2019-on Ducati Hypermotard 950 Review | a street hooligan with enough appeal for the mainstream

great when its running

I have owned 8 ducatis so far and this is the 1st one to really cause me issues. My 796 Hyper has 50K from new and has been excellent. I would have expected better as so far in only 15k it has had: 1 radiator, a set of clocks, a heat sensor, 2x ignition coils, and now in the dealer with a blocked fuel line and injectors from the fuel tank that apparently has had issues with the tank liner. I have discovered that this is talked a lot about on line but I haven't heard from Ducati about a recall. There is no replaceable fuel filter on the pump maybe that would solve the issue.

yearly service is good. Coils £165 each and i'm Dreading the dealer bill re the fuel issue

is what it is

great for track days

great when its working properly.

Not Great I would have expected better, sadly the worst Ducati I have owned especially when you compare it to my 796 50K and never let me down. So far in 15,000 miles a new radiator and clocks just in warranty thankfully, an engine temp sensor, both coils and fuel tank liner issues braking down and clogging the fuel line and injectors. Seems to be a common internet talked about prob but not addressed by Ducati. Maybe a replaceable fuel filter would help hey but what do I know.

yearly service not bad. 2 coils £145 each and dreading the bill for fixing the fuel issue

Amazing most of the time. Pillionable. Best on b roads, and point and shoot. Motorways are extremely dull, but the Motorways are extremely dull.

Almost great. Torquay! Has a dead spot at 4k, but might be straight through exhaust fitted. Try stay above 4k, or remap, or buy something else.

Quick shifter stopped working pretty much immediately. Not overly fussed with quit shifting shifter so have just forgotten it needs fixing, solved. Generally well put together, use most days with no issues.

42mpg is the current read out, which is alright, I think, maybe. Tyres are expensive and seem to be disappearing rapidly.

Has wheelie mode, which this week has mostly been switched off. Santa please can I have a steering damper for Christmas.

Handles better in real roads than my fireblade or Panigale ✊.

Always want more power but, realistically, in Cumbrian roads this has more than enough.

Great screen, put a blipper on it though.

Best bike available for countryside scratching. I live next to the Peaks and it’s height, weight, engine response and braking make it far better than a race rep as it handles just as well, with far superior view, comfort and engine mapping suited to the road. Comfort is surprising long lasting due to the riding position - upright, tall, wide bars, long narrow seat, leg space without low pegs due to the long suspension. There is nowhere for luggage but I use a rucksack when needed. A 150 mile range is no problem comfort wise on the motorway, and you are too busy on the twisties to notice.

Full of anger from low down. Tops out around 115mph but it’s too uncomfortable to stay there anyway. I find sport mode in the city is a little snatchy but is cured by touring mode (same power but smoother), but sport is best once kicking on. I’ve used rain mode a few times which re-assures with those tyres not at their happiest in puddles. Overall the engine is excellent, and clearly designed and mapped for real roads and the twisties. A huge kick from low down (wheelie control vital) keeps response instant and telepathic as you’re doing what you haven’t finished thinking about. In Sport there is no delay in reaction and I am often way ahead of my riding mates before having to slow again, stifling their race reps.

Not a single issue in 2.5 years. I’ve travelled just under 5000 miles and added heated grips (hot), a tail tidy and one set of tyres. I had to add transparent paint protection where my knees rub the tank, but other than that, the paint is thick and has resisted chips so far.

Sticking with Supercorsa’s is expensive, and Ducati aren’t shy with pricing their accessories, but prices are comparable with other premium marques and servicing is on par.

6-axis imu is great inclusion on this bike as it’s very easy to get out of shape if you get too excited, and is reassuring, although the slide control makes you feel like a hero 🦸‍♂️. I’d like to see heated grips on all UK bikes, but at least they are available, and equally cruise control. Not something you’d expect on this bike, but you can never get away without some long motorway runs and it makes quite a difference, and I’d assume negligible electrical upgrade (not available). Other than that, the SP comes with everything you could want performance wise. Consider changing tyres if you ride in winter, but I don’t.

