Rebel without any flaws: Ducati Hypermotard 950 SP review

24 February 2023 , 09:33

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Standout – Ducati Hypermotard 950 SP

Ducati is currently riding high in the motorcycling world, following victory in last year’s MotoGP for both the manufacturer and its factory rider Francesco "Pecco" Bagnaia.

Fellow Italian Enea Bastianini took third also on a Ducati, while the other Ducati Lenovo Team factory member Jack Miller finished in fifth.

Champion – Francesco 'Pecco' Bagnaia leads teammate Jack Miller

So what better time to take a look at one of the stand-out marque’s stand-out models – the Hypermotard 950 SP?

The name first appeared in 2007 with a twin-cylinder 1100cc supermoto-style beast, known for being something of a hooligan bike.

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That was followed by a 796 in 2009, 821 in 2013 and 939 in 2016.

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Throughout, the bike has retained its rebellious reputation.

Browse more than 19,000 new and used bikes for sale at Autotrader.co.uk/bikes

So what of the latest incarnation, the 950.

The Italian manufacturer now offers three version – the base model, the RVE and the one we are looking at here, the top-of-the-range SP.

Great looks – MotoGP-inspired livery

First impression are very favourable – the bike is distinctive in its new MotoGP-inspired livery of red, white and grey (plus gold forks), and the lines are no-nonsense yet sculpted, with the trellis frame a feature and the exhausts tucked under the seat.

I love the way the indicators are neatly integrated in the hand-guards.

Despite, two 17in wheels, the bike sits quite high (870mm), but it is also narrow and, at 5ft 11in, I was comfortably able to get boots to tarmac.

The dash is a very nice and easy-to-read 4.3in TFT affair, taken directly from the Panigale V4, although, somewhat bizarrely, there is no fuel gauge.

There are three rides modes and the switchgear is solid and intuitive.

Standout – Ducati Hypermotard 950 SP

At the heart of the Hypermotard is its 937cc Testastretta V-twin – and what an absolute beauty it is.

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The throaty rumble is magic as you head off and the joy of it is the tons of low and mid-range torque on offer with just a twist of the super-responsive throttle.

Gear changes are smooth and easy, aided by an excellent up/down quickshifter and overtaking is a breeze.

Just remember to engage the wheelie control, as that front wheel loves to lift.

Rebel – Hypermotard has a naughty reputation

The ride position puts you right over that small front wheel and I initially found it a little twitchy at lower speeds.

But I soon got used to it and, in fact the handling on this bike is sublime.

Super smooth – Handling is superb

That trellis frame combines with the fully adjustable Marzocchi forks, Ohlins monoshock, lightweight Marchesini forged wheels and superb Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP tyres to provide silky smooth yet responsive control through the bends.

But you can also hit them super aggressively and the Hypermotard just seems to soak it all up with not a hint on concern.

Brembo M4 brakes provide some of the strongest but most feeler-friendly you’ll find on any bike on the market

Fun times – Hypermotard 950 SP

This SP comes with a whole host of as-standard trickery and features, including the wheelie control, quick shifter, Bosch cornering ABS, carbon-fibre mudguard and timing-belt cover, removable pillion pegs and a USB port.

Almost £16k is a lot to pay, obviously, but the Hypermotard is one of the most fun, exciting, yet usable bikes on the market today.

Fraser Addecott