Is The Ducati 698 Hypermotard Secretly a Dual Sport? 

Can we get a petition going for a desert x like retro style rally fairing version of the 698?

They have the potential to catch all the other manufacturers with their pants down in the ADV class. No one offers an adventurized single. If they put a 20L+ tank down low and out front like an 890 it might cut into Rade garage accessory sales for the 690/701. Not to mention those 890 style tanks seem to act as crash bars nicely.

I hope this becomes the base of a new Desert Sled. A retry styled scrambler with some proper offroad capabilities. Dream bike right there!

I think you’re right about Ducati coming with a dirt oriented (dual or small adv) bike with this motor, but I think it’s not coming from the existing motard platform. My theory is that it will be something completely new coming from the same group designing the MX bike. I’ll say even more. There will be at least 2 bikes in that category: one based on the big bore motor, and the other based on the 450.

not sure you’re right, but it’d be a good thing: we need more stuff in the 690/701, AJP and (I dare say) crf and Kove space…

The 690 Enduro (non R) and 690 SMC (non R) were both released in 2008. The Enduro R was later released in 2011 and SMC-R in 2012. They have been more or less the same bikes right from 2008 except for wheels, suspension, brakes, top triple clamp and fork legs. Anyway I am lined up for a test ride of the Mono and can't wait how it compares to my 2011 and 2020 SMC(R). I agree with you that it'd make a lot of sense for Ducati to build onto the new engine and possibly the platform.

I’d say closer to 450MX rally but not 698. Too close to the Desert Rally & steal sales. 450’s are the future

Great video Solid. It makes sense why Ducati would add a dual sport model to their range. For consumers, with added market competition with KTM/Husqvarna, could impact prices in a positive way. Gotta love a big single👍

It's funny, the first time I saw this bike at release, I thought that if they would make a Rally fairing with windscreen, it would be an awesome adventure/ rally bike for those of us that want a little less power than the Desert X. KTM has sold a bunch of 690's, so there is obviously a market for it.

I like that idea, of this becoming an Enduro

Great outlook, Solid. I hope you are onto something here. We need more actual middle weight ADV bikes under 700cc. 👏

I think you've hit it Solid but the price will likely be too high in Australia, making us too scared to drop it off road.

I asked the same thing at Manuel Lucchese on his channel as he is one of the best rally and Enduro builders around and he also participated on the Dakar. He build the T7 for Pol Tarres on his Channel. My dream would be having this 698 Motard converted into a ADV bike if money wasnt a factor. As for now, my 690 ADV has to do😂

A super light adventure bike... That's what's most missing. That thing would be more than a dual sport, on highway 😜 and reasonably compact on the trail... However, motor-cycling is as dead as recreational income..

Mini dessert X?

put some 18/21's on this and a nav tower and you're good to go! Not sure if Ducati would want it to compete with their own Dessert X though.

My exact thoughts when it was released - it really is a no-brainer and frankly, not being a KTM fan, I'm quite excited for it and expect to see it soon 😊

21/18 wheel combo light weight adventure bike ... come on Ducati

I think this engine will be used in the next gen scramblers as the old air cooled vtwin will be difficult to get through euro 6 emissions. Dual sport version of the mortard is begging to be the new desert sled

I believe that the internal oil filter is just a goal that most all of the manufacturers who are in the motor/engine development industries are shooting for, or evolving to. I think it’s just in the evolution of design,. But yeah! I dream of a new lightweight ADV/dual sport, preferably a Rally version, to be introduced at any time! And it could be a big thumper, as long as they find ways to keep the weight down. It’s definitely doable!

Spot on solid! I have to agree. Also bet it will be too damn expensive so they’ll have to make some changes to bring the price down if they want to compete with the market.

450 MX or 698 super mono. 2 good basis to develop Dual sports. Can't wait for them to appear! But not really expecting a fair price from Ducati... Maybe Japanese will come with some cheaper models in the same range. Or the Chinese who have seemed to be cleverer in that segment. Wait and see!

Hey ! I agree 1000% They’ll just need to sort the wheel base out, the moment I saw the release I was … this is gonna lead to a dirt machine As a owner of Hypermotard 939 SP and 23 KTM 890 Adv R… this has me very confused and excited at thw same time🤣 Looking forward to see what happens Keep up the good vibes Solid👍

Will be interesting to see them go head to head with KTM, and it'll hopefully will spill over to an off road bike to compete with the 690 Enduro R. Personally I would really love a 390 Enduro R (no, not the new rumored 390 ADV, a serious off road smaller 690). Ducati traditionally has been pretty high displacement and power, but the RC 390 and Duke 390 are popular bikes you'd think they'd want to compete with too. So if KTM gets a 390 Enduro R, perhaps Ducati may build a similar bike.

