At the EICMA show in Milan, not far from Ducati’s headquarters in Bologna, Italy, the company unveiled a slate of new-for-2013 models. The success of the Multistrada 1200 adventure tourer in growing its customer base (Rider, January 2013) seems to have motivated Ducati to put more emphasis on touring-ready models, while also upping the ante in the superbike segment.
Ducati’s supermoto-styled Hypermotard line has been completely redone. The 796, 1100EVO and 1100EVO SP will be replaced by the Hypermotard, Hypermotard SP and Hyperstrada, all powered by an 110-horsepower (claimed), 821cc version of the Testastretta 11° L-twin engine found in the Multistrada 1200 and Diavel. Standard equipment across the line includes the Ducati Safety Pack (3-level ABS and 8-level Ducati Traction Control) and Riding Modes, which offer preset levels of throttle response, engine output, ABS and DTC (Sport, Urban and Touring on the Hypermotard and Hyperstrada; Race, Sport and Wet on the Hypermotard SP). Ergonomics have also been improved with the handlebar moved higher and farther forward, and the footpegs moved forward as well.
The standard Hypermotard features a chromed steel handlebar, a 43mm male-slider, non-adjustable Kayaba fork and a Sachs rear shock adjustable for spring preload and rebound damping, with 6.7 and 5.9 inches of travel front and rear. Cast aluminum, 10-spoke wheels styled like those on the 1199 Panigale are shod with Pirelli Diablo Rosso II tires. With a claimed weight of 386 pounds, it will be available in Ducati red or dark stealth with a red frame and black wheels for $11,995.
The Hypermotard SP features a tapered aluminum handlebar, a 50mm male-slider Marzocchi fork and an Öhlins rear shock, both fully adjustable with 7.3 and 6.9 inches of travel front and rear. Forged aluminum, 3-spoke wheels styled like those on the 1199 Panigale S are shod with Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP tires. The SP’s front fender and cam-belt covers are made of carbon fiber, its front master cylinder is of the radial pump variety and its seat gets a special textured surface and stitching. With a claimed weight of 377 pounds, it will be available in red/white/black Ducati Corse livery with a red frame and black wheels with red pinstripes for $14,695.
With styling similar to the Multistrada 1200, especially the dual nostrils on the front beak, the Hyperstrada is a well-equipped, middleweight adventure tourer. It features the same Kayaba fork and Sachs rear shock as the Hypermotard, with the addition of a remote preload adjuster. A taller handlebar (by 0.8-inch), a touring windscreen and a touring seat improve comfort and wind protection, while saddlebags (50 liters total) and dual 12-volt outlets enhance touring capability (a 31-liter top box is an accessory). Cast aluminum, 10-spoke, 1199 Panigale-style wheels are shod with Pirelli Scorpion Trail tires. With a claimed weight of 399 pounds, it will be available in Ducati red or Arctic white with a gray frame and black wheels for $13,295.
Ducati is also expanding its Diavel power-cruiser line with a new Strada touring model. All Diavels in the line—standard Diavel, Dark, Cromo and Carbon—are powered by a 162-horsepower (claimed), 1,198cc Testastretta 11° L-twin with Riding Modes, Ducati Traction Control and ABS. The Strada features a touring windscreen, higher and more swept-back handlebars, heated grips, a touring seat, a passenger backrest, dual 12-volt power outlets, a beefier generator, saddlebags (41 liters total), revised passenger footpegs and revised rear lighting. With a low, 30.3-inch seat height and a claimed weight of 463 pounds, the Diavel Strada will be available in race titanium with a racing black frame, black wheels and black saddlebags for $19,495.
An ultra exotic “R” model has been added to the 1199 Panigale superbike line, developed by Ducati Corse for World Superbike homologation. The entire 1199 Panigale line—standard model, S, S ABS, Tricolore and R ABS—is powered by the 195-horsepower (claimed), 1,198cc Superquadro L-twin engine that’s a stressed member of the aluminum monocoque frame. All models receive revised engine mapping and throttle-by-wire calibration. In addition to integrated Riding Modes, Öhlins Ducati Electronic Suspension, Ducati Traction Control, ABS and a full electronics package found on some other models, the 1199 Panigale R ABS also adds lightweight titanium con rods, a lightweight flywheel, DLC-coated rocker arms, a higher 12,000-rpm rev limit, 4-point adjustable swingarm pivot, numerous carbon fiber guards and panels, plus a full race kit. At $29,995, it costs nearly twice as much as the standard 1199 Panigale ($17,995).
For more information, visit ducatiusa.com.
My main complaint is the bikes made today have the there seats to high. I and many others would like to have the seats to be 30′ or 31′. There are millions of peaple with inseams at 28′ or 29′