Ducati Hypermotard 950: a new synonym of dynamism [ROAD TEST]

Born in 2007 almost like a provocation and a challenge towards other manufacturers, the Ducati Hypermotard it immediately won the hearts of all enthusiasts thanks to its minimalist design and the high performance it was capable of.
The new Hypermotard 950 it is not a revolution but rather an evolution of the previous model, improved from every point of view.

Aesthetics

The design is inspired by the past, in fact many stylistic details recall the solutions that made the first version famous Desmodue 1000.
The bike appears slimmer and more streamlined and also abandons the solution of the short and compact side exhaust in favor of a double under-seat one, more characteristic and original, as in the first version of 2007.
The third generation of Hypermotard reveals its sporty soul thanks to distinctive features such as essentiality, compactness, lightness and a fuel tank 14.5 liters which recalls the style of racing motards.
The particularly sporty and captivating look is accentuated by the double exhaust, the fairings reduced to the essentials, the splendid trellis frame, the short tail and the iconic front end, which has always been a distinctive feature of this model.
The single headlight with lights stands out in the front light cluster DRL (Daytime Running Light) which gives the bike a technological and modern touch that makes it recognizable at a glance.

cycling

The cycling of Hypermotard 950 it was designed to offer maximum dynamism and control when driving. Agile when changing direction, ergonomic and stable when cornering, everything has been optimized to emphasize the characteristics of this model which was created mainly as a fun-bike!
The new steel trellis frame with differentiated section tubes, the inclined steering head 25° and the advance of 104 mm allow stable and safe control, while the wheelbase of 1.493 mm provides plenty of stability and traction.
The rear subframe has a slim and tapered shape in the area where it joins the main frame which has made it possible to create a narrow saddle on the hips, with a crotch arch reduced by 53 mm which allows the rider to touch the ground more easily with both feet.
The aluminum handlebar with variable section supports the radial master cylinders with separate oil tank for brake and clutch, controlled by adjustable levers.
To make the new one even more effective and fun to drive Hypermotad 950 a top-level suspension and braking system has been adopted.
The fork is a Marzocchi with aluminum blades and stems 45 mm of fully adjustable diameter, with wheel travel of 170 mm at the front, while at the rear we find an adjustable Sachs monoshock with travel of 150 mm.
The braking system, entirely supplied by Brembo, boasts a pair of monobloc radial calipers at the front M4.32 a 4 pistons who work on discs from 320 mm in diameter characterized by aluminum flanges (which allowed savings of 600 grams), while at the rear we find a single disc from 245 mm on which a single caliper works 2 pistons.

Motor

All fans of this famous brand choose it not only for its charm or great quality "made in Italy" but above all for its racing DNA and the performance these bikes are capable of.
The engine has always been one of the most important distinctive features of every Ducati and even in this model it is the real star of the show.
La Hypermotard 950 features the latest evolution of the engine Testastretta 11 ° di 937 cm3, lighter than 1,5 kg and more powerful than 4 CV compared to the previous one, it now reaches a power of 114 CV a 9.000 rpm.
The pair, with a maximum peak of 9,8 kgm (About 96,1 Nm) to 7.250 rpm, has a flat curve along almost the entire delivery range which ensures a decisive and constant thrust: already at 3.000 laps is available on80% of the couple!
Performance of this level was achieved thanks to the increase in the compression ratio, the new profile of the exhaust cams and an innovative exhaust system. This engine is powered by a throttle body from 53 mm in diameter and is managed by an engine control unit and a new throttle control Ride-by-wire designed to make the performance of the twin-cylinder extremely manageable.
Other noteworthy innovations are the magnesium clutch and alternator covers, the lightened gear drum, the aluminum belt tensioner, the magnesium head covers and the oil-bath slipper clutch with hydraulic control.

Electronics

Electronics has made giant strides in recent years Ducati, for his Hypermotard 950, has drawn heavily from the world of racing.
This fun-bike boasts cutting-edge electronics based on the use of 6-axis inertial platform, capable of instantly detecting the roll, yaw and pitch angle of the motorcycle.
The electronic package of Hypermotard 950 includes: ABS Cornering EVO with function Slide by Brake (for drifting), traction control (DTC) EVO, wheelie control (DWC) EVO and quickshifter (DQS) EVO active both when downshifting and when engaging gear, available as an option.
They are also available 3 Riding Modes: Sport, for sporty road and track driving, which exploits all 114 hp of the engine associated with the performance-oriented electronics setting; Touring, ideal for city and outdoor travel with electronics that favor comfort and smooth power delivery, promoting clean and fluid driving; Urban, in case of poor grip conditions with the twin-cylinder limited to 75 CV and driving assistance systems set for maximum safety.

Road test

You immediately feel at ease on the bike, the bike is very compact and all the controls are in the right position. The wide handlebars close to the seat and the footrests not too close and set back allow an upright riding position in classic motard style.
Once you set off you are particularly impressed by its agility and lightness which allow it to be tremendously quick in changes of direction and in tight mixed terrain.
Stability, thanks to generous cycling quotas, is good even at high speed and instills great confidence. Unfortunately it is somewhat penalized by the absence of aerodynamic protection which leaves the rider completely exposed to the air, generating turbulence which tends to make the chassis nervous. Nothing worrying or dangerous but the "deck is short" and the lack of aerodynamic protection causes this inconvenience.
Compared to the previous model, its character or driving dynamics have not been changed but many detailed changes have been made which have made the new Hypermotard 950 a little less nervous and demanding to drive.
The racing soul has not disappeared, on the contrary, it remains a thoroughbred purebred but now it is less demanding and a little more polite. It can be used at 360%, both for the classic home-office commute and for weekend rides and occasionally even on the track.
The usability of the Testastretta 11° is exemplary! Less "pointy" than the previous model but much more enjoyable and usable.
It always pushes and at any rotation speed, and is also characterized by good reach.
The only one “neo” concerns the vibrations generated by the engine which can be felt at medium speeds both on the footrests and on the saddle. Over time they can become annoying during long journeys, especially on motorways.
The Sport map is advisable when the asphalt is in perfect condition and on fast sections with wide-ranging curves, or on the track.
For all other driving contexts we found ourselves better with the map Touring which slightly smoothes out the character of the engine making it a little sweeter, especially when reopening the throttle when exiting corners.
The suspensions behaved optimally, digesting, thanks to a softer first phase of travel, any road malformations and keeping the "broadsides" of torque from the twin-cylinder at bay, while the brakes stood out for their high bite, which was almost too aggressive. for road use, and offers excellent performance consistency.
The electronics are free from any criticism: precise, effective and very discreet in their operation. It leaves everything in the hands of the pilot and intervenes only when strictly necessary without sudden cuts in power, it's like a guardian angel... you can't see it but it's always there to lend us a hand.
To conclude we can say that the new Ducati Hypermotard 950 it is a true fan-bike with exhilarating performance and an impactful design. It is very demanding to drive, especially when you increase the pace; it requires physical and mental effort, which is essential for measuring the power of the braking system, which is not insignificant for a road motorbike. However, when you manage to become familiar with this bike, understand its reactions and indulge its racing and rebellious soul, it will bring smiles of pure enjoyment from you.

Color and price

The new Hypermotard 950 it is already available at Ducati dealerships in the color only Ducati Red starting by 12.750 euro.

Benefits

Design
Engine Performance
Driving position
Electronic equipment

Defects

Aerodynamic Protection
Vibrations from the Middle Regimes
Challenging Driving

Photo: Alessandro Ranzenigo