Ducati Hypermotard 698 Mono

There are a few things the world didn’t know it needed – until they arrived. Artificial Intelligence is one. Just a few years ago, many dismissed it; today, the same sceptics rely on it for even the tiniest daily tasks. A high-performance single-cylinder supermoto from Ducati, in India’s multi-cylinder-obsessed market, is another. We already had the mad Hypermotard 950, but Ducati decided we needed another reminder of what it’s capable of. Enter the Hypermotard 698 Mono. This motorcycle isn’t about sensible choices like the Kawasaki Z650, the refined inline-four charm of the Honda CBR650R, or even the brilliantly balanced Triumph Trident 660 (which, full disclosure, I own – so yes, there might be some bias). No, the Hypermono is the wild card – the bike that scoffs at practicality, lives with one wheel always in the air and thrives on sheer madness. It’s built to thrill, to scare, and to leave you with a grin stretching wide beneath your helmet. But here’s the kicker — at ₹16.5 lakh (ex-showroom), can this distilled dose of lunacy justify its steep price tag, especially when the larger Hypermotard 950 costs less? Ducati Hypermotard 698 Mono Review: What Makes It Different? Forget the conventional superbike design; the Hypermono is pure, unfiltered supermotard – tall, lean, and unapologetically aggressive. It may be an acquired taste for Indian buyers used to lower, fully-faired machines, but its Ducati DNA is unmistakable, even within its stripped-down, utilitarian aesthetic. It has presence, no doubt – it turns heads wherever it goes – even if most people don’t immediately recognise it as a Ducati. That striking Rosso Ducati Red adds to the appeal; however, it’s the only colour option available in India. Look closer, and you’ll see top-shelf components – chunky 45mm fully adjustable Marzocchi forks up front and a fully adjustable Sachs monoshock at the rear, all of which scream performance and quality. But a word of warning: it’s tall. With a seat height of 904mm and 235mm of ground clearance, shorter riders (myself included, at 5’6”) will find themselves on tiptoes. The real surprise, though, is its weight. At just 159kg (ready to ride), it’s significantly lighter than my Trident, or anything else in its class, making it feel incredibly nimble and effortless to throw around once you’re moving. When it comes to features, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. You get full LED lighting, but the 3.8-inch LCD display, though clear and functional, feels dated at this price point, especially when most rivals offer full-colour TFTs. Ride mode changes can be fiddly, but, thankfully, the system remembers your preferences (Sport mode, TC off, ABS off, in my case). As for practicality, the 12-litre fuel tank is respectable. You’ll get around 150 – 200km if you’re being gentle, but that number drops fast if you ride it the way Ducati intended. One gripe, though: some exposed wiring and open frame sections feel at odds with the bike’s otherwise premium build. It’s not a deal-breaker, but at this price, you expect perfection, and here, it falls just a little short. Ducati Hypermotard 698 Mono Review: The Superquadro Mono Experience Now we come to the star of the show, that glorious new 659cc Superquadro Mono engine. Essentially one-half of a 1299 Panigale (1,285cc) V-twin, this motor is nothing short of a masterpiece. With 77.5bhp at 9,750 rpm and 63Nm of torque, it’s officially the most powerful production single out there, and it feels every bit as wild as it sounds. But here’s the kicker — it’s not just a fire-breathing one-trick pony. The engine is surprisingly tractable. Thanks to Ducati’s signature Desmodromic valvetrain, it revs in a way no other single-cylinder engine ever has. There’s a strong, linear surge as you roll on the throttle, but once you cross that 4,500 to 5,000 rpm threshold, the shove intensifies, and the exhaust note evolves from a throaty howl into an aggressive, almost primal bark. It’s addictive. It’ll catch you off-guard if you’re not ready, and you’ll find yourself chasing that sensation again and again. Overall, the power delivery is savage. First gear? Instant wheelie. Second? Still wants to lift. And yet, it’s surprisingly usable, pulling hard across the rev range, thanks in part to short gearing. It’ll scream up to 160 – 170km/h in the higher gears without breaking a sweat, but make no mistake: this bike isn’t built for highway droning. It’s happiest carving through tight corners, chasing apexes, or darting through city gaps. The electronics suite is solid – cornering ABS, traction control, and wheelie control. But despite all that, the Hypermono feels raw and untamed. In traffic, it’s a handful. Heat, vibrations, and its restless eagerness make it clear — this is not a bike that likes to be ridden slow. But give it just the smallest gap, and it transforms into an urban missile – launching hard off the line and easily leaving its multi-cylinder competition in the dust. It demands respect, though. Ride it wisely, and it rewards you by sharpening your skills, keeping you alert, and delivering a constant hit of adrenaline. If there’s one area where its rivals hold an edge, it’s in terms of the symphony of sound –the Mono falls a bit short in this area. But for everything else, the Hypermotard 698 Mono isn’t just up for the task, it turns every ride into an event. And in a market like India, isn’t that exactly what a superbike should do? Ducati Hypermotard 698 Mono Review: But Can It Dance as Well as It Screams? The chassis is more than up to the task. The long-travel Marzocchi and Sachs suspension – 215mm up front and 240mm at the rear – delivers a surprisingly plush ride, especially for Indian city roads. In fact, it’s more forgiving than many stiffly-sprung 600cc sportbikes. Yet, despite the travel and comfort, the Hypermono remains incredibly nimble and razor-sharp in its responses. The grip is handled brilliantly by the Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV tyres, which stick like glue and inspire confidence even when you’re pushing hard. As I mentioned earlier, the biggest advantage the Hypermono holds over its rivals is its weight. It feels featherlight and eager, almost daring you to take liberties with it. The kind of bike that makes every rider feel like they can overcome any challenge with precision. Adding to that confidence are the Brembo brakes, which deliver phenomenal stopping power and feel. No, this isn’t a machine honed for traditional track domination like some of its multi-cylinder rivals. But it thrills in its own way – corners become invitations to slide the rear, exits become opportunities to loft the front wheel. If there’s one chink in its otherwise impressive armour, it’s a hint of instability at high speeds. But honestly, that’s a small price to pay for the kind of flickability and playful character this chassis brings to the table. Ducati Hypermotard 698 Mono Review: Is It Worth the Moolah? The Hypermotard 698 Mono is an acquired taste, but once it hooks you, it’s pure addiction. No other road-legal machine offers this particular blend of raw, wheelie-popping, slide-happy fun. It’s gloriously impractical, unapologetically wild, but if your riding soul craves something feral, something that channels your most unhinged instincts, the Hypermono is simply intoxicating. At ₹16.5 lakh (ex-showroom), its price is the unavoidable elephant in the room. Personally, if it sat a few lakh lower – closer to bikes like the Trident – it would be nearly impossible to resist. It’s not for everyone. But for those who get it – it’s the finest kind of madness money can buy. [tabs] [tab title="Ducati Hypermotard 698 Mono"] Engine: 659cc Single-Cylinder Transmission: 6-Speed Power: 77.5bhp Torque: 63Nm Fuel: Petrol Price: ₹16.50 Lakh (Ex-showroom) X-Factor: The Superquadro Mono delivers an experience which is raw, agile, wheelie-popping hooliganism at its finest. Pros • Raw power, weight, comfort Cons • Price, fit & finish [/tab] [/tabs]