Ducati now offers its popular Hypermotard in a new size.
Everything has been reduced on the new Hypermotard 796: engine displacement, weight, seat height, and although not yet released in Canada, we expect the price to be too.
Ducati claims the air-cooled V-twin is an all-new two-valve-per-cylinder design claiming 81 horsepower and 56 lb-ft of torque. An APTC slipper-type wet clutch will smooth deceleration.
Weight savings are due in part to many new components, including redesigned tripleclamps and a new frame that does away with many of the forgings used on the Hypermotard 1100 frame. Claimed dry weight is 167 kg (368 lb).
Seat height has been dropped 20 mm to 825 mm compared to the 1100, which also makes the 796 Hypermotard a lot less ganguly in appearance.
Bikes are expected to arrive in dealers in December, Canadian pricing should be released in the next few days.
CMG will be publishing a press launch report from Costa Mouzouris who will be riding the Hypermotard 796 in mid-October.
I wish Suzuki would make a motard out of the SV650 as that would be less money but very nice. I bet the Ducati Hypermotard 796 will be a great bike and probably be priced at $10999 in Canada so it should sell well.
RET
The place where a supermoto works best is in the city, with the upright riding position, light weight, and torquey motor. Lots of folks use them as commuters here in Vancouver, where a scooter might be seen as a bit too, um, soft. Used that way, the lack of high speed or long-distance comfort and a short tank range are non-issues. These Ducs are too big for the city bike brief, but at least they’re going in the right direction…
I hated the 1100 version so I can’t see having the same chassis with less power will make this any more endearing. To my mind, this entire “Motard” thing is a total bust.
If Honda or Yamaha brings out a 450 version I might be interested but honestly, they’re all short distance, uncomfortable playbikes. Not what I need in a motorcycle.