Ducati Hypermotard Concept Bike and 130bhp Monster

Ducati used the opening of the EICMA Motorcycle Show in Milan yesterday to show two new motorcycles – one you can buy and a concept that Ducati is considering for production. The bike you can buy (as a 2007 model in 2006) is the new king of the naked bike class, the MONSTER S4RS TESTASTRETTA, a minimalist machine powered by the legendary Testastretta engine which has won several World Superbike championships and puts 130 brake horsepower on the tarmac (150 bhp with an optional exhaust). Equally as delectable and appealing as the S4RS was the Hypermotard concept machine – an extension of the supermotard class of machines using an air-cooled 1000 Dual Spark engine and weighing in at just 175 kilograms.

The Hypermotard is an interesting concept, taking advantage of the compactness and agility of a traditional supermotard, but upping the ante with potent street power thanks to the new air-cooled twin engine. The front of the bike is as slim and compact as a single cylinder, in part thanks to the engine layout, but also due to the absence of weighty cooling radiators.

Pared down to its essentials, the Ducati Hypermotard is an extreme performance, over-the-top motorcycle. Its purpose is single minded. Incredibly slim, compact and exceptionally light, this bike offers what no Supermotard can: speeds exceeding 220KPH on the race track, fuel injection and 100 horsepower tipping the scales at 175 kg dry.

A rigidly triangulated tubing Trellis frame and track tested chassis geometry is matched with state-of-the-art suspension. Start off with the road-holding of huge 50mm Marzocchi R.A.C. forks, gripped by a triple screw lower fork crown, then add an Ohlins remote reservoir shock that mounts to a stout single-sided swingarm. Ultra light forged and machined Marchesini racing wheels are paired with a single radial mounted Brembo four piston, four pad calliper gripping a 320mm disc up front and a 240mm disc at the rear.

The 1000 Dual Spark engine power delivery is smooth and linear, which augers well for the roads it seeks, which are neither. A Slipper type racing clutch makes aggressive downshifting and heavy braking more exciting and by damping the abrupt engagement of lower gears while entering a turn. Magnesium engine covers subtract more weight for a feathery feel and athletic manoeuvres.

Ducati S4RS Monster

Ducati has always believed in the “naked” bike formula, launching the bike that began the current trend in 1993 and since then continually enlarging, refining and improving the Monster breed.

In 2004 the arrival of the high-powered gritty S4R represented a major milestone in the history of Ducati bikes, while 2005 saw the launch of the S2R: more docile and with a less daunting powerplant, maintaining the hallmark appearance of the super bad S4R but appealing to those who don't insist on extreme performance. Offered in 800 cc and 1000 cc versions, with two valve Desmo and air cooling, the SR2 immediately won favour on the international market, as proven once again by the massive number of sales.

Inevitably the S4R was billed as a machine at the top of its class in terms of performance, with its daunting 117 HP, but the S4RS takes things much further.

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