Ducati Hypermotard 698 Mono Review – Red-hot Single

A Hypermotard that has something in common with a 1299 Panigale. The wait was worth it.

Story: Joshua Varghese
Photography: Kalidas M

The Ducati Hypermotard 698 Mono is a motorcycle that no one asked for and that is, perhaps, why it ranks so high in my list of unforgettable motorcycle experiences. Although we did not know what to expect from such a unique motorcycle, we were highly impressed by the end of our time with it. At its core, it is a toy, an engineering marvel brought about by Ducati simply because they could. Although purely a supermotard, this motorcycle’s roots emerge from one of its most violent and hallowed siblings, the formidable 1299 Panigale.

The new Superquadro Mono is among the most sophisticated and largest single-cylinder engines ever made and it is essentially one half of the 1299 Panigale’s V-twin. Common elements between them include the 116-millimetre piston, combustion chamber, titanium intake and steel exhaust valves, and Desmodromic valvetrain. It is a liquid-cooled, four-valve, single-cylinder engine that develops 77.5 hp at 9,750 rpm and a peak torque of 63 Nm at 8,000 rpm. While the bore is the same, this engine uses a longer stroke than the 1299’s unit and that has lowered the red-line to 10,250 rpm. Power output and delivery can be further customized by choosing one of the three power modes, levels of traction control, and so on. As is customary, I did go through a few combinations but when I arrived at the Sport map with the maximum power, it was clear that it suited the character of the motorcycle best. The violence of its acceleration and the aggressiveness of its throttle response feel more natural than intimidating.

It has the charm that makes single-cylinder engines endearing and this is a unit that loves to rev. The first gear is fairly tall and that enables one to tap into the power for longer before having to shift up. The hooligans among us may be interested to note that a spirited roll-on to full throttle is all that is needed to get some sunlight under the front wheel through the first three gears. In what can only be described as masterful engineering or pure magic, Ducati have managed to infuse a sense of fun into this motorcycle’s soul, something we feel is lacking in a lot of motorcycles today.

Despite all the electronic layers, the connection between one’s right wrist and the rear wheel feels so direct that it invites one to approach throttle control differently. It does not demand a specific technique to offer its best. Rather, it accommodates a smooth, flowing riding style as easily as it complies with a rowdy approach. As a big single, one may not expect much refinement from this engine but it did surprise us with reasonably low levels of vibrations.

On a crisp summer morning, with a nice stretch of road all to ourselves, we discovered the Hyper’s multiple personalities. Clicking through the gears with the slick bi-directional quick-shifter, the motorcycle was happy to flow from one corner to the next. However, it was happier still to be wrung through each gear. Many of us are guilty of reaching for a single potato chip and then helping ourselves to a few more; the Hyper is a bit like that. It has a tendency to introduce even the mildest of motorcyclists to the latent maniac they keep subdued.

One of the things I properly enjoyed about this motorcycle was the ease with which it changed direction and the way one could transfer weight on it. Which is, honestly, nothing short of a dance on two wheels. The chassis is superbly communicative, as if the motorcycle is fluently speaking a dialect that it shares only with its rider, and the best part is that the language feels intuitive. Some of this clarity is due to the adjustable suspension at either end. The set-up can be tuned to one’s needs and a setting that maximizes the motorcycle’s agility is the one we would recommend.

By using a steel trellis frame, aluminium swing-arm, and other lightweight componentry, Ducati have kept the weight low at 151 kilograms (without fuel) which adds positively to the Hyper’s incredible handling. The long, flat seat and relaxed rider triangle allow one to move around on the motorcycle with ease, which means it can accommodate multiple riding styles.

There is ample support from the Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV tyres and the feedback allows one to make an informed decision about pushing their limits. Among our favourite equipment on this Hyper is the front brake which has been made by Brembo especially for this motorcycle. The bite on the 330-millimetre front disc is intense and there is rich feedback at the lever. So much so that one finger is all it takes to get the rear wheel in the air in a controlled manner. As with all modern Ducatis, the electronic suite is beyond reproach. They have even programmed the ABS to assist with sliding the rear when entering a corner, so that new riders can practise that skill in a safe manner.

Given the lack of supermotards in our market, the Hyper’s timeless design is unique even today and, at first glance, it looks like a slightly scaled-down version of its predecessors. With a wheelbase of 1,443 mm, it is a compact motorcycle and the 12-litre fuel-tank is enough to make this an urban riot. Ducati’s choice of placing two silencers under the seat may have contributed to the overall weight but it is certainly worth it because it elevates the motorcycle’s visual appeal and the dual-pipe symphony is a perfect soundtrack for the Hyper’s antics.

The instrument console is a basic digital unit and it is a refreshing departure from the tablets we see on most motorcycles today. Navigating through the menus is easy and there is no overload of information. The only thing we missed was the fuel-gauge in the home screen.

It is fast, outrageously fun, easy to manage, and reasonably comfortable, which makes the Hyper a toy that everyone would want but like most good playthings, this one is also expensive. At Rs 16.50 lakh (ex-showroom), the Hyper 698 Mono is more expensive that the larger Hyper 950; a downside of the Customs Duty levied on imported motorcycles below 800 cc. At that price, logic dictates that one pass this up for the 950 but the 698 Mono stands alone for the kind of fun it offers. A representative from the Ducati dealership in Pune told us that as many as four of these motorcycles had already been bought.

We believe the price ensures that the purchase of a Hypermotard 698 Mono is a decision stemming from passion than logic. Here is one more piece of information. If one opts for the Termignoni performance exhaust (not street-legal), then one could also consider the Wheelie Assist software which is supposed to help the rider carry prolonged wheelies. That gives new supermotard riders a safe way to learn the skills needed to make the most of such a capable machine.