Chassis and suspension as per Ducati tradition
The Hypermotard comes with a Full Monte of high quality components: the trademark steel tube trellis frame, Brembo radial-mount master cylinder and Monobloc callipers in front, adjustable Kayaba fork and Öhlins rear shock, a second radial master cylinder for the clutch, Marchesini forged alloy rims wrapped with near-race Pirelli Dragon Supercorsa III tires, a single-sided swingarm, and a lightweight 2–1–2 exhaust system, unfortunately still high mounted at the rear and likely to toast your buns in town.

The one highly visible concession to modernity is a complete, programmable flat panel display showing virtually all the information tha may be needed.

The behaviour of the bike reflects the quality of its components, with an immediate response to all rider commands, as well as the precision and ease of use one expects from top-drawer products.

Striking style and spare ergos
The Hypermotard struck me as a smallish bike, not a mini, just a very compact machine that nevertheless affords enough space for most physical types and sizes. This compactness is easy to understand when one knows that the Supermoto machine type originated from off-roaders that has been adapted for street use, meaning lowered, with street wheels, brakes and tires. This means a light, Spartan machine focused on the job at hand: covering all kinds of paved surfaces, at high and low speed, and producing the highest possible level of pure fun.

The one highly visible concession to modernity is a complete, programmable flat panel display showing virtually all the information needed when riding, and an embryonic but nevertheless effective wind deflector atop the display panel that provides a surprising amount of protection from the wind.

The seating position is upright-forward, as per Supermoto convention, to provide extra grip for the front wheel when entering corners, with enough room on the seat to slide back to the rear for added traction at the back when accelerating out of corners, or, heaven forbid, to unload the front and help launch you towards the sky!

I had mixed feelings about the really cool flip-out mirrors attached at the end of the bar. They provide a great view of what is going on behind you, but widen the bike too much for tight city riding, and gradually drift out of their proper position at high speed.

The seating position is upright-forward, as per Supermoto convention. Some bulkier riders might prefer to move back away from the tank a little bit, but this is complicated by the forward slope of the saddle.