We can only watch and wait. The new Mono Hyper is a TOTALLY diiferent engine to the MX 450 prototype motor yet both share the Panni 4 valve DESMO head design. The MX program for this year is only a development platform, which they hope will make it to the US in 2025 as the racing program evolves. Hyper 659 engine swing arm pivot is off the engine cases and is too heavy for the EURO MX program, where the MX 450 is more traditional frame mounted swing arm pivot and a VERY slimmed down (lighter) prototype motor. That we can't buy, so expect to see it evolve rapidly. The CEO has already said many times the Hyper engine will NOT be in any other bike ( no I dont believe Claudio either! ). Perhaps we will see a 450 hybrid of the two engines in a retail product for Dual Sports we can buy. Perhaps in Ducatis belief that they are the Ferrari of motorcycles they're thinking racing Dakar, so 450cc. Its all very odd given their parent company ( VW ) are ALL about cross platform compoent sharing, how the Hyper is the ONLY model to get that engine goes totally against that VW ethos. Something fishy going on and EURO emissions standards is where the smell is most likely coming from. Auto lobby groups ARE pushing Brussels hard to slow or even reverse course. Anyone's guess how that plays out as politics . . . . . reason / logic go out the window. I have the DDX , a lighter 450 would be welcomed.

This concept would be hard to resist. I love Ducati.

Really nice sidi 😊(ps got the same) perfect boots!

Brilliant COS… an AUD$ 20K dual sport😉 Just the sort to dump on some rocks through the flinders ranges🤦‍♂️

Small nitpick, but the 698 mono is a.... 659cc. Because marketing. I like the idea of it, but a $25k extreme oversquare hooligan machine that makes all its power super high up in the revs doesn't sound very dual sporty to boring old me, I need some tractor factor haha.

Of course the conclusion that the 698 will be a platform and not just result in ONE single bike is logical. However to transfer the 698 supermoto/motard into a dual sport/adventure/rally bike will need more modifications than just 18/21 wheels and a little fairing. 12.5l fuel is not enough, especially if you consider that none of the current Ducati engines is really fuel efficient, compared to the KTM engines. So Ducati really needs to work on fuel capacity, to give a 698 adventure a decent mileage!

Please God, yes! I'd sell my KLR and 450 RL and buy that! Bring it!

You are absolutely spot on! Spot on! 😀 👍🏻 👍🏻👍🏻

It's a dual sport they just have not built it yet. We will see a RU-vidr do it within the month. With 50/50 tires on it now it will beat a adventure bike as it sits now. As a 690 owner I am excited to see this.

I'd be interested.

It will be an absolute crime if Ducati don't build a modular range around these new motors - yes, the 450 too. I'd like a light faired sports bike, a naked Monster style, the motard, a proper chookie, and an adv version, in various states of tune. I'd accept a chookie that buyers can ADVerise, because, IMO, adv bikes are unnecessarily bloated. Give people the option of light weight and clean air, or bloat it up with a tower if that's their preference. Don't give us another overweight KLR as standard. Will I buy one? Depends on what they offer, but I'm very interested. I await further developments with bated breath. 😁

I own a 250cc doul Sport, and i moded it. Not for speed. For sightseeing at low range high torch. Yet. This one I like. I want something that will do again over 80 mph. So I want to have to tailer it for long distances. Yet. Light weight. Thanks for sharing.

Ducati did remove the best selling desert sled from the market 😢

Convinced me solid 💪🏻

In years gone by a Super Motard was called " a Chook Chaser ".

Wouldn't come in cheap enough to compete with the 690 platform. Also trusting a ducati in hard enduro might be a big ask

I'd be first in line , bring it .

Whole family of bikes. The market is there for each. Modular design. They generally build two or three variations on the same design if not more. Long history of that. DUC has seen the light as far as going off road and on the dirt. Big SS bikes are slow sellers these days and have been quite awhile. Niche market these days. Cool it man, you need to chill. Come to Fairbanks, AK, USA high for today -46 F

ABC(USA)Superbikers,of the late '70's and early 1980's was the birth of supermoto, which was basically flattrackers v the superbikes,but as moto x was in it's ascendancy, they started ruling the roost,peeking, with the sublime Danny 'Magoo' Chandler, which has to go down in history, as one of the greatest motorcycle races of all time! What started with 19" flattracker wheels on the MX bikes,ended up with the French fitting 17" rims...and the rest is history, as they say!

It IS "well reasoned and critically thought out" speculation!

