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Heh - since I’m an Aprilia guy, we’ll call it a Ductard. ‘Tard or not, this thing looks sweet. The down side is that it appears that this machine will not be in the US bike shows, only those in Europe. Check it out:

Ducati Concept Supermotard - Left side…note the bling brake setup

Ducati Concept Supermotard - Right side…nice single-sided swingarm

Very cool looking bike.

I have never ridden a supermotard. A riding buddy of mine back in Michigan had a VOR. He had a ball with it…he even took it to Deal’s Gap. Talk about a wheelie monster. He was tough to keep with in the tight stuff, but the minute the road opened up, the sport bikes were gone.

I think it would be good to know and/or learn how to back the ass end into a turn and see if that could be applied to sport bikes. Man, these things seem like they would be the ultimate canyon machine since I really don’t do the WFO stuff on the straightaways. Unlike today’s motards, this bike’s output is enough to keep almost any rider happy in the mountains. Of course, there is always the track.

Regardless, this thing looks hot. Its on my “if I were to win the lotto” list for sure. Here’s what I found in terms of specs:

THE DUCATI HYPERMOTARD CONCEPT BIKE

The Ducati Hypermotard – a radical concept bike – takes power, aggressiveness, versatility, and sport performance to a new extreme.

Taking advantage of the compactness and agility of a traditional supermotard, Ducati has upped the ante with potent street power thanks to a 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.

The Ducati Hypermotard takes-on urban canyons and attacks mountain curves with total abandon. High performance starts with attitude. Pared down to its essentials, the Ducati Hypermotard is an extreme performance, over-the-top motorcycle. Its purpose is single minded – to thrill.

Incredibly slim, compact and exceptionally light, with riding position to dominate, it’s ready to rock every road with big-bore acceleration.

Supermotard styling makes the blood boil. This bike offers what no Supermotard can: speeds exceeding 220KPH on the race track, fuel injection and 100 horsepower on only 175 kg of dry weight.

The Ducati Hypermotard – the most extreme mountain conquering, urban assaulting machine ever from Ducati.

On the Road

Bring on the curves, the bumps, the unexpected.

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.

Making power

1000cc’s of DESMO power
The 1000 Dual Spark engine pumps out torque and horsepower that is smooth and linear, because the roads that the Ducati Hypermotard seeks are neither smooth nor linear. 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.

Pilot controls

A ride on the Ducati Hypermotard is road domination.
The wide tapered section handlebars transfer control of the tarmac to the rider. A wide full length seat design lets the pilot move fore and aft, up-front entering the turns, back for maximum traction on exit.

Ducati Hypermotard – two wheels, one purpose – to thrill.