848 Hypertard'ed - Spy shot..

[Rincewind]

Word on Italian sites (link) is that there may be a new liquid-cooled Hypermotard coming next year.  I'm not sure how they derived that info from this shot as I can't make out the engine well for myself.

That should make for a pretty interesting ride and quite a bit different than the mild-mannered 796 air-cooled one I tested before.

[falconati]

That looks more like a baby Multi, to me.

[R Doug]

You are scoop master!  

[Rincewind]

Further info and speculation c/o Visordown:

DUCATI has got to be applauded for its unflinching bravery when it comes to exploring new niches. With the likes of the Diavel and Multistrada 1200, the strategy pays off – creating unique machines that buyers queue up for. But just as often the same out-of-the-box thinking can lead to less success.

The Hypermotard hasn't fallen completely flat on its face, but sales haven't been earth-shattering, with government figures showing less than 1000 have been registered in the UK during the five years its been on sale. That compares to more than 500 Diavels in a single year.

But far from giving up on the Hypermotard it seems Ducati is preparing a totally new version, ditching the air-cooled motor for a water-cooled Testastretta unit. Spy shots clearly show the engine – which looks like the 848 motor rather than the 1198 unit – and a new chassis to fit around it.

At the moment, it's the entry-level Hypermotard 796 that's bolstering sales, accounting for more than half of the UK bikes since its introduction, so if Ducati is ditching the air-cooled version entirely the smaller engine makes sense. However, it would likely be significantly pricier than the existing machine (a Hypermotard 796 costs around £7800, a Streetfighter 848 is nearly £10k).

It would also ask some serious questions of the firm's positioning, or even continuation, of the Streetfighter. Looking at UK sales, it has been significantly weaker than the Hypermotard so once its performance advantage, created by the water-cooled superbike engine, is removed it could be facing an even tougher time.

If Ducati can add an extra layer of practicality to the new Hypermotard to go along with the water-cooled engine, it could become a bike more along the lines of the imaginary Multistrada 848 that many have speculated about since the Multistrada 1200 was first launched – offering much of the Multi's appeal but at a lower price. But that begs the question: why develop an all-new water-cooled Hypermotard if simply bolting a smaller motor to the existing Multistrada would do the same job?

Read more: http://www.visordown.com/motorcycle-news-new-bikes/water-cooled-ducati-hypermotard/20699.html#ixzz1vc8S06UC

[Rincewind]

Another shot of this bike is at Visor Down. 

http://www.visordown.com/motorcycle-news-new-bikes/ducati-848-hypermotard-spied-again/20872.html

[DNA]

Oh my - that does look fun!  

[KodiakRS]

  WANT!!!!

[Rincewind]

Another leaked shot.  News articles suggest that this may be positioned to replace the Hypermotards and that it also may be like a smaller Multistrada.  If so, I hope they have put a more reasonably sized gas tank on this one.  I liked riding the Hypermotard 796, but the peanut-sized tank was a real turn off.



http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/bikes/ducati-hypermotard-848-spy-pict-exhaust/

[falconati]

Multi 848 with a 5.5 gal tank  

[DogBoy]

Shit. That looks like a fun bike.

[ConPilot1]

Looks like fun, but beyond useless for me.

[expatbrit]

Looks like fun, but beyond useless for me.

Looks like it's use is being fun, for me.

Depends on the tank size, really, and weight. That pillion seat looks pretty rudimentary, for sure.

[black hills]

Looks like it's use is being fun, for me.

my thoughts exactly. pretty sure the CBR will be repalced by somethign along these lines in a few years..

[Rincewind]

Some 2013 Hypermotard 848 moto-porn for TGIF.  

This has to be one of the best new 2013 models from anywhere.        



http://youtu.be/4LY3lMOk5QY

[nater]

my thoughts exactly. pretty sure the CBR will be repalced by somethign along these lines in a few years..

Is that KTM altering you views?  A good friend of mind sold his GSXR 1000, got a 990 SMT and hasn't looked back...

[black hills]

Is that KTM altering you views?  A good friend of mind sold his GSXR 1000, got a 990 SMT and hasn't looked back...

   I'm thinking a super duke would compliment the 990A and the 300XC-w very nicely...

[R Doug]

What a great bike.  I just wish it had larger fuel capacity.

   I'm thinking a super duke would compliment the 990A and the 300XC-w very nicely...

Yes it would.