On Track Off Road No.184

TEST
Ducati’s Hypermotard has been the
archetypal hooligan machine ever
since its launch in 2007. Back
then, the Hyper was an 1100cc aircooled
V-twin; all sharp-nosed supermoto style,
wheelie-happy performance, unapologetically
up-yours attitude and as much practicality
and common sense as a delinquent
teenager.
Since then Ducati have revised the Hyper
several times, notably when giving it a
new 821cc liquid-cooled engine in 2013,
and enlarging it to create the Hypermotard
939 three years ago. The Italian
firm has managed to make the hardcore
V-twin slightly more versatile, comfortable
and even sensible without detracting
from the urban outlaw image or sense of
crazy fun that have always been key attributes.
This year’s updated models, the Hypermotard
950 and upmarket 950 SP, represent
another step towards sophistication
and sense, again with the aim of ensuring
that this doesn’t spoil the party. In tune
with the 2019 theme of mid-sized bikes
adopting open-class electronics, both Hypers’
key addition is arguably an IMC (Inertial
Measurement Unit) that allows cornering
ABS and high-level traction control.
The 90-degree V-twin engine is tweaked,
though typically the Hypermotard 950
name doesn’t signify a change in capacity,
which remains 937cc. Increased compression
ratio and new camshafts add a few
horsepower to bring the total to 114bhp at
9000rpm. A new high-level exhaust also
helps although its main benefit is a clear
view of the rear wheel on its single-sided
swing-arm.
The engine mods save some weight, contributing
to a 4kg saving that drops the
kerb weight to 200kg, or 2kg less for the
SP with its fancy forged Marchesini wheels
and carbon-fibre front mudguard and engine
covers.