In the fifth episode of the Ducati World Première 2024 web series, Ducati unveils to the public the new Hypermotard 698 Mono (link to watch the episode here), the first single-cylinder Ducati supermoto.
The Hypermotard 698 Mono is, in fact, designed and built to achieve maximum performance on asphalt, and is equipped with the new Superquadro Mono, the most sophisticated and high-performance single-cylinder road engine ever made. A record-breaking engine thanks to its maximum power of 77.5 hp and maximum rpm of 10,250, which set new benchmarks for the category. This engine derives from the 1299 Panigale’s twin-cylinder, from which it inherits the 116 mm diameter piston, combustion chamber, titanium intake and steel exhaust valves and Desmodromic distribution, the same solution that Ducati uses in MotoGP (all the technical details about the new Superquadro Mono engine can be found here).
Unmistakable Ducati style
The new Hypermotard 698 Mono combines a typically supermoto ‘racing’ aesthetic, essential, compact and aggressive, with the clean lines and attention to surfaces typical of Ducati design.
The result is a slender, elegant bike. The superstructures reduced to a minimum immediately communicate the sporty Ducati character and underline the vertical development of the new Mono Superframe. The high, flat seat, raised front mudguard, tapered rear section and rear license plates are all elements that reaffirm its attitude.
In line with Ducati style, the alloy wheels with five Y-shaped arms combine a sporty image with the advantage of lightness. Another unique element is the two silencers mounted high on either side of the rear section, a distinctive feature of the Hypermotard family as well as supermoto racing. The super-compact LED headlight integrates the DRL function with a double “C” light profile and makes the Hypermotard 698 Mono a bike that doesn’t go unnoticed. The same light signature is found in the rear position lamp.
The fun-bike personality of the Hypermotard 698 Mono emerges clearly in the RVE version, characterized by the dedicated ‘Graffiti’ color scheme. This color scheme was created using water-based decals with the aim of achieving a complex and refined graphic inspired by works of urban art.
Superquadro Mono engine
The Ducati Hypermotard 698 Mono debuts the new Superquadro Mono, the latest addition to the Borgo Panigale engines, which stands as the new benchmark in terms of performance among single-cylinder road bike engines. Powerful, light and compact, it comes from the most powerful and refined twin-cylinder ever created by Ducati, the 1285 cc Superquadro from the 1299 Panigale. It retains the 116 mm piston diameter of that engine, a record figure for a road-going single-cylinder, combined with a stroke of 62.4 mm for a displacement of 659 cc and highly sophisticated solutions.
The box-in-box piston, the titanium intake valves, the aluminum cylinder liners, the DLC-coated piston pin and, of course, the Desmodromic distribution, mean that the Superquadro Mono is capable of reaching rotation speeds normally reserved only for competition single-cylinders (the limit is set at 10,250 rpm) and delivers a maximum power of 77.5 hp at 9,750 rpm.
The torque, whose maximum value is 6.4 kgm at 8,000 rpm, is distributed in a particularly favorable way, resulting in a linear delivery that can be exploited in sporty driving. What’s more, thanks to the Termignoni racing exhaust, in track configuration power increases by 7 horsepower, reaching an incredible 84.5 hp, another record for a single-cylinder.
Electronics
The standard electronic equipment on the Hypermotard 698 Mono is the most complete in its category and includes many of the controls found on the Panigale V4, developed specifically for this bike. There’s ABS Cornering, Ducati Traction Control, Ducati Wheelie Control, Engine Brake Control, Ducati Power Launch and also Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) Up/Down, which can be purchased as an accessory for the standard version and comes as standard on the RVE version.
The aim is always the same: to increase riding fun. And with the Hypermotard 698 Mono, less experienced riders can approach a supermoto riding style with the certainty that they can rely on sophisticated electronics.
The Hypermotard 698 Mono has four riding modes (Sport, Road, Urban and Wet) for which the Engine Mode (available in 3 levels), as well as the DTC, EBC and ABS levels, are assigned by default, but can be changed by the user. Everything is managed by the 3.8″ LCD instrumentation with white characters on a black background to ensure the information is legible. As with the Panigale V4, the Hypermotard 698 Mono also has a gear change indication when the limiter is reached.