Great ride quality with very smooth and progressive brakes, power delivery is everywhere and whilst the seat feels hard initially, after a 30 minute ride it feels very comfy. Probably after an hour and a half you'd want a rest but that would be the same for most bikes.

more than enough power for the road and its useable all across the rev range, even in urban mode its still got enough punch to get you where you need to be

build quality is exceptional

expected around 200 for routine servicing at a dealer

all the rider aids you could need, people are moaning about no fuel gauge but I tend to ride till the light comes on even with a fuel gauge so its never bothered me. generally I'm getting 110-120 miles before light on which is about average.

Contrary to some reviews I consider this a great all round bike, at its best on twisty alpine roads but will stay with sports bikes up to 130 mph on fast sweeping roads. Will cruise on motorway at 80-90 all day.

Power delivery is smooth if you ride accordingly, but the highlight is the torque coming out of corners with the front wanting to lift under power, great engine.

No issues with the bike so far, a little bit of rubbing on the paint but barely noticeable. Recommend some clear vinyl on forks to protest from stone chips.

Goes through rear tyres quite quickly, going to try Rosso 2s next time.

The electronics package is superb, experiment with different TC settings to suit the riding/conditions. Up/ Down quickshifter works well. I’ve put 4 rear tyres on, so I’m going to try Rosso 2s next time.

I didn't go for the SP version so I added a Mupo rear shock and threw the standard Sachs one in the bin as it's only one way adjustable. The forks are OK but i will probably put a Mupo kit in them at some point. Worked very well on a No Limits track day at Rockingham in the summer. Ground clearance was the only issue and it was decking out levers and foot pegs. The brakes are fantastic being Brembo. The first bike I've had with ABS so the lever travel took a little getting used to but the stopping power is fantastic.

Rather than going for the SP version I spent the extra and had the Full Termignoni exhaust system and the race chip activated. along with a Starace RS modified air box and filter to aid the breathing. Worth it alone for the sounds it makes. Ride it on the torque rather than revving it out even though it loves to rev it flies out of corners on trackdays it will out drag 1000cc sportsbikes until they get in the power. but it will surprise a lot of sportbike riders.

My First Ducati since a 748 in the early 00's and the quality, fit and finish is superb. Compared to Japanese bikes of the same price bracket it's beautifully made. The paintwork on the tank was easily scuffed where the inside of my legs rub so I've had to fit some grip pads to stop it wearing through the paint. I've fitted Evotech radiator, engine and oil cooler guards too as the oil cooler looks particularly vulnerable to stones being so low just behind the front wheel.

For what it is I'd say it is on the expensive side and you do suffer Ducati tax when it comes to parts and servicing.

Hard to quantify this one really?? I had a quickshifter auto blipper fitted but apart from all of the electronics package it's pretty sparse when it comes to gismos.

Brakes are top notch. Ride quality is good - the seat is a little firm but I've done a 270 mile day without needing medical attention.

Stonking engine.

Oozes quality. Been reliable so far 1200 miles in 4 weeks.

Value is subjective but running costs aren't excessive given the extended service intervals.

All you need apart from a fuel gauge!

This is only the standard version, if I could have given 6 out 5 I would’ve done that!

So smooth, yet so wild when you ask it, the response is immediately delivered, unlike other two cylinder bikes, it takes much more before it starts to chucking and thumbing. You can have instant throttle response, but there’s no jerkiness, jitter or kangaroo riding in any of the riding modes.

No issues so far, but only had it for a month.

Insurance is a little higher for me, but as with any insurance, your neighbour can possibly get it lower, whilst another will have it for 10 times the price. Insurance is purely a number grabbed out of the blue. At a £3k premium over what I’ve been used to buy in the past, I’m not regretting the £11k price tag. It is worth every penny in performance, design and desirability

It may sound a little unfair, but this is what reviews are for... Missing that little underseat compartment for a puncture repair kit - I guess that will have to live in he bumbag now. Why can’t there be a 24h clock, when it is showing all 4 digits at any time anyway?