2010 Ducati Hypermotard 1100 Evo

The introduction of the 1100EVO further enhances the original Hypermotard concept of 'ruling the road'. The wide, tapered section handlebars continue to transfer control of the asphalt to the rider and the full length seat still eases the fore and aft movement for extreme riding. The difference now is that it does it all better than before.

A new super-light dry weight of 172kg (379lb) and an increase of power to 95hp is the result of an intense program of redesigns and refinements intended to be the 'evolution' of the Hypermotard.

Continued chassis development to the Hypermotard resulted in an improved frame layout which eliminated almost all of the heavier forged elements used on the previous model. The new rigidly triangulated Trellis frame and track-tested chassis geometry is matched by a state-of-the-art suspension. 50mm Marzocchi forks are gripped by a sturdy triple screw lower fork clamp for precise steering performance. These forks work as impressively as they look, with special high rigidity stainless steel sliders and external adjustability for compression and rebound damping, plus spring pre-load. The rear suspension performs with equal precision by using a fully adjustable ZF Sachs shock mounted to a robust single-sided swingarm.

Lightweight wheels mounted on large diameter axles are fitted with Pirelli Diablo Rosso tyres. Stopping power is controlled by two radially mounted Brembo 4-piston callipers gripping lightweight 305mm twin discs up front, and a 245mm disc at the rear. All of this combines to make stopping as thrilling as accelerating.

The Desmodue 1100 Evoluzione

The lightweight, L-Twin stands at the pinnacle of more than three decades of Desmo air-cooled development and its torquey power delivery has excited riders worldwide. Its latest evolution is positively awesome and makes it the perfect engine to give its name to the Hypermotard 1100EVO.

The 1100cc Desmodue Evoluzione power unit continues to use a bore and stroke of 98x71.5mm, but its long list of refinements have boosted its power by 5hp to 95hp (69.9kW) @ 7500rpm with 76lb-ft (10.5kgm) of torque @ 5750rpm giving it outstanding power delivery, from grunting low rpms to the singing howl at redline.

The 1100's crankcases are now vacuum cast using the same Vacural® technology employed for the lightweight Superbike engines, a process that achieves significant weight saving and ensures consistent wall thickness and increased strength.

But the crankcases were just the starting point of the evolution. Apart from the new magnesium alternator cover, the 1100 now has a lighter crankshaft assembly by using an 848 Superbike flywheel and the search for further weight reduction even went as far as using lightweight rare-earth magnets for the generator assembly. The result reduced the 1100 power unit's weight by a staggering 5.2kg (11.5lb) and contributed towards making the Hypermotard 1100EVO even more agile.

Power gains have come not only from the new lightweight crankshaft assembly, but also from an evolution of the top-end of the Desmodue power unit. The cylinder head, which now has improved lubrication and cooling performance, also has a redesigned inlet port shape for optimum flow and a modified combustion chamber shape for improved burn efficiency. This improved efficiency is the result of a higher compression ratio and the change to a single spark per cylinder ignition now managed by high-speed Siemens electronics.

Ensuring a sufficient feed to the higher compression set-up is an improved flow airbox intake duct and increased valve lift for maximum volumetric efficiency.

The incredible valve performances of the Desmodue engine are only possible because of Ducati's unique Desmodromic system, where valve closure is activated mechanically. At high rpm it would be almost impossible for the valve to follow the steep closure profile of the cam lobe if it were relying upon a normal valve spring. With the Desmo system, the valve is closed mechanically with the same accuracy as it is opened, enabling steep cam profiles and radical cam timings. This system is used on every single Ducati power unit including their world-beating Superbike and Desmosedici MotoGP engines.

In keeping with its extreme character, Ducati continue to use the 'dry' racing-style clutch for the Hypermotard 1100, the popular preference of thousands of Ducatisti the world over. The clutch and alternator covers are finished in carbon grey for the 1100EVO and in gold for the 1100EVO SP.

A new oil cooler with 85% more cooling area protects the increased power output of the Hypermotard 1100EVO whether ridden on the open roads or through stop-start urban traffic. Conforming to Euro3 regulations, the 2-1-2 exhaust system is now monitored by twin lambda probes to ensure the most efficient fuel injection under all conditions. The exhaust terminates with Ducati-famous twin under-seat mufflers.

Having more experience and success with twin-cylinder high performance engines than any other manufacturer, the air-cooled L-Twin remains central to Ducati's philosophy of motorcycling. This experience, plus constant investment in quality by design, advanced materials and engineering techniques, has enabled the distance between service intervals to increase to 12,000km (7,500 miles) making Ducati ownership even more enjoyable than ever.