The Hypermotard 698 Mono is the first Ducati to offer four levels of ABS. Two of these are integrated into the Slide-by-Brake feature, which, through the use of the rear brake, allows safe and repeated powerslide cornering in sporty track riding.
With ABS set to level 3, using the rear brake during aggressive braking on the track activates Slide-by-Brake, giving the bike a contained steering angle that is easier to manage. All you have to do is hit the brakes, start cornering and the electronics take care of the rest. This level is designed for less experienced track riders who want to start their riding approach by ‘crossing’ the bike when entering corners. With this level of Slide-by-Brake, powerslides become easier to control, leaving room for fun.
When the ABS is set to level 2, Slide-by-Brake allows you to cross the bike at a greater angle and more pronounced powerslides when entering a corner. This level has been developed for sporty track use by those who already have experience with powersliding but want to be able to count on the added safety of the ABS system.
For more experienced riders who want to independently manage the powerslides when entering corners on the track, level 1 is available, in which the ABS, not Cornering, is active only at the front.
Finally, the Hypermotard 698 Mono’s ABS also has level 4, developed for low-grip situations to ensure maximum stability and safety. It is associated by default with Riding Mode Wet.
The bike offers 4 levels of Wheelie Control. Levels 4, 3 and 2 guarantee maximum acceleration out of corners by minimizing front wheel lift. Level 1, however, was developed for track use and allows for safe front-wheel lift, maximizing both performance and fun.
In addition, exclusively for track use, the Ducati Performance software for Ducati Wheelie Control is available as an accessory. This feature can only be activated in association with the Termignoni Ducati Performance exhaust, which is not homologated for road use, and provides an additional assistance strategy called Wheelie Assist. In this case, the electronics assist the rider in executing and maintaining an extended ‘wheelie’, regulating the angle while managing the torque delivered.
Cycling and ergonomics
The Hypermotard 698 Mono is light and compact, weighing 151 kg without fuel. The result is achieved thanks to solutions such as the trellis frame with different sections and thicknesses, weighing just 7.2 kg and capable of combining rigidity and lightness, the light alloy wheels (-0.5 k compared to similar spoke wheels), the aluminum flange disc brakes (-17% compared to steel units) and the lightweight Marzocchi inverted fork, fully adjustable and equipped with external adjusters, with 45 mm aluminum sheaths, weighing just 8.1 kg.
The lightweight and simple swingarm works through a progressive linkage with the fully adjustable rear shock absorber. The wheels are fitted with Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV tires, measuring 120/70 ZR 17 at the front and 160/60 ZR 17 at the rear.
The front braking system is a single 330 mm disc, developed specifically by Brembo for the Hypermotard 698 Mono, with Brembo M4.32 radial calipers. At the rear is a 240 mm disc, also with a dedicated design.
The riding position has been designed to ensure maximum control in sporty riding, supporting both traditional riding with the leg stretched out towards the ground and riding with the knee on the ground. The variable-section handlebar determines a dominant position, favoring body movement. The stem is adjustable using eccentric U-bolts.
The design of the footpegs has been studied to maximize the angle of inclination. In addition, by removing the rubber inserts, it is possible to obtain maximum grip with racing boots when used on the track, thanks to a specific processing of the edges. The bike’s extremely slender upper frame and flat seat covered with a grip-optimized fabric facilitate body and leg movements.
Colors and availability
The new Hypermotard 698 Mono will be available from Authorized Dealers in the Ducati network from January, in the classic Ducati Red with powder-coated frame, or in the RVE version with dedicated graphics, black frame and DQS quickshifter as standard.
For younger motorcyclists with an A2 license, Ducati offers a version with power limited to 35 kW. In this version the Superquadro Mono delivers 43.5 hp at 6,250 rpm and 5 kgm at 5,750 rpm.
