Ducati Hypermotard 950 RVE, Track Test

If styling was the only criterion for scoring, the Hypermotard 950 RVE would be my pick of the lot. It takes the best bits from superbikes and supermotos and motocross motorcycles and combines them in a package that looks as if it’s designed for pure fun.

The fun quotient is present in abundance, and you realise this as soon as you ride the Hypermotard. The 937cc Testastretta engine produces 112bhp at 9,000rpm and 96Nm at 7,250rpm – all this at first takes your breath away, then puts a wide grin on your face, and after a few laps, you just can’t stop giggling. The Hypermotard forces you to sit fairly upright, almost in a supermoto stance, and while it feels a little odd on the track at first, you quickly get used to it. The Pirelli Diablo Rosso III tyres are quite grippy too – allowing for just a little bit of slip. Like other Ducatis, the Hypermotard is armed with traction control (DTC Evo), a two-way quick shifter, and riding modes – in short, it’s well-kitted out. The Hypermotard is fast, and while it takes some muscling to lean it into a corner, it remains very surefooted once you do it. It also takes quick direction changes well. But the Hypermotard is quirky, which means that if Simran had a little more time, he could’ve extracted close to another second from the lap time.

The Hypermotard, however, isn’t all smiles and laughs, for the quality levels of some bits, especially the mirrors, are not up to Ducati standards. And then there’s the matter of the halogen lamp, along with the fact that the bike costs ₹2 lakh more than the Monster, which has better quality, a newer, more modern chassis, and similar levels of performance. The riding position, a narrow seat, and lack of a windshield mean that it isn’t very well suited to long-distance cruising either. But in terms of pure fun, the Hypermotard 950 RVE is unmatched.

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