Ducati Hypermotard 698 Mono – First Look

Refined, lightweight, and fun, the new Ducati Hypermotard 698 Mono sets a new benchmark in the Supermotard world. 

Ducati has once again defied the limits of two-wheeled engineering with its latest revelation, the Ducati Hypermotard 698 Mono. The new Italian offering fuses a raw Supermotard racing charm—bare-bones, trim, and assertive—with Ducati’s hallmark of clean design and meticulous attention to detail. This melding delivers a motorcycle that is both svelte and muscular. The bike’s minimalistic bodywork underscores its Ducati racing heritage and accentuates the towering stature of the new Superquadro Mono engine. Its lofty, flat saddle, high-set front fender, angular rear end, and racer-style number plates all underscore its Supermotard DNA.

True to Ducati’s design ethos, the motorcycle sports five-spoke alloy wheels with a “Y” configuration that melds athletic appeal with the benefits of reduced weight. A standout feature is the dual exhausts, perched high beside the rear end—a nod to both the Hypermotard family’s signature and racing Supermotards. At the forefront, a super-compact LED headlamp with the daytime running light (DRL) functionality showcases a dual “C” shaped illumination, ensuring the Hypermotard 698 Mono stands out. This distinctive lighting motif is echoed in the taillight design.

The Hypermotard 698 Mono’s playful and spirited character shines through especially in the RVE edition, which boasts the exclusive ‘Graffiti’ paint scheme. This special design was crafted using water transfer decals, aiming for intricate and sophisticated graphics that draw inspiration from the vibrant world of street art.

The Ducati Hypermotard 698 Mono introduces the groundbreaking Superquadro Mono engine, a significant addition to the Borgo Panigale single-cylinder lineup that sets a new standard for performance in road bikes. Derived from the 1299 Panigale’s 1,285 cc Superquadro, this engine maintains the 116 mm bore, an unprecedented size for a single-cylinder road bike. It pairs this with a 62.4 mm stroke, culminating in a 659 cc displacement, and incorporates highly advanced features.

Equipped with a box-in-box piston, titanium intake valves, an aluminum cylinder sleeve, a piston pin with DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) coating, and the quintessential Desmodromic valve control, the Superquadro Mono achieves rotational speeds usually only seen in race-specific single-cylinder engines, with a rev limiter set at 10,250 rpm. It produces a peak power of 77.5 hp at 9,750 rpm.

The torque curve peaks at a substantial 6.4 kgm at 8,000 rpm, unfolding in a smooth and progressive manner that riders will appreciate during spirited riding. Additionally, with the Termignoni racing exhaust equipped for track use, the power is boosted by 7 horsepower, hitting an astonishing peak of 84.5 hp, setting another benchmark for single-cylinder performance.

The Hypermotard 698 Mono’s design boasts a Supermotard aesthetic that is minimalist yet aggressive, blended with Ducati’s signature design cues of clean lines and surfaces. The slim profile accentuates the vertical thrust of the new Superquadro Mono engine, while elements like the high front mudguard, sharp tail, and rear number plates nod to its racing DNA. At the heart of this beast lies the new Superquadro Mono engine, a single-cylinder marvel that originates from the powerful and polished twin-cylinder of the 1299 Panigale. It features a record 116 mm bore piston, a combustion chamber, titanium intake, and steel exhaust valves. 

The Hypermotard 698 Mono comes with an array of electronic features that stand as the most comprehensive in its segment, encompassing many systems found on the Panigale V4 and tailored specifically for it. Riders will benefit from an integrated ABS Cornering, Ducati Traction Control, Ducati Wheelie Control, Engine Brake Control, Ducati Power Launch, and Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) Up/Down—the latter being a purchasable add-on for the base model and a standard inclusion on the RVE edition.

With four preset riding modes (Sport, Road, Urban, and Wet), the Hypermotard 698 Mono automatically assigns default settings for Engine Mode (adjustable across three levels), DTC, EBC, and ABS, all of which the rider can customize. A 3.8″ LCD display ensures data is easy to read, with white lettering against a black background, mirroring the Panigale V4’s approach that includes a gear shift indicator and a redline alert.

