2024 Ducati Hypermotard 698 Mono First Look [9 Fast Facts]

November 2, 2023

Meet the 2024 Ducati Hypermotard 698 Mono, the Italian brand’s first single-cylinder-powered supermotard machine, promising a true-to-form supermoto experience via an attractive power-to-weight ratio that defines this hooligan-friendly class. The Hypermotard 698 Mono utilizes Ducati’s recently announced Superquadro Mono engine and will arrive in two trims—a $12,995 base mode and an up/down quickshifter-equipped, graphically enhanced RVE variant with an MSRP of $14,495.

2024 Ducati Hypermotard 698 Mono First Look: standard and RVE — RVE (left) and standard models.

We’re excited to see what Ducati’s supermoto thumper can do. Until then, we’ll hit you with the Fast Facts.

It’s the 659cc Superquadro Mono’s first dance. When Ducati announced its all-new single-cylinder engine, derived from the 1299cc Panigale’s Superquadro V-twin, it raised more than a few eyebrows. The Bologna-based brand claims that its big thumper produces an impressive 78 horsepower at 9750 rpm and 46 ft-lbs of torque at 8000 rpm, plus a 10,250 rpm redline—all new highwater marks within that engine class. We’ve covered the technical bits of the new desmodromic-valve single here.
Further performance gains can be unlocked through a race-only Termignoni exhaust that bumps peak horsepower to 85 horses. The lightweight engine is primed for horking wheelies, backing it in, and all the two-wheeled debauchery supermoto is known for.

Less is more in the supermoto class, and the wet weight of the 2024 Ducati Hypermotard 698 Mono is 352 pounds with the 3.2-gallon fuel tank filled. The 698 is angling at the crux of the supermoto class—great power-to-weight ratio. For reference, the 698 Mono is a whopping 84 pounds lighter than the incredibly agile Hypermotard 950 SP V-twin, tipping the scales at a claimed 436 pounds at the curb. Supermotos are naturally spartan, and the steel-trellis frame uses variable thickness tubing and is said to be a shockingly low 16 pounds. In addition, a conventional aluminum swingarm is in play, and cast aluminum wheels save roughly one pound over wire-spoke variants. Plus, you have an engine with just one cylinder.

Supermoto ergos should pair well with the lightweight machine. To be blunt, supermoto ergonomics simply means dirt bike ergonomics. A long, thin, tall saddle allows more maneuverability than a playground jungle gym. On that note, the wide handlebars are adjustable fore and aft thanks to eccentric U-bolts. Knee-down or leg-out is your choice—a supermoto keeps the rider hoisted high, raises the center of gravity, and gives the pilot enormous leverage over the bike to encourage that sensation of agility. The footpegs are designed with high lean angles in mind and boast removable rubber inserts, allowing improved grip when wearing proper racing boots.

A fully adjustable 45mm USD Marzocchi fork and Sachs shock handle suspension duties. There’s ample travel for soaking up bumps and jumps, as we’re working with 8.5 inches in the front and 9.4 in the rear. Additionally, the fork is said to weigh less than 18 pounds, again leaning into the supermoto class’s lightweight objectives.

Class-leading IMU-supported electronics join the 2024 Ducati Hypermotard 698 Mono party. Regarding factory supermotos, no one offers the wealth of electronic rider aids we see here, derived from the Panigale V4 superbike platform. To that end, four ride modes—Sport, Road, Urban, and Wet—corral muti-level cornering ABS, traction control, wheelie control, engine brake modes, and launch control settings. An up/down quickshifter is standard on the RVE model and optional on the base bike. Naturally, Ducati’s slide-by-brake feature is here to assist riders when learning to back it in; for veterans, rear ABS can be disabled completely. In the name of supermoto simplicity, the Hyper 698 Mono uses an old-school 3.8-inch LCD instrument panel.

Wheelie Assist is a new feature and one worth examining. Wheelie control is an established aid on many motorcycles, and “control” is the operative word—it restricts unwanted wheelies. However, the opposite is true of Wheelie Assist. It’s a new, track-only feature that Ducati says will help maintain sustained wheelies by monitoring the bike’s angle and metering engine torque. This feature can only be unlocked with the closed-course Termignoni Ducati Performance exhaust, reinforcing that this hooligan-friendly aid isn’t for the streets. Supermoto is synonymous with wheelies and everything cool about motorcycles, so allowing more riders to dabble in the practice is fantastic.

Braking is by Brembo. A honking 330mm rotor is bolted onto the front wheel, with a single M4.32 caliper doing the heavy lifting. Remember, this bike is lightweight, and the single Brembo should have plenty of stopping power with the Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV rubber to put it on its nose for cheeky stoppies. In the rear, a 240mm disc and a single-piston caliper help nurse slides at your command.

Two versions of the 2024 Ducati Hypermotard 698 Mono are available: Standard and RVE. The RVE boasts an exclusive livery, a black powered-coated frame, and a quickshifter for a $1500 premium. Meanwhile, the base model has the classic Ducati Red powdercoated frame with matching plastic. Look to catch the Mono at Ducati dealers in February 2024.

Location and action photography by Marco Campelli
Studio photography by Andrea Sottana Studio GDS

2024 Ducati Hypermotard 698 Mono (and RVE) Specs

ENGINE

Type: Superquadro Mono single-cylinder

Displacement: 659ccc

Bore x stroke: 116 x 62.4mm

Maximum power: 78 horsepower @ 9000 rpm

Maximum torque: 46 ft-lbs @ 7250 rpm

Compression ratio: 13.1:1

Fueling: Ride-by-wire w/ 62mm throttle body

Mufflers: Aluminum

Transmission: 6-speed (RVE: 6-speed w/ quickshifter)