Ducati Hypermotard arrives!

Australian fans were tantalised with a first look at the new Hypermotard at the Phillip Island WSBK round in March . . .now this magnificent Ducati has been officially launched and we can bring you all the details. Ducati chose the idyllic Italian island of Sardinia for the launch of the new Hypermotard 1100 & 1100S.

Since it was first unveiled at the Milan International Motorcycle show in November 2005, the Hypermotard has won praise and been eagerly anticipated. By taking the minimalist supermotard racing concept, then adding Ducati's unrivaled twin-cylinder power and Superbike heredity, the Hypermotard delivers a remarkable experience. The Hypermotard 1100 is thrilling to ride every day of the week. It turns familiar roads into an all new heart thumping experience. Taking its attitude into the city or the mountains with street wise confidence and no respect for conformity, the Hypermotard is ready for any challenge. With a riding position that ensures total control, the slim and incredibly light Hypermotard is built to perform, with big bore acceleration and road holding that redefines the street experience.

High performance starts with attitude and the Hypermotard is the most aggressive of the Ducati family. Reduced to its essentials, it is extreme, untamed, over the top and always hungry for the next challenge. It offers what no ordinary supermotard can - speeds exceeding 125mph on the race track, fuel injection, and 90 Desmo hp - all combined in an unmistakable Ducati package that offers unbridled passion for motorcycles that are truly unique and exhilarating.

Desmo power
The Hypermotard 1100 is powered by the incredible Ducati two-valve, air-cooled, Desmo-dromic dual spark engine, giving it outstanding power delivery, from grunting low rpms to the singing howl at redline. The Hypermotard 1100 engine, which is an evolution of the Multistrada 1100 engine, flexes its muscles with a big 98mm bore and short 71.5mm stroke to make 70kw of power and 103Nm of torque.
In keeping with its extreme character, engineers chose the Ducati 'dry' racing style clutch for the Hypermotard. Furthermore, the primary drive gears have been advanced with a new lightweight construction.
Power is optimised with fuel injected into 45mm throttle bodies and a 2-1-2 exhaust system that exits high behind the rear of the saddle.Two spark plugs per cylinder, dual spark, optimises combustion temperatures and increases maximum power and torque throughout the rev range, enhancing reliability and reducing fuel consumption.
Compact and purposeful, the Desmo Twin engine's lightweight and narrow L-Twin layout, no wider than a single cylinder, ensures that the bike is lean and agile.
The air-cooled design eliminates all the water radiators, hoses, valves, reservoirs and pumps, keeping the motorcycle's weight down to a minimum 177kg and its lines clean and race like.

The riding experience
Riding the Hypermotard lets you rule the road. Wide, tapered section handlebars transfer control of the tarmac to the rider and a full length seat eases fore and aft movement - up front when entering the turns, then slide back for maximum traction on exit.
A rigidly triangulated Trellis frame and track tested chassis geometry is matched with state of the art suspension. Start off with the road holding prowess of huge 50mm Marzocchi forks, gripped by a triple screw lower fork crown. These cartridge damper 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.
Light Marchesini wheels mounted on large diameter axles are fitted with the latest Z-rated Bridge-stone BT014 tyres sporting a fat 180/55 section on the rear. Stopping power is controlled by twin radially mounted Brembo four piston calipers gripping new lightweight 305mm twin discs up front, and a 245mm disc at the rear to make stopping as thrilling as gassing it.

Instrumentation
The Hypermotard uses Desmosedici GP styled digital instrumentation. This pure racing, minimalist solution has no switches or buttons to compromise its clean lines. Instead, additional information to the default read-outs is managed by the left handlebar mounted switch gear, allowing the rider to scroll through and select various menus. The read-out presents rpm in a progressive bar graph and the speed numerically.
Looking clean and purposeful, the display provides an extensive amount of data including: speed-ometer, rev counter, clock, maintenance schedule, oil temperature, oil pressure warning light, battery voltage, fuel reserve warning light, reserve fuel trip, indicator light, neutral light, injection system diagnostics, lap time memory storage, automatic light-off function after 60 seconds with key on and immobiliser status. In addition, it can list lap times recorded by using the high-beam flash button as a stopwatch.

Handlebars and controls
One glance down at the Hyper-motard controls is enough for the rider to understand that this is no ordinary Ducati. While its motard feeling is enhanced by the minimalist layout, handguards and tapered handlebars, the radial clutch and brake pumps with their remote reservoirs show its Superbike heritage.
The fully adjustable clutch and brake levers not only enable a comfortable setting for all riders, but the clutch also sports a considerably lighter lever action. This is partly because of the lever arrangement, but mainly because an increase in clutch plate friction coefficient has allowed a reduction in clutch spring pressure.
In order to offer the opportunity of maintaining a no compromise image, the Hypermotard's passenger footpegs are designed to be removable.
While the headlamp introduces a new and highly compact lighting shape which blends with the single piece nose fairing and front fender moulding, the rear light employs a specially designed strip of LEDs enhanced by a high diffusion lens shaped into the sleek lines of the tailpiece. This is no ordinary bike and with a RRP under $20,000 is as distinctive as it is individual.

Ducati Hypermotard specifications

(The 1100 and 1100S share the same specs)

Engine Type: L-Twin cylinder, 2 valve per cylinder Desmodromica, air cooled
Displacement: 1078cc
Compression ratio: 10.5:1
Bore x stroke: 98 mm x 71.5 mm
Max Power: 70kW @ 7750 rpm
Max Torque: 103Nm @ 4750 rpm
Fuel injection: Marelli electronic fuel injection, 45mm throttle body
Exhaust: Lightweight 2-1-2 system with catalytic converter and lambda probe
Emissions: Euro 3 compliant
Transmission Type; 6-speed
Primary drive: Straight cut gears, ratio 1.84:1
Final drive: Chain; front sprocket 15; rear sprocket 42
Clutch: Dry multiplate with hydraulic control

Chassis & Running gear
Frame: Tubular steel trellis frame
Wheelbase: 1455mm
Rake: 24
Steering angle: 32 right and left
Front suspension: Marzocchi 50mm fully adjustable upside down fork
Front wheel travel: 165mm
Front wheel: Five-spoke light alloy 3.50 x 17
Rear suspension: Progressive linkage with fully adjustable Sachs mono-shock. Aluminium single-sided swingarm.
Rear wheel travel: 141mm
Rear wheel: Five-spoke light alloy 5.50 x 17
Front brake: 2 x 305mm semi-floating discs, radially mounted Brembo calipers 4-piston, 2 pad.
Tyres: Front 120/70 ZR17, Rear 180/55 ZR 17

Dimensions & Capacities
LxH: 2120 x 1155mm
Dry weight: 180kg
Seat height: 845mm
Fuel tank capacity: 11.5 litres

Instruments: Speedometer, rev counter clock, scheduled maintenance warning, warning light for low oil pressure, fuel level, oil temperature, fuel reserve, trip fuel,turn signals, fuel injection diagnostic system, auto light off system, immobiliser.

Warranty: 2 years unlimited kms

RRP: 1100 $18,495; 1100S $21,995