ducati Multistrada 1200. One finally raises the presence of ABS and Ducati Traction Control. Good, go, one makes it crack, this twin!
It sounds small Testastretta well
The sonority of this new engine is not sad. Equipped with a valve, the line of exhaust emits a strong cracking on the small opening of gases, towards 2500 tr/min approximately. Very nice beyond 3,000 tr/min, one easily recognizes bells it positive twin. The motorcycle heats quietly while I settle with the handlebar.
With 870mm height of saddle, I cannot make differently than to play of the points. Moreover, work on the arcade with the crotch does not have what to support my meter seventy. As a result, I will be constrained to sway with each stop. Worse, the absence of pin on the side crutch will finally require that I fold up the side crutch for then climbing on board.
Side ergonomics, I notice that this Ducati Hypermotard 821 is shown more corpulent than the slender extremist 796/1100. “The large” reserve of 16 liters and the liquid engine bulkier are undoubtedly enough to explain that. I make knowledge with the instrument panel ultra compact and rich in information while the drops of rain come to disturb the digital display. This rain will not release us any more.
A twin-cylinder full with potential
The last Ducati productions, like Ducati Street fighter 848, present sometimes an odd ergonomics. The Hypermotard news wants to be more conventional. Admittedly, the right boot makes contact with the casings, but the right position, drawn aside arms as it appears natural are necessary. Of good omen for the catch in hands, frankly easy thanks to a radius turning short and flexible controls, with a special mention for the clutch. The selection, it, proves rather hard, but my motorcycle of test displays only 100 km with the meter: to confirm during a forthcoming test.
At the end of a few minutes, I try to move it on the saddle, without much result. The saddle punt and lengthened old generations left room to a base dug standard roadster, on which one cannot move too much. The rain streams on the tank for better putting at evil my equipment while we roll at peaceful rhythm in the large curves in the neighborhoods of Ronda. Ducati is let guide easily, and the engine shows a voluntary character.
The feeling of couple is satisfactory, and the goings beyond with mid–mode reveal a skilled of foot to the buttocks, whereas one could expect a linear character on behalf of a modern mechanics.
Admittedly, with the liking of the recoveries with bottom or mid–mode, one notes that Testastretta 821 does not have the couple of tractor of the 1100, but strength between 3,500 tr/min and 6,500 tr/min is very pleasant, effective and sufficient of everyday usage. The calibration of the wrinkle by wire is quite carried out: according to the way in which one opens the gas handle, the motorcycle leaps or rolls up, in accordance with what one wishes. MV Agusta should be inspired some.
Acceleration, of 2500 tr/min at the entrance of the red zone on a given report, shows a start of the rather vigorous motorcycle in bottom and a push more marked on the lengthening-piece with high mode without giving the feeling to be hollow in the medium. Not bad of the whole!
ABS catches up with a not very progressive braking
The climatic conditions did not enable us to roll as one would need it with such a motorcycle. Nevertheless, we noticed a nose gear just, even if one can better find in the range, with Ducati Monster 1100 Evo for example. The position of right control and the suspensions more flexible must play, but to roll up the turns with the news, Ducati Hypermotard does not raise any difficulty. Sometimes, to tighten a point of cord generates one ounce of resistance, but a test under good conditions will be necessary to confirm it.
The feeling of general lightness dominates and the arm of lever offered by the large handlebar allows the typical audacity of this family of motorcycle. On muddy roads, the ABS of series is reassuring, the more so as the not very progressive braking which can bite the discs frankly whereas one drew only little on the lever. The top-of-the-range radial Master-cylinder of version SP offers better a feeling. With the wire of the kilometers, one takes confidence and one tries to play a little. Pleasant surprise, embarked electronics muzzles neither the performances, nor approval.
In Sport mode, if one draws on the clutch, one can start an aft wheel and electronics does not cut the operation brutally. In touring mode, the engine always develops 110 horses, and hardly shows itself lazy if it is teased. In Rain mode, it crumbles more. What is pleasant, it is that one remains Master on board and, with the help of some adjustments, it will be possible to work assistances with the chart while surfing in the various menus and by memorizing its choices. Moreover, even if these adjustments require time, navigation is much more accessible than on the first generation of Ducati Multistrada: a true progress.
Assessment: More general-purpose, but less typified
At the end of this sprinkled test, the new generation of Ducati Hypermotard SP 2013 is announced promising. The engine conceals an interesting potential, performances with the endorsement and more character than envisaged. It is already well. Concerning the behavior, the conditions of the test leave a taste of unfinished inevitably.
Not as the particular fault, except a braking rather not very progressive on the standard version and can be a little dry suspensions for a supermotard. One will retain the total evolution of the “product” Hypermotard, from now on more qualitative, with an always remarkable level of completion.
Ducati Hypermotard 2013 is more high tech, inheriting on the way all the modern assistances. She announces herself more general-purpose with her ABS of series, her more raised autonomy and her spaced revisions. Remain that the fans will regret the large couple in bottom and the agility of ballerina of the 1100, while the potential buyers from small the 796 will have to make friend-friend with their banker.
Sold 11,490 € or 14,590 € in version SP, the new generation of Ducati Hypermotard has fallen under the strategy premium installation by Ducati for several seasons. And according to the official discourse, it is not close changing.