The Hypermotard 698 Mono is the first in Ducati’s lineup to offer four ABS levels. Two of these levels feature Slide-by-Brake, a system that enables controlled, consistent cornering during sporty track riding. Level 3 ABS initiates Slide-by-Brake when the rear brake is applied during dynamic track braking, offering a manageable yaw angle. This setting is particularly suitable for novices who are keen to experiment with sliding into corners. With this level, rear slides are more controllable, ensuring fun and safety. At level 2 ABS, Slide-by-Brake accommodates a greater sliding angle for more pronounced corner-entry power slides. This mode caters to riders experienced in sliding who still appreciate the safety net of the ABS. For skilled riders preferring manual control over slides, level 1 allows for front-only ABS activation, excluding the cornering feature, offering a purer power slide experience on the track. The bike’s ABS provides a level 4 setting, optimized for low-traction conditions, ensuring stability and safety, automatically paired with the Wet Riding Mode by default.

Wheelie Control comes in four distinct levels. Levels 4, 3, and 2 focus on maximizing corner-exit acceleration while limiting front wheel lift. Level 1 is track-oriented, allowing the front to lift in a controlled, safe manner, balancing performance with excitement.

For track days, there’s an optional Ducati Performance software upgrade for Ducati Wheelie Control. This exclusive accessory requires the non-street-legal Termignoni Ducati Performance exhaust and introduces Wheelie Assist. This advanced feature aids riders in performing and maintaining wheelies, managing the bike’s angle with precise torque output from the engine.

The Hypermotard 698 Mono stands out with its svelte form, tipping the scales at 332.9 pounds, dry. This feat of engineering is achieved through innovative elements like its trellis frame, crafted with varying sections and thicknesses that manage to be both robust and light, weighing in at just 15.87 pounds. It melds strength, flexibility, and minimal weight to impressive effect. Additionally, the die-cast wheels shave off 1.1pounds compared to their spoked counterparts, and the aluminum flange brake discs are 17% lighter than traditional steel ones. The advanced Marzocchi fork is also a featherweight champion at only 17.86 pounds, fully adjustable and equipped with external settings, sporting upside-down forks with 45 mm aluminum sliders.

The bike’s sleek, dual-sided swingarm operates through a progressive linkage that controls a fully customizable rear shock. The wheels, adorned with Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV tires, measure 120/70 ZR 17 in the front and 160/60 ZR 17 in the rear.

For stopping power, the Hypermotard 698 Mono employs a unique 330 mm disc at the front, specifically crafted by Brembo for this model, fitted with a radial Brembo M4.32 caliper. The rear brake also stands out with its own 240 mm dedicated disc.

The riding stance is engineered for peak control during spirited riding, accommodating both traditional upright positions and aggressive, knee-down styles. The handlebar’s variable section ensures a commanding posture, enhancing rider mobility. The positioning is further customizable with eccentric U-bolts.

The design of the footpegs optimizes the bike’s lean angle, and the removal of rubber inserts allows for increased grip with racing boots on the track, thanks to a special treatment on the edge. The bike’s slender upper frame and the flat seat, lined with an optimized grip material, ease movement transitions for the rider.

Riders eager to harness the Hypermotard 698 Mono’s robust performance on the track can discover a range of enhancements in the Ducati Performance catalog. This begins with the Termignoni racing exhaust system, a competition-grade seat, motard-style footpegs, and both sliders and protective guards for the engine crankcases.

Additionally, an assortment of carbon fiber parts are available to reduce the weight of the Ducati’s single-cylinder engine and give it a more formidable appearance. This includes everything from the frontal trim to the exhaust manifold’s heat guard, and even includes a road-legal muffler crafted from titanium and carbon fibre. For those aiming to further refine the motorcycle’s look, a selection of aluminum components precision-machined from solid blocks are on offer. These include brake and clutch levers, their corresponding fluid reservoirs, a stylized fuel cap, and animated turn signals.

Availability will soon grace Ducati dealerships, with the $14,495 Ducati Hypermotard 698 Mono offered in classic Ducati Red or the striking RVE model with ‘Graffiti’ livery.

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