Fun, Fun, Fun, and More Electronically Aided Fun.
The 2024 Ducati Hypermotard 698 Mono RVE variant.
Ups
- The Hypermotard 698 Mono is the first model to use the new Superquadro Mono, the first production single-cylinder engine since the legendary Supermono.
- Up-spec electronics with slide-by-brake functionality.
- With a 333-pound claimed wet weight and a lively powerband, the Hypermotard Mono 698 is one spicy meatball.
Verdict
The Hypermotard 698 Mono continues Ducati’s storied history of single-cylinder production. The Hyper Mono is all about unadulterated fun; it’s got verve, this thing. And since it’s a Ducati, it’s loaded with tech.
Overview
The 2024 Hypermotard 698 Mono is a return, a new beginning, and—as an attempt to bring in new riders to the Ducati family—an impolite gesture at conventional thinking.
For the first 25 years of building engines—beginning with the Cucciolo in 1946—Ducati was synonymous with single-cylinder engines. Then, in March 1970 Ing. Fabio Taglioni made the first sketches of what would become his famous 90-degree V-twin. Off the drawing board, the result was good; very good. So good that by 1974 Ducati produced its final sporting single, the 250 Desmo. Come the end of the decade, it abandoned its maligned parallel twin (you can almost hear Taglioni saying, “I told you it was a bad idea”), and aborted its equally poor two-stroke off-road offering. It’s at this point in the story, Ducatisti can breathe a sigh of relief as the brand’s future path toward glory is placed firmly in the hands of its renowned V-twins.
Until the introduction of the Desmosedici Stradale V-4, the only non-twin to leave Borgo Panigale was the spectacular Supermono. From 1993–1995, at the dawn of a golden era in Ducati’s history, the Supermono leapt from the production line to universal adoration. The Supermono used the horizontal cylinder from the 888 Corsa superbike with a doppia bielletta (double con-rod) counterbalancer system ensconced in a racy design by Pierre Terblanche. It’s since become a holy grail of collectibility. We should also mention that the Supermono was designed under the guidance of Claudio Domenicali (now Ducati’s CEO), and the first racers were tested by Davide Tardozzi (current Ducati Lenovo team manager).
The Hypermotard 698 Mono with its abundance of rider aids is ready for action - even for beginners.
Since then, Ducatisti (well, some of us anyway) have been begging for a new single-cylinder desmo. It certainly didn’t escape our notice that the Superquadro was just languishing back in Borgo Panigale, as if waiting for someone to knock a cylinder off and call the day blessed.
For 2024, Ducati has introduced the Superquadro Mono engine, and given it to the world in the Hypermotard 698 Mono. If ever there was a middle finger to the motorcycling establishment, this is it. Supermotard-inspired motorcycles sell in small numbers. As do singles. But if Ducati can sell, say, 3,000 units per year, it will be job done.
Ducati says its target customer for the Hypermotard 698 Mono is around 25 years old—riders who are coming to the brand for the first time. What an introduction it would be. With a rowdy, high-performance engine, performance-focused rider aids like slide-by-brake (hey guys, watch this!), and an ultra-quick steering chassis setup, this single-cylinder Hyper is the spark notes of Ducati history. And it’s a wild ride. Ah, to be young again.
Updates for 2024
The Ducati Hypermotard 698 Mono is an all-new model based around an all-new engine platform.
The 659cc single-cylinder engine produces a claimed 77.5 hp at 9,750 rpm and 46.5 lb.-ft. of torque at 8,000 rpm. In typical Ducati fashion, the Hyper Mono has a steel trellis frame and uses fully adjustable suspension and Brembo brakes. Performance-oriented rider aids, LED lighting, and an up/down quickshifter (standard on the RVE version) round out the package. With a claimed wet weight of 333 pounds and a short 56.8-inch wheelbase, the Hypermotard Mono is one sharp-edged tool. If it’s intended to give riders their first impression of Ducati, that impression certainly emphasizes performance and thrills, which we think is a great way to get riders hooked on the Borgo Panigale brand. In some ways, it’s the anti-Scrambler.
The base model, pictured here with Termignoni exhausts, sump guard, and carbon fiber headlight fairing from the accessory catalog.
Pricing and Variants
The Hypermotard 698 Mono is priced at $12,995 for Ducati Red and $14,495 for the RVE version. The latter has a graffiti-inspired livery and a bidirectional quickshifter (which is also available in the accessory catalog).