Cycle News

Cycle News 2013 Issue 12 Mar 26

Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles

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VOL. 50 ISSUE 12 MARCH 26, 2013 P55 Domesticated Desmo The Hypermotard has been tamed, but it's still a blast to ride BY ALAN CATHCART PHOTOGRAPHY BY MILAGRO F irst things first. The 2013 Ducati Hypermotard is an all-new motorcycle owing nothing more than its name and overall concept to its Pierre Terblanche-inspired predecessor. This Evoluzione version has a completely new engine, a different frame, and revamped styling compared to both the original Hypermotard 1100 and its 2010 Hypermotard EVO update, let alone the smaller 803cc Hypermotard 796. Simply put, Ducati's R&D team led by Federico Sabbioni tore up the blueprint and started again from an almost clean sheet in designing this motorcycle. So instead of the air-cooled two-valve desmodue motors employed in the previous versions, the new Hypermotard is for the first time powered by a liquid-cooled eight-valve engine – and an all-new Testastretta Ltwin design. Not the V-twin layout of the Panigale, thus confirming the assurances that Ducati boss Claudio Domenicali gave that the Testastretta motor will stay in production for some time to come. "Not only will it remain in existence, but it will continue to be developed," said Domenicali a year ago. "There are many areas of potential improvement. I think that we have to continue our desire to get a more mature sports-riding experience in road use. We want to be increasingly able to deliver good performance with easy access for the customer, in a safe way. So,

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