After teasing it a week back, Ducati has officially launched the Hypermotard 698 Mono in India at a price of Rs 16.50 lakh (ex-showroom). Bookings for the enduro-style motorcycle are currently underway and deliveries are expected to commence by the end of this month. The Hypermotard 698 Mono holds the distinction of being the online single-cylinder in Ducati’s global lineup.
The units sold in India are brought in from Italy and Thailand, however the ‘Mono’ doesn’t qualify for Indo-Thai FTA or Free Trade Agreement benefits because its engine capacity is under 800cc.Available in a single Ducati red colour, the Hypermotard 698 will be brought to India as a fully-imported CBU mode.
Ducati Hypermotard 698 Mono: Design & features
Like a typical supermoto, the high-set beak-like front fender is the most prominent visual feature. Further, a tall stance, wide handlebar, a single-piece bench seat, twin upswept exhaust mufflers placed under the rear fender, a flat single-piece seat, 5-spoke Y-design alloy wheels, and a sleek tail section all add up to give Hypermotard 698 the appearance of an enduro bike.
In terms of features, Hypermotard 698 Mono gets a 3.8-inch LCD instrument panel, all-LED lighting, and four ride modes namely Sport, Road, Urban, and Wet. In addition, Ducati is offering a wide electronics suite consisting of traction control, three power modes, ride-by-wire, wheelie control, launch control, cornering ABS, and engine brake control.
Ducati Hypermotard 698 Mono: Mechanical specs
Powering the Hypermotard 698 Mono is a 659cc, liquid-cooled Superquadro Mono engine which develops 77.5 bhp and 63 Nm of peak torque. On using an optional Termignoni race exhaust, output figures can be bumped up to 84.5 bhp and 67 Nm of torque, making it the most powerful single-cylinder engine in the world.
Coming to cycle parts, the Hypermotard 698 Mono is underpinned by a trellis frame which is suspended on fully-adjustable USD front forks and a rear monoshock by Sachs. Braking duties are carried out by a 330mm front and 245mm rear disc aided by a dual-channel ABS. The rear ABS can be switched off in order to perform slides. The Hypermotard rolls on 17-inch wheels wrapped in 120/70 front and 160/60 rear Diablo Rosso 4 tyres.
