2010 Ducati Hypermotard 1100 Evo and 1100 Evo SP

So what's all the hype for 2010?
The original Hypermotard was built to thrill, with its dirtbike stance, empowering, asphalt-attacking riding position and enough torque on tap to elicit a smile with each twist of the throttle. But what could really be changed to make it better? Ducati applied their usual engineering process of evolution to an already successful model by improving it in the two most effective ways possible: Less weight and more power.

Hot on the heels of its early model year 2010 launch in October, the lightweight 796 is now joined by an evolution of the 1100 model that rolls out at an incredible 7kg (15.5lb) lighter and 5hp more powerful than the original.

And if further weight reduction and more punch wasn't already enough on a bike that was built to thrill, the Hypermotard 1100EVO SP pushes the limits even further with a model intended to perform on the track as well as the street.

Lighter Trellis frame
The quick and precise handling that the Hypermotard provides is down to the construction and geometry of its famous Trellis frame. Its ability to handle the abundant torque from the L-Twin engine and its rigidity under powerful Brembo braking are just a few reasons why Ducati's chassis department would never want to change it. But it could be made lighter. They realised that almost all of the heavy forged sections of the construction could be completely removed without reducing its strength or its performance, so they applied it to the entire family.

Lighter, more powerful engines
While the chassis department were busy reducing the weight of the frame, the engine department went back to the drawing board for the 796 and started with a clean sheet of paper. Their complete redesign of the crankcases rewarded them with an incredible saving of 1.2kg (2.64lb) compared to the 696 castings, and the new 796 crankshaft with 848-style flywheel further reduced the overall engine weight to an impressive 1.9kg (4.2lb) savings over the 696 power unit. And with 81hp (59.6kW) of smooth and flexible power, the 796 is a very credible package.

The 1100 air-cooled Desmodue Evoluzione engine truly is an 'evolution' ? both in power and weight ? and is responsible for the model name extension 1100 EVO. Engineers used the same Vacural? technology employed for the lightweight Superbike engines when they vacuum die-cast the Hypermotard 1100 crankcases, a process that achieves a significant weight saving and ensures consistent wall thickness and increased strength. This process ? combined with the lightweight crankshaft assembly that uses an 848-style flywheel and use of lighter rare-earth magnets in the alternator ? reduced the 1100 power unit's weight by a staggering 5.2kg (11.5lb). Couple those savings with a 5hp boost to 95hp (69.9kW) and it becomes clear why there's all the hype.
Compact and efficient, the Desmodue engine's hyper-lightweight and narrow L-Twin layout, no wider than a single cylinder, ensures that all Hypermotards remain lean and agile. The air-cooled design eliminates the need for water radiators, hoses, reservoirs and pumps, keeping the motorcycle's weight down to a minimum and its lines clean and race-like.

New controls and instrumentation
The entire Hypermotard family now inherits the electronic advances made in the compact and user-friendly switchgear and instrumentation first created for the Streetfighter.
The slim-line switch bodies house easy-to-use switches and buttons, and feature a unique weapons-like 'trigger catch' that slides down to cover the starter button when the kill-switch is activated. Their minimalist design fits perfectly in the clean and essential lines of the Hypermotard's sporting image.
Looking clean and purposeful, the display provides an extensive amount of data including speed, revs, time, oil temperature, battery voltage, A & B trips, fuel reserve trip and scheduled maintenance, while the warning lights illuminate for neutral, turn signals, high-beam, rev-limit, oil pressure and fuel reserve. In addition, it can list recorded lap times by using the high-beam flash button as a stopwatch. Both the 1100EVO and 1100EVO SP use a white back-lighting while the 796 uses an orange back-lighting.
The instrument display also doubles as a control panel for the activation of the Ducati Data Analyser (DDA) system, which is available as an accessory from Ducati Performance for the 'system-ready' Hypermotard 796 and 1100EVO and supplied as standard equipment on the 1100EVO SP. The DDA-intended USB connection port under all of the Hypermotard seats doubles as a charging point for a handy new battery charger, which is available as an accessory from Ducati Performance.

