796 Ducati Hypermotard Vs 1100 Ducati Hypermotard

MCN’s Michael Neeves has been testing Ducati‘s 796 Hypermotard in Italy, here he reveals the raft of changes that make the 796 Hypermotard a superior machine to the 1100 Hypermotard.

• The 796’s seat is 20mm lower than the 1100 at 825mm, making it easier around town and for shorter riders.
• At just 167kg (dry), the 796 is a useful 12kg lighter than the Hypermotard 1100. The weight-saving comes from the engine, lightened steel chassis tubes and lightweight aluminium Enkei wheels.
• The fuel-injected, 90° V-twin 803cc engine is based on the Monster 696 lump, but is 1.9kg lighter. It has a new crankshaft, crankcases, pistons and a lighter Ducati 848-style flywheel.
• The 796 scores over the 1100 by having a slipper clutch as standard, although it’s a wet, not dry, version. Most Ducatis don’t have slipper clutches, but they smooth out corner entries beautifully when changing down the gears. The lighter clutch action and the lack of big V-twin engine braking makes the 796 easier to play at ‘backing it in’.
• Streetfighter-style switchgear and LCD dash. The display doubles as a control panel for the Ducati Data Analyser datalogger, an extra from Ducati Performance.
• 17in lightweight aluminium rims and excellent twin 305mm front discs that are gripped by radial four-piston Brembo calipers.

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