2010 Ducati Hypermotard
More Hyper than ever
The Hypermotard family expands for 2010 with the
addition of the exciting new Hypermotard 796, the
new and enhanced Hypermotard 1100EVO and the extreme
Hypermotard 1100EVO SP.
Hot on the heels of its early model year 2010 launch
in October, the lightweight 796 is now joined by an
evolution of the 1100 model that rolls out at an incredible
7kg (15.5lb) lighter and 5hp more powerful than the
original.
And if further weight reduction and more punch wasn't
already enough on a bike that was built to thrill,
the Hypermotard 1100EVO SP pushes the limits even
further with a model intended to perform on the track
as well as the street.
The latest evolution models, in addition to the new
796, represent Ducati's continued excitement in the
Hypermotard concept and their commitment to the family's
future development. Many features of the new models
were in response to requests from Ducatisti worldwide
and represent the factory's ongoing ability to respond
to direct owner feedback .
The Hypermotard prototype was an instant success
when first shown in Milan at the end of 2005 and soon
became a top seller when its production started in
2007. Since then, its unique design has excited riders
around the world and praise for this thrilling and
versatile bike has never stopped – and neither
has its evolution.
Now, the range is more Hyper than ever.
So what's all the hype for 2010?
The original Hypermotard was built to thrill, with
its dirtbike stance, empowering, asphalt-attacking
riding position and enough torque on tap to elicit
a smile with each twist of the throttle. But what
could really be changed to make it better? Ducati
applied their usual engineering process of evolution
to an already successful model by improving it in
the two most effective ways possible: Less weight
and more power.
Lighter Trellis frame
The quick and precise handling that the Hypermotard
provides is down to the construction and geometry
of its famous Trellis frame. Its ability to handle
the abundant torque from the L-Twin engine and its
rigidity under powerful Brembo braking are just a
few reasons why Ducati's chassis department would
never want to change it. But it could be made lighter.
They realised that almost all of the heavy forged
sections of the construction could be completely removed
without reducing its strength or its performance,
so they applied it to the entire family.
Lighter, more powerful engines
While the chassis department were busy reducing the
weight of the frame, the engine department went back
to the drawing board for the 796 and started with
a clean sheet of paper. Their complete redesign of
the crankcases rewarded them with an incredible saving
of 1.2kg (2.64lb) compared to the 696 castings, and
the new 796 crankshaft with 848-style flywheel further
reduced the overall engine weight to an impressive
1.9kg (4.2lb) savings over the 696 power unit. And
with 81hp (59.6kW) of smooth and flexible power, the
796 is a very credible package.
The 1100 air-cooled Desmodue Evoluzione engine truly
is an 'evolution' – both in power and weight
– and is responsible for the model name extension
1100 EVO. Engineers used the same Vacural® technology
employed for the lightweight Superbike engines when
they vacuum die-cast the Hypermotard 1100 crankcases,
a process that achieves a significant weight saving
and ensures consistent wall thickness and increased
strength. This process – combined with the lightweight
crankshaft assembly that uses an 848-style flywheel
and use of lighter rare-earth magnets in the alternator
– reduced the 1100 power unit's weight by a
staggering 5.2kg (11.5lb). Couple those savings with
a 5hp boost to 95hp (69.9kW) and it becomes clear
why there's all the hype.
Compact and efficient, the Desmodue engine's hyper-lightweight
and narrow L-Twin layout, no wider than a single cylinder,
ensures that all Hypermotards remain lean and agile.
The air-cooled design eliminates the need for water
radiators, hoses, reservoirs and pumps, keeping the
motorcycle's weight down to a minimum and its lines
clean and race-like.
New controls and instrumentation
The entire Hypermotard family now inherits the electronic
advances made in the compact and user-friendly switchgear
and instrumentation first created for the Streetfighter.
The slim-line switch bodies house easy-to-use switches
and buttons, and feature a unique weapons-like 'trigger
catch' that slides down to cover the starter button
when the kill-switch is activated. Their minimalist
design fits perfectly in the clean and essential lines
of the Hypermotard's sporting image.
Looking clean and purposeful, the display provides
an extensive amount of data including speed, revs,
time, oil temperature, battery voltage, A & B
trips, fuel reserve trip and scheduled maintenance,
while the warning lights illuminate for neutral, turn
signals, high-beam, rev-limit, oil pressure and fuel
reserve. In addition, it can list recorded lap times
by using the high-beam flash button as a stopwatch.
Both the 1100EVO and 1100EVO SP use a white back-lighting
while the 796 uses an orange back-lighting.
The instrument display also doubles as a control
panel for the activation of the Ducati Data Analyser
(DDA) system, which is available as an accessory from
Ducati Performance for the 'system-ready' Hypermotard
796 and 1100EVO and supplied as standard equipment
on the 1100EVO SP. The DDA-intended USB connection
port under all of the Hypermotard seats doubles as
a charging point for a handy new battery charger,
which is available as an accessory from Ducati Performance.
Hyper mirrors
Ducati pushed motorcycle design limits to find an
innovative solution for the original Hypermotard mirrors
and these are now used throughout the family. The
challenge of maintaining a clean, racing look around
the handlebar area motivated the design of the folding
mirror concept which is based on the handguards typically
found on off-road bikes. Flipped out for high visibility
street mode and easily folded in for a quick change
to 'Hypermode', the mirror handguard assemblies also
integrate the LED directional indicators for an even
cleaner front-end.
Lighting and indicators
The headlamp uses a highly compact lighting shape
which blends with the single piece nose fairing and
front fender moulding, while the rear light employs
a specially designed strip of LEDs enhanced by a high
diffusion lens shaped into the sleek lines of the
tailpiece. The same LEDs are intensified under braking.
The front directional indicators also employ the latest
in LED technology for illumination, and are ingeniously
integrated into the handguards which support the foldable
rear view mirrors.
Tailpiece
The high intensity LED rear light assembly is moulded
into a unique tailpiece positioned high behind the
seat. The supporting structure has been designed so
that the under tray of the tailpiece is formed perfectly
to offer a sturdy pair of pillion grab-handles. This
ingenious solution not only helps to merge the rear
light into the Hypermotard styling but also provides
a safe grip for the passenger.
Footpegs
Rider footpegs on all of the Hypermotard models have
removable rubber inserts to expose the serrated metal
edge and increase boot grip on the peg during extreme
riding. The 1100EVO and 1100EVO SP provide a further
minimalist and no-compromise feature by having removable
passenger footpegs. This attention to detail enables
a clean 'monoposto' look when on the track, while
allowing a fast and easy change to 'biposto' for the
street.
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