Hyper mirrors
Ducati pushed motorcycle design limits to find an innovative solution for the original Hypermotard mirrors and these are now used throughout the family. The challenge of maintaining a clean, racing look around the handlebar area motivated the design of the folding mirror concept which is based on the handguards typically found on off-road bikes. Flipped out for high visibility street mode and easily folded in for a quick change to 'Hypermode', the mirror handguard assemblies also integrate the LED directional indicators for an even cleaner front-end.

Lighting and indicators
The headlamp uses a highly compact lighting shape which blends with the single piece nose fairing and front fender moulding, while the rear light employs a specially designed strip of LEDs enhanced by a high diffusion lens shaped into the sleek lines of the tailpiece. The same LEDs are intensified under braking. The front directional indicators also employ the latest in LED technology for illumination, and are ingeniously integrated into the handguards which support the foldable rear view mirrors.

Tailpiece
The high intensity LED rear light assembly is moulded into a unique tailpiece positioned high behind the seat. The supporting structure has been designed so that the under tray of the tailpiece is formed perfectly to offer a sturdy pair of pillion grab-handles. This ingenious solution not only helps to merge the rear light into the Hypermotard styling but also provides a safe grip for the passenger.

DUCATI HYPERMOTARD 1100 EVO

The introduction of the 1100EVO further enhances the original Hypermotard concept of 'ruling the road'. The wide, tapered section handlebars continue to transfer control of the asphalt to the rider and the full length seat still eases the fore and aft movement for extreme riding. The difference now is that it does it all better than before.

A new super-light dry weight of 172kg (379lb) and an increase of power to 95hp is the result of an intense program of redesigns and refinements intended to be the 'evolution' of the Hypermotard.

Continued chassis development to the Hypermotard resulted in an improved frame layout which eliminated almost all of the heavier forged elements used on the previous model. The new rigidly triangulated Trellis frame and track-tested chassis geometry is matched by a state-of-the-art suspension. 50mm Marzocchi forks are gripped by a sturdy triple screw lower fork clamp for precise steering performance. These 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.

Lightweight wheels mounted on large diameter axles are fitted with Pirelli Diablo Rosso tyres. Stopping power is controlled by two radially mounted Brembo 4-piston callipers gripping lightweight 305mm twin discs up front, and a 245mm disc at the rear. All of this combines to make stopping as thrilling as accelerating.

The Desmodue 1100 Evoluzione

The lightweight, L-Twin stands at the pinnacle of more than three decades of Desmo air-cooled development and its torquey power delivery has excited riders worldwide. Its latest evolution is positively awesome and makes it the perfect engine to give its name to the Hypermotard 1100EVO.

The 1100cc Desmodue Evoluzione power unit continues to use a bore and stroke of 98x71.5mm, but its long list of refinements have boosted its power by 5hp to 95hp (69.9kW) @ 7500rpm with 76lb-ft (10.5kgm) of torque @ 5750rpm giving it outstanding power delivery, from grunting low rpms to the singing howl at redline.

The 1100's crankcases are now vacuum cast using the same Vacural? technology employed for the lightweight Superbike engines, a process that achieves significant weight saving and ensures consistent wall thickness and increased strength.

But the crankcases were just the starting point of the evolution. Apart from the new magnesium alternator cover, the 1100 now has a lighter crankshaft assembly by using an 848 Superbike flywheel and the search for further weight reduction even went as far as using lightweight rare-earth magnets for the generator assembly. The result reduced the 1100 power unit's weight by a staggering 5.2kg (11.5lb) and contributed towards making the Hypermotard 1100EVO even more agile.

Power gains have come not only from the new lightweight crankshaft assembly, but also from an evolution of the top-end of the Desmodue power unit. The cylinder head, which now has improved lubrication and cooling performance, also has a redesigned inlet port shape for optimum flow and a modified combustion chamber shape for improved burn efficiency. This improved efficiency is the result of a higher compression ratio and the change to a single spark per cylinder ignition now managed by high-speed Siemens electronics.

Ensuring a sufficient feed to the higher compression set-up is an improved flow airbox intake duct and increased valve lift for maximum volumetric efficiency.

The incredible valve performances of the Desmodue engine are only possible because of Ducati's unique Desmodromic system, where valve closure is activated mechanically. At high rpm it would be almost impossible for the valve to follow the steep closure profile of the cam lobe if it were relying upon a normal valve spring. With the Desmo system, the valve is closed mechanically with the same accuracy as it is opened, enabling steep cam profiles and radical cam timings. This system is used on every single Ducati power unit including their world-beating Superbike and Desmosedici MotoGP engines.

DUCATI HYPERMOTARD 1100EVO SP

The Hypermotard 1100EVO SP takes the whole Hypermotard concept to a new level of extreme. Higher ground clearance, higher spec suspension, higher bars and even less weight makes the 1100EVO SP track-ready for action.

When Ducati first launched the Hypermotard project they knew that there would be extreme riders out there who wanted more ? they just didn't realise there would be so many! With a racing heritage built on direct rider feed-back, and two years of a Hypermotard category in the Italian Ducati Desmo Challenge series, Ducati's reputation for listening to owners to improve their motorcycles has become legendary and the Hypermotard 1100EVO SP is no exception.

Extreme riders all wanted the same thing from the Hypermotard: More power, more ground clearance, more control in extreme situations, more detail and less weight. For 2010, Ducati engineers have ticked all the boxes.

SP suspension

Brand new longer, black-bodied, fully adjustable 50mm Marzocchi forks have 30mm (1.2in) more travel and increase the SP's ground clearance by 30mm (1.38in), extending the SP's extreme cornering performance and providing a more track-oriented set-up. Coated with a durable low friction, DLC (diamond-like carbon) black coating, the sliders enable the Hypermotard 'SP' to respond effortlessly to every minute variation in the tarmac, improving on its already impressive road holding. The advanced 'SP' suspension is further enhanced with an Öhlins remote reservoir rear shock, renowned in racing as the ultimate performance choice. This incredible shock is fully adjustable for compression and rebound damping as well as spring pre-load, ensuring that the 'SP' is readily adaptable to every riding style and road or track it challenges.

SP lightweight wheels by Marchesini

Extreme riders know that one of the best ways to improve the handling and performance of a motorcycle is to reduce its unsprung weight by upgrading to superior lightweight wheels. Even from a distance, the 5-spoke black Marchesini wheels with red pin-striping confirm the high performance of the Hypermotard 1100EVO SP. Created from forged then machined alloy, both front and rear wheels are significantly lighter and create a lower moment of inertia and unsprung weight, resulting in improved acceleration and braking as well as quicker steering. Mounted to the lightweight wheels are Z-rated Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP tyres. Designed to deliver racing performance on the road, they give great feedback, are stable under severe braking and feature a sure-footed 'feel' when braking or accelerating is applied at considerable lean angles.

SP extras

The Hypermotard 1100EVO SP has serrated footpegs for increased boot grip during extreme conditions and a Teflon slider under each peg for protection in extreme lean angles. Ducati include a rubber insert with the bike for riders who prefer to cover the serration for increased comfort.

To enhance control, the tapered alloy handlebars have a 20mm longer bar-riser that effectively changes the riding positioning to enable greater leverage under extreme riding conditions. The risers are finished in black along with the new Marzocchi forks, upper and lower fork clamps, footpeg carriers and pedals, exhaust guard, rear subframe and rear sprocket carrier.

A carbon fibre rear hugger is fitted as standard equipment, enhancing the SP's already extreme image and also providing protection for the Öhlins rear suspension unit. The advanced composite is also used for the fork protectors, timing belt covers, front fender rear section and tail side covers.

SP colours

The Hypermotard 1100EVO SP is boldly finished in a choice of red-themed or white-themed Ducati Corse livery to underline its competition intention.

The white-themed livery has a white tank with thin red stripe and red Ducati graphic, contrasted with a black knee-panel area. The headlight fairing and beak section are also white with a wide red stripe along the centre of the beak and thin black striping around the fairing section. The tailpiece is white with a wide red stripe along its centre.

The red-themed livery has a red tank with thin white stripe and white Ducati graphic, contrasted with a black knee-panel area. The headlight fairing and beak section are also red with a wide white stripe along the centre of the beak and thin white striping around the fairing section. The tailpiece is red with a wide white stripe along its centre.

Both colour schemes have red Trellis frames with black wheels and the new Ducati Corse logo proudly displayed on the Hypermotard's beak section.

Hyper data

Supplied as standard equipment on the 1100EVO SP, the Ducati Data Analyser (DDA), which includes PC software, a USB-ready data retrieval card and instructions, enables owners to review and analyse the performance of the bike and its rider, and make comparisons between various channels of information.

The system records numerous channels of data including throttle opening, vehicle speed, engine rpm, engine temperature, distance travelled, laps and lap times. It also automatically calculates engine rpm and vehicle speed data, enabling it to display gear selection as an additional channel of information. At the end of a ride or track session, up to 4mb of data can be downloaded ready to compare, analyse and get an inside view of the performance of both the rider and the Hypermotard.

The Hypermotard Story

When the prototype Hypermotard was first shown at the Milan show it represented the creation of a new segment, one that bridged the gap between refined sportbikes and minimalist supermotards. But some at Ducati had reservations about the initial Hypermotard concept and were unsure whether or not the market was ready for such a motorcycle.

Despite those reservations, the project continued to be developed, driven by the belief in the upright and in-control riding position of a dirtbike, but not the harsh characteristics of its single cylinder engine. These confident few liked the feel of a skinny, taut and agile chassis, but not the fact that its original off-road design made it a compromise on the street. They set about creating a bike that combined the agility and lightweight precision of a supermotard, with the refined power characteristics of a charismatic L-Twin Ducati sportbike. They were designing the future.

As each day went past, more and more people in the factory got to hear about the completed bike and those who had the chance to catch sight of it all responded in the same way: "Wow! We're going to produce it, right?" There was one way to gauge market response: show it at the 2005 Milan show as a prototype and conduct an online survey.

Ducati presented the prototype Hypermotard as its centrepiece that year and their confidence was rewarded with a global 'yes!' from the public, the 'Best of Show' award, and demands from riders all over the world to produce it immediately. In fact, a staggering 15,000 people completed the Ducati.com survey, with more than 50% asking for the Hypermotard to be built exactly as shown at the show. But Ducati were serious when they asked the public for their feed-back and took time to sift through thousands of additional suggestions and requests, such as twin front brake discs instead of the prototype's single, and integrated many of them into the final production design.

The innovative Hypermotard spawned a new and exciting 'cross-over' category that had reinvented pure riding pleasure with a practical and versatile motorcycle that could be used every day. Riders hungry for excitement immediately understood the concept and have been enjoying it ever since.

Quick glance history

November 2005: Prototype Hypermotard 1100 shown at Milan International Motorcycle Show. Awarded 'Best of Show'.
November 2007: Production Hypermotard 1100 and 1100 S launched at Milan International Motorcycle show.
June 2007: Hypermotard 1100 and 1100 S arrived in showrooms as an early release model year 2008.
November 2008: Model year 2009 Hypermotard 1100 updated with an additional colour option of pearl white. Hypermotard 1100 S updated with Kayaba forks, an additional colour option of black and DDA kit supplied as standard equipment. The Hypermotard 1100 S takes victory at Pike's Peak International Hill Climb, Colorado (1200cc category).
October 2009: Release of new model year 2010 Hypermotard 796.
November 2009: Model year 2010 Hypermotard 1100EVO and 1100EVO SP launched at Milan International Motorcycle show.