Ducati Hypermotard family goes large

The best laid plans of mice and motorcycle manufacturers have once again been scuppered by America’s California Air Resources Board filing emissions certification for as-yet-unannounced new bikes. 

This time it’s new versions of Ducati’s nutty road-going supermotards that have surfaced Stateside, revealing that the Hypermotard, Hypermotard SP, and Hyperstrada will benefit from a capacity hike for 2016, shifting from the 821 motor to a new 937cc version. The names will be as mildly misleading as the also-revealed 959 Panigale, with the engine capacity being rounded up to a neater 939 for the side panels. 

The trio isn’t a big volume seller in the UK, but boasts a loyal fanbase that stretches from the hardcore track and back-road thrashers on the Hypermotard SP, through to those who want to tour with a bit of attitude on the more practical but no less focussed Hyperstrada.

The new Hypermotards and Hyperstrada are just three of nine confirmed changes to the Ducati range in 2016. The other expected models include the Monster 1200R, a 959 Panigale, Diavel Carbon, Diavel ‘Custom’, a larger capacity Scrambler, and Pikes Peak edition of the Multistrada.