The 796 rides the common ground between manners and madness, mixing Ducati’s unrivalled twin-cylinder power and sportbike heredity with the lightweight and minimalist supermotard concept. When the prototype Hypermotard was first shown at the 2005 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 if people were ready for such a motorcycle.

Despite those reservations, the project continued, 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 designed a bike that combined the agility and lightweight precision of a supermotard with the refined power characteristics of a charismatic L-Twin sportbike.

Ducati presented the prototype Hypermotard at Milan and was rewarded with a ‘Best of Show’ award. The innovative Hypermotard spawned a new ‘cross-over’ category that had reinvented pure riding pleasure with a practical and versatile motorcycle that could be used every day.

Minimalism and functionality have shaped and styled the Hypermotard, and its innovative design sets it apart from the crowd. The line of its distinctive beak blending into the stylish headlamp fairing makes it instantly recognizable, while the carefully shaped tank that tapers into a skinny waistline gives a supermotard feel when aboard.

From the sturdy look of the Marzocchi front forks to the Ducati signature single-sided swingarm and underseat exhausts, the Hypermotard’s design remains unique and pure Ducati.

The Hypermotard concept created an innovative segment that bridged the gap between hyper-sports bikes and supermotards. In essence, it took the high speed handling and smooth engine from a hyper-sport bike and combined it with the aggressive styling, lightweight minimalism and slow corner precision of a supermotard.

The result is an easy to handle motorcycle with unbelievable agility, incredibly sure-footed handing and a flexible engine that deals with city traffic just as easily as a spirited ride through the winding mountain roads.

producer: ducati
period: 2012