Ducati Hypermotard 1100

More grounded riders will be sure to notice that practical aspects have been pushed into the background, but what do you expect? A Ferrari will never be as easy to live with as a BMW…

 

Having said that, the entirely digital instrumentation keeps its cards close to its chest. Although seemingly very compact, it actually contains an impressive amount of information, from clock to service indicator and fuel reserve warning light, battery level and even onboard stopwatch! What’s more, Ducati even offers an optional data acquisition system (£174.96), which operates with a USB key that is connected to the machine! More useful on such a beautiful motorcycle, one also finds an electronic immobiliser with coded key.

Once in the saddle, the lightness and finesse of the Hypermotard seem a good omen in terms of ease of riding. In fact, those used to motorcycles with character will be able to get to grips with it immediately, but novices may be nonplussed by a rather stylised riding position – tipped well forwards with arms spread wide, supermotard-style.

 

In town, it is wonderfully agile, allowing you to thread your way through traffic jams with ease. Watch out when braking in poor weather conditions, though: the brake system is extremely powerful and requires skill to curb the inclination to lock (there is no ABS, even optional).

 

On the open road, like all Ducatis, this Hypermotard requires a certain technical knowledge to reveal its true capabilities. It is quite a physical motorcycle and needs a lot of rider involvement. Not always relaxing, showing who’s boss, on the other hand, proves very rewarding, with the motorcycle tracking with incredible precision.

 

The ridiculous fuel range of the tiny 12.4 litre fuel tank (170 km/105 miles before reserve) means that frequent refuelling stops are necessary, which is annoying when travelling longer distances. Even more of a shame since the seating encourages long trips, even with a passenger.

The Hypermotard borrows the engine of its sibling, the Multistrada. The venerable air-cooled L-Twin engine is now powered by electronic injection and equipped with twin spark ignition. With displacement increased to 1,078 cc, output is 90 hp, which is more than enough to have fun on all types of road, particularly since this unit is not lacking in character. A very Latin character, to tell the truth, so you need to understand its needs in order to get the best from it.

 

The rev range remains relatively narrow, which requires frequent use of the gearbox; this is not too penalising insofar as the Ducati hydraulic clutch has made good progress in terms of smoothness. The considerable torque (10.5 kg-m) enables you to benefit continuously from good engine pickup, and fly from one bend to the next.

 

Making its absence felt over long distances, the total lack of wind protection turns into an advantage when it dissuades you from riding too fast...