2024 Ducati Hypermotard Mono review | This new supermoto will take your riding to the next level

With a seat height of 904mm, the Hypermotard is a tall beast. But thanks to it being not only so light, but also so thin it’s easy to move around, and friendly at slow speeds with a sharp turning cycle too. As a light and nimble machine for navigating city traffic, the 698 Mono ticks all the right boxes, and there’s more than enough space onboard to cater for a larger rider.

It’s just as happy being ridden harder, though, with bar and peg placements meaning that knee down is easily achievable, as is leg down if you’d prefer, with a riding position that feels supernaked-esque in its application and not to heavily supermoto biased.

The chassis feels competent, and has the ability to give loads of feel, especially through the front end. With a minimal amount of un-sprung weight it’s really precise and agile, yet it offers this without comprising too much in terms of stability. However, on regular-sized tracks or under heavy road-riding conditions with longer, harder braking zones, the Hypermotard will benefit from additional support on the front end under braking, which is possible thanks to the fully adjustable suspension.

Talking of which, although the Hypermotard is ‘only’ equipped with a single caliper and brake disc, the Brembo M4.32 and 330mm disc offers more than enough bite, power and feel to cope with the 160kg (when fuelled) of machine that it’s stopping.

Ducati’s new superquadro mono motor is the most powerful production single ever, and it certainly packs a punch. Derived from the twin cylinder 1299 Panigale engine, it has the same big 116mm piston (a record for a production single) along with an incredibly short stroke of 62.4mm and a high 13.1:1 compression ratio, which really gives it a shed-load of peak power.

Although it packs over 46lb.ft of torque, it’s at the top end where the Hypermotard makes its power, pulling all the way to the redline at 10,250rpm. Making its peak power at 9,750rpm, it really needs to be revved in order to get the most out of it, pulling at its hardest when its nearing the limiter. Unlike other singles it doesn’t quite have that same brute force of torque at the very bottom end, yet there’s enough on tap to keep things interesting and it means that the application is smooth as well.

The gearbox and quickshifter system (standard on the RVE) work in perfect harmony, with a responsive feel through the gear lever that works wonders up and down the ‘box. There are also longer gear ratios which have been modelled on the Panigale V4, which means that first and second aren’t too brutal in their application, with a throttle response that isn’t jerky on its initial pick up either.

This is aided by a new, hydraulic slipper clutch system, which is up there with the very best units that Ducati have ever fitted to one of their machines. Not only is it light in its application through the lever but it has actually been tuned to allow for drifting into a corner without excessive hopping, which makes getting the rear sliding a smooth and effortless affair.

Ducati haven’t just focussed on peakiness and hardcore riding and the engine can be surprisingly calm too, thanks to the twin counterbalance shafts, which aid in reducing vibes through the bars and the pegs. For a ‘screaming’ single, it’s surprisingly pleasant. In ‘Wet’ mode, the motor is reduced to 58 horsepower with a soft throttle response, and it is reassuringly soft and docile.

In terms of the build quality, the new Hypermotard 698 Mono is a gorgeous little thing. It is minimal, raw and aggressive in its design with a distinctive face, that is reminiscent to the sharp shapes of their new Motocross range. Ducati have gone to great lengths to keep things tidy and it shows, with no excess plastic, metal or wiring, and an attention to detail that we’ve come to expect the Italian brand.

As the engine platform is new, only time will tell on the reliability front – however, the latest range of Ducatis have been fairly reliable, and they’re confident in the new platform by offering long service intervals of 18,000 miles for a full Desmo service.

There are only three real rivals when it comes to direct competitors in the single-cylinder supermoto sector, and they are essentially the same machine in different frocks: KTM’s £10,399 690 SMC R and Husqvarna’s £10,399 701 Supermoto are near enough identical in terms of componentry and specification while the GASGAS SM 700 costs £9,599 and comes with cast wheels, instead of spoked. At £11,895 the Hypermotard 698 Mono RVE is more expensive, but it does come with a little bit more power, and a lot more technology.

In a broader sense, the bigger capacity, Ducati Hypermotard 950 RVE will set you back £13,795, while KTM’s 890 SMT supermoto crossed tourer costs £12,999, but they are in a slightly different sector and do both come with more capacity, power and prowess on the open road.

In terms of equipment, the Hypermotard 698 Mono RVE is absolutely stacked for a single cylinder Supermoto.

Electronically, the Hypermotard has a host of goodies. There are four riding modes, alongside the ability to alter all of the electronics under the sun: four levels of ABS which have been dialled in specifically to allow for sliding, four levels of wheelie control, four levels of traction control and even the option of Ducati Wheelie Control Assist, which when added acts as the opposite of wheelie control by holding the front wheel up a certain level, without the worry of going over the back.

There is also a Ducati Power Launch mode, alongside electronic Engine Brake Control, along with an up/down quickshifter as standard. In terms of hardware, huge Brembo stoppers and fully adjustable suspension complete the package.

The only drawback comes in the form of the relatively simple dash as it’s reasonably small and takes a bit of getting used to navigating, however that has been done on purpose to be minimal, and still comes with Ducati’s Multimedia System to allow for link to the Ducati app and Bluetooth connection.