I'm anxiously waiting for the inevitable between Ducati and Triumph. Who will be the first to evolve their latest forays into the motocross/enduro space into a proper 400-450cc dual sport. And speaking of the "era of the modular platform", it seems that its high time for Triumph to develop a middle-weight ADV model based on their 660 platform with 21/18 spoke wheels to compete with the likes of the Toureg and T7.

1 point against. It is a high swing arm pivot, high output shaft style engine. A lot of the engine is below the pivot point which is great for road going bikes. Not so good for ground clearance or adding extra travel..

What do you think about the ecu and airbox upgrade kit from SSS motorcycles Tamworth to suit the CRF 300 l and Rally?

Will be the fastest dual sport bike, but durable?

If i get one im gonna turn it into a dualsport. Id probably buy the gasgas es 700 or the sm 700 first since its cheaper. Cant find any results on the top speed for the 698 mono

The problem with this chassis is that it doesn’t have a full frame for engine protection

Hope your right.

I had a 21 crf250L that was a turd. Suspension was so soft you couldn't get the tires off the ground without bottoming out. Great for the VT dirt roads but I have more fun on an old kdx or the 450 just not legally. The kdx has always been my favorite on/off bike. Being 2 stroke is a plus. Have one of the later 220 models my friend is trying to sell after he got in a bad car wreck with both legs getting crushed so riding bikes is out for him for now if not ever. I'm trying to get it super cheap when he needs the money. The 1k he started with is worth it all day long but I'm sure If he still has it in a month he will go down more. I don't have the money right now for another toy but if I can get that bike for around $500 I will go without some things for awhile with a deal like that. With 2 strokes like that people are paying good money for since COVID. I got rid of my duel sport crf250L after covid and you couldn't find a duel sport anywhere so they wanted my trade in. They had it sold before they had my new bike ready to pick up.

Let's hope you're right

Here’s to hoping that tingle ain’t the herp! 😂😉 Seriously, if they really slim it down, it would slot in under the Desert X, and it would blow away the 450 class machines. 😃

Looks like it

Yes

Solid, there are various bikes popping up on the internet , that seem to be dream bikes i.e. an NX 500 Honda offroad version, a 700 KLX etc. I think these are all computer generated bogus bikes. Have you seen this?

V1, V2 and V4 - just missing V3.

Ending :-. Showing your age, Solid.

A Single Cylinder Panigale

Yes they will make the 700 adventure single KTM failed to do with 701LR. Add a Rally fairing screen, tanks, and luggage subframe, play with suspension and steering rake and ready for adventure. KTM REFUSES TO DO IT😡😡 with their 75hp single🤔🤬. Instead we get heavy 800cc twins and useless 390 adv🙄 that all look like alien space bikes😠. I’m glad ducati is making 698 platform👍🏾. Desertx looks great 👏🏾

Just like KTM/Husqvarna/Gas Gas, the Ducati has a tiny gas tank with crazy high seat height so I don't see it working as an adventure bike. Too bad because the motor and tidy exhaust packaging are sooo perfect.

This is odd , unless my old eyeballs are playing tricks on me the horsepower & torque figures on the "tech specs" sheet shown vary wildly between the graph and print , eh ?! Graph shows 90ish hp print says "77.5 hp" torque on graph is close to 60 lb-ft print says "46.5 lb-ft" ? Impressive numbers either way .

I see the possibility, but I think they will wait to see how the motocross efforts pan out. If they end up doing for off-road, what KTM did, then I see the possibility. If so, KTM will probably but Ducati, so that they can further dominate the EU off-road scene!

Omg at 5:55 the welds on the exhaust are absolutely horrible 🤢

Do you want helicopter mechanical support for your rides with that ...😁 As usual superbly designed ( as demanded by the rich rider). Wouldn't the 450 make a better base.

doesn't matter to me because Ducatis are usually out of my price range. rsm8

Two reasons I would never buy another Ducati, 1. Poor dealer network, 2. Arrogant customer service.

last thing I want when I am deep in the woods is the lack Ducati reliability

Will Ducati go to Dakar in 2025?

I'm surprised the yanks haven't chimed in about the pronunciation. They're called "Doogotti" 😂😂

Took so long to come to market KTM discontinued the single that was in the weight class Ducati is pretending it invented. I’m interested, but the hype is silly.

I would not trust that thing offroad 😂

probably herpes!!! lol. I like the idea of the Duc being a solid off road machine.

It’s obviously a stunt bike.

😂 It's herpes, and you're probably out of your mind... But I hope you're right about the motorcycle that's going to be coming out😅

Assumes that the EU wont ban all ICE engines?

Bro, might want to wipe the chap stick off your lips before you start